It seems like, in this day any age as the world is burning around us, we need more and more reminders that we’re not alone in our exhaustion or disillusionment. Most recently, on that front, on August 19th, 2023, THE COG IS DEAD released something a little bit different from their usual steampunk-infused songs: “The World Outside (Is Gonna Be the Death of Me).” If you’re in need of something very relatable about being exhausted with the world these days, this track might just be what the doctor ordered.
If you don’t know much about THE COG IS DEAD, that’s a bit of a shame. They’ve got a unique niche sound based off steampunk aesthetics. Originally formed as a band, nowadays John Sprocket seems to run things mainly via Patreon, with the band still being available on the rare occasions when they do live shows.
However, as mentioned, this track doesn’t follow the usual steampunk formula, rather uses an almost acoustic country-punk vibe, and at the end of the YouTube video, John admits that he wasn’t sure if he should release it under the name THE COG IS DEAD because it sounds so different from what they usually do. Nevertheless, the world needs music like this, that expresses how hard and exhausting it is to live in a world full of hate and destruction all the time. Good people fight a relentless uphill battle against assholes who don’t give a shit and don’t care enough to learn or do better. It’s never easy to be a good person and the world and society around us certainly aren’t helping either… but songs like this do! They remind us that we’re not alone and validate our feelings of frustration, and suffering in company is always easier than suffering alone.
“The world outside is gonna be the death of me / an endless cesspool of sorrow and anxiety / I don’t care ’bout fame or wealth / ’cause it can’t fix my mental health / so if you need me I’ll be sitting right here on the couch.”
Written by Bear Wiseman
