Formed in New York City, NØIR debuted with the critically acclaimed “Darkly Near” in 2013 on Metropolis. Featuring vocalist Athan Maroulis along with the talents of guitarist/producer Erik Gustafson and the live keyboards of Jamie Parganos and Kai Irina Hahn. In 2019, NØIR cut their sixth title of sophisticated dark pop titled “A Pleasure.” Soon after, in late 2019, in a studio in Austin, TX, NØIR began working on what would become their latest “Fallen,” when Covid turned the world upside down and delayed the release. As Covid lifted, the death of Metropolis mastermind Dave Heckman further impeded progress of the EP. Eventually and laboriously, the catchy dance pulsing single “Fallen” was completed then remixed by both Paradox Obscur and Silver Walks. In fact, Paradox Obscur even produced a surreal black and white video for their remix. There’s also “Fallen (Femme Mix),” with vocals by Kai Irina Hahn that gives NØIR a sensual female perspective and the plodding new song “Death is Easy.” Ironically, this EP took so long to complete that it started to merge with plans for other NØIR releases such as an all acoustic EP, readily heard on the cello laced version of Psychedelic Furs “Love My Way.” ‘Fallen” is dedicated to the late Dave Heckman.
credits
DEDICATED TO DAVE HECKMAN (1954–2022)
Tracks 1 & 5 produced by Erik Gustafson in Vancouver, BC
Track 2 remixed by Paradox Obscur in Athens, Greece
Track 3 remixed by Silver Walks in Philadelphia, PA
Track 6 produced by Ray Wilcox in San Francisco, CA
Mastered by Xris Smack at Mindswerve Studios, New York, NY
Programming, keyboards and guitar on tracks 1, 4 & 5 by Erik Gustafson
Programming, keyboards and acoustic guitar on track 6 by Ray Wilcox
Lead and backing vocals on tracks 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 by Athan Maroulis Recorded at Mindswerve Studios, New York, NY
Backing vocals on track 1 and lead vocals on track 4 by Kai Irina Hahn engineered by J Dallar in Goshen, CT
Backing vocals on track 2 by Kriistal Ann recorded in Athens, Greece
Cello on track 6 by Rebekah Feng recorded in Washington, D.C.
Graphic Design: Jackie Bishop Wells
Graphic Concept: Martine Rothstein and Athan Maroulis
Art Direction: Athan Maroulis
“Fallen” (DeWalt/Flam/Maroulis) Two BC Music (BMI)
“Death is Easy” (Gustafson/Maroulis) Two BC Music (BMI)
“Love My Way” (Ashton/Butler/Butler/Davey) Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC