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The multi-talented queer musician and producer Susan Bear – a well-known and much respected figure in the Scottish music scene – has shared her dreamy new electronic track ‘Utopia’, out now via Epidemic Sound.
A gorgeous, hazy drift through 90s-inspired IDM, ‘Utopia’ captures the quiet introspection of the late-night studio environment that the track was created in. Its warm analog textures and gentle melodies reflect “the inner worlds we create to carry ourselves through uncertain times”.
‘Utopia’ is Susan Bear’s first new music since 2024, when they released their acclaimed third album ‘Algorithmic Mood Music’. It marks a deeper step into their electronic music production journey, drawing inspiration from electronic greats including Daniel Avery, Aphex Twin and Boards Of Canada.
Speaking about the new single, Susan Bear says: “I made this tune when I was feeling very bad and now I feel normal-good. I was thinking about worlds we create in our mind, versus the real world and what people need to believe in order to get on with it. I was thinking about the distance between real and not real and how delusion helps people get through things – and finish music!”
Written, produced, recorded and mixed by Susan Bear, ‘Utopia’ was created almost entirely with hardware synthesisers and drum machines from the Glasgow Library of Synthesised Sound, where Susan works. ‘Utopia’ features instruments including a 1981 Roland TR-808, Moog Grandmother, Korg Minilogue XD, and Elektron Analog Rytm.
Immersive, hopeful and brimming with lush electronic textures, ‘Utopia’ points to an exciting development in Susan Bear’s storied musical journey so far.
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