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There’s an undeniably liberated feeling about the soaring tone of “Her Fantasy”, the opening track and lead single from Matthew Dear’s latest album Beams. The rousing chord progression could lend itself to summertime radio, arguably more so than the previous ventures Dear has taken into arch pop music, but more than its accessibility the song sounds like a man celebrating the plain of freedom his creative path has led him to.
Matthew Dear – Beams
by Juno Plus on 03.09.2012 at 16:55pmReview: Field Day 2011
by Juno Plus on 18.08.2011 at 13:42pm
Arriving at this year’s edition of Field Day soon after the gates opened, it was possible to watch Pearson Sound’s DJ set and bask in the festival’s humongous surrounds long before the rest of London descended. Whilst the notion of catching David Kennedy at 1 in the afternoon in the Bugged Out! tent seemed odd at first, it certainly didn’t put him off running through a typically upfront selection, with Auntie Flo’s forthcoming “Oh My Days” sandwiched in between his own Night Slugs bootleg and Four Tet’s dramatic “Locked”. The bleary eyed gathering quickly grew ten fold as his set progressed, rapidly adapting to the notion of an ice cold San Miguel at midday. His performance was of the high quality expected from the Hessle boss, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he turned up much higher on the bill again next year.
Field Day 2011: Lineup takes shape
by Juno Plus on 16.02.2011 at 14:19pm
The organisers behind Field Day have announced the first details of the line up for this years edition of the East London festival with Actress, Matthew Dear and Pearson Sound amongst a raft of impressive and diverse acts.
Matthew Dear – Black City review
by Juno Plus on 02.08.2010 at 18:51pmMatthew Dear returns with his new album, Black City as an epic 10-track journey through varying sounds from more experimental electronica to more erratic trip-hoppy influences and almost 80s sounding moments. Playing with more digital sounds than expected, he seems to have taken one step closer to blur the lines into his aliases as Audion and Jabberjaw here, most notably on the title track where soaring synths and a catchy bassline are met with a housier beat.
Having grown up in Detroit, the Ghostly International/Spectral Sounds’ co-founder along with Samuel Valenti IV, has evidently been influenced by the heavier and darker techno sounds in the scene around him as heard in his other musical projects. However under his own name, he has always maintained a more acoustic and analogue sound with softer vocals and instrumental samples. In comparison to his first three albums Leave Luck to Heaven, Asa Breed and Backstroke, the highly anticipated fourth instalment shows his already highly reputable production skills have improved even more.
“Slowdance” off the new album stands out with synthy effects and a slower pace, whilst tracks like “Monkey” are strong and intense, littered with disturbing primate-focused lyrics. Ending on “Gem”, an anthemic piano piece with soft vocals, we’re left to mull over a genre-defying and generally slower paced full length.
Review: Flora Wong
Matthew Dear to release new LP
by Tony Poland on 04.06.2010 at 11:07am
Electronic whiz Matthew Dear has unveiled details of his new LP, entitled Black City and due for release August 16th on the Ghostly International imprint.
Various – Document Part 1 review
by Juno Plus on 27.01.2010 at 14:27pm
Artist: Seth Troxler, Matthew Dear, Lee Curtiss and Ryan Crosson
Title: Document Part 1
Label: Spectral Sound
Genre: Minimal/Tech House
Format: 12″
Buy From: Juno Records
From Spectral (Ghostly International’s arguably more interesting and definitely more danceable sub-label) comes the first part in a series of ‘Document’ releases consisting of their most infamous stars Seth Troxler, Matthew Dear, Lee Curtiss and Ryan Crosson.
Being the imprint’s all-round charmers and most well-loved American producers, charismatic duo Troxler and Dear had released the much lauded single “Hurt” back in 2009 to a receptive crowd having featured in Konrad Black’s Watergate mix and DJ charts all over.
Martinez’s remix of it is no surprise, but adding rhythmic hi-hats and cheery beats to the shuffles and eerie lyrics for most will be a treat compared to his previous downplayed ‘Dark Soul dub’ of the track.
However, equally dark and subdued is “Life Lessons” by Detroit’s Curtiss, with lows featuring a rumbling kick and bassline and highs built with claps and wandering vocals. Ryan Crosson, who made his name on Wagon Repair and M-nus, brings a whirring builder of energetic percs and a groove-heavy bassline on his “Don’t Look Further”.
Review: Flora Wong
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Review: Jabberjaw – A Goat On Fire In The Garden Of Eden
by Juno Plus on 15.12.2009 at 11:37am
Artist: Jabberjaw
Title: A Goat On Fire In The Garden of Eden
Label: Spectral Sound
Genre: Minimal/Tech House
Format: 12″
Buy From: Juno Records
Matthew Dear comes reeling back into view with his second release using his Jabberjaw alias with the interestingly titled Goat On Fire In The Garden Of Eden.
The title track is a more paired back rhythmic sound than usual. This is definitely one for the tech house faithful, coming with all the requisite elements to get you doing that shakey wiggly pouty thing on the dancefloor. A big, skittering monster drum track of slow-burning sulphuric house complete with chopped up bongos, a wonderfully druggy synth arrangement with a cut up vocal leading to a killer repetitive hook. The sort of track that will be be caned at 2am on dance floors by all the notable minimal and techno heads from Berlin to Chicago.
The second track “Connie Shake” is another hypnotic groove aimed straight at sweaty late night discotheques. A relentlessly funky groove of the highest order with a simple bassline leaving space for the percussion to build and do the damage.
“Safety Flirt” with it’s squelchy backing, off beat kicks has a more minimal feel and would sit well in sets from the likes of Ashken and Tolfrey. Plenty of dark stabs and twisted rhythms to fire the synapses. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Review: Mark Algar
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