Well at least there are clear hints of it when reading online social media posts from this iconic band. Few other bands can match their importance in the development of electronic music. They are clearly up there alongside bands like Kraftwerk, YMO, Human League, Yazoo, Fad Gadget, DEVO to name but a few. So, to say the least there is a lot of anticipation around the upcoming release will they continue their journey and discover more of their roots, lean more to their later pop style or something completely different? Judging from their teaser video featured below we are inclined to assume that they are taking a more synth-ish route on this, their potentially last electronic endeavour.
Which we are not at all sorry for 🙂
With that being said, OMD is set to release their 14th studio album, “Bauhaus Staircase”, on 27th October through White Noise Records. This new release will be a continuation from their 2017 album, “The Punishment of Luxury”, and represents their fourth album since the band’s 2006 reformation.
During the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Andy McCluskey, OMD’s frontman, wrote the majority of “Bauhaus Staircase”. Concurrently, the band’s mixing of the album experienced a delay as Paul Humphreys, another key member, welcomed parenthood. It’s also worth noting that this upcoming album will incorporate older, previously unfinished tracks from the band’s archives.
The first single from Bauhaus Staircase is its politically-minded title track. “I am a huge lover of visual arts, especially mid 20th century movements,” McCluskey says. “I reference them often in my titles and lyrics. The song ‘Bauhaus Staircase’ is a metaphor for strength and artist passion in the face of criticism and adversity. The title is derived from an Oskar Schlemmer painting. He taught at Bauhaus, and created the amazing futuristic costumes for The Triadic Ballet (referenced in the song).”
McCluskey continues: “When times are hard there is a tendency for Governments to look at cutting funding for creativity, just at the moment when the arts are most needed to nourish our souls. Thus, it seems appropriate that the song and its eponymous album were created during Covid Lockdown. Sonically, the track attacks you instantly with rasping analogue synths, soaring electronic melodies, and pounding 808 drums. And the energy just keeps ramping up for four minutes.”
McCluskey has indicated in an interview that “Bauhaus Staircase” will probably be OMD’s final studio album. But that remains to be seen of course, never say never.
TRACKLIST:
01 “Bauhaus Staircase”
02 “Anthropocene”
03 “Look At You Now”
04 “G.E.M.”
05 “Where We Started”
06 “Veruschka”
07 “Slow Train”
08 “Don’t Go”
09 “Kleptocracy”
10 “Aphrodite’s Favorite Child”
11 “Evolution Of Species”
12 “Healing”
OMD will be in the US to play California’s Darker Waves Festival in November, alongside New Order, Tears for Fears, Echo & The Bunnymen, Devo, Soft Cell, Psychedelic Furs, The Human League, B-52s and more.
