DATA_REJECT

"DATA_REJECT" by ivycomb is a powerful and introspective song that delves into themes of self-awareness, delusion, and the complexities of human emotions. The lyrics paint a picture of an individual struggling against being defined and controlled by another's twisted perceptions. The opening lines, "I don't wanna be a construct of Your f*cked-up delusions," immediately establish a conflict of identity and a rejection of an imposed reality. The 'mirror tinted by green' suggests this delusion is fueled by jealousy or greed. The song explores the feeling of being a pawn in someone else's game, a theme reinforced by the antagonist's verse, "Starry-eyed, why can't you see? That all of you answer to me." A central theme is the degradation of self, paralleled with the degradation of data, as heard in the line, "The data's degrading at all-time new highs." This suggests a loss of personal identity and the corruption of one's inner truth by external lies and manipulation. The song also touches on the toxicity of online culture and the pursuit of validation ('clout is poisoning their minds'), leading to a collective rot. Ultimately, the song is a journey from being lost in another's narrative to a painful self-realization, recognizing the love that was previously obscured by pain and delusion.

The song begins with an audio snippet suggesting the development of a universal language translator, setting a technological and slightly dystopian tone. The narrator immediately expresses a desperate plea, not wanting to be a mere figment of someone else's warped perceptions. They challenge this unseen figure, pointing out that their perspective is tainted by envy or greed, symbolized by a 'mirror's tinted by green'. The narrator questions the need for complication, lamenting the wastefulness of the situation. A sense of alienation and affinity with darkness is conveyed through the imagery of whispering in the night and kinship with bats ('chiroptera'). This feeling intensifies as darkness metaphorically crawls under their skin, aligning them with hopeless figures who sought retribution in vain. The overwhelming and maddening nature of global discourse is also highlighted as a source of insanity.

A shift occurs, suggesting a shared innocence with another party, but also a resignation to a higher power's 'plans'. There's a flicker of hope, a suggestion to 'eat the hats' and defy the world, a seemingly nonsensical yet defiant act. Suddenly, the perspective shifts to the manipulator, who addresses the narrator as 'starry-eyed' and blind to the fact that everyone is under their control. This figure advises against obsession and encourages sticking to 'the plan', promising a subservient role as a 'cute second hand' in the future.

The narrator’s voice returns, filled with a dawning, horrifying realization: they believe they are indeed a construct of the manipulator's delusions. They implore this person to be honest with themselves, asserting that the manipulator has no real understanding of the situation. The narrator's frustration peaks as they reject the need for explanations, expressing a raw desire to simply 'wait and watch you die'.

The song then broadens its critique, questioning why people strive to be something they are not. It suggests that the pursuit of online popularity, or 'clout', is a corrupting force that leads to collective decay. A moment of reflection follows, with the narrator pondering their choices as the sky clears, feeling an inescapable connection to the manipulative figure. A plea for simplicity and amicable resolution is made, highlighting the existence of nuance that the other party refuses to see. A breakthrough of self-awareness occurs as the narrator realizes they were 'starry-eyed' and blinded by their own pain, unable to see the genuine love from those around them. The metaphor of glasses 'tinted by pain' explains their deluded state. The song culminates with the declaration that 'the data's degrading at all-time new highs', signifying a mental or existential breakdown. The melodies in the narrator's head are no longer their own; they have merged with the lies of the manipulator. The final lines express a sense of despair and confusion, as the distinction between things blurs, and thoughts of the future only serve to damage the 'shattered melody' in their brain, representing their fractured sense of self.

The song "DATA_REJECT" was written, produced, mixed, and mastered entirely by ivycomb, who also performs the vocals. The lyrics were penned by Vivian Graves, which is likely ivycomb's legal name. It was released on June 3, 2024, and distributed by Honeycomb Records. The artwork for the single was created by Twitter user PC_Doodle, with animation and editing for the music video handled by ivycomb. In a tier list video, ivycomb described the song as not neatly fitting into any specific genre, instead using elements from multiple genres. They expressed a desire to create more music similar to "DATA_REJECT," highlighting its unique sound and vocal performance, particularly the 'dark rap section'. The song is also considered by fans to be part of a larger, interconnected story or 'lore' within ivycomb's music, with themes of bio-engineering connecting it to other tracks like "System Error" and "ANTIHUMAN".

The rhyme scheme in "DATA_REJECT" is irregular, often relying on couplets (AABB) and near rhymes to create a sense of unease and unpredictability. For instance, in the lines "The clout is poisoning their minds, reducing us all to rot / And when the cloudy sky dissolves and when the white becomes blue," the rhyme is loose, prioritizing emotional delivery over strict structure. The rhythm is a key component of the song's impact. The verses often have a syncopated, almost spoken-word feel, which then transitions into more melodic, sung choruses. There is a distinct shift in tempo and rhythmic intensity during the "dark rap" section, where the pace quickens and the delivery becomes more aggressive. This rhythmic variation reflects the narrator's fluctuating mental state, from contemplative and pained to enraged and defiant. The interplay between the driving electronic beat and the lyrical rhythm creates a powerful sense of urgency and psychological tension throughout the track.

Musically, ivycomb employs a genre-bending approach, blending elements of electronic, dark pop, and industrial music with what they describe as a "dark rap section." This fusion creates a dynamic and unsettling soundscape that mirrors the lyrical themes of fragmentation and internal conflict. The song's structure features stark contrasts, shifting from melodic, sung verses to intense, rhythmic spoken-word sections. The vocal delivery is highly expressive, ranging from pleading and vulnerable to angry and defiant, effectively conveying the narrator's emotional journey. Lyrically, the song uses a direct, confrontational narrative voice. The use of rhetorical questions ("Why do you need to come complicate it?") directly challenges the antagonist and engages the listener in the conflict. The inclusion of a spoken-word intro, describing a 'language computer', frames the entire song within a technological, almost sci-fi context, reinforcing the 'data' metaphor.

The cultural influence of this song has not been analyzed yet.

"DATA_REJECT" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that illustrate its themes of manipulation and identity crisis.

• Data Degradation: The central metaphor of the song is the 'degrading data'. This represents the decay of the narrator's sense of self, memories, and individuality under the influence of the antagonist's lies. The line "And all the melodies in my head converge into their lies" powerfully illustrates this mental and emotional corruption.
• The Green-Tinted Mirror: This is a direct symbol of the manipulator's skewed and envious perspective. A mirror reflects reality, but one 'tinted by green' shows a distorted version of it, colored by jealousy and greed, which is then projected onto the narrator.
• Starry-Eyed: Initially used by the antagonist to mock the narrator's naivety, the narrator later reclaims the term to describe their own past blindness. It symbolizes a state of delusion and being unable to see the truth, whether it's the manipulator's control or the genuine love from others.
• Glasses Tinted by Pain: This metaphor explains the narrator's inability to perceive reality clearly. The 'pain' acts as a filter, preventing them from feeling the love that surrounds them and keeping them trapped in a deluded state.

The most significant recurring phrase in "DATA_REJECT" is the concept of being a "construct of your fucked-up delusions." This phrase appears in two key moments: first as a rejection ("I don't wanna be a construct") and later as a fearful realization ("I think that I'm just a construct"). This repetition charts the narrator's arc from defiance to a moment of potential surrender or identity crisis, highlighting the core conflict of the song. The term "starry-eyed" also recurs, first used condescendingly by the manipulator and then re-contextualized by the narrator as a moment of self-awareness about their past naivety. The musical motif of a tense, electronic beat provides a consistent undercurrent of anxiety and digital decay, tying the disparate lyrical sections together and reinforcing the overarching theme of data degradation.