Neurolapse: "Throughout all of it, music was my escape"

Neurolapse is an electronic music producer from Scotland, shaped by the vibrant local rave scene and influenced by artists like QFX and Mark Sherry. After a break from music, he returned in 2024 with a renewed purpose: to create dance music that moves both body and mind. His sound blends progressive house, tech house, melodic EDM, and cinematic atmospheres, with each track telling a story. His recent releases have received critical acclaim and club support across Europe and the US, earning him a nomination for Best Dance Act in the 2025 Global Independent Music Awards. Neurolapse rejects conventional music marketing tactics, focusing instead on authenticity and passion for his craft. On December 22nd, he will release a five-track EP designed as a cohesive work rather than following algorithm-driven timing.

How would you describe your creative process when composing a new track, especially in balancing emotion and rhythm?

My tracks always begin with a story. Whether it’s embedded in the lyrics, the tone, or the mood of the instrumental. I rarely sit down to create something from scratch. Usually the foundations already exist in fragments: ideas noted in my phone, hooks I’ve hummed while out walking, or melodies that come to me unexpectedly. Once I’m in the studio, it becomes a process of stitching those pieces together.

For me, making music feels a bit like scoring a film that plays out in my head. Memories, conversations, and experiences shape the emotional direction, while the rhythm gives the story its pulse. I tend to write metaphorically because it keeps the meaning open and avoids sounding generic. There’s more to life than love songs alone, and I’m always drawn to capturing the complexities of being human.

I love a track that makes you want to dance instantly, but it’s even better when it hits you emotionally too. That dual connection, movement and meaning, is what I aim for. When an idea is strong, I tend to work quickly and stay with it until the track is nearly complete. If I break the flow, I often lose the initial spark. Inspiration usually arrives in unexpected moments, and I’ve learned to follow it whenever it appears.

What recent experiences or moments in your life have most influenced the tracks you’re releasing now?

I’ve had a pretty unconventional life, and a lot of it finds its way into my music. My childhood was a happy one until circumstances changed dramatically, leading to poverty, school expulsion, addiction, exposure to cults and more. Throughout all of it, music was my escape.

Later came kidney failure, dialysis, and a transplant that gave me a second chance. I rebuilt my life: studied social work, built a career, started a family. On the outside everything looked settled, but internally I struggled with identity and the pressure to “Be Like Everyone.” Burnout led to my ADHD diagnosis in 2023, and it was a turning point. With treatment and support, everything clicked into place.

During this time a therapist asked me, "Why did you stop making music"? It was like an open invitation. Returning to it in my 40s, with years of experience behind me and ADHD finally understood, allowed me to approach it with a clearer head and a deeper sense of purpose. My motivation isn’t fame or validation. It’s about creating something honest and true to who I am.

What does "blending storytelling with rhythm" mean to you, and how do you convey a story through electronic music?

Electronic music can be incredibly emotive when the story is strong. Some tracks hook you with melody or bassline alone, but the ones that stay with me are the ones that feel personal. Whether through vocals or through the emotional landscape created by the instrumental and title.

When I’m creating, I imagine how the track would feel in a club at 2am. Something that hits collectively but still feels tailored to the individual listener. In my mind, each song plays like a film: the vocals are the dialogue, and the instrumental is the score. Every element, percussion, synths, bass, has to align with the emotional arc.

I never want to give everything away too explicitly. Part of the magic is when a listener suddenly understands the deeper meaning after a few plays. A catchy track fades but that moment of connection is timeless. 

In an era dominated by algorithms and social media, how do you maintain the authenticity of your artistic message?

I love this question! I’ve always been sceptical of the pressure to constantly promote yourself online. I only joined Instagram when I started releasing music, and the world of algorithms and content cycles still feels unnatural to me. That said, I’ve connected with some great people through it, and it’s helped my music reach ears it otherwise wouldn’t.

Still, I struggle with the expectation to push trending content or project a persona. It doesn’t feel like me, and forcing it would come off as insincere. Despite being comfortable in front of crowds, I’m an introvert with a love for creating, not selling myself online. I miss the days when club culture was about dancing, not filming the DJ or worrying about how you look. I hope, in my own small way, to help bring some of that authenticity back.

You mentioned having a large archive of unreleased tracks—can you give us any hints about what to expect from your upcoming releases?

I have a five-track EP coming out on 22nd December that I’m really excited about. Releasing an EP as a new artist goes against most industry advice, but it felt like the right thing to do. Some of the tracks were created over 18 months ago and were always meant to be heard together.

The EP opens with a remaster of my first release, "Be Like Everyone". It resonated with people who heard it, but as a new artist it didn’t reach far. I’m hoping the remaster brings it to a wider audience. The project closes with "Be Like Anyone", the more hopeful counterpart. If the first track reflected the darker days, the second captures the moments when things finally feel lighter.

It’s my most personal and cohesive work. Like a musical snapshot of where I’ve been and where I’m heading but fundamentally it's 5 solid bangers! I’m already working on material for 2026, including collaborations with my cousin Rona, an incredible vocalist, and a rapper I’ve wanted to work with for years. Next year will be about pushing boundaries and letting the music lead the way.

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