The 14-track project features artists like Flowdan, Logan Olm and Moor Mother.
The Bug is releasing a new album. The forthcoming release marks The Bug’s – aka Kevin Martin’s – first solo full-length album under the alias in seven years. It follows 2014’s Angels & Devils LP as well as 2008’s seminal London Zoo. It’s slated for release later this summer via Ninja Tune.
“I’ve always been addicted to the physicality and intensity of sound: I started The Bug because I wanted to make music for a soundsystem I had in storage, and the live experience of Bug has always been something I wanted to reflect on record,” says Martin in a press statement. “I’m always looking for fuel to the fire and live shows – and MISSING live shows in lockdown was a real impetus.”
“I like friction, chaos, fanning the flames with sound, and this album is the most reflective of the live show in terms of intensity and the sheer fuck-off attitude of those shows,” he adds. “‘WHAT the FUCK?’ is the reaction I want – insane is a good reaction especially at a time when there’s so much control in how people consume music and are pacified culturally”.
The new album features friends and former collaborators such as Manga Saint Hilare, Moor Moother and Flowdan. Fire also features a slew of new collaborators including Logan Olm, Nazamba and FFSYTHO. The LP leads with one of those new collaborative efforts: Clash, featuring Logan Olm. Tune in below.
Last week, Martin released his Return to Solaris LP via Phantom Limb. The project is a rescore of Andrei Tarkovsky’s seminal 1972 film Solaris. Back in 2020, Martin teamed up with Dis Fig on a dark and ghostly collaborative album titled In Blue.
Scroll down for the Fire tracklist, and listen to a Sunday Mix helmed by The Bug and Dis Fig.
Tracklist
1. The Fourth Day (feat. Roger Robinson)
2. Pressure (feat. Flowdan)
3. Demon (feat. Irah)
4. Vexed (feat. Moor Mother)
5. Clash (feat. feat. Logan)
6. War (feat. Nazamba)
7. How bout dat (feat. FFSYTHO)
8. Bang (feat. Manga Saint Hilare)
9. Hammer (feat. Flowdan)
10. Ganja Baby (feat. Daddy Freddy)
11. Fuck Off (feat. feat. Logan)
12. Bomb (feat. Flowdan)
13. High Rise (feat. Manga Saint Hilare)
14. The Missing (feat. Roger Robinson)
Ninja Tune will release Fire on 27 August.