Hype Overload

Discharge's song 'Hype Overload' is a scathing critique of modern consumerism and the superficiality that often accompanies it. The opening lines, 'Buy now pay later / Interest free / As seen on / Your NICAM digital TV,' immediately set the stage for a world driven by instant gratification and materialism. The reference to 'NICAM digital TV' highlights the pervasive influence of media and advertising in shaping consumer behavior, encouraging people to buy things they don't need with money they don't have.

The line 'Crack is the new God / Black is the new black' uses stark and provocative imagery to comment on societal trends and addictions. 'Crack' symbolizes destructive habits that people turn to in search of meaning or escape, while 'Black is the new black' mocks the ever-changing and often meaningless trends in fashion and culture. The phrase 'Style over content' succinctly captures the essence of the song's message: in a world obsessed with appearances, substance and genuine value are often overlooked.

The repetition of 'A thousand trivialities / To keep you occupied / A thousand trivialities / To keep you stupified' underscores the overwhelming amount of distractions that modern society offers. These distractions serve to keep people preoccupied and numb, preventing them from engaging with more meaningful or challenging aspects of life. Discharge uses these lyrics to call out the emptiness of a life focused on superficial pleasures and the constant bombardment of trivial information, urging listeners to seek deeper, more substantial experiences and values.