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Author: David Robison

  • Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost by How I Became Invisible

    Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost by How I Became Invisible

    Album: Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost

    Artist: How I Became Invisible

    Released: April 25, 2025; Anthropic Principle Records

    It is very hard to me right now not to claim that How I Became Invisible is my favorite band, but picking a favorite band to me is like trying to pick your favorite child. They are each unique, cool and bring meaning to your life in their own special way. So instead, I will just say that How I Became Invisible’s 2023 release “better or the next best thing” meant a lot to me so I was absolutely stoked when “Everything Not saved Will Be lost” dropped. Emily Reed is an amazing song writer who puts her heart into every song. I could simply not wait to dive into this release.

    The album starts off with the song “Make It A Good Ending” and really sets the stage for the album. It is chalked full of sci-fi imagery. This absolutely continues throughout the rest of the album to great effect. The literal end of the world has never sounded so eerily hopeful.

    The break out song of the album has to be “Biblically Accurate Arby’s Witch”. The synth on this song goes so hard in such a specific way; it is hard to not wonder if Motion City Soundtrack at least in part, did not inspired this song. It’s an upbeat high energy love song, which I can’t say has ever been my jam, but this one just hits. I think it perfectly captures the joy and longing of being perfectly completely in love. I get wildly happy just listening to it.

    The next song I really feel I need to give accolades to is “This is not a Place of Honor”. The atmosphere presented by this song is thicker than that of Venus. I said earlier the the first track was chalked full of sci-fi imagery, well this song is like that as well but for sci-fi vibes. It’s technically not an instrumental as there are two kinds of vocalizations in the song. First, there are barely audible vocals that sound like radio transmissions from something that was lost long ago. Then, Emily adds faint scream like vocalizations towards the end of the song. Both are pretty incomprehensible and when combined with the instrumentation, really create the feeling of insolation and dread. Now here is the creepy part: while the transmissions are hard to understand, when listening to track, they are listed in the lyric sheet of the album (at least on Bandcamp). I am not going to spoil what they say here but I do suggest you look them up after listening to the song a couple of times. It really adds to the haunting vibes when you find out after the fact that the message you didn’t understand and likely ignored was in fact a warning. This is, in my humble opinion, is peak storytelling within the medium.

    The last song I feel needs mentioned is “You Are (Not) The Problem”. It is just a really solid trans resistance anthem that succeeds at being both a bop that makes you want to move your feet and a fight song that makes you want to stand up and fight. The choir piece at the end is the cherry on top.

    “Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost” is a fantastical romp through space. It tells a story of impeding doom and the will to continue to not only fight in the face of devastation, but love in spite of it all. It is the message we need these days and having it set to a ripping Pop-punk soundtrack makes it even better. Everyone should definitely check it out if they haven’t already.

  • Songs to Listen to While Fighting Capitalism

    Songs to Listen to While Fighting Capitalism

    playlist

    Maybe you realize that the history of Capitalism has been a long and storied tale of making everything worse for the common folk so that a few people can get unimaginably wealthy. Maybe you feel some kind of way about that. Maybe you even want to do something to make it stop. If so, you’re going to need some tunes to listen to and keep you motivated for every step of the fight.

    Step 1-

    The first step to solving any problem is to first acknowledge that there is a problem and then begin to understand it. These recommendations really lay out the case that the reason we are here is because of deeply entrenched systems that manufacture consent and respond to any threat to the status quo, even a peaceful one, with violence. Last, complacency of people who would rather look the other way than deal with the reality of the situation.

    “Illusion of Choice” by The Best of the Worst

    “Wake up” by Rage Against the Machine

    “The Way you Tune it Out” by JER

    Step 2-

    Now that we laid out and understand the problem, it’s time that for individuals to decide that they can and should do something to help change things. Unfortunately, Capitalism tries really hard to keep people alienated and feeling helpless. You do have the power to enact change. The following recommendations will help work out that inner turmoil and motivate you to act.

    “Warning Dystopia” by Common Sense Kid

    “Damocles” by Sleep Token

    “New Gilded Age” By Atlas and Oracle

    Step 3-

    While it is important for individuals to realize their capacity to act and make change, they don’t have to do it alone. In fact, success can only be achieved when individuals come to together, cooperate and fight for change. These recommendations will motive you while you find and build your communities and support each other.

    “Earth (We’re in This Together)” by How I Became Invisible

    “They can’t Kill Us All” by Apes of the State

    “Salvage” by Space Monkey Mafia

    Step 4-

    Now you’ve got your community by your side. You understand the problem and your ability to make change. It’s time to act. Get out, get organized, find out what your community needs and start making things happen. It’s not going to be easy and it wont be quick. Your gonna need to stay motivated. These recommendations will keep you going when things get tough.

    “A Glorious Shipwreck” by Pat the Bunny

    “Boss Fight” by Doom Scroll

    “Barrier For Entry” by Half Past two

    End Step-

    So through the power of solidarity and music, you’ve managed to defeat Capitalism. What now? Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what to do next. Anyone that tells you they know exactly what you should do now is selling you a grift. Lucky for you, however, everything you and your friends learned and practiced during your struggle against Capitalism are exactly the skills you need to build what comes next. So instead, I am going to offer up one more song recommendation to get the juices flowing. So, at the risk of seeming a little cliche here is –

    “Imagine” by John Lennon