Dear identities

Since releasing Leave Luck to Heaven in 2003 and Backstroke in 2004 — two critically acclaimed records that brought micro-house as close as it ever got to the mainstream — Detroit’s Matthew Dear has had little time to be himself. He’s recorded as False for Richie Hawtin’s Minus/Plus 8 label, still keeps the moniker Jabberjaw for Berlin’s Perlon label and last year unleashed Audion, his acid-trance alter ego. Dear’s work has been known for its chilly minimalism, streaked with occasional handclaps, a swinging string section and brooding vocals (as on the international club hit, “Dog Days”). Some of Dear’s signature synth lines remain on Audion’s Suckfish, but forget about the chill: The LP’s production values are strictly white-hot.

When recording under his own name, Dear treated sex with caution, as if he wanted to get to know you better before making his move; on Suckfish there’s no mistaking anything on songs like “Your Place or Mine,” “Titty Fuck,” “Kisses” and “Just Fucking.” He thrusts his music forward with nasty disco-funk rhythms, grinding low yo-yo bass lines and rising spasms of psychedelic noise. Come together — right now? You bet.

Walter Wasacz writes about music for Metro Times. Send comments to letters@metrotimes.com.