I don’t need sleep! I’m never gonna die!
Released August 22, 2025
Context and Creation
This album kept stopping itself from existing. In Summer 2024, with high spirits and focus, I got it about 85% done. Then a brutally consuming school year left almost no time/energy to finish it. By July 1, 2025, after finally getting it about 98% done, our apartment ceiling collapsed, displacing us for a bit and putting music on pause again. This ended up being a fitting delivery for an album borne out of chaos, uncertainty, exhaustion, frustration, absurdity, hyperbolic highs/lows, and a need for something “new.” Along the way, the title became a self-fulfilling mantra: I don’t need sleep! I’m never gonna die!I’m super excited that it’s finally done and out in the world, bookending a wild life chapter. This album features some of my most extensive and thorough production to date. No longer are songs mostly building off a single guitar + vocal take, but now we got some drum loops and fuller instrumentation. I’m a pop band now! Thanks for listening and continuing to Feel Loudly™ with me. H.A.G.S.
Personnel
- Natty Ward - music & lyrics, guitars, vocals, bass, keys, percussion, recording & production, album art layout
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Kyabell Glass - album art photography
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Tim Grey - electric guitar on "LOVE IS A RISK"
Gear
MacBook Pro, Logic Pro, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, AT2035 condenser mic, Breedlove Passport Plus D/CMe HH, Fender Mustang Bass, Casio CDP-S350, Gibson SG, drum loops from Splice, various hand percussion instruments, blood/sweat/tears/etc.