"It's a composite, an imaginary metropolis peopled by desperate cases,lovelorn souls, and amoral motives." Black City is the 4th studio effort from Matthew Dear. Originally released in 2010, the record is dark and brooding, a cryptic musical imagination of Dear who showcases his maturity and individuality as a songwriter. "Honey" opens up the LP. Eerie and tension-filled, the "cavernous atmospherics" that drive the song are broken up by distant distortions and bleeps. It's the perfect gateway to the shadowy world of Black City, which is followed by the slow-motion sleaze of "I Can't Feel." "Little People (Black City)" is the lead single, and it's a 9-plus-minute disco romp that feels lighter in mood, until you pay attention to the lyrics: "a frozen wasted heart / has died" / "Love Me like a clown." Yikes. "You Put a Smell on Me" is another highlight, a sex-charged synth pop full of ominous/fun sonic details. Also check out "More Surgery" and "Slowdance." This is the official reissue on black smoke vinyl, MP3 download included.

• black smoke vinyl
• mp3 download included
• Ghostly International 2010 / 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 09/18