It has been a busy year for American electropop/producer, Matthew Dear. Earlier this year, he joined the DJ Kicks mix series and in the beginning of the summer released the anxiety induced single, “Modafinil Blues.” Now, as the summer comes to a close, Dear is serving up another track to be placed on future summer playlists called “Bad Ones.” This time, recruiting help from longtime friends, indie pop band Tegan and Sara.
The trio came together back in 2013 with the remix of “I Was a Fool” as well as a cover track of Tears for Fears classic, “Pale Shelter.” With the new single, “Bad Ones,” it is Dear’s first songwriting collaboration with the sisters. The song is a synth-pop tune that “presents flirtation as mischief, and honesty as power.” It is a more uplifting track compared to Dear’s previous single, a perfect track for late summer listening as well as fun on the dance floor.
The artists shared their insight on the new track in a couple of press statements:
Sara Quin: “I heard the piece of music Matthew sent through while driving to get a haircut in West Hollywood. I always feel like an interloper on that side of town and the phrase ‘freaking out and paralyzed’ was suddenly looping in my head. I couldn’t stop thinking about how finding someone who loves the more complicated parts of you is a relief, especially when they’re not turned off by your socially awkward insecurities or tendencies to retreat inward. Matthew’s music has always been my go-to for late night bus rides in headphones and I still geek out that we made this together!”
Matthew Dear: “I have been a fan of Tegan and Sara since first hearing ‘Walking With A Ghost.’ My interest was greater piqued with their album Heartthrob. I sent a message that I loved it to find out they were fans of mine. This led to a remix and a collaboration on a Tears For Fears cover in 2013. The connection was made, and we discussed future collaborations. When working on new songs I had them in mind. I had a loop for ‘Bad Ones’ and thought they’d be great on it. Tegan and Sara eagerly accepted the challenge to write more, so I sent it over. Practically overnight, they returned with the verse and the chorus, written from scratch over my loop. I spent the next month working on it, turning a demo into a full-fledged song. Working with Tegan and Sara reminds me the best songs are born from an open and free process. Often times, we need to get out of our own way to let the magic happen, and this song is a bold reminder of that.”
The last full-length album that Dear made under his own name was Beams which was released back in 2012. Tegan and Sara recently dropped “Love You to Death” last year and has revealed their plans for a 10th anniversary covers tribute to their 2007 hit album The Con. No word though if Dear will return the favor lending his vocals to The Con X: Covers.
For now though, listen to “Bad Ones” below.
Photo Credit: April Siese
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