Navigating the Dystopian Soundscape: A Review of Macro/micro’s ‘Clicks’ EP

In the cacophony of our digital age, where algorithms dictate our preferences and social media personas overshadow our realities, Macro/micro’s latest EP, ‘Clicks‘, emerges as a haunting soundtrack to our collective descent into a social media dystopia.

With its enigmatic blend of ambient, dark, and experimental sounds, ‘Clicks‘ invites listeners on a journey through the labyrinth of our modern existence, where the allure of AI innovation collides with the sardonic realities of capitalism’s grip. In this review, we delve into the depths of Macro/micro’s sonic landscape, exploring the intricacies of ‘Clicks’ and the resonant messages it carries.

About the Artist

Tommy Simpson is a seasoned musician with a rich background in classical training along with a flourishing career in electronic music under the moniker ‘Macro/micro‘. With a discography spanning multiple albums and EPs, as well as contributions to film scores (such as R.A.E.R BETA 0027) and live performances across the globe, Macro/micro stands as a testament to Simpson’s relentless pursuit of deeper truths within the realms of sound and consciousness.

“Clicks” EP Review

In an era defined by the incessant scroll of social media feeds and the ever-encroaching presence of artificial intelligence, Macro/micro’s ‘Clicks‘ EP emerges as a beacon of sonic introspection.

Through its haunting melodies and thought-provoking themes, ‘Clicks‘ invites listeners to confront the dystopian realities of our digital age, challenging us to question the impact of our online personas and the allure of technological innovation. As we navigate the labyrinthine depths of Macro/micro’s sonic landscape, we are reminded of the power of music to transcend boundaries and provoke meaningful reflection.

Tommy was kind enough to answer a couple of questions on the theme of social media dystopia and the single “devoid of meaning and significance“:

Q. What inspired you to explore the themes of social media dystopia and the commodification of human existence in your ‘Clicks’ EP, and how do you hope listeners will engage with these concepts through your music?

A. Even though we’re becoming more aware of how social media algorithms are having major, unintended negative consequences on our societies across the world, I believe the pervasiveness of which it corrupts is still a major blind spot in our collective and individual lives (myself included).

“As these platforms curate feeds to our individual tastes (or often, fears, insecurities and anxieties), we’re getting siloed into subjective “truth” bubbles, eroding societal consensus as to what the underlying facts of any particular subject are and making honest debate nearly impossible.”

And not only are the “consumers” getting lost in “their own, private Idaho”, but the people creating media/videos/podcasts/info-tainment/etc are also losing touch with (and creating a false) reality by unwittingly succumbing to the gravity of audience capture, insidiously nudging even the most interesting thinkers towards becoming idealogical fast-food producers, addicting and poisoning their audiences and themselves at the same time.

A year ago, I would have said this is the problem of our age, but we’re already being hurled helplessly into the AI revolution (another source of immense curiosity, inspiration but also existential dread for me, personally).

“Not only have we not learned from our mistakes in the Social Media age, but we’ve barely even begun to ask the right questions in efforts to correct them. My hope is to be one more of many voices asking people to examine their online information diet and consider wether they need to make healthier choices.”

Throughout the EP, Simpson masterfully crafts an immersive experience that plunges listeners into the heart of a social media dystopia, where the incessant hum of algorithms and the allure of AI innovation loom large.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the track “devoid of meaning and significance,” where Simpson confronts listeners with the unsettling reality of our online lives. As the dissonant textures and automated voices envelop us, we are confronted with the harsh truth that we have become mere commodities, stripped of our agency and reduced to data points for corporate exploitation.

Q. Can you elaborate on your creative process for crafting the track “devoid of meaning and significance” and how you sought to convey the unsettling realities of our digital age within its unsettling atmosphere? Additionally, what message or emotion do you hope listeners will take away from this particular track?

A. I’ve never made a “skit track” and thought for something as sardonic as “Clicks”, having a bonus song to further explore the dark humour of the subject was an appropriate pairing and fitting epilogue to the single. I thought it would be funny to make an honest, “plain English” version of a typical Terms Of Service contract (that nobody reads) and have it spoken with an unapologetically indifferent, robocall voice.

“People can often be hesitant to a message if they feel like they’re being lectured too, so I hope that by letting people have a laugh with it, the message will sink in deeper and be felt more intuitively.”

In this track, Simpson masterfully captures the sense of alienation and disillusionment that pervades our online interactions, highlighting the stark contrast between the illusion of connectivity and the underlying mechanisms of profit-driven algorithms.

With its enigmatic blend of ambient textures, and thought-provoking themes, ‘Clicks‘ stands as a testament to Macro/micro’s unparalleled prowess in the realm of experimental electronica.

The album released on March 5th 2024 and can be purchased via Bandcamp or streamed via Spotify. You can also support Tommy by following him on Instagram and his website.

Interested in discovering our artist catalogue? Head to our artist page here.