It’s no secret that Canadian alt-pop maverick Alex Exists is one of our favorite emerging artists. His new album Everybody’s Famous has been making waves since its release earlier this summer. Hitting hard with a bombastic mix of pop, goth-rock, experimental and alternative influences, his debut full length cements Alex as one of the most eclectic and versatile new voices of the year. We sat down with the artist for a track-by-track examination of Everybody’s Famous, which you can read below!
“Believe The Hype” ft. Sam Casey – I wrote this song to bring awareness to the dangers of blindly accepting popular beliefs and trends without questioning their validity. To satirize the modern day hype machine and the surrounding media revealing it as entirely fabricated, and at times repulsive. By blindly following the “crowd”, you can get burned in ways you’d never expect. How do you verify your beliefs? Do you trust your own intuition? We live in an era where information and opinions are easily manipulated and distorted
“With A Bang” – The song is the perfect soundtrack for anyone looking to celebrate the end of an era. The song was inspired by the euphoria of breaking free of psychological kidnapping. An irreverent dance song about celebrating the end of something in a flamboyant or pompous way. Satirizing the tendency to glamorize endings instead of what may be a somber or reflective moment. It serves as a reminder to approach endings with humility and sincerity.
“Cameraboy” – I wanted to make a cheeky and cute song that calls out pretension that is rampant within the lens based arts. A healthy bit of ego destruction for those who like to flex with their equipment and or “use” people’s likenesses in an exploitative way. A look into how the photographic arts abstractly use human beings as “the colors” to paint and compose with vs. of how musicians use notes, and sound to make up their compositions. It’s much more exploitative by nature and we’ve become more aware of the abhorrent abuses of power in the industry.
“Dancing With Chaos” – A song is for anyone that feels overwhelmed by the state of the media, politics, and the unrealistic societal expectations that are placed on us. It’s an ode to confronting chaos head on, and having fun with it, instead of running for the hills. It’s a mesmerizing mellotron driven dirge that paints a vivid pastiche of urban life, and the otherworldliness that lies underneath the facade. Much like the tone and humor in that John Carpenter classic movie “They Live”.
“Mindful Madness” ft. Martha Johnson –I wrote this song in the heat of worldwide lockdowns as I battled a slow burning mental breakdown. Everyday I was questioning reality and the constant contradictions. This song was the catharsis of all my mental health revelations and desire for clarity. I wanted to create something that encouraged embracing individuality, questioning the status quo, and finding solace in the chaos of life. Most importantly how to recognize and take control of your own madness. It was really amazing and humbling to have Martha Johnson from Martha and the Muffins sing on this track with me.
“Free To Run” – A song about escaping toxic relationships of any kind where you feel trapped and capturing the moment where you finally break free. Also an ode to personal freedom in general and how important it is to protect. It was written only in about a few hours. It comes speeding out as a pure uninterrupted expression of catharsis. The song is pure energy. It’s impossible for anyone not to feel it. I feel like I’m on fire when I perform it.
“Instant Karma” –A cover of the John Lennon classic through a post-modern lens with the Alex Exists spin. Taking the original’s plodding shuffle beat and turning it into a neo doo-wop, surf punk record with a blistering vocal delivery that raises the bar of the urgency and vitality of the original track. The arrangement incorporates a number of unexpected musical elements and flourishes, including wild guitar solos, thundering percussion, harpsichord, and various time changes.
“Everybody’s Famous (Except Me)” – A satirical romp about the struggle of living in a culture that places a high value on fame and popularity. An anthem for anyone who feels out of place in a world where social media and celebrity culture dominate the discourse. It’s a song that celebrates the value of being true to oneself, in a world that often rewards conformity and superficiality. Raising the concept of being more “free” the less famous you are. Being freed from the rat race.
You can stream Everybody’s Famous and follow Alex Exists on social media here.
