Songfacts®:

• Much of The Slow Readers Club's sixth album, Knowledge Freedom Power, channels a bright spirit, but beneath its surface, a lingering darkness persists. This is evident from the very beginning, with the opening track "Modernise" addressing the relentless march of automation encroaching upon the human workforce. The song fearlessly confronts the societal expectations placed upon individuals.
  
  Get a job, find a girl, hurry up, don't be late.
  Pressure's on to belong, taken all I can take
  
  "'Modernise' is about the constant need to learn and adapt to changing," the band explained. "It's a bit of a techno fear song."
• The song paints a picture of a post-capitalist dystopia where technology and work culture overwhelm and consume, leaving us grappling with a sense of helplessness.
  
  "'Modernise' is a song about struggling to keep up with changes to the world of work, fear of the rise of AI, fear of losing financial security, fear of conformity and subjugation to the routine and conventions of modern life," vocalist Aaron Starkie told The Sun. "It's inspired by the feeling of economic and social turmoil that we're all living through."
• "Modernise" started off with a keyboard riff which Aaron Starkie started at home. From there, the band jammed around it during practice, breathing life into the song.
  
  "It's a familiar TSRC theme I guess about struggles with systems, life's pressures, and conformity, Starkie told Analogue Trash.
  
  It was in the studio, working alongside producer Joe Cross (known for his collaborations with Hurts and Courteeners), that "Modernise" truly found its form. Together, they fine-tuned the structure and dynamics, elevating the song to new heights. "Joe suggested a really aggressive synth sound for the main riff," said Starkie, "and got the bass and drum sounds sounding really powerful, it makes for a great album opener and single."