New single from Autofunix, “Together, Rise!” calls for an end to division in society
Autofunix, an up-and-coming artist from Los Angeles tackles the issue of division and polarization in “Together, Rise!”.
“Together, Rise!” evokes feelings of harmony as it builds from just lone vocals to the addition of piano, drums, and horns. The building of instruments culminates at the chorus during the lines “together we scream”, acting as a cry for unity and a powerful opening to the track.
The chorus, which ends in the lines “When we fight each other/we’ll never rise to throw them over” pleads for unity and understanding between people in order to create a better world.
Throughout the song, there are allusions to a greater threat.Autofunix condemns those in power who are dividing people and describes how “narrow visions force fed the people divided”. He places the blame for the conflict in society to the corrupt and powerful, giving the people a common enemy to unite against in order to end the polarization. During the second verse, he mentions how the media has fed into the anger in society, “turn off the video/ they’re playing each of us a different show/playing with our hearts/playing with our children’s lives”.
“Together, Rise!” asks people to look to those around them for support and empathy, instead of relying on the individuals in power who are out-of-touch with the everyday lives of everyday people.
The song’s most unique feature is the spoken poetry throughout the bridge. The poem imparts dark images of “bodies returned to earth” and “tears in the eyes of mothers”, in order to showcase the devastation caused by increasing conflict within society.
Offering a solution, Autofunix adds that “change will come through unity” and comments again on the uncertainty of a future where people are in constant conflict as he ominously ends the bridge with “We are fighting/we are divided/how much longer?”.
“Together, Rise!” calls for an end to destructive division and asks society to focus instead on building relationships and trying to understand and empathize with one another.
Don’t forget to catch the video premier of “Together, Rise!” on February 1st.
