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 it's consistency and coherence all the more amazing. The mood is dark, spooked. Over the relentless beats and baselines 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 reminiscent 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 then it's predecessor, these tracks easily transcend the merely functional - Steve Bug has injected the harmonies with serious emotion.
From the driver 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' has been released on Poker Flat Recordings
CD Track List:
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
