Singaporean electronic artist George Chua is readying the release of ‘Smokescreen’, his first album of new material in over a decade. On Friday (August 7) he unveiled the stirring and sinister video for ‘Neo-Punggol’, the first track to be released from the project.
Directed by new media artist Yeyoon Avis Ann, the video is a maelstrom of disorienting visuals, mixing video game and archival footage.
As described by Chua’s label Ujikaji Records, it features “scenes of virtual and real-world violence with visions of a new Asian urbanism, illuminating the themes of utopia, violence and information warfare which permeate [the album]”.
Watch it below:
George Chua has been active in Singapore’s experimental music scene since the 1990s. In 2018, his album ‘Evidence Of Things Not Seen’ – originally self-released on a limited batch of CDs in 2006 – was reissued digitally by Anòmia.
‘Smokescreen’ marks a long-awaited comeback for the multi-instrumentalist, whose work on the album was primarily recorded on modular synth. The eight-track album, which was executive produced by Mark Wong and recorded by Evan Tan, is out on September 16.
‘Smokescreen’ is now available for pre-order on Ujikaji Records’ Bandcamp page. The album will be issued on limited vinyl, packaged with a deluxe spot UV cover.