Muhammad Hamdan
The UK-based dark rock collective Only Human is poised to release their highly anticipated debut album, Planned Obsolescence, on March 27th, a record that serves as a stark sonic warning about the potential collapse of modern society. Arriving on the heels of their provocative single "Techno Fascist," the album plunges into a pummeling fusion of progressive rock, djent, metal, and electronica, painting a bleak yet urgent picture of a world teetering on the brink. Early critical reception has been strong, with Metal Temple awarding the progressive record a commendable 9/10, a testament to its thematic depth and musical ambition.
However, as the band articulates, the album’s dystopian vision often feels unnervingly prescient when viewed against the backdrop of contemporary global socio-political landscapes. The single "Techno Fascist" encapsulates this unsettling prescience, with Only Human describing it as "a confrontation with the privatized technocratic establishments of today." The track critically examines society’s passive acceptance of disruptive technologies as inevitable forces, while simultaneously emphasizing the inherent human agency to resist succumbing to a "soulless system that guides our every move." This sentiment resonates deeply in an era where digital integration is increasingly pervasive, raising questions about individual autonomy and the erosion of human connection.
The Genesis of a Dystopian Vision
The thematic core of Planned Obsolescence is deeply rooted in the personal experiences and observations of the band’s members, particularly vocalist and guitarist Patrick Grönbaech Christensen. In an interview with New Noise Magazine, Christensen, who also works as a software developer, revealed the direct influence of his professional environment on the album’s conceptualization. "I work with a lot of computer stuff; I surround myself with technology all the time," he stated. "I constantly follow all these different forums and stay very in tune, and I got sick of some parts of where the technology is heading." This immersion in the technological sphere has provided Christensen with a unique vantage point, allowing him to identify and articulate the disquieting trajectories of technological advancement and its societal implications.
Christensen elaborated on the escalating sense of unease, noting, "That downward spiral felt like it was a niche thing when we were first writing these songs; now it feels like it’s become more obvious to people where we (are headed), and all that makes me angrier." This sentiment underscores the band’s perception that their concerns, once perhaps considered fringe, are now increasingly validated by observable societal trends. The band’s frustration is palpable, as Christensen humorously acknowledged when asked about the genesis of "Techno Fascist": "You can guess how we feel based off the song ‘Techno Fascist’ (laughs)."
The album’s lyrical content delves into a profound questioning of the current state of affairs. Christensen expressed a pervasive sense of bewilderment: "I keep asking myself, ‘Why is everything so stupid all of a sudden?’ It feels like, and maybe that could just be biased because of how I grew up. If things used to make sense, now they don’t because things are just crazy all the time. Every day, there’s just new crazy going on." This feeling of a world adrift from logic and reason fuels the album’s dystopian narrative.
Despite the often bleak outlook, Planned Obsolescence is not solely an exercise in despair. Christensen emphasized a deliberate intention to imbue the record with a sense of resilience and hope. "You can give into that kind of overwhelming sense of despair and the absurd, but I also wanted the record to open up, for it to feel like there’s something more here. You can power through it at the end of the day and get to the other side," he explained. This duality of confronting societal decay while offering a path towards overcoming it is a crucial element of the album’s artistic statement.
The Band’s Technical Acumen and Societal Critique
The Danish collective behind Only Human comprises a formidable lineup of musicians with technical backgrounds that lend significant weight to their critical discourse. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Patrick Grönbaech Christensen, bassist Guillaume Blanjean, guitarists Martin Hastrup and JaCK Kigne, and drummer Andreas Prøll. This collective expertise in both musical composition and, in Christensen’s case, direct engagement with technology, positions them to offer a nuanced and informed critique of contemporary society.
Speaking to another outlet, the band elaborated on the overarching mission of Planned Obsolescence. "The album is supposed to wake people up to all the ways technocracy is encroaching on society," they stated. This critique extends beyond abstract technological advancement to the tangible strategies employed by tech companies. The band pointed to the deliberate design of products with built-in obsolescence as a prime example of this encroaching technocracy. "Tech companies often design their products to have an expiration date, so that we’re forced to replace them with the newest model."
This concept of planned obsolescence, originally applied to physical goods, is, according to Only Human, now being mirrored in the social sphere. The band draws a parallel between the disposable nature of technology and the commodification of human interaction through social media and influencer culture. "Through our social media and the adoption of influencer culture, we now live in a reality where humans are products to be consumed and disposed of," they argued. This chilling observation highlights a perceived shift in societal values, where authenticity and genuine human connection are increasingly supplanted by curated online personas and fleeting trends, mirroring the disposable nature of technological gadgets.
Timeline of Release and Critical Reception
The release of Planned Obsolescence marks a significant milestone for Only Human, culminating a period of creative output that has steadily built anticipation. The single "Techno Fascist," released prior to the album, served as a powerful introduction to the record’s thematic concerns and sonic intensity. Its reception, alongside the burgeoning critical acclaim for the album itself, indicates a growing audience receptive to Only Human’s message and their distinctive musical approach.
The initial reviews, such as the 9/10 score from Metal Temple, suggest that the band has successfully navigated the complex fusion of genres, delivering a cohesive and impactful artistic statement. This early positive feedback positions Planned Obsolescence as a noteworthy entry in the dark rock and progressive metal landscape for 2024. The album’s official release date of March 27th will undoubtedly be a focal point for both fans and critics, offering a comprehensive evaluation of the full artistic vision.
Broader Implications and Societal Resonance
The thematic concerns explored in Planned Obsolescence by Only Human are not isolated to artistic expression; they tap into broader societal anxieties and ongoing debates surrounding technology, privacy, and the future of humanity. The concept of "technocracy," where technological elites wield significant influence, is a recurring theme in contemporary political and social commentary. The band’s critique of privatized technocratic establishments resonates with growing concerns about the unchecked power of large technology corporations and their influence on public discourse and individual behavior.
The notion of "planned obsolescence" in human terms, as suggested by the band, is a particularly potent metaphor for the pressures of constant self-optimization and the commodification of personal brands in the digital age. This can lead to a sense of perpetual inadequacy and a focus on external validation, potentially at the expense of genuine self-worth and meaningful relationships. The band’s call to resist becoming mere "products to be consumed and disposed of" serves as a vital reminder of the importance of preserving human agency and authentic connection in an increasingly mediated world.
The album’s message also intersects with discussions about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, algorithmic control, and the potential for technology to exacerbate existing social inequalities. As societies become more deeply integrated with digital systems, the questions raised by Only Human about control, choice, and the preservation of humanity become increasingly urgent. The band’s work can be seen as a contribution to this vital ongoing dialogue, using their art to provoke thought and encourage critical engagement with the forces shaping our future.
Fans interested in experiencing Only Human’s latest offering can pre-order Planned Obsolescence via the provided link. The accompanying official music video for "Techno Fascist" further immerses viewers in the band’s dystopian aesthetic, providing a visual representation of the themes explored in their music.
The release of Planned Obsolescence is more than just the debut of a new album; it represents a significant artistic statement from Only Human, one that challenges listeners to confront the prevailing technological and societal trends of our time. By blending genre-bending musical innovation with a powerful, prescient lyrical narrative, the band has crafted a work that is both musically compelling and profoundly relevant to the contemporary human experience. The album’s success will likely be measured not only by its critical reception but also by its ability to spark meaningful conversations about the future we are collectively building.
