Dear’s first single was 1999’s "Hands Up For Detroit" (co-produced by ghettotech pioneer Disco D, who performed under the name Daisha). Successive singles, such as "Stealing Moves" and the chart-topping "Mouth to Mouth" (as Audion) were issued on Spectral Sound, Ghostly’s offshoot that focuses on dancefloor music.
Matthew Dear’s 2003 full-length Ghostly debut, "Leave Luck to Heaven", is a suite of sparse, wickedly funky house laced with Dear’s deep, distinctive vocals, and includes the much-loved single “Dog Days” (voted one of Pitchfork’s Top 100 Songs of the decade). The record was met with rapturous acclaim from both the dance-music establishment and the critical press, including a four-star review in Rolling Stone. Dear’s 2007 follow-up, "Asa Breed", is a considerable departure from Heaven’s dancefloor excursions, incorporating the polyrhythms of afrobeat, the irreverent pop sensibilities of Brian Eno, and the austere beauty of krautrock. More four-stars reviews followed (Q and Mojo magazines), and Dear subsequently began touring with a live three-piece band, Matthew Dear’s Big Hands, in which he acted as frontman, commanding the stage with a Bryan Ferry-like swagger and a gentleman’s grace.
Today, Matthew Dear finds himself in a unique position. His highly anticipated fourth album, 2010’s Black City, is the culmination of years of hard work and experimentation, a darkly playful sound-world that envelops the listener like the arms of a malevolent lover. After over a decade of exploring pop’s outer limits, Matthew Dear now inhabits a rarefied corner of the musical universe: no longer tethered to any one genre, respected by his peers, and blessed with a bottomless well of creative energy. Now is Matthew Dear’s moment, and it sounds like nothing else.
I Can't Feel
Matthew Dear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With all my friends
Hard to believe
That we have friends
Mind over lust
Time to unfold
Clearly we can see you
Under your clothes
Look at them run
In a beasthood race
Child's awake
Child's awake
Tangled herds
And the dust will fly
And the dust will fly
Miles away
All of our battle dance
Can equate as a dance
Obvious battle dance
Take a bow
Take a chance
The lyrics of Matthew Dear's song I Can't Feel seem to be introspective and contemplative, touching upon themes of loneliness, friendship, desire, and self-awareness. The first verse speaks about how the days don't seem to pass in rhythms that match those of his friends, making it hard for him to believe that he has friends. He acknowledges the power of the mind over physical desire, and yet allows himself to see through the clothes of someone he desires. The second verse paints a picture of a race where the beasts are humans, and where a child is awake to observe the chaos of life. The chorus seems to question the value of battle dances, suggesting their equivalence with normal dances, and asking for people to take a chance and take a bow.
The lyrics hint at a sense of disconnection and dissatisfaction with the world around him, which is perhaps why the singer finds it hard to see friends in the people he meets. He seems to be aware of his own desires and lust, and yet may feel that it doesn't align with his values. The metaphor of the beasthood race and the child witnessing it could suggest a critique of the way humans live and compete, and the toll it takes on society and the world. The chorus could be read as a commentary on how we idolize battle and strife, and how they may not be inherently better than normal life.
Line by Line Meaning
Days don't rhyme
The passage of time feels irregular and unpredictable
With all my friends
Despite being surrounded by people, there is a sense of isolation and disconnection
Hard to believe
There is a sense of disbelief or confusion about the situation at hand
That we have friends
Despite the presence of people, the depth of the friendships is called into question
Mind over lust
Choosing to prioritize mental clarity and control over physical desire
Time to unfold
It is time for things to unravel and reveal themselves
Clearly we can see you
Whatever was hidden is now visible and obvious
Under your clothes
The true nature or intentions of a person is exposed
Look at them run
Observing others frantically moving without direction or purpose
In a beasthood race
Acting wild and frenzied, like an animal or savage
Child's awake
A new awareness or innocence has been established
Child's awake
A new awareness or innocence has been established
Tangled herds
An association of confused or aimless individuals moving together
And the dust will fly
Movement and action will result in tumult and commotion
And the dust will fly
Movement and action will result in tumult and commotion
Miles away
At a vast distance or level removed in any possible sense
All of our battle dance
The way in which we struggle through life resembles a performance or ritual
Can equate as a dance
We can look at our battles in life as a type of dance
Obvious battle dance
The struggles in life are plain to see and confront us directly
Take a bow
Acknowledge and show gratitude to what we have accomplished through the struggles
Take a chance
Risk taking and pushing oneself out of comfort zones is necessary to grow
Contributed by Mason Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SnackbarDreamer // m-salami
Matthew is a nice guy. Great track
Snowking587
Thank you so much for uploading this. Incredible sound quality!
Bold AsLove
Heard it from a friend, who heard it from a friend, that heard it through indie feed. I've been inseparable ever since<3
Lord Farquar
E-dubbles version brought me here its awesome and a great little tune aswell.. thats a hard ass baseline and everythings so perfect with it i cant believe its so freaking good.
Bossaru
Same godbless E-dubble and everything he has done for me. This song is fantastic and I'm glad I was brought here. Hope you are doing well.
Martha
Heard about Matthew Dear from a guy who works at my favorite coffee joint. Thanks dude!
Leaders Of the New School
Sky news used this! Incredible track.
Beefaroni
Soft industrial music with a slight tinge of funk.
Michael Straehler
e-dubble!
Lord Farquar
Yessir still in 2022 much love hope youre still rocking the big guys tunes.