* Photographer: Hannes Caspar
Steve Bug, one of the world’s most renowned artists in the electronic music circuit, is set to release his fifth and most mature longplayer. ‘Noir’ doesn’t deny its roots, but expands the usual spectrum and invites the listener to an exciting listening pleasure.
The title is ‘Noir’. The cover is dominated by the filmic aesthetics of light and shadow. The title evokes a world of shady transactions and secret crimes. Most of the tracks emit a suitably dark and moody atmosphere, with at least three directly referencing the film noir genre – From the well-known classic ‘The Spiral Staircase’, to more obscure ‘Somewhere in the Night’, and ‘The Seventh Victim’. Is ‘Noir’ a concept album? Originally it was planned that way, but in the end Steve found the concept too rigid.
The material for the new album was created over a period of three years, which makes its consistency and coherence all the more amazing. The mood is dark, spooked. Over the relentless beats and basslines ghostly sounds swirl and conspire. Although all the pieces are driven by head-rushing beats, ‘Noir’ is more than ever, a listening album.
Although the film noir concept isn’t carried through completely, it infuses the spirit of the record in a way reminicent of the sci-fi obsession of Jeff Mills or Carl Craig. In fact, ‘Noir’ could soundtrack a 21st Century ‘Blade Runner’ – tracks such as the pre-released single ‘Those Grooves’ and ‘No Adjustments’, with their evocative spoken word texts, play in to a vision of an apocalyptic-dystopian disco.
‘Noir’ is very much an electronic album. Richer than its predecessor, these tracks easily transcend the merely functional – Steve Bug has injected the harmonies with serious emotion.
From the driving opener ‘Tell Me Why’ to the emotional closing track ‘The Seventh Victim’, Steve Bug has crafted a rounded, atmospheric album that throws a long and impressive shadow over most contemporary dance albums.
Steve Bug ‘Noir’ is released 1st October 2012 on Poker Flat Recordings
CD Tracklist
01. Tell Me Why
02. Poison Of Choice
03. Serve Your Mistress
04. No Adjustments feat. Foremost Poets
05. The Spiral Staircase
06. Moment Of Ease feat. Emilie Chick
07. Those Grooves
08. Somewhere In The Night
09. Farewell Friend
10. The Seventh Victim
2×12” Tracklist
A1. Those Grooves
A2. Moment Of Ease feat. Emilie Chick
B1. No Adjustments feat. Foremost Poets
B2. The Spiral Staircase
B3. Farewell Friend
C1. Serve Your Mistress (Extended Version)
C2. Tell Me Why (Extended Version)
D1. Somewhere In The Night
D2. Poison Of Choice
D3. The Seventh Victim
Tourdates:
10.08.12 Spain, Ibiza, Amnesia
12.08.12 Russia, Moscow, Gipsy Bar
18.08.12 Germany, Berlin, Watergate
27.08.12 Italy, Riccione,Cocorico
31.08.12 Denmark, Copenhagen, Culture Box
01.09.12 Portugal, Oporto, Gare Club
08.09.12 Spain, Ibiza, Junk Department
14.09.12 France, Paris, Watergate @ Rex Club
21.09.12 Spain, Ibiza, Ushuaia
28.09.12 Switzerland, Lausanne, D!club
29.09.12 Belgium, Brussels, Fuse
06.10.12 Italy, Florence, Tenax
13.10.12 Germany, Leipzig, Distillery
14.10.12 Germany, Berlin, Berghain
17.10.12 Netherlands, Amsterdam,
Ovum ADE @ Chicago Social Club
20.10.12 France, Paris, Cirque Bonheur
31.10.12 Peru, Lima, Halloween @ Gotica
03.11.12 USA, Chicago, Smartbar
10.11.12 Germany, Hamburg, EGO
18.11.12 Japan, Tokyo, Womb
24.11.12 UK, Birmingham, The Rainbow Warehouse
more dates to be announced soon
