Matt Herzog keeps things loose and lively on new single ‘Don’t Wait For Me’

There's an easy confidence running through Matt Herzog’s ‘Don’t Wait For Me’, the opening track from his latest studio release 'Under The Stack'. Built around a playful sense of everyday chaos, the Minneapolis singer-songwriter turns the familiar experience of trying to get somewhere on time into a warm, characterful slice of American rock with plenty of personality.

But what immediately stands out is how naturally the band locks into the song’s groove. Herzog’s guitar work remains central without overcrowding the arrangement, leaving space for the rhythm section, keys and brass to shape the track around him. It's an openness that gives ‘Don’t Wait For Me’ a relaxed, live-band feel, with each instrument adding colour rather than simply filling space.

Brady Moroney’s tenor saxophone is especially effective, bringing a burst of swagger that pushes the song beyond straightforward roots-rock territory. There's a loose, almost late-night television-band energy to the horn work, which suits the track’s humorous tone and helps reinforce its sense of movement.

Lyrically, the track benefits from its modest scale. Throughout, he sketches out the small delays, distractions and well-meaning missteps that can derail a day, using humour to give the song its charm. That grounded perspective fits neatly with the broader writing on 'Under The Stack', where ordinary frustrations and mid-life reflection are often treated with equal parts wit and sincerity.

As an introduction to Matt Herzog’s expanded band sound, ‘Don’t Wait For Me’ does its job well. Loose, upbeat and musically detailed without becoming cluttered, it captures an artist finding plenty of character in the everyday and trusting a strong ensemble to carry the story with him.