Matt Smith’s …this is not ok… is a deeply considered 20th studio album from an Austin-based guitarist, songwriter, producer and educator whose career spans more than four decades. Across nine original compositions, Smith draws from roots, blues, soul, rock, folk and Americana, creating a record that responds to the uncertainty of modern life without surrendering to despair. The album carries the perspective of an experienced artist who has witnessed considerable change while retaining a strong belief in compassion, resilience and human connection.
The record’s emotional weight becomes particularly evident on highlights such as “World Is a Wheel,” “Cry for America” and “Orphans.” Each song approaches difficult subjects from a reflective perspective, allowing Smith to address division, vulnerability and hardship while leaving space for hope. His songwriting avoids easy answers, instead encouraging listeners to consider their own experiences and the possibility of finding common ground. Warm roots influences and expressive arrangements give the material an organic character, while the combination of acoustic textures, blues-inflected elements and rock sensibilities keeps the album varied throughout.
Recorded between Austin and New York, the project benefits from contributions from musicians and vocalists connected to both creative communities. Julie Slim, Alex Ruiz, Joe Morales, Guy Forsythe, Ange Kogutz, Tony Perrino, David Webb, Hank Soto, Greg Holt and Ernie Durawa are among the performers contributing to the album, with Smith overseeing production. Songs including “Level Ground,” “A Life in Love” and “From the Ashes” further expand the album’s emotional range, moving between personal reflection and broader observations about perseverance, renewal and the human experience.
Smith’s extensive history gives …this is not ok… an added sense of authenticity. His career has included performances and collaborations involving B.B. King, Sheryl Crow, Trey Anastasio, Gregg Allman, Los Lobos, Johnny Winter and Buddy Guy, alongside decades devoted to education and recording. Yet this album feels less like a career retrospective than a present-tense statement from an artist still searching for meaningful answers. Honest, thoughtful and richly grounded in American roots traditions, …this is not ok… demonstrates how songwriting can confront difficult realities while still reaching toward understanding, empathy and hope.
