The overall composition of the song tied in with the lyrics has made me start to view this as sort of a digital versus analog commentary. Or better put, virtual versus visceral. The first portion of the song is heavy in digital effects, even on the vocals. The lyrical themes center around video games, infinite lives, and the cultivation of perfect bodies (a perfect shell, lacking inner development). There is plenty of academic research showing that while the digital world has people talking more than ever, we are all feeling increasingly isolated. We "built Babel together" because everyone is speaking, but no one is understanding each other. "Hell is digital" because it is hallow, empty. If you have infinite lives, it doesn't matter what you do. No experience carries any meaning. No failure is crushing. No success is sweet. You can do it all again tomorrow anyway.
This is contrasted by the rough, lo-fi acoustic outro that is accompanied by visceral/body-focused lyrics (skin of my teeth, go without water or sleep). He's back in the real world but is feeling so disillusioned that he's not sure he's even here. Yet, he recognizes that this is real. What happens here is final. You've only got one chance. Death will come.
"No reset."
The overall composition of the song tied in with the lyrics has made me start to view this as sort of a digital versus analog commentary. Or better put, virtual versus visceral. The first portion of the song is heavy in digital effects, even on the vocals. The lyrical themes center around video games, infinite lives, and the cultivation of perfect bodies (a perfect shell, lacking inner development). There is plenty of academic research showing that while the digital world has people talking more than ever, we are all feeling increasingly isolated. We "built Babel together" because everyone is speaking, but no one is understanding each other. "Hell is digital" because it is hallow, empty. If you have infinite lives, it doesn't matter what you do. No experience carries any meaning. No failure is crushing. No success is sweet. You can do it all again tomorrow anyway.
This is contrasted by the rough, lo-fi acoustic outro that is accompanied by visceral/body-focused lyrics (skin of my teeth, go without water or sleep). He's back in the real world but is feeling so disillusioned that he's not sure he's even here. Yet, he recognizes that this is real. What happens here is final. You've only got one chance. Death will come. "No reset."