AceShowbiz - On a bright spring morning at the iconic Electric Lady Studios, Jack Antonoff shares his contemplations on how technology has reshaped the way we experience dreams and creativity. He reminisces about a time when people dreamt more vividly and connected with those dreams throughout their day. Now, he laments, smartphones interrupt this natural flow, erasing the subtle feelings and reflections that once lingered after waking.

Antonoff expresses a pointed critique of modern technology’s impact on human experience. With a gesture reminiscent of Bernie Sanders, he emphasizes that our relationship with phones primarily benefits billionaires, as these devices increasingly disrupt moments of introspection and genuine connection.

The influence of technology, particularly the omnipresence of smartphones, is a central theme in the creation of Bleachers' newest album, Everyone for Ten Minutes, scheduled for release on May 22. The album title cleverly references the AirDrop feature, which allows users to share files briefly with those nearby, symbolizing a fleeting openness to the outside world amid a sea of digital distractions.

Antonoff grapples with the paradox of having unprecedented access to human knowledge via these devices, yet witnessing people largely consume superficial content. He remarks on how society has become desensitized to tragedy and suffering. Although he grew up amid constant media coverage of the Gulf Wars and 9/11, there was still space to process those events. Today, such images and stories are incessantly looped through algorithms, diluting their impact and overwhelming viewers.

In his own creative process, Antonoff insists on writing music early in the morning before external influences seep in. He describes his social media timelines as filled with distractions like dog videos and candid reflections on his complicated relationship with food. He humorously admits that his algorithm seems finely tuned to images of cooking and eating, revealing a personal vulnerability beneath his public persona.

Occasionally, Antonoff experiments with his phone’s Notes app by tapping suggested words to create spontaneous phrases. This “accidental poetry” often reveals recurring themes in his life—missing loved ones, love, and constant movement. These glimpses into his subconscious underscore how much his creative life centers on emotional connection and human experience.

During the interview, conducted in a comfortable lounge adjacent to the studio room, Antonoff exudes warmth and thoughtfulness. The space, filled with leather couches, a piano, and snacks, serves as a fitting backdrop for his reflective mood. He shares how his upbringing and extensive touring across the United States as a teenager deepened his empathy for people living in remote or overlooked areas. This empathy informs his songwriting, particularly on tracks like “The Van,” which references his experience traveling and even nods to his favorite convenience store, Wawa.

Reflecting on current social climates, Antonoff notes that many people’s hearts break more from disappointment than anger. He believes that everyone desires a small piece of possibility, but as this is stolen from them, they begin to trust harmful leaders. This insight reveals a compassionate perspective on political and social unrest, grounded in a desire for shared human dignity.

Later in the conversation, Antonoff revisits a statement from 2017 describing Bleachers songs as the sound of “a person going crazy in a room alone.” He acknowledges that this thread remains present in his work, as his albums act as mirrors reflecting his life’s current emotional state and interactions with the world. He poses a timely question for listeners in 2026: who are we communicating with, and who truly wants to engage with the whole world?

Everyone for Ten Minutes captures this sentiment, portraying the perspective of someone who has achieved certain goals but must now navigate the resulting complexities. The album interweaves past and present, touching on themes of family, love, marriage, grief, and the search for community. True to Bleachers' style, the record is candid and filled with personal references and hidden details, underscoring Antonoff’s ongoing fascination with myth-making and storytelling.

As he reiterates, the album’s core is about finding your people and understanding the nature of connection in a fragmented world. He warns that the experiment of sharing everything with everyone has largely failed, encouraging listeners to be mindful of who they are truly communicating with.

Ultimately, Jack Antonoff offers a thoughtful meditation on the tension between technology and creativity, the yearning for genuine connection in a distracted age, and the evolving nature of his artistic identity. His latest album, Everyone for Ten Minutes, stands as a testament to these themes, inviting listeners to reflect on who they communicate with and how they navigate the noise of the modern world.