again

"again" by twikipedia is a poignant exploration of betrayal, fake friendships, and the struggle for authentic identity within the context of online and interpersonal relationships. The song delves into the realization that someone close—likely a friend or collaborator—has been deceptive and potentially harmful to the narrator's growth.

The central theme revolves around trust issues. The narrator questions the motives of this past friend, asking if they were "sabotaging all my plans." This reflects a deep-seated paranoia often found in competitive creative scenes where lines between friendship and rivalry blur. The lyrics suggest that the narrator has been isolated, having "fell out with all my day ones," which implies that this toxic relationship may have cost them other genuine connections.

A significant layer of the song is the crisis of identity. The line "Did you like me better when I wasn't myself?" is crucial, highlighting the pressure to conform or mask one's true personality to be accepted. The narrator realizes that their previous "friendship" might have been conditional on them being someone they are not. By the end, the song arrives at a stoic realization of inequality in relationships, challenging the listener to stop sacrificing for those who do not reciprocate that loyalty.

The song opens with a sample in Portuguese warning that the following program is free for all audiences, setting a broadcasting tone before launching into an introspective interrogation. The narrator immediately confronts a former close associate, questioning if their past predictions were genuine or merely more lies. There is a sense of time having passed—years since they first spoke—leading to the central question of whether their friendship still exists or if it was an illusion.

As the verses progress, the narrator expresses a deep suspicion that this person was actively sabotaging their plans all along. This realization brings a mix of confusion and apathy; they claim not to feel betrayed, yet they question their own sanity in the same breath. The lyrics describe a feeling of being walked over and needing to establish boundaries, warning the other person to stay out of their way if they are on the sidelines. There is a recurring theme of isolation, falling out with "day one" friends who no longer trust the narrator's word.

The chorus and bridge introduce the metaphor of a double-sided sword, suggesting that the outcome of this conflict hurts both parties or that the "victory" the other person wanted came with a heavy cost. The narrator reflects on their own identity, asking if they were liked better when they weren't being their true self. This points to a history of masking or changing one's personality to please others. The song concludes with a contemplation of worth and loyalty, using the imagery of picking flower petals ("loves me, loves me not") and posing the ultimate question: would you sacrifice yourself for someone who wouldn't do the same for you?

"again" was released as a single on July 23, 2021. It was written, produced, and performed by the Brazilian artist twikipedia (also known as Delta). At the time of its release, twikipedia was a central figure in the rising digicore and SoundCloud hyperpop scenes, known for their high output and self-produced tracks.

The song represents a specific era in the artist's discography where they were heavily experimenting with the aggressive, fast-paced production styles typical of glitchcore, blending them with melodic emo-rap influences. While specific anecdotes about the recording session are scarce, the track aligns with the themes prevalent in twikipedia's work from this period: internet drama, the isolation of online fame, and the volatility of teenage relationships. The intro sample, "O programa a seguir é livre para todos os públicos" (The following program is free for all audiences), is a standard Brazilian television rating advisory, a nod to the artist's heritage and a meta-commentary on the "drama" about to unfold in the lyrics.

The song utilizes a mix of AABB and ABAB rhyme schemes, though often loosely structured to fit the rapid, conversational flow of the rap-sung delivery. The rhymes are frequently slant rhymes (e.g., plans/friends, insane/betrayed), which is common in emo-rap and hyperpop, prioritizing the melodic contour over perfect assonance.

Rhythmically, the track is fast-paced (likely around 140-160 BPM), with a driving, trap-influenced drum pattern. The lyrical delivery is syncopated, often rushing ahead of the beat to create a sense of urgency and anxiety. This "rushed" flow mirrors the lyrical themes of panic and frustration. The interplay between the stuttering beat and the flowing vocals creates a tension that drives the song's energy forward.

Musical Techniques:

• Glitch Production: The track is defined by its stuttering edits, rapid-fire percussion, and bit-crushed synths, hallmarks of the digicore genre. The beat often cuts out or stutters in sync with the vocals to emphasize specific lines.
• Vocal Processing: The vocals are heavily processed with pitch correction (Auto-Tune) and formanted shifts (pitching the voice up or down). This technique is not just for correction but is used as an instrument to convey a robotic, detached, yet highly emotional tone.
• Dynamic Contrast: The song alternates between high-energy, chaotic instrumental sections and slightly more stripped-back melodic verses, creating a sense of emotional instability.

Literary Techniques:

• Rhetorical Questions: The lyrics are filled with questions ("So are we still friends?", "Did you get what you wanted?") that are left unanswered, emphasizing the narrator's lack of closure.
• Irony: The line "I don't even feel betrayed" is ironic, as the intensity of the song and the specific accusations contradict this claim, revealing a defense mechanism of apathy.

Within the niche digicore and SoundCloud communities, "again" is recognized as a staple track from twikipedia's prolific 2020-2021 era. While it did not chart on mainstream billboards, it contributed to cementing twikipedia's status as one of the leading figures in the "second wave" of hyperpop, alongside artists like glaive, ericdoa, and midwxst.

The song is often cited by fans as a prime example of the genre's ability to mix abrasive electronic textures with vulnerable, diary-like songwriting. It helped define the sound of the Brazilian digicore scene, showcasing that artists outside the US/UK could lead the genre. The track remains a fan favorite for its relatable lyrics about toxic friendships, a universal theme that resonates deeply with the genre's predominantly young, online audience.

The lyrics employ several key metaphors to convey emotional distress:

• The Double-Sided Sword: Used to describe the situation or the relationship itself. It suggests that whatever actions the antagonist took to "get what they wanted" also caused harm to them, or that the severing of the tie cuts both ways.
• Flower Petals ("Loves me, loves me not"): This classic imagery of picking flowers is used to represent uncertainty and anxiety about the other person's true feelings. It reduces complex relationship dynamics to a game of chance, highlighting the narrator's confusion.
• Sabotage: While literal, it also acts as a metaphor for emotional undermining. It represents the invisible barriers placed by fake friends that hinder personal success.
• The "Program" (Intro Sample): By starting with a TV rating advisory, the song frames the narrator's life and struggles as a spectacle or a show for public consumption, a common feeling for artists growing up online.

The most significant recurring element is the questioning of the other person's motives and the status of the relationship.

• "Did you like me better when I wasn't myself?": This line cuts to the core of the song's meaning—the loss of self in a toxic friendship. Its placement serves as an emotional anchor amidst the chaotic production.
• "Lying again": The title word "again" reinforces the cyclical nature of the deception. It implies this isn't a one-time event but a pattern of behavior that the narrator is finally breaking away from.
• "Die for those that wouldn't die for you": This closing motif serves as a final lesson learned, a mantra for self-preservation that lingers after the song ends.