The Reunion That Feels Like a Time Capsule: Broken Social Scene’s Return to Humanity
There’s something profoundly moving about a band reuniting after years apart, especially when that band is Broken Social Scene. Their latest album, Remember the Humans, isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a testament to the enduring power of human connection. Personally, I think what makes this reunion so compelling is how it captures both the joy of reunion and the bittersweet realization that nothing stays the same. It’s like opening a time capsule, only to find that the memories inside are tinged with the wisdom of age and loss.
The Alchemy of Reunion: Why This Time Feels Different
Broken Social Scene has always been more of a collective than a band, a rotating cast of musicians coming together to create something greater than the sum of their parts. But Remember the Humans feels different. It’s not just a reunion; it’s a reckoning. Founding member Kevin Drew mentions the pandemic as a catalyst, and I think that’s key. The forced pause of the past few years made us all reevaluate what matters, and for Broken Social Scene, it was the music and the people behind it.
What’s particularly fascinating is how the album reconnects with producer David Newfeld, who hadn’t worked with the band in over two decades. It’s as if they’ve circled back to their roots while carrying the weight of everything they’ve experienced since. This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a deliberate attempt to reclaim something that felt lost. And in doing so, they’ve created an album that feels both familiar and entirely new.
Grief, Technology, and the Human Condition
One thing that immediately stands out is the album’s exploration of grief. Drew and Newfeld both lost their mothers around the same time, and that pain permeates the record. But what many people don’t realize is how this personal grief intertwines with broader anxieties about our modern world. The album’s title, Remember the Humans, is a direct response to the dehumanizing effects of technology and AI.
If you take a step back and think about it, this is a band that’s always been about connection—whether it’s between band members or with their audience. So, when they sing about the erosion of human relationships in the age of AI, it’s not just a commentary on society; it’s a call to action. The lyrics in ‘Not Around Anymore’ are particularly haunting: ‘Cause it’s all gone away/Guess it’s called the times.’ What this really suggests is that we’re losing something fundamental, and Broken Social Scene is here to remind us of what’s at stake.
The Compromise of Creativity
Working in a collective like Broken Social Scene isn’t easy. Drew admits there’s a level of compromise involved, and I find that detail especially interesting. In a world where individualism is celebrated, this band thrives on collaboration, even when it’s messy. What this implies is that true creativity often requires letting go of control, something many of us struggle with.
From my perspective, this is where the magic happens. The album’s orchestral arrangements, like ‘The Call,’ feel expansive because they’re the result of multiple voices coming together. But it’s also a reminder that compromise doesn’t mean sacrificing depth. The songs are layered, both musically and emotionally, proving that sometimes the best art comes from surrendering to the process.
The Songs That Never Leave Us
Broken Social Scene’s music has always had a way of sticking around, even when the band members haven’t. Songs like ‘Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl’ and ‘Lover’s Spit’ have become cultural touchstones, popping up in movies, TikToks, and even Lorde’s lyrics. What makes this particularly fascinating is how these songs continue to evolve in meaning. For example, ‘Anthems’ has been embraced by the trans community as a song of reflection—a detail that I find especially interesting because it shows how art can outgrow its creators in the best possible way.
The Quiet Beauty of Being Broken
By the end of Remember the Humans, there’s a sense of acceptance—not just of loss, but of the imperfections that come with being human. Drew says, ‘You have an absolute responsibility to the listener to try to make the most beautiful, adventurous music possible.’ And in my opinion, they’ve done just that. This album isn’t about perfection; it’s about authenticity.
What this really suggests is that brokenness isn’t something to be fixed—it’s something to be celebrated. The band’s ethos hasn’t changed: they’re still making music that feels like a bear hug, even when it hurts. And that’s what makes this reunion so special. It’s not about recapturing the past; it’s about honoring the journey and reminding us that we’re still here, still human.
Final Thoughts
Remember the Humans is more than an album—it’s a manifesto. It’s a reminder that in a world increasingly dominated by technology and isolation, human connection still matters. Personally, I think this is Broken Social Scene’s most important work yet, not because it’s their best, but because it’s their most honest. It’s an album that asks us to remember who we are, flaws and all. And in a time when that feels harder than ever, that’s a message worth holding onto.
