The pandemic changed everything. We’ve heard it, we’ve seen it, we’ve experienced it. Three-plus years later and things have changed forever. On “Cynical,” singer/songwriter/guitarist Marlee allows us to see what the 2020s have become–especially for those coming of age in the 2020s. As an old (kidding, I’ll be 35 next Thursday; I’m young AF) with children who’ve grown up during the pandemic, I’m always curious to see how those on the next maturity rung up (teens and twenty-somethings) deal with things; it’s a bit of a meter to know how my own children will have to navigate life. From post-pandemic protocols to new dating rules to AI, we’re constantly evolving and figuring it out as we go along. That’s a bit dark and a bit pessimistic. However, it’s the truth. No one’s got all the answers.

The AI-created visualizer (below) features a modern setting slowing evolving and devolving at the same time. It becomes equally a nightmare and a dream. Seemingly a commentary on the way our world operates, the visuals add another element to the song’s message. What it all says, to me, is this: these last few years have shaken up the world and everything’s bubbling up at the cap. Who’s the brave soul who’ll open it up and deal with the mess of putting society back on the right foot? After years of dulled senses due to technological advances, we’re at the brink of something great. One wrong move, though, and we’re all royally screwed. Check it all out in this post and support dope music in all its forms.