Nugie to release new album soon

JAKARTA (JP): Ask environment buff/rock star, Agustinus Gusti Nugroho, alias Nugie, why he smokes and he will shrug it off. Compared to vehicle emissions and global warming, he said, "personal habits... should not be hassled about."

Following his recent breakup with his girlfriend, Nugie, 27, has yet to complete his much-postponed, much-publicized album, Udara (Air).

The star said the album was due out in May and would feature 10 songs. "It's produced by me and my brother (pop singer) Katon Bagaskara," Nugie said.

"One song on the album will be about the polluted Ciliwung River and some others will be on air pollution."

He said he always dedicated some songs on each of his albums to the environment.

"I want to complete, with this the third, the trilogy," he said.

His debut album was titled Bumi (Earth) while his second, Air (Water).

He said that currently, he was busy with singing for a new TV environment-entertainment program due to be launched in August.

Bumi, released in 1995, sold 100,000 copies. Air, released last year, fared well with 140,000. (ylt)