"A pop-noir chase through a city that never quite sleeps."
Unknown Lover is a pop-noir concept album from CORTIS, released in late 2023. Built around a single narrative — a midnight chase through an unnamed city, in pursuit of a lover who may or may not exist — the record blends electronic pop, cinematic orchestration and spoken-word interludes into one of the most ambitious releases in the Star Studio catalogue.
The album debuted at #1 in 14 markets, broke Star Studio's first-week streaming record with 80 million plays, and was named Album of the Year by a dozen international publications. Its lead single, 'Rooftop,' has been streamed more than 600 million times.
A companion film, directed by Global Sound and shot in a single 72-hour continuous take, premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in 2024 and is now available on the Star Studio streaming platform.