If all life was merely simulation, would we ever know? More importantly, would it matter? For all practical purposes, existence is what we believe it to be in the moment. The distinction between real and artificial is only a matter of degree. Spend too much time crossing the barriers between them and suddenly the world, such as it is, becomes nebulous and hazy; light and shadow forever wrestling for dominion.
So what does this all have to do with an artist that goes by Rellum? Truth be told, I’d never heard of him until a few days ago. But then this lavish video slid through my inbox and I couldn’t help but be intrigued. Born in Germany, the producer, director, photographer, and writer has called Atlanta home for most of the past decade. In that time, he’s sought to combine the techno and house music that soundtracked his youth with the gritty adventurism of southern hip-hop. To help maintain his privacy (as well as adding an aura of mystery), he created the masked, hyper-futuristic persona you see in the video.
“I like to think my music explores ways of combining two cultures,” Rellum explains. “I’ve created a robot covered in disco ball tiles and lights to represent my music, because I like to stay under the radar with my personal life. It also allows me to explore a distinct aesthetic and style of storytelling.”
On “REM,” percolating synths ripple across your speakers while thudding bass and chirping vocals build an atmosphere of luminous euphoria. Like a lot of forward-thinking hip-hop, it favors mood over hooks, drawing the listener into a soundscape that is both kinetic and reflective. For all its shimmering textures and insistent beats, the vibe here is more personal than communal, less club floor banger than a headphone oasis.
That feeling of radiant escape carries over into the video, albeit with a dark twist. Combining video game archetypes with the post-apocalyptic neo-western narratives of movies like Book of Eli and The Matrix franchise, the clip sets Rellum on a quest for survival and human understanding. Although the story’s reliance on VR simulation seems a tad on the nose, his emergence from the cave and into the light suggests Plato’s fabled allegory.
Which brings us back to the notion of reality and the truths we construct for ourselves. Drawing upon his film school education and experience as a photographer, Rellum offers the viewer a detail-rich tableau of urban decay and stunning natural backdrops. Along his journey he encounters only violence and lost souls who have abandoned themselves to the simulated world. As such, his only recourse becomes a life of isolation while delivering hope through random acts of kindness. The implication is that we are all active participants in this life and have a choice in shaping our reality, for better or worse. This, of course, carries over into the act of creation. For Rellum, making “REM” was about immersing himself in the process while offering a cogent vision that encompasses his personal thoughts and experiences.
“I went to school for film, work as a professional photographer, and love making music, so I enjoy every stage of the creative process,” Rellum says. “The project the song is from, Simulation Theory, was created by wanting to make an album someone can listen to while going on a road trip. I’m an avid hiker so the video for ‘REM’ showcases some of my favorite locations in the Southeast while also exploring the relationship between technology and nature.”
Watch/listen above.
Simulation Theory is out now.
More Info
Web: rellumproductions.com
Bandcamp: rellum.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @rellumproductions
Instagram: @rellumatl
SoundCloud: @rellumproductions