Air’s Nicolas Godin announces concrete and glass album” as contrepoint is his former/first album

NICOLAS GODIN ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM CONCRETE AND GLASS TO BE RELEASED ON JANUARY 24 VIA BECAUSE MUSIC

(pre-order HERE)

REVEALS VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “THE FOUNDATION” FT COLA BOYY

Photo credit: Camille Vivier

Nicolas Godin + Cola Boyy in studio – courtesy of artist

When Air’s Nicolas Godin released his debut solo album, Contrepoint (2015), he channelled the influence of Bach into a rich, resonant and hugely rewarding spread of musical explorations. One soundtrack Au Service De La France / A Very Secret Service later, Godin builds on equally fertile conceptual foundations for the follow-up. To be released through Because Music on January 24th, Concrete and Glass is an exquisitely crafted set of variations on architectural reference points: mounted with minimalist precision and delivered with an abundance of pop warmth, it finds Godin in his element, working seductive wonders with poise and style to spare.After sharing the lead track “The Border” last month, Godin shares a video for new track “The Foundation” which features guest vocals from Cola Boyy.

The Oxnard, California singer and activist brings soul to the righteously engaged track whilst the squelchy synths and buoyant grooves burn slow, allowing the stealthy arrangements and message room to resonate.

Of the track Godin says: “Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House #21 was the starting point for this song. Well, at least that’s how I presented the music to its future singer, Cola Boyy. I told him about the project’s architectural origins, explaining that he must let his own personal inspiration run free for the lyrics. I always thought that a concept was always the perfect way to start a record, but then you should soon let the music take over. A good record is one in which the music seizes control pretty fast. I’ve applied this rule to each album I’ve been lucky enough to record, with only one mantra: ‘It’s the music that decides’. This song is the perfect example of this”.The track is accompanied by a stunning video shot on 16mm film by director Greg Barnes who says of the piece: “The synth–led, ethereal momentum of the track felt so out-of-this-world and intrepid all at once – the concept of mankind exploring space fell into place almost immediately, and the excitement of creating a sci-fi visual for the song stayed with me throughout the whole process.”

Click below to watch.

For Godin, Concrete and Glass circles back to his formative work as half of ground-breaking French electronic group Air. Revered modern architect Le Corbusier was an influence on the young architecture graduate’s music, notably on his 1997 debut “Modular Mix”. Twenty-plus years later, Le Corbusier featured on a list of modernist architects Godin was invited to compose tributes for, tributes intended to be heard as the soundtrack to site-specific installations around the world.In its soft ambient pulse and melting minimalism, lead track “The Border” is a perfect entry-point to Godin’s hymns to buildings, arranged and co-produced with Pierre Rousseau. Elsewhere, the title-track’s clean synth lines, crisply apportioned arrangements and tender timpani offer another inviting entry-point, sculpted with architectural clarity. While Godin’s vocoder vocals also hark back to Air’s early work, the album accommodates a diverse spread of guest vocalists elsewhere.

Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor guests on the falsetto-soul dream-pop of “Catch Yourself Falling”, one of Godin’s sweetest melodies yet. Psychedelic soul singer Kadhja Bonet sings with measured serenity over tremulous synths on “We Forgot Love”, while Russian experi-pop artist Kate NV brings a gracefully aching romanticism to the blissful swoon-pop of “Back to Your Heart”.Additionally, Australian conceptual provocateur Kirin J Callinan contributes vocals of restrained drama to “Time on My Hands”, a midnight-drift soft-pop ballad with a silky allure. One of the quickest tracks to record for the album, it emerged in collaborations between Los Angeles (”During some lively sessions in Mac DeMarco’s studio,” notes Godin) and Paris. After he missed his flight home, Callinan stayed in France for a day as the guitar solos were recorded, complementing the song’s air of sleek luxuriousness.

Between its title-track and the sultry, smoky jazz stylings of closer “Cité Radieuse”, Concrete and Glass is an album that truly travels, in tune with its global pitch. For Godin, it marks another milestone in a musical journey that began when Air’s 1998 debut album, Moon Safari, became the sublimely weightless soundtrack of its time. For Concrete and Glass, Godin builds on his storied past with tremendous finesse, charm and fluency, opening fresh windows of perspective at every lovingly executed turn.Concrete and Glass will be released 24th January via Because Music and is available to preorder HERE. Nicolas Godin – Concrete and Glass tracklist:1. Concrete and Glass2. Back To Your Heart ft. Kate NV3. We Forgot Love ft. Kadjha Bonet4. What Makes Me Think About You5. Time On My Hands ft. Kirin J Callinan6. The Foundation ft. Cola Boyy7. Catch Yourself Falling ft. Alexis Taylor8. The Border9. Turn Right Turn Left10. Cité Radieuse

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