Commercialism! (out November 5th) is ClarkyArtist's most direct and unapologetic project yet - a record that pulls from personal history, raw storytelling, and collaborations that shaped the journey. Across nine tracks, the album tackles addiction, loss, survival, defiance, and triumph, weaving real-life struggle with sharp metaphors and unflinching honesty. Rather than chasing trends, Commercialism! turns the idea of “making a hit” on its head - highlighting the grind, the pain, and the persistence behind every song. This is an album about breaking cycles, honoring the ghosts of the past, and striving for transformation, all while staying grounded in the realities of artistry and self-expression.
Songs Descriptions
• Bumper
Originally written as a solo track by ClarkyArtist’s long-time collaborator Noaksey (under the alias Jessi Churst), with ClarkyArtist appearing as the guest feature. The working title was Make Me A Hit. ClarkyArtist’s verse was written in Spanish, designed to mirror Jessi Churst’s English verse and hook. The final track evolved into Bumper, but its roots remain in that early collaboration.
• Find A Cure
A song about addiction and the destructive cycle of craving. The lyrics capture the back-and-forth of inner conflict: the need for more despite knowing the damage it causes, the metaphor of infection spreading, and the inability to lie to oneself. The song ends with an admission that the “fix” is both the problem and the only solution sought.
• Trip-Mines
Draws on and reuses lyrics from an older ClarkyArtist track, Feels Like. The lyrics use the imagery of hidden explosives — “trip-mines” — as a metaphor for everyday dangers and setbacks. They reflect the grind of survival, the feeling of exhaustion, and the repetitive cycle of stepping into the same traps. It’s about how habits can both protect and imprison.
• Creatures Of Habit
Explores humanity's resistance to change and the tension between who we are and who we want to become. The lyrics emphasize that while people often stay stuck in cycles, we also carry the potential for transformation, survival, and even miracles. The song reflects on that balance: we can change our perspective, even if our names stay the same.
• Ghosts
A song about loss in all its forms - whether it's family, friends, relationships, or even pets. It captures that haunting moment when you instinctively turn to speak to someone who’s no longer there. The lyrics describe memories as ghosts that linger in rooms, objects, and thoughts. In its full version (4+ minutes), the song unfolds as a layered piece with intro, verses, hooks, pre-hooks, a bridge, and an outro.
• Slip
A raw and urgent track about living fast and defying expectations. The lyrics wrestle with themes of risk, misunderstanding, and resilience - “living for something or dying for nothing.” The phrase “giving up the slip” becomes a repeated motif of evasion, rebellion, and survival under pressure. Fear, vulnerability, and the value of life are weighed against the thrill of resistance.
• What I'm Feeling
Originally written during ClarkyArtist and Gemiini's time in their band Calls of Alysm, the track was later split into two solo songs: Gemiini's Your Love and ClarkyArtist's What I'm Feeling. The final version is both a solo statement and a nod to its collaborative roots. Lyrically, it’s an unfiltered outpouring of chaos, numbness, and self-destruction — drinking to stop the screaming, chasing a feeling that's already gone. The bloodshot eyes, the cuts, the haze: all of it becomes a confession turned anthem, repeating again and again — that’s what I’m feeling.
• Discernment
Built around an idea first suggested by ClarkyArtist's brother. The lyrics focus on learning from mistakes, overcoming violence and heartbreak, and developing the clarity to see through deception. The song rejects being trapped by the past, instead choosing growth and transformation. Its repeated resolve to “not look back” turns the theme of discernment into both a warning and a declaration of progress.
• Attainment
Centers on resilience and the pursuit of greatness. The lyrics contrast feelings of failure and disrespect with a triumphant rise in music: hundreds of tracks, thousands of views, and countless collaborations. “Attainment” becomes the mantra of persistence, urging the listener not to give in but to keep climbing. The track embodies the grind of self-made success and the pride in reaching it.
