Grimes Ushers in a New Era of Internet Infestation
Claire Boucher has always embodied the spirit of the internet, both its allure and unease. Have you ever mistaken a shadow for a cockroach in your kitchen? Your hand catches the light just right, casting a shadow into a neglected corner. Your mind senses something malicious and alive, a sign of a deeper rot creeping into your space unnoticed. But a closer look reveals nothing amiss; your kitchen remains safe, yet the uneasy feeling persists.
Grimes’ music video “Artificial Angels” captures this unsettling sensation of internet-driven life in 2025. The endless series of establishing shots will feel familiar to anyone who has seen generative AI demos. The Canadian electropop artist dances alongside a shifting array of Grok’s virtual AI companions. Cavemen appear smoking cigarettes branded with the OpenAI logo. Erratic cartoon overlays create a bombardment of imagery, mimicking the overwhelming effect of videos made by those obsessed with information overload.
The song begins and ends with an intentionally primitive AI-generated voice saying, “This is how it feels to be hunted by something smarter than you.”
The song and video evoke a brief shock but quickly fade from memory, like spotting a dead animal on a morning walk—disturbing in the moment, then easily dismissed.
Author's summary: Grimes’ “Artificial Angels” vividly portrays the disturbing blend of AI, internet culture, and unsettling awareness that defines modern digital life.