Matt Zarley Works Double-Time On New Album

Most musicians labor over a single, ideal version of their albums before they release them. Matt Zarley finished two. The poppy, studio version of the nine-track venture differs from the soundtrack that accompanies Zarley's short film of the same name. The film, nearly dialogue-less and propelled only by Zarley's songs, features George Takei, Chuck Saculla, and Jolie Jenkins. Like the title says, it tells the story, through Zarley's songs, about a man's experience with heartbreak and the aftermath. The film recently won the award for the Best LGBT Short at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival.

After over a decade of music-making, and stints on Broadway since he was a teenager, Zarley has made a name for himself in the gay community and beyond. Zarley has already released some of the album's songs before its February 10 drop date and they are listenable on YouTube.

Below, watch an exclusive clip from Zarley's film for the song "Hopeful," featuring scenes from the film with George Takei.