McMillin’s upcoming release, “Joke,” unpacks what it is to be creative in the modern world, and displays a rawness that practically chokes listeners. In a social media driven world, creatives often feel like a “joke” and are forced to sell out by participating in TikTok and other social media trends that sacrifice one’s creativity. Sharing with us his battle with craving validation, McMillin touches on a new level of vulnerability in this latest track that makes listeners think.

 

With lyrics such as “Validation from strangers on the internet / More addicting than heroin and cigarettes,” listeners are able to gather the meaning of the song and find relatability. In the current age of social media, likes and comments are like a drug. McMillin portrays powerful messages throughout the entire song. He expands on this through the last line of the chorus, “Put it out in the world and it got caught in the web / 

And landed like a joke that goes over your head” As an artist, putting your work on social media can create the highest highs and the lowest lows, as each hate comment begins to take a piece of your ambition away. McMillin bravely touches on this subject that lands well with not only a creative audience, but anyone who has been personally victimized by the social media age and the lack of realism that has come along with it. 

 

Musically, McMillin pulls from the raw energy of early 2000s pop-punk for this tune, with its frenetic guitar lines and gritty atmosphere. The airy, light nature of the track juxtaposed with gritty guitars add a more modern rock feel to the track that creates an earworm for listeners.