Yulo X, the latest project by Berlin-based producer Felix Neumann, returns with “AMOR,” a compelling second single from his forthcoming album ‘Euphoria Ends.’ Released under the Vienna-based label Superego Records, “AMOR” stands out as a notable entry in the indie electronic pop genre. While it initially presents itself as a contemporary love song, the track delves into complex themes of addiction and dependency. In our interview, Yulo X opens up about the creative process behind ‘Euphoria Ends,’ the blend of influences that shape his sound, and how his journey through Berlin’s and London’s music scenes has influenced his latest work.
“AMOR” explores themes of addiction and dependency under the guise of a love track. Could you share more about the inspiration behind this song?
These are themes I’ve explored throughout my entire upcoming album. There were two more tracks—with vocals—that ultimately didn’t make it onto the album due to stylistic differences, where the connection between love and addiction was even clearer. Having a crush, falling in love, and addictive behavior are very similar processes, and you can compare or relate them to each other. That’s the basic concept behind the song; I use these terms synonymously
Dependency and addictive behaviors are very prominent in our society but are too rarely addressed as such. Addiction often only comes to public attention when people have lost everything—family, friendships, home, and possessions—yet the issue is already deeply rooted in society on a much more subtle level. For example, alcohol is completely normalized in German society, supported by a strong alcohol lobby, while many other drugs are largely frowned upon, even though some of them don’t cause nearly as much harm as alcohol.
At the same time, issues like doom scrolling, shopping addiction, excessive media consumption, sugar addiction, love addiction, gambling, and more are all problems that affect our population, partly as a result of our social system. Dependencies exist on many levels, but they are often only recognized as such when people have hit rock bottom, often due to substance abuse. I engage deeply with this spectrum of behaviors, both from my own experiences and from a sociological perspective, and I found it an exciting approach to incorporate these themes on both a musical and lyrical level.
Can you walk us through your creative process for producing ‘AMOR’?
The lyrics came first, then the music. On the musical level, I first built a beat and had a vocal line in my head, and then the other musical elements formed around it. In contrast to the other tracks, it was a more classic songwriting process, so the track needs to be received as a song. Although I want to move more towards club music with this project, I allowed myself to think a lot about pop structures on the album.
How did you ensure that the visuals for the ‘AMOR’ music video aligned with your creative vision?
I had quite an inspiring talk with Oswaldo, the director of the video, about the visual concept for the album. Throughout the album, there’s the idea of working with floral patterns in many places, because they can visually convey the process of blooming and decay very well about the themes of dopamine and addictive behavior. I took some of the images myself in the Canary Islands, mainly on La Gomera, while another part of the images were taken by Oswaldo and his DoP Sebastian in the Berlin area. However, Oswaldo had completely free rein in the artistic implementation and editing. It was important to me that he could express his artistic signature here.
Can you discuss how your influences have shaped your music and how you’ve worked to develop your unique style?
In my musical past, I’ve made music in very different contexts: indie dream pop, nu disco / new French touch, house and deep house, and to some extent a bit of bass music. All these influences now come together in Yulo X and they can also be felt on the album. It’s musically very diverse, with the common denominator being, I think, simply “electronica” music. I wouldn’t see the album as representative of the future Yulo X sound. It’s a self-contained project, after which I’ll explore new things. It’s important to me to define Yulo X as a largely electronic music project, but not to tie the boundaries of genres too tightly. I’d
like to work very inclusively and versatilely, while still creating a certain recognition value through a specific sound aesthetic. This isn’t easy, but I hope that I’ve already achieved this to some extent with the soon-to-be-released album.
How has your partnership with Superego Records influenced the release and development of ‘AMOR’?
Superego Records is run by the Viennese composer, musician, and producer Christoph Punzmann. He’s a very good friend of mine, and I’ve known him since the days when we both lived together in the small German city of Regensburg. Here, we also had joint party series and DJed together as residents. Musically, however, we hadn’t been connected for a long time, but that has changed in recent months. Christoph is not only releasing the entire Yulo X album and all singles, but we’ve also started a small collaboration, and there will certainly be something to hear soon. There are already a few snippets on my Instagram.
With your forthcoming album Euphoria Ends set to be released soon, can you give us a preview of the themes and sounds we can expect from the rest of the album?
I think i’ve already described the themes. The main theme is framed on a musical and visual level by blooming and decay. This can already be seen in the first two music videos for UNISON and AMOR. Otherwise, I don’t want to reveal too much yet, but the range spans from ambient to indie electronic pop to techno. The album will have a very warm and full sound in the low end, to which the UK producer Tian Karl significantly contributed during mixing, as well as the producer and mastering engineer Sam Irl.
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How do you approach genre-blending in your music to create a cohesive sound?
In my opinion, a coherent sound can only be achieved despite strong genre diversity through a certain sound aesthetic, recurring textures, sounds, and elements. Also through a certain arc of tension as a concept across the tracks. That’s what I’ve tried to do, at least. Whether I’ve succeeded in this, others will have to judge, but I’m satisfied with the result.
How has your music evolved over the years to shape the current sound of Yulo X?
I believe my musical socialization has shifted from the shoegaze and indie rock of the 90s and early 2000s more and more towards electronic music, while at the same time, the range of my interests has grown broader again. I would still stand by that. But I would say that my musical interest is much broader and more open than it was 15 years ago. This is the foundation for the musical creation in Yulo X. When I DJ, I’m currently very interested in the UK sounds around house, garage, jungle, and half-step. I can imagine that I will experiment more in this direction when producing music as well.
Berlin and London each have unique music scenes. How have these two cities influenced your work and your artistic development?
Yes, you’re right. The two cities have fundamentally different scenes. The music industry in the electronic scene also functions very differently. Berlin is my chosen home, and of course, I get to experience a lot of what’s happening musically in the city. I’m far from being a strong scene connector and I’m not deeply rooted in the city’s techno scene, which is what primarily defines Berlin. Nevertheless, as an electronic artist, I’m somewhat a part of the puzzle piece. Musically, I feel much more connected to the UK sound from London and can identify with it more and draw inspiration from it. I did the final mix of some album tracks with UK producer Tian Karl in London and this city continues to fascinate me.
As you look to the future, what are some of your goals and aspirations for Yulo X?
First of all, of course, there’s the album release on Superego Records in autumn. Then I’m also very excited about the collab projects, for which several tracks are in the making. I’m already working on new solo tracks and will, of course, look around for exciting labels, maybe a track or an EP will fit here and there. In the medium term, I would like to play more DJ gigs again, I’m really in the mood for that right now. I’m also very excited to host a monthly radio show on Data Transmission starting in August. It kicks off on August 10th, stay tuned.
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