While most of us, at the sight of dark clouds, hurry to take shelter under a roof, there are those who do exactly the opposite – get into a car and drive straight into the epicenter of the storm. Storm chasers – researchers, enthusiasts, and activists – document natural phenomena to better understand the climate and warn of danger. In music, too, there are their own chasers – those who are not afraid to look chaos in the eye to find truth within it.
Matt DeAngelis – a singer, songwriter from sunny South New Jersey, in my opinion, is one of them. I wonder, what do a musician and a storm chaser have in common? It turns out – quite a lot. Both making music and chasing storms require courage, sensitivity, and readiness, since few dare to do it. Matt “went into” music at the age of eight, and all this time he has been pursuing one important goal – to bring people positivity. In his youth, he was diagnosed with OCD and an anxiety disorder. Not easy? Absolutely. But it was this that largely shaped him as an artist. His priorities are music, mental health, and the climate. The storm chase is not for adrenaline, but to make people think: something is happening to our planet, and it matters. The new single “In This World,” released on January 23, 2026, is a logical continuation of his ideas. Beneath the soft and determined vocals runs the living breath of the instrumental sections: the jazz-rock pulsation in 12/8 time is free and harmonious, emotions dictate the form. There is sincerity in DeAngelis’s voice, lyrics with deep meaning and reflection. Life is a miracle and a gift, and no one knows how much time is given to each. And I think the line “Everybody knows what it means to live in this world” is addressed precisely to those who realize the value of their life – and to those who have not yet understood what a miracle their presence here is.
“In This World” is a musical reminder that even in chaos one can hear harmony – you just have to not be afraid to listen carefully. Like storm chasers, Matt and his band catch moments: a flash of inspiration, the pulse of a drum, the breath of keys. Matt DeAngelis goes toward the storm – in life and in music. And every time, he returns with something valuable.
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