Yulo X, the latest project by Berlin-based music producer Felix Neumann, is making waves with his debut album ‘Euphoria Ends.’ This blend of electronica, infused with melodic and ambient elements, showcases Neumann’s artistic evolution and his ability to transcend genre boundaries.
Photo credit: Alexander Meyer
‘Euphoria Ends’ is a concept album that draws inspiration from the dynamic music scenes of Berlin and London, exploring themes of euphoria, happiness, and their inevitable conclusions.
Neumann’s musical journey is as diverse as his influences. From his early 2000s electronic dream pop project ‘a hundred times beloved’ to his chart-topping house alter ego Fex Fellini, Neumann has consistently pushed the boundaries of electronic music. Now, as Yulo X, he presents a distinct style that combines catchy piano passages, orchestral elements, and occasional vocals—creating a sound that’s both nostalgic and contemporary.
In this exclusive interview with EG, Yulo X opens up about the creative process behind ‘Euphoria Ends,’ shares his views on AI in music production, and hints at exciting collaborations on the horizon.
Join us as we delve into the mind of this innovative artist and explore the nuances of his latest musical offering.
EG: Hi, Felix! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Yulo X: Thank you very much for the opportunity and the invitation to the interview.
EG: So, first of all, congratulations on the release of your studio album, ‘Euphoria Ends’! You must be psyched to have this one out to share with everyone. What are some of your initial feelings now that the record is out?
Yulo X: It’s such an amazing feeling that it’s finally out. It took eight months to finish the album and then many more months of waiting. Mentally, I’ve already moved on to the next projects, but it feels great to close a chapter and be able to share it with the public.
EG: Now, what can your fans expect to find on ‘Euphoria Ends’ as a whole? Is there an emotional trigger or concept driving the album? Is it meant to be listened to as a ‘concept album’?
Yulo X: Yeah, you could say it’s a concept album. It’s not really a club album; it’s too poppy and song-structure oriented for that, but it’s also too experimental to be a straight pop album. I’ve included a whole range of electronic styles and wanted to create a certain dramaturgy and sound aesthetic throughout the album. I also play with different themes that recur in the titles or lyrics.
EG: ‘Euphoria Ends’ feels like quite a striking title in the realm of electronic dance music, which, in a way, seems to be built on the foundations of euphoria. How did this notion/concept come about?
Yulo X: The themes on the album, like euphoria, happiness, and the flip side of that are the core of the album. Everything revolves around these on different levels, and I’ve really delved into them. In fact, the title is a bit of an antagonism to what you’d expect from an electronic release, but since I didn’t want to release a club album, I could indulge in this play on ideas.
“It’s not really a club album; it’s too poppy and song-structure oriented for that, but it’s also too experimental to be a straight pop album”
EG: And what were the creative sessions for ‘Euphoria Ends’ like? Was this done in ‘one sitting,’ so to speak? Or did the record unfold over a long period of time?
Yulo X: I recorded the tracks in a relatively short time over a few weeks, trying to create a kind of dramaturgy. There are a few pieces I ended up discarding afterwards. There were more tracks with vocals, but in the end, the album felt too catchy, so I wanted to counterbalance that. The sound design took me quite a while, and the mixing process also took some time. I got support from the London producer Tian Karl for that.
EG: And what would you like for listeners to take away from the listening experience? What would be the ideal setting to listen to ‘Euphoria Ends’?
Yulo X: ‘Euphoria Ends,’ is an album you’d better listen to at home on the sofa with headphones. Some tracks can definitely put you in a dancing mood, but overall, the concept works best when you listen to it as a whole.
EG: Are there any plans to perform ‘Euphoria Ends’ in a live setting of sorts?
Yulo X: Not so far. I think it’s a closed chapter for me now, and I want to move on with new productions and collabs.
EG: Now, onto a hot topic… How do you feel about the rise of AI implementation in music? What’s your relationship with that like? Has any form of AI been used on ‘Euphoria Ends’?
Yulo X: I didn’t use any AI. Sure, a lot of plugins are based on AI and can make work processes easier. But I’m also critical of the development because the already declining value of authentic and handcrafted music will suffer even more. We need new rules for the music business, and social platforms need to appreciate art that has a lot of passion, time, and energy put into it, instead of constantly devaluing it.
“We need new rules for the music business, and social platforms need to appreciate art that has a lot of passion, time, and energy put into it, instead of constantly devaluing it”
EG: Finally, what can we expect from Yulo X in the next few months? Where can your fans catch you next?
Yulo X: There are already lots of new tracks, especially from collaborations, and hopefully, they’ll see the light of day soon.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Felix! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Yulo X: Thanks a lot for having me.
Yulo X’s ‘Euphoria Ends’ is out now on recordJet. Stream and download here.
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