An infectious, hypnotic dance-pop single from Brooklyn-based artist Paul Feder, “Paperclips” weaves a title-touting refrain amidst danceable synth effervescence and steady percussive pulses. The first single via the forthcoming EP Echoes, “Paperclips” aligns its futuristic-sounding synth tones with apt thematic pursuits — specifically, exploring humanity’s evolving relationship with AI, which seems to be evolving at a rapid pace.
There’s a fun, Kraftwek-esque sound apparent in the synth tones, which melds well with a modern sharpness within the vocal production especially, making it a great fit for its AI-driven themes. Feder describes the release as “based on AI thought experiment in which a sentient AI is given a simple task: maximize paperclip production.” And the conclusion? “The end result is a Terminator-style future in which humanity is eradicated in the service of making A LOT of paperclips,” Feder says.
“It’s a tongue-in-cheek robotic dance track and fever-dream AI video that imagines intelligent machines attaining meaning and fulfillment in their relentless pursuit of productivity.” Be sure to check out the music video above, and become lost in the track’s standout production — blending suave vocal reflections, burgeoning synth tones, and propulsive rhythms with intoxicating effect.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
