Many have called Boys Noize‘s recent stretch a “generational run,” but even that description doesn’t quite capture everything that has been happening. Last year brought a world tour with Nine Inch Nails, followed by Boys Noize‘s co-production work on the TRON: Ares soundtrack. In April, his collaborative project Nine Inch Noize made its Coachella debut as a top-billed act before releasing its self-titled LP. That was followed by a summer of nonstop Boys Noize performances across clubs and festival main stages on multiple continents. Now, he’s adding another chapter to the run.
Boys Noize will release 7LLVSION, his first solo album in five years, this fall. The album arrives with the ZEP-fronted single “1+1+1,” offering an early glimpse into the sound of the forthcoming record.
“1+1+1” drives an intimidating, key-shifting EBM bassline through a hyperactive new wave backbeat, creating a sound that feels both fresh and decidedly analogue. The track exists somewhere between raw and processed, past and future, constantly shifting between opposing textures. Rather than relying on four-on-the-floor kicks as its default foundation, they arrive at key moments to mark the transition from mosh pit to dancefloor, creating an electrifying change in momentum.
After emerging from Rotterdam‘s underground scene, Dutch artist and multi-instrumentalist ZEP has built a rapidly expanding sound around precision-tuned chaos. On “1+1+1,” he takes on the role of industrial ringmaster, shifting between unpredictable urgency as his voice snarls, wails and shouts over the production.
The lyrics allude to a guest list gone wild, but the collaboration suggests something bigger than the individual artists involved. Boys Noize and ZEP combine their distinct approaches into a track that feels difficult to place, sounding like no one—and nothing—else.
With “1+1+1” offering a first taste of what 7LLVSION has in store, Boys Noize is showing that his current creative streak isn’t slowing down. If anything, the new album suggests that this particular run has plenty more left to say.
Boys Noize: Website | Instagram | Ones And Zeros | Spotify
Zep: Website | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify