Concrete and Glass, the new album by Air‘s Nicolas Godin, will be released through Because Music on January 24th. 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.

Nicolas Godin on the track:

“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 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.”

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.

Nicolas Godin
Concrete and Glass
tracklist

1. Concrete and Glass
2. Back To Your Heart ft. Kate NV
3. We Forgot Love ft. Kadjha Bonet
4. What Makes Me Think About You
5. Time On My Hands ft. Kirin J Callinan
6. The Foundation ft. Cola Boyy
7. Catch Yourself Falling ft. Alexis Taylor
8. The Border
9. Turn Right Turn Left
10. Cité Radieuse