Yulo X, the latest project by Berlin-based music producer Felix Neumann, showcases a captivating blend of electronica, imbued with melodic and ambient elements, and occasional forays into various electronica genres - from house to techno, garage and dubstep. Stepping into Yulo X's domain is like floating into a space where the lush, melodic essence of Max Cooper meets the vibrant, pulsating energy of Caribou, dancing with the enigmatic, shadowy grooves of Floating Points. Yet, in the kaleidoscopic soundscape of Yulo X, the essence of the music is distilled into a rawer, more minimalist form, peeling away layers to unveil a core of stark, unadulterated emotion. Yulo X transcends electronic music genre boundaries, inspired by the dynamic energies of Berlin's and London's music scenes. His forthcoming debut album showcases a unique style with catchy piano passages and orchestral elements, marking an evolution in Neumann's songwriting and production that resonates deeply.

Neumann's distinctive vocal presence on a few tracks of his upcoming album may ring familiar to fans of his  dream pop project, "a hundred times beloved", which gained attention in the early 2000s through a release on Alison Records. In Yulo X's music, attentive listeners can recognize the deep roots in Neumann's musical socialization. The influences range from the new wave icons of the 80s to the formative dream pop bands of  early 90s, which were already theclearest influence for "a hundred times beloved" back in the day. These influences are skillfully translated into a modern electronic guise that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. Neumann is also known for his former house project "Fex Fellini", which celebrated some club chart successes in the early 2010s and was frequently played by renowned international DJ heavyweights.

Yulo X gets down with 6AM and talks about upcoming releases and his evolution as a producer!

Hi Yulo X! Thanks for talking to 6AM Group. How are you doing?

Hi guys, great, thanks for inviting me to the interview. 

 

To start your music seems to cross a lot of genres and influences. Can you tell us about how your background—from 80s new wave and 90s dream pop to more modern electronic styles—has shaped the sound of your upcoming album Euphoria Ends?

It started 20 years ago with my former dream pop band “a hundred times beloved”. I was very focused on shoegaze and dreampop music at this time. Also my whole musical socialization was closely connected to 80s and 90s indie music back in the days. I think you can still hear these influences in my music although Yulo X is an electronic music project and playing with modern elements.

 

Your new album Euphoria Ends is set to release on Oct 11th on Superego Records. The album explores themes of euphoria, addiction, and decay. What inspired you to dive into these complex themes, and how do they connect with the sonic journey of the album?

It’s my personal interest and also my own engagement with these states. I definitely have an addictive personality within me, which I now have very well under control—i’m living a very healthy life, e.g. I haven't drunk alcohol for two years—but I find the entire scientific field of neurotransmitters incredibly fascinating. I have incorporated this on all levels as inspiration: on the conceptual level, musically, in the lyrics and in the visual implementation.

The track “Echoes of Alojera” from your new album blends driving house beats with ambient and experimental influences. How do you approach fusing different electronic genres like house, techno, and ambient in your music?

Actually on the album i was not thinking a lot about genres, frames or borders. I had some sonic ideas in my head and i was experimenting with some sounds, instruments and samples that run like a common thread throughout the album. Some tracks also transition into one another or were originally created as a single piece. EUPHORIA ENDS is a little bit of everything - calm, club, pop, vintage and also modern. It was all not about a specific genre but an art concept.

You've been praised for the raw emotion in your productions, with vocals and lyrics playing a key role. Could you share a bit about the personal themes you explore in Euphoria Ends, especially with songs like “Amor” and “Waves”?

Both tracks address the aforementioned theme of addiction and dependency relationships and stark contrasts, the ups and downs. The dynamics of dependency and romantic love are comparable, and they come in waves.

Your journey in music has seen you shift between projects like a hundred times beloved and Fex Fellini. How does Yulo X reflect your evolution as an artist compared to your earlier work in dream pop and house music?

The old music styles are still influencing me a lot in my production process. I need to force myself not think to much in classic song structures and i sometimes tend to have very melodic approaches. The music i want to produce is more reduced and minimalistic, so it’s always an inner competition between pathos and understatement.

 

Thanks so much for talking to our audience. We’re looking forward to seeing where your journey goes! Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

If you want to be up to date, where my journey goes, follow me on my instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/yuloxmusic

Connect with Yulo X: Soundcloud | Spotify | Instagram | Website