Jean-Michel Jarre Announces New Album Electronica Volume 2: The Heart Of Noise Featuring Edward Snowden And Primal Scream For May 2016 Release

Carly Kazempoor April 15th, 2016 - 1:50 PM

This is one collaboration that nobody would expect, not even from Jean-Michel Jarre. Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who infamously leaked state secrets back in 2013, has collaborated with the electronic pioneer on his new song, “Exit,” a chirpy track that targets the topic of digital privacy. The track is off Jarre’s upcoming album, Electronica Volume 2: The Heart Of Noise, set to be released May 6.

Streaming now on Spotify, the track consists of a repetitive rush of beeps, bops and generally techno. Snowden is not heard until approximately halfway through the track, in which his speaking voice appears to discuss the topic of digital privacy. “Technology can actually increase privacy,” Snowden says on the track. “The question is: Why are our private details that are transmitted online, why are your private details that are stored on our personal devices, any different than the details and private records of our lives that are stored in our private journals?” While the collaboration with Snowden may seem random to the common listener, one must consider Jarre’s background. He is a UN Ambassador for UNESCO and activist for Human Rights, and has campaigned relentlessly over the years for the right to free speech. “Exit” is a reflection of his personal beliefs that he gleefully expresses through his art.

Coinciding with the release of “Exit,” a 6-minute track story has been exclusively released on RollingStone.com in which Jarre and Snowden talk music, politics and more. Snowden states his lifelong appreciation for electronic music, while Jarre speaks about the album and his feelings on technology and digital privacy. In the press release, he states that technology is a primary theme within Electronica Volume 2: The Heart Of Noise. “One of the recurrent themes of Electronica Vol. 1 & 2 is the ambiguous relationship we have with technology. On one side we have the world in our pocket and on the other side, the world is spying on us constantly. Edward Snowden became a modern hero, not by saying ‘stop’, but to be careful regarding the (ab)use of technology. Our future needs brave people like him.”

In regards to “Exit,” Jarre says, “I wrote a speedy techno track evoking the constant and hectic production of data and the obsessive quest for more information. I then linked the music with this mad hunt and chase in order to get hold of people like Edward Snowden.” In addition to Snowden, the electronic pioneer has a long list of collaborators he will be working with on the new album, including Pet Shop Boys, Primal Scream, Pete Townshend, Lang Lang, Cyndi Lauper and more. Jarre has big plans to coincide with the release of Electronica Volume 2: The Heart Of Noise, including an appearance at Bluedot and a European tour. Check out the full-track listing and list of tour dates below and be sure to pick up the new album on May 6.

Electronica Volume 2: The Heart Of Noise Track List
01. The Heart of Noise Pt. 1: JM Jarre & Rone
02. The Heart of Noise Pt. 2: JM Jarre
03. Brick England: JM Jarre & Pet Shop Boys
04. As One: JM Jarre & Primal Scream
05. Exit – JM Jarre & Edward Snowden
06. These Creatures: JM Jarre & Julia Holter
07. Here For You: JM Jarre & Gary Numan
08. The Architect: JM Jarre & Jeff Mills
09. What You Want: JM Jarre & Peaches
10. Circus: JM Jarre & Siriusmo
11. Why This, Why That, Why: JM Jarre & Yello
12. Switch On Leon: JM Jarre & The Orb
13. Gisele: JM Jarre & Sebastien Tellier
14. Electrees: JM Jarre & Hans Zimmer
15. Swipe To The Right: JM Jarre & Cyndi Lauper
16. Walking The Mile: JM Jarre & Christophe
17. Falling Down: JM Jarre
18. The Heart of Noise (The Origin): JM Jarre
Jean-Michel Jarre 2016 Tour Dates

6/17: Barcelona, Spain – Sónar Festival
7/9: Rome, Italy – Auditorium Parco Della Musica
7/13: Bayonne, France – Arenes de Bayonne
7/14: Nimes, France – Festival de Nimes
7/16: Gräfenhainichen, Germany – Melt! Festival
7/23: Cheshire, England – Jodrell Bank
10/4: Cardiff, Wales – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
10/6: Brighton, England – Brighton Arena
10/7: London, England – 02 Arena
10/8: Birmingham, England – Barclaycard Arena
10/10: Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
10/13: Leeds, England – First Direct Arena
10/14: Glasgow, Scotland – The SSE Hydro
10/16: Frankfurt, Germany – Festhall
10/17: Strasbourg, France – Zénith
10/19: Hamburg, Germany – Barclaycard Arena
10/20: Berlin, Germany – Mercedes Benz Arena
10/22: Dusseldorf, Germany – Electricity Conference @ ISS Dome
10/23: Brussels, Belgium – Palais 12
10/26: Copenhagen, Denmark – Falconer Theatre
10/28: Oslo, Norway – Spektrum
10/29: Stockholm, Sweden – Hovet
10/31: Helsinki, Finland – Ice Hall
11/2: Tallinn, Estonia – Saku Arena
11/3: Kaunas, Lithuania – Kaunas Arena
11/5: Łódz, Poland – Atlas Arena
11/6: Katowice, Poland – Spodek
11/8: Prague, Czech Republic – 02 Arena
11/9: Bratislava, Slovakia – Nepela Arena
11/10: Budapest, Hungary – Papp Laszlo Sport Arena
11/11: Cluj, Romania – Polivalent Hall
11/13: Belgrade, Serbia – Kombank Arena
11/15: Ljubljana, Slovenia – Arena Stozice
11/17: Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle
11/18: Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion Zurich
11/19: Nuremberg, Germany – Arena Nürnberg
11/21: Munster, Germany – Munsterlandhalle
11/22: Amsterdam, Netherlands – Heineken Music Hall
11/24: Lyon, France – Halle Tony Garnier
11/25: Geneva, Switzerland – Arena
11/28: Clermont Ferrand, France – Zénith D’Auvergne
11/29: Nantes, France – Zénith Metropole
12/12: Paris, France – Accor Hotels Arena