Gary Numan warns of devastating climate change and the hypocrisy of religion in the new video for “Saints and Liars,” the latest single from the new wave pioneer’s upcoming album Intruder.
“‘Saints and Liars’ is the earth drawing attention to our blind faith in religion, in a fictitious God, who in reality does nothing for us, while at the same time abusing and destroying the planet, which does everything for us,” Numan said of the track in a statement.
The visual for “Saints and Liars” — directed by Sneaker Pimps member Chris Corner — was filmed in the Amboy Crater within the Mojave Desert, playing into Intruder’s concept about a desert-like post-apocalyptic world ravaged by global warming.
“Intruder looks at climate change from the planet’s point of view,” Numan previously said of the concept album, “If Earth could speak, and feel things the way we do, what would it say? How would it feel? The songs, for the most part, attempt to be that voice, or at least try to express what I believe the earth must feel at the moment.”
Intruder, Numan’s 18th solo studio album and first since 2018’s Savage: Songs From A Broken World, is available to preorder now ahead of its May 21st release. Numan previously shared the title track from the LP.
Intruder, Numan’s 18th solo studio album and first since 2018’s Savage: Songs From A Broken World, is available to preorder now ahead of its May 21st release. Numan previously shared the title track from the LP.
A vociferous and enthusiastic crowd were treated to a stellar performance from Finland’s Erja Lyytinen on Friday.
I’ve seen her before, but this stripped down 3 piece outfit puts the music over with terrific force and quality.
With Heikki Saarenkunnas on 5string bass and Jesse Lehto, drums they acted as the perfect platform to show off her immaculate control of riffs, solos and sublime slide guitar.
She played the whole of her new album ‘Smell The Roses’, adding ‘You Talk Dirty’ (from the 2022 album ‘Waiting For The Daylight’) and ‘Wedding Day’ (from the 2019 album ‘Another World’), encoring with ‘Lover’s Novels’ (From the 2017 album ‘Stolen Hearts’)
There were more than a few real highlights – ‘Stoney Creek’ really brought out the images of hiking in the Finnish forests, her slide playing on ‘Ball and Chain’ was superb and ‘Abyss’ was really dark and intense. ‘Going To Hell’ was an opportunity for her vocals to be the main feature and she, again, did not disappoint. My favourite number of the night was the ballad ‘Empty Hours’ – dark and beautifully strained and her guitar cutting like a scalpel.
Her riffage is complex and it was important for her to have a bassist capable of keeping the melodies going - Heikki Saarenkunnas was exceptional – and her soloing is among the best around these days. Her slide playing is just the best though, she really has chops, and it is notable that she has played with some of the best modern slide players.
There are many fine live artists around at the moment, Erja Lyytinen is the equal of the very best.
A brilliant evening from a stellar performer.
