Sometimes the most thought-provoking questions arrive in the most innocent of guises. ‘Artificial World’, the latest offering from published poet, social advocate, and HR leader Deborah Mannas, asks one of those deceptively simple questions: as we increasingly worship at the altar of artifice and invention, particularly via the prism of (anti-)social media, why even bother trying to be yourself?
It sounds almost like a child’s question, but the more you think about it, the more worrying the ramifications are.
Musically, Deborah chooses an intriguingly seductive way to deliver the message. Old-school vibes run throughout, with a gentle Latin sway, a bossa nova beat, soulful guitar licks and lush textures that give the song an easy, almost luxurious sense of movement. Vintage finesse meets contemporary pop sensibility, creating an immediately accessible blend of nostalgic uptown club and island vibes.
There is a pleasing collision of eras and influences; hints of the 1950s jazz diva sit comfortably alongside Santana-esque guitar breaks, sophistication and sass roll along together, and the guitar doesn’t so much interrupt the groove as wander freely through it, reminding us that beneath the polish and poise and production, the song still has a propulsive pulse.
And that’s important, because ‘Artificial World’ could easily have become a rather overly earnest lecture about the evils of social media; thankfully, Deborah makes it considerably more listenable. The music gently sways, the textures are lush, the groove is infectious, and it has enough pop appeal to catch you before you even muse on the message.
The accompanying video doubles down on the central idea, surrounding the singer with AI-generated creations and deliberately artificial imagery. What we are watching is, in effect, part of the argument: a world where the manufactured, manipulated, and invented can look every bit as appealing as something more human.
Which leaves the listener with that deceptively simple question hanging in the air. If the world rewards us for creating versions of ourselves rather than simply being ourselves, where does authenticity actually fit in?
Deborah doesn’t attempt to provide an easy answer, and wisely so, and that is what makes ‘Artificial World’ such a great argument and such an immediate song.
