Databend

Jack Stauber's 'Databend' is a haunting exploration of the intersection between human emotion and digital manipulation. The term 'databend' refers to a glitch art technique where digital data is intentionally corrupted to create visual or auditory distortions. Stauber uses this concept as a metaphor for the emotional and existential distortions experienced in modern life. The lyrics oscillate between tender goodnights and unsettling imagery, creating a sense of disorientation that mirrors the effects of databending itself.

The song opens with a gentle farewell, 'Goodnight, little eye,' juxtaposed with the unsettling notion of imagining life as it ends. This sets the tone for a journey through a digital landscape where reality and illusion blur. The repeated phrase 'I begin to Databend' suggests a process of transformation or corruption, where the input ('nothing in') yields an unexpected output ('prize out'). This could symbolize the unpredictable outcomes of our interactions with technology and the internet, where the original intent often gets lost in translation.

Stauber's lyrics also touch on themes of superficiality and societal expectations. Phrases like 'Thicker thighs for my friends' and 'Cut up and condescending' critique the shallow values imposed by social media and digital culture. The line 'My hopes are above where all of your data’s landing' suggests a longing for something more meaningful beyond the digital noise. The repetition of 'Not to win, prize out' underscores a sense of futility and disillusionment, as if the rewards of digital life are ultimately hollow.

'Goodnight, my love' serves as a poignant reminder of the human connections that get lost in the digital shuffle. Stauber's 'Databend' is a melancholic reflection on how technology can distort our perceptions and relationships, leaving us yearning for authenticity in a world of artificiality.