"Counting Sheep" is a single by Australian electronic music group Safia, released on 13 March 2015.
As SAFIA member Ben Woolner puts it, “If [previous single] ‘Paranoia, Ghosts & Other Sounds’ could be embodied as a person, then ‘Counting Sheep’ would be its evil sibling.”[2] A music video to accompany the release of "Counting Sheep" was first released on YouTube on 15 April 2015.
[3] The video takes place on the edge of the lake at a ‘Stop Revive Survive’ station on a highway, while voice-overs warn ‘don’t fall asleep’, a ghoulish person emerges from a chained box in the back of an open truck.
Sosefina Fuamoli from theaureview said she liked where they’ve gone with it, saying; "A cool fusion of synths and pop sensibilities, SAFIA have continued to produce music which sets them that little bit aside from other 'indietronica' acts currently doing the rounds.
"[5] A staff writer at The Music said; “[Counting Sheep] kicks off with some disconcerting synth-string action before a minimalist verse punctuated by Woolner-Kirkham's falsetto upper-register vocal work carries it through to an aurally lush build before bassy vocoder takes the lyrical reins for the plodding, pseudo-steam-powered chorus.”[6] In Australia, “Counting Sheep” peaked at number 55 on the ARIA singles chart for the week commencing 6 April 2015.