Fergus Jones - Ephemera (Numbers)
Fergus Jones, formerly known as Perko, Copenhagen-based producer, DJ and founder of the FELT record label, makes an inspiring leap forward with his debut album ´Ephemera´. Renowned for his intricate and atmospheric electronic releases as Perko-such as NV Auto (2018), The City Rings (2020), Galerie (2020) and Prang (2023), the latter earning a place on Resident Advisor’s Best Tracks of 2023-Jones uses Ephemera to explore new emotional and sonic landscapes. This nine-track opus is a profound and personal work that, places collaboration and experimentation at its core.
Developed over five years in various locations across the globe, ´Ephemera´ feels like a heartfelt conversation between kindred spirits. Jones assembles a formidable roster of collaborators, including Huerco S, James K, Koreless, Laila Sakini, and Bristol’s Cold Light collective members. Their contributions are seamlessly woven into the album, underscoring Jones’s commitment to creative partnerships as an essential part of his artistic journey.
The album opens with “Yield,” a prelude of meditative intensity, setting the stage for an immersive journey. “Heima,” co-written with Huerco S and James K, is a standout moment, blending fortified trip-pop textures with James K’s luminous vocals. Created during an Icelandic artist residency, the track carries an atmospheric weight that reflects the stark beauty of its origin. Similarly, “Tight Knit”- a collaboration with Birthmark, ELDON, and Withdrawn of Cold Light—captures the restless energy of Bristol’s deep sonic history, merging it with Jones’s graceful production to envision a bold future.
Throughout this work, Jones balances the organic and synthetic with masterful precision. “Can’t Touch,” featuring Laila Sakini, delivers a tender moment of vulnerability, while “Been Here (And Gone),” co-created with Koreless, evokes underwater worlds through hydrophone recordings and rich soundscapes. Even the quieter, introspective tracks like “A Leap” with Lia T maintain a dynamic energy that keeps the listener engaged.
Jones’s production approach to analogue processes, iterative experimentation, and environmental recordings imbues the album with warmth and texture. Whether through the exchange of iterative stems with Huerco S or field recordings made in outdoor settings, every sound on Ephemera feels intentional yet instinctive. This meticulous craftsmanship enhances the album’s fleeting beauty and emotional resonance.
´Ephemera´ is a tour de force that showcases Fergus Jones as an artist at the pinnacle of his creative powers. It is a deeply collaborative work that seamlessly merges emotional depth with sonic ingenuity. The album invites listeners to immerse themselves in its layered textures and evocative moments, offering new discoveries with every revisit.
Jones has crafted a debut that feels - both timeless and forward-thinking, resonating long after its final notes. For fans of boundary-pushing electronic music, ´Ephemera´ is not simply a must-listen; it’s an essential experience!
An audacious and captivating debut that establishes Fergus Jones as a vital voice in contemporary electronic music.
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