We all can bear in mind many sleepless nights throughout the lengthy lockdown that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. In truth, many people nonetheless have residual insomnia on the very least. The worries, fears and tragedies humanity went via in these two years typically really feel like a distant reminiscence however we’re all nonetheless coping with that collective trauma, and there’s nonetheless a great deal of vital artwork impressed by that point being launched now. Never Sleep, Paul Feder’s follow-up to his first seminal EP Nightwalk is one such work from the COVID and continued post-COVID period that’s each relatable and soothing to these of us nonetheless struggling.
Feder’s work has at all times appeared to have a heavy private and contemplative bent, even when he’s remixing another person’s observe (a’la his emotional rework of “Mental Abrasions” by Jane in Space or the vocal-turned-future bass model of Holly Abraham’s single “Shore”). Heavily influenced by early synth pop and electronica, Nightwalk was a dreamy as its eponym suggests nevertheless it’s all completed with the assistance of classic kinds and methods. For Never Sleep, the classic cachet was much more actual when Feder found his 90s period Yamaha keyboard in his dad and mom’ attic.
In early 2021 I unearthed my 90’s Yamaha CS2X keyboard from my dad and mom’ attic and started to play, channeling pandemic nervousness into what would grow to be the title observe of the EP. Never Sleep is devoted to my father, Jack Feder, who stored encouraging me to “finish the songs!”
So for Feder, Never Sleep turns into not simply an anxiety-fueled COVID venture however actually the product of a mandate from his dad, who appeared to be one in every of this greatest followers. The tie-ins with the tracks additionally now grow to be much more resonant for each Feder and people within the viewers going via grief. The EP opener and title observe begins with an emotional swell earlier than launching into a dream pop-forward home beat because the lyrics are each dadaist and dreamy. Feder reveals himself as a storyteller on this observe lyrically, as he describes his personal sleepless nights intimately so nice, one can nearly image the scene. Feder additionally showcases his type variety right here as he switched seamlessly from EDM to future bass in a manner that may remind dream pop followers of M83 or Sigur Ross.
The second observe on the EP, “Home” is each easy and existential, as Feder tackles the idea of residence and the way, as we age, that consolation and feeling man had rising up appears to fade and it’s nearly a lack of id within the course of. Losing a dad or mum positively amplifies this sense, so figuring out Feder’s impetus for these lyrics drives the purpose even additional “home.” Using a lot of vaporwave tones and a wistful string accompaniment provides to the temper as Feder retains the music comparatively easy: the sensation of “home,” in any case, is straightforward.
“Wonderful Day” is lyrically maybe the observe that the majority straight addresses Feder’s father’s passing, however once more it’s handled with reference and reflection somewhat than anger or anguish. The repeated vocoder strains “this is the end of the line…I hope you have a wonderful day,” and “don’t leave anything behind” replicate a hope many people have for our family members once they move: whereas demise is inevitable, we hope they move with peace, nothing left unsaid and that their subsequent step is a good one. For so many individuals who misplaced household and buddies throughout COVID, this closing observe can hopefully present some consolation and the chugging beat and synths a reminder that that is all a part of a greater journey.
Paul Feder addresses and in addition places to relaxation some large existential questions within the three tracks of Never Sleep. Both recovering from collective trauma and grieving are, certainly, an ongoing course of however Feder’s dreamy, classic synth type is a soothing reprieve from the cares of the previous few years, whether or not private or collective. Whether Feder “never sleeps” once more, he did, in actual fact, “finish the songs.”
Never Sleep is out now and might be streamed on Feder’s Spotify Page.
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