Downupright Holds a “Funeral Service For The Good Internet” ft. Activist Cory Doctorow

After years of larger-than-life concept albums, from end-of-the-world anthems to manic episode meltdowns, Downupright returns with their most surprising pivot yet: pop.

Their new single, “A Funeral Service For The Good Internet (1992–2014),” featuring activist/author Cory Doctorow and rapper Caius Hubris, drops today as a searing, anti-capitalist eulogy to the internet’s relatively innocent early days, and then names and shames the specific men who ripped it away from us. The track is the first release from their forthcoming album, Radical Honesty, which marks a surprising departure from the ironic, genre-smashing chaos of previous albums. Though, don’t be fooled into thinking there won’t be some surprises along the way; this is a Downupright album after all.

Downupright comments:

“After years of far-fetched albums where I playacted an outrageous character, this album of pure pop shows and tells you who I really am and what I really believe. And as always, the list of collaborators is stunning. All the usual suspects you’re used to from my past several albums are here, as well as some very surprising new names.”

Radical Honesty is Downupright’s most accessible release to date. From the positive, pop-bops of “It Was Always Us Against The World” (ft. KeepUpRadio, Rocz Nice) to the tender, vulnerable laments of “I Don’t Care Much,” every lyric is direct, unfiltered, and lived in.

Collaboration has always been at the center of Downuprights’ work, and in addition to Doctorow and Caius Hubris, the album features Fortnite influencer KeepUpRadio, queer hip-hop sensation RealXman, who featured Downupright’s “XXX XX EX!!” to their 128k followers last year, Hollyhood, and several others. 

The upcoming album follows We’re Doomed We’re Dancing, a 2024 Kickstarter-powered behemoth of 60 songs in 60 minutes featuring over 50 artists, which landed features in EarMilk and Kickstarter’s Projects to Watch. It also builds on the breakneck genre chaos of MANIC EPISODE!!, which immersed listeners in the whirlwind of a mind in mania. But with Radical Honesty, Downupright finally lets slip the mask of irony, telling the listener in every song exactly who they really are and how they really feel.

Downupright “Funeral Service For The Good Internet” album artwork