Black City
Matthew Dear · 2010
47 min · 10 tracks · techno
A darkly hypnotic blend of techno beats and haunting vocals, immersing listeners in a sprawling urban landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Honey — The opening track establishes the album's moody atmosphere with its pulsating rhythm and ethereal vocals, setting the tone for the entire experience.
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Little People (Black City) — This track exemplifies Dear's ability to weave intricate soundscapes, blending hypnotic beats with introspective lyrics that reflect on urban existence.
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You Put a Smell on Me — With its infectious groove and catchy chorus, this track highlights Dear's skill in merging danceable rhythms with personal storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's hypnotic grooves and seamless transitions create an immersive listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of deep bass lines and minimalistic percussion that creates a hypnotic groove throughout.
- Tracks often blend into one another, with seamless transitions that maintain the dark atmosphere without interruption.
- Vocal elements are sparse and treated with effects, adding an ethereal quality rather than dominating the soundscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo rhythmic journey
- haunting vocals in dark landscapes
- intricate soundscapes for deep focus
- immersive listening in solitude
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Black City' was released in 2010, Matthew Dear was already an established figure in the electronic music scene, having garnered attention with his previous album, 'Asa Breed' (2007). This album marked a significant evolution in his sound, showcasing a deeper exploration of mood and atmosphere while solidifying his role as a leading innovator in techno.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Four Tet· James Blake· Burial
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Slowdance
The moment shifts from a quiet reflection to a frenetic energy as the chorus bursts forth, contrasting stillness with urgency.
This shift not only encapsulates the tension throughout the song but also mirrors the duality present in urban life—calm moments interrupted by chaos.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Honey 3:47
- 2 I Can't Feel 4:18
- 3 Little People (Black City) 9:20
- 4 Slowdance 4:22
- 5 Soil to Seed 2:28
- 6 You Put a Smell on Me 5:04
- 7 Shortwave 5:12
- 8 Monkey 3:39
- 9 More Surgery 5:30
- 10 Gem 4:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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