How Fred Again Changed the Game 🤯

In 2019, during the pandemic, a new sound emerged blending electronic beats and urban samples with old and new fusion.

Fred Again was mentored by Brian Eno for more than a decade and regarded as his protégé.

• Produced for huge artists including Ed Sheeran, Eminem, Swedish House Mafia, Charlie XCX, and George Ezra • Had a hand in 30 percent of all UK top hits in 2022 • Won Producer of the Year at British Awards in 2020

By 2023, Fred Again became one of the most popular producers in the world, though not through black magic or viral marketing.

Fred decided to make his album after Brian Eno messaged him about cleaning his kitchen and discovering old sketches of Fred's work on iTunes loop.

Released in 2021, Actual Life was intended as a diary through samples of things from Fred's phone, collecting material between April and December 2020.

• The album was impacted by the worsening illness of a very close friend • Fred fell in love during the pandemic, but his girlfriend got seriously ill • Many perceived the album as joyful, but Fred found it devastating

Unlike mainstream music carefully designed by teams, Actual Life was raw and unfiltered, featuring personal stories and exploring themes of heartbreak, loss, and finding meaning.

• Classic house beat with 40 BPM kick and simple off-hats • Classic snare clap with additional breaks • Deep pads to create ambience • Simple chords giving nostalgic vibes

Speech samples came from Fred's conversation with Bless Madonna, creating the track's emotional core through sampled vocals.

The chorus adds an arpeggio for nostalgic feel; during the break, the song focuses on Bless Madonna's speech about losing space and dancing, creating sentimentality.

The track became the unofficial anthem of the pandemic and resonated with millions globally due to its emotional depth and relatable content.

• Opens with ambient sounds and hand-made percussions • Kick drum followed by hand percussion and mount hat sounds • Creates signature Fred Again atmospheric start

Vocals come from a poem called Love in the Time of Cholera, repeating 'I found you, I found you beautiful' throughout the track.

Track evolves from ambient intro with simple base into a proper house beat with kick, clap, and hat, combining unorthodox organic instruments with modern techniques.

Fred focuses on mood and emotion rather than complex theory, using few channels to create beautiful ambient atmosphere while maintaining a low-temperature speed.

Fred operates on a currency far more powerful than music theory: genuine human emotion and authenticity.

• Allows emotions to flow through music as a form of therapy • Uses music as honest expression rather than technical showcase • Creates stunning, authentic, and relatable pieces of art

Like Imperials' 2007 album, Actual Life conveys powerful emotions in addictive ways that sneak upon listeners and capture hearts before they realize it.

In the end, nothing else mattered but the real and honest expression of human emotions, which is what made Fred Again's work resonate with billions of people worldwide.