Pop/Review Philip La Rosa - No Matter
Philip La Rosa’s love for music started young—learning dance moves from music videos and performing for family. That early spark grew into a lifelong passion, rooted in pop and storytelling. After leaving performing arts school at 15 due to bullying, he stepped away from the spotlight. At 19, he began writing and releasing music on his own terms, using his voice to share light, truth, and LGBTQ+ representation.
The cinematic alt-pop song "No Matter" by Philip La Rosa is a modest emotional stunner. The song, which was co-written with poet Joshua Britiffe and is taken from his upcoming book “Love and Other Death Sentences,” captures the heartbreaking reality of loving someone who is unable to return the love.
Nic Rollo's minimalist production establishes a personal environment right away, making every breath and vocal inflection in La Rosa's performance feel agonizingly close. The arrangement is simple yet purposeful, with metered beats, soft keys, and atmospheric textures that allow the lyrics to shine. Each phrase feels like a confession spoken in the shadows because of the musical constraint, which highlights the narrative's rawness.
La Rosa's delivery is hauntingly vulnerable, with equal parts fragility and strength. For anyone who has been told they are "too much" but has chosen to love without boundaries, the lyrics are particularly poignant. The visual gains a poetic sharpness from the partnership with Britiffe, who frames heartbreak as a wound and a demonstration of one's capacity for love.
“No Matter's” determination to let resentment be the last word sets it apart from other breakup songs. Rather, it accepts the pain, makes room for it, and allows it to exist. It's the type of song that lets you feel the pain of loss in your bones rather than merely telling you about it.
Philip La Rosa speaks directly to the emotions of people who have loved—fully, fiercely, and in vain—by creating a personal, cinematic experience in a matter of minutes that stays long after the final note fades.