By: Staff
The story behind this song is truly one-of-a-kind, a phenomenon so profound that it feels unlikely to ever happen again.
"2025" was released on YouTube over a decade ago, yet its prophetic themes and haunting visuals serve as a testament to UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS' boundless creativity and forward-thinking vision.
Written by frontman Pete Lawrie Winfield, an artist, musician, and producer, over ten years ago, the composition unfolds as a futuristic reflection on technology’s impact on human connection. It envisions a world where technological advancements foster isolation rather than unity, leaving people feeling more disconnected than ever.
Watching the video now, in the very future the lyrics it once speculated about, is an eerie yet exhilarating experience. It is not merely a nostalgic look back at a past artistic moment, instead, it feels like reliving a future that was once imagined and is now reality. This realization elevates the entire project, making it more than just a song, it becomes an experience, a vision fulfilled.
The visuals are striking and deeply unsettling. We see a computer-generated human-like face speaking to us as the song begins. An especially harrowing image features a mannequin-like child figure with an old-fashioned television for a head, its screen displaying a pulsating brain. The metaphor is chilling and accurate, our minds are now almost directly tethered to our screens, constantly downloading information into our own organic hard drives. UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS paints an image of a society where humans have essentially become walking data storage units, perpetually consuming and processing digital input.
The childlike TV-headed character is depicted throughout Los Angeles, amplifying the eerie and prescient nature of the message. In retrospect, the unsettling feeling stems from just how truthful the imagery has become. The once-speculative concept has materialized into our everyday reality.
The lyrics strike a deeply personal and societal chord:
"I think I’ll marry a stranger / that I met online / it’s not that it’s not love / it’s just a sign of the times."
Initially conceived as a personal warning about the future, the lyrics take on even more weight with the knowledge that Winfield himself is now marrying someone he met online.
This self-fulfilling prophecy is absolutely insane; making the song’s meaning even more layered and thought-provoking, adding an extra dimension to the listening experience.
Vocally, the delivery is melancholic but powerful and introspective, carrying an undercurrent of doom and apprehension. UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS expresses the existential dread of an increasingly digital world with a sense of resigned foreboding, immersing the listener in the emotional gravity of the song.
The reimagined version of "2025" breathes new life into the original lyrics, set against a contemporary arrangement and new images that enhances its impact. Winfield’s vocal performance is particularly gripping, thought-provoking, raw, and commanding, adding a weight that makes the song resonate even deeper.
Musically, the arrangement is slow and ominous, creating an atmosphere of unease. The rhythmic bass beat pulses like an anxious heartbeat, while the synth elements feel expansive, washing over the listener like waves of data infiltrating the mind. The production builds a foundation that perfectly complements the song’s message and the hauntingly evocative vocal execution. We felt this was an amazing cohesion of lyrics and sound that made this all the more amazing.
We strongly encourage experiencing both the original and the new version of the video. The juxtaposition between past and present highlights not only the cyclical nature of history, but also the question of whether we were ever prepared for the ride we embarked on. UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS crafts a lyrical and visual display so intricate and profound that an entire book could be written analyzing its themes, imagery, and ultimately, the reality it has manifested.
As for the prophecy of marrying a stranger, what initially seemed like a bleak warning has taken on an unexpectedly heartwarming twist. In an ironic and poetic turn, Winfield is now living out the very scenario he once envisioned, proving that even within dystopian fears, personal connections can still be found. Who could have ever predicted this? UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS did, and we don't know whether to buy him a wedding gift or build an underground bunker.
Towards the end of the video, an image of whales appears alongside the words,
"Nature is the only true technology."
This final revelation is a profound one, reminding us that everything we create is merely an imitation of the perfection that nature has already achieved.
But still there was even more striking lyrical moments is:
"Oh, I need a feeling / yeah, I need to fix / let’s get lost forever / escape to the sticks."
These words encapsulate the song’s core message, we do not belong inside a machine. We belong in nature. It is a gripping and immersive experience, one that takes the listener on an emotional rollercoaster and leaves them reflecting long after the music fades.
What initially seemed like a dystopian warning has evolved into something more bittersweet than bleak. "2025" is not just a song, it is a vision, a mirror to the present, and a testament to the unpredictable ways art and reality intertwine. UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS has created a masterpiece of modern-day observation, a message that continues to unfold in real-time. What an extraordinary journey it has been, and what an incredible conclusion it has reached.
You can find this release on any major platform, make sure to playlist, stream, and share "2025" by UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS.
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