Beams by Matthew Dear

This album is unapologetic in its singularity, yet listening to this record is an experience that is as rewarding as it is exhausting.

Partly because of Dear’s wall of sound style, there’s so much happening that you get completely lost

With Beams, Matthew Dear has created his most intoxicating, accomplished and immediate paean to all that has come before him and everything that now stands in front of him.

The album’s 11 tracks hew to a unified persona, even if that person is deeply conflicted.

Turns out this hedonist has a heart after all, and he had to sacrifice exactly zero of the pleasures of his previous albums to figure it out.

Dear may have been making records for the last 13 years, but it’s only now that he’s really letting his music say exactly what he’s thinking.

Even though it's awkward to dance to, it is nevertheless a piece of work to be admired 

The album is Dear's most consistent work yet

There's no doubt that the familiarity of Dear's style after several records means Beams has to work a bit harder to hold your attention than previous efforts. 

Beams will slip by pleasantly enough, but probably fail to sink its fabulously manicured nails into your subconscious.