Brooklyn-based electronic artist Paul Feder released his latest EP, Never Sleep, on June 23, 2023, through Aion Records. Following his 2021 ambient 80s pop-inspired EP Nightwalk, this new collection continues Feder’s unique blend of ambient tones, varied beats, and emotive vocals, suggesting that he is firmly committed to the experimental electronica genre.
Unlike his earlier, more pop-centric releases, such as “Lose My Mind,” as well as his remixes of vocalist Holly Abraham’s 2018 hit “Shore” and Jane In Space‘s “Mental Abrasions,” Feder’s latest work takes a poignant turn. “Never Sleep” is a raw and deeply introspective exploration of the thoughts and emotions that accompany us during the darkest hours.
Inspired and written during the pandemic, the EP holds a universal appeal, echoing the anxiety and insomnia that became widespread during lockdowns. The title track, in particular, serves as a sonnet for those grappling with sleepless nights due to pandemic-induced anxiety. It carries the weight of a personal, heartfelt message, reflecting Feder’s own experience during these turbulent times.
The album is tinged with nostalgia, thanks to Feder’s lifelong fascination with electronic music and his use of a 90s-era Yamaha CS2X keyboard, discovered in his parents’ attic during the early days of 2021. The vintage synths employed throughout the EP seem to act as a comforting embrace around the listener as Feder’s vocals address these challenging themes.
Never Sleep is notably dedicated to Feder’s late father, Jack Feder, who passed away in December 2022 and who played a significant role in encouraging his son’s work. “He kept encouraging me to ‘finish the songs!’ when I had trouble letting them go,” Feder recalls in a poignant tribute to his father’s memory.
In this collection, Feder delves into an introspective realm. In “Home,” he explores the growing divide between present time and youth, a theme that resonates with many who feel the pandemic has starkly redefined their lives. In “Wonderful Day,” listeners are taken on a symbolic train ride to the end of the line and beyond—a meditative exploration of journey and destination.
Paul Feder’s career has been a diverse and evolving journey. From his early exposure to electronic music through Kraftwerk’s Trans Europa Express, which his parents played on cassette, to his synth instrumentals in college and his co-founding of the sitar-infused electronic band Charcole Federation. Now, as he releases “Never Sleep,” Feder finds himself in a reflective and poignant phase of this journey.
His roots are in the 80s and 90s, but Feder is no nostalgia act. He’s a contemporary artist grappling with very current, personal and global issues. As the world begins to emerge from the pandemic, “Never Sleep” may prove to be a timely anthem for a world looking to heal, offering solace to those who need it most.
The EP was produced in Feder’s home studio in Brooklyn and mastered by David Little Mastering. It serves as both a touching tribute to his father and a cathartic reflection of Feder’s own pandemic experience.
As Feder shares the release of Never Sleep, he is also embarking on a new creative venture, working on a set of new songs that grapple with the future of creativity at the dawn of the AI era. This upcoming EP promises to be a significant chapter in an already vibrant and varied career.
Listen to the Never Sleep EP below!
#Peace.Love.NeverSleep
