Rise Against’s new single, “Prizefighter,” mediates the internal and external struggles of being an artist. The track is an anthem for those caught between the freedom of creating art and the pressure of an increasingly fickle listening audience.
The American punk rock band Tim McIlrath, Joe Principe, Brandon Barnes, and Zach Blair have released “Prizefighter,” which explores the psychological and emotional toll of living up to an authentic artistic vision while, at the same time, another strain of your being, engaging with the fans, in the world that we live in today, which is fast-track and socially mediated. A song co-written by the band and Jennifer Erin Decilveo, this track reflects the tension between creating art for yourself and serving the needs of the people who come out to support it.
Produced by Catherine Marks, “Prizefighter” is a visceral and incendiary piece that thrums with vibrancy, a mix of punk’s ferocity and some genuine introspection. The song’s lyrics illustrate the struggle of being an artist in the digital age and an artist set perpetually adrift by the drive to create and the obligation to nourish a simultaneously disposable and insatiable audience. As lead vocalist Tim McIlrath puts it, “‘Prizefighter’ is about a compulsion to create that creates an audience, and then your connection with that audience and your responsibilities to that audience. It’s figuring out how to reconcile the transition from voyeur to the public sphere and what to the people who are your fans versus what to your mental health.
The track’s driving beat, and visceral instrumentation reflects the very nature of McIlrath’s struggle, giving its audience an honest look into the pressures on artists now. From its driving guitar riffs to the tight, hard-hitting drumming, “Prizefighter” makes you feel the story, making it an instant must-listen for anyone who has ever felt the weight of their creative journey. With “Prizefighter,” Rise Against reminds us that the fight to create and remain faithful to self and your audience is worth fighting, a road that may appear steep ahead.
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