The Matthew Dear ‘Black City’ Totem and Preview

My friends over at Ghostly Records are back at it again with their newest innovation for Matthew Dear’s upcoming album, Black City. For the release they’re creating a 100 totems, small, abstract sculptures that are etched with a code that you enter at a website to stream and download the album. These totems are “cast in bonded aluminum with a hand-finished gun metal patina” and in my opinion are totally beautiful. It’s not only a physical piece of art that defines the music but a way to access music as well. Pretty genius.

The second video is a preview of some of the tracks off the new album. The font and imagery remind me of Michael Cina, who is a frequent collaborator, so I’m going to take a guess that it is. Turns out the packaging and design was created by Will Calcutt, who is also a frequent collaborator! No matter what it’s a great way to create a mood and a vibe for the album before you can listen to it fully. I’m really excited to hear this album, but possibly more excited to hold one of these totems. Click here to pre-order the album.

Bobby