"life’s a Joke, death is funnier", Track-by-Track by MILXNAKE
Overview:
"Life’s a Joke, Death is Funnier" by MILXNAKE is a bold political statement on the state of the music industry today. This digicore/hyper pop album captures the fast-paced, disposable nature of modern music, where catchy tunes and easily consumable content dominate the charts. Each track is both infectious and ironic, blending humour with a deeper commentary on the "death" of genuine artistry. Through its emo undertones, the album reflects the decline of what once was considered "real" music, challenging listeners to reconsider the value of what they consume.
1. Highgate Cemetery
"Highgate Cemetery" was inspired by an article I read about the Highgate Cemetery vampire, and it resonated with me on a personal level, as I LOVE all things paranormal. This song is about people who suck the life out of you, especially in the music industry. It reflects my frustration with those who just want to take advantage and drain your energy. I used the vampire metaphor to express how these people feel like they’re feeding off of you, but it’s also about my own desire to just be done with their nonsense. Maybe I’ll become a vampire myself—exit this life and escape from all the rubbish. Sonically, the track captures the bubbly, haunting vibe I wanted to create, but with a hyper pop edge.
2. Mansplaining
This track is personal and speaks to my experiences, particularly with men in the music industry who explain things to you as if you don’t already understand. “Mansplaining” isn’t just about the industry though; it’s about any relationship where someone feels the need to constantly over-explain, dismissing your thoughts or ideas. The song explores the tension between wanting things to work out while dealing with constant condescension. Despite the frustrations, it’s also hopeful because I still want things to be okay. I was really inspired by artists like Jordan Adetunji in terms of production on this track, and I am obsessed with the midwest emo guitars under that jersey club beat... dang, I really did that (LOL).
3. Same Shit
"Same Shit" came from that feeling of falling for the same toxic patterns again and again—whether it's in relationships or the music industry. One of the lyrics, "You give me all of your love but I can’t keep it," captures that emotion of having something, but not being able to hold onto it. The song expresses exhaustion and frustration, but the production contrasts it with high energy, which kind of reflects how we keep dancing through the same problems even when we know better.
4. Onetwothreetimes (feat. htmljones)
This track was a fun collaboration with htmljones. It’s about the frustration of trying to call someone who just won’t pick up, and it symbolises emotional manipulation and the games people play. We wanted to capture that anxiety and urgency through the fast-paced, glitchy production. There’s this tension in waiting for a response that never comes, which we made into a hyper pop banger. Special thanks to RJ Pasin for giving away midwest emo guitar loops btw - like, dude, you're the best.
5. Don’t Waste My Time (feat. teenatown)
"Don’t Waste My Time" is a track where I really wanted to lean into my pop-punk side. Featuring teenatown, it’s about being done with someone who keeps wasting your time. You don’t know if they’re with you or someone else, but you’re over it. It’s got a rock feel to it, especially with the pop-punk breakdown at the end, and that shift gave me a chance to bring more intensity to the record. It’s one of the 'heaviest' songs on the album, but it’s also empowering.
6. Eighties Boy
This one was a bit of a love letter to 80s pop culture, especially Steve Harrington from *Stranger Things* (played by Joe Keery). I was really inspired by that retro, synth-heavy meets funky guitar sound and wanted to capture that vibe with “Eighties Boy." It has those classic gated snares and synthesizers that immediately transport you to that era, almost like something The 1975 would do. It’s playful and nostalgic, and I had a blast experimenting with 80s-style production.
7. Want You
"Want You" is my version of a classic hyper pop anthem. It’s bright, poppy, and full of sexy energy. I was inspired by artists like Hannah Diamond and early Charli XCX, and I wanted to create something that’s irresistibly catchy but still emotionally charged. It’s all about that feeling of wanting to be with someone and not being able to shake the desire. It’s probably one of the most fun tracks on the album, and it reminds me of classic hyper pop and PC music.
8. Onetwothreetimes (MILXNAKE’s Version)
The final track is my take on "Onetwothreetimes'. I added a verse that draws from hyper pop artists like Brakence and Ericdoa. I wanted to bring a raw, intense energy to the track. It’s chaotic and emotional, but also incredibly cathartic. This version allows me to deliver my message even more aggressively to whoever this song is about (lol).
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Outro:
The entire project, *"Life’s a Joke, Death is Funnier,"* is a meta-commentary on the music industry. I wanted to drop an album that would make people question not just me and my music, but the industry as a whole. There’s so much churn and quick consumption in the music world now that almost anything can gain traction, even if it’s superficial. I leaned into that idea—delivering catchy, accessible songs that also dig into deeper frustrations.
While making this album, I felt more confident in my production than I ever have. This is the happiest I’ve ever been with my music, and that feeling of satisfaction was so important to me during the process. Ultimately, my goal was to create something I was genuinely proud of, something that would strengthen my brand identity and round out my catalogue. This project means the world to me, and I’ve loved every second of working on it.