Black CityGhostly International ****

Matthew Dear sports many hats, but he produces the most interesting and satisfying sounds when operating under his own name and not providing dancefloor fodder as Audion, Jabberjaw or False. Dear's love affair with electropop continues on Black City, yet the relationship has gotten a whole lot deeper, darker and playful in those three years since 2007's Asa Breed. Black Citywears its influences on its sleeve (Talking Heads, Brian Eno, David Bowie, unfashionable industrial beats, sleazy minimal techno). What makes it such a treat is how Dear assimilates and recalibrates these sounds. Furthermore, his striking vocals are as tuned to providing nocturnal thrills as any of his grooves, all of which makes You Put a Smell on Me, Little People (Black City)and Slowdancesuch splendid, creepy, infectious joys. See matthewdear.com

Download tracks: You Put a Smell on Me, Little People (Black City), Slowdance