The Observer is The Steve McQueens’ 5th studio outing, and shows a mature unit performing at the peak of their 8-year journey together. The characteristic playful inventiveness, musical twists and surprises are all here in spades, and listeners will find it hard not to have that little smile cross their faces at regular intervals.

Released through Singapore-based indie label Umami Records, the mercurial band’s latest album features music performed from their 2020 ‘Nerd Lounge’ tour of Singapore, Japan and Indonesia. 

With the pandemic putting the brakes on to their ‘live’ performance plans, the quartet went into the studio to record this collection of new music which simultaneously evokes alternative R&B, chill-pop, 60’s Motown and nu-soul.

Having released three of the singles in the record – Mila Ascending, Eye and Beginning since July, the band is ready to drop the widely anticipated full album. 

The Observer pokes at the culture clash between jazz traditionalists and the new vanguard. The band says: “The Observer is an indifferent spectator who stands apart, smiles quietly to himself and continues making his own music.”

And keyboardist Joshua Wan adds of the new album:

“I think one of our goals was to capture both the energy and intimacy of live performance, to make the music really speak, and to allow a restlessness to pervade that would let you hear something different at every listening.” 

Tracklist:

1. Let Me Go (Tuesday Song)

2. Mila Ascending

3. Beginning

4. Eye

5. Float

6. September’s Come What May (The Blue in Green)

7. Blue Spicy Pumpkin

8. 15/16

About The Steve McQueens

The Steve McQueens refuse to be pedestrian; they don’t live in the transient or the touch-and-go. Swerving between cool seduction and gripping magnetism, they are ambitious to light the world up with their progressive brand of nu-jazz.

They have moved audiences internationally at Tokyo Jazz Festival and Summersonic (Japan), Java Jazz (Indonesia), SingJazz (Singapore), Melbourne International Jazz Festival (Australia) and Jarasum International Jazz Festival (Korea).

The quartet formed in 2013 as a forging of four mercurial talents in Singapore, a small country punching above its weight in Southeast Asia’s music scene. Critically acclaimed, The Steve McQueens will leave an indomitable mark on any listener with their music.

The Steve McQueens are Eugenia Yip (vocals), Joshua Wan (keys), Jase Sng (bass) and Anson Koh (drums).