Ron Brunk “Psycho Warfare”

In “Psycho Warfare,” Brunk transposes the terror and thrill of Hitchcock’s iconic psychological thriller, Psycho, onto a new, distinctly modern dilemma. Featured on the album Ted and Ronnie Go to Odd —Brunk’s album released last summer—the track is an urgent, curiously energizing call to question everything. The rambunctious rock sound is lively and deliciously “Brunky,” cleverly mirroring the chaos of modern life. It conveys a world that relentlessly yet comfortably bombards listeners with messages that conveniently spell out exactly what to believe, how to feel, and how to live — all while profiting off the madness. The truth cuts like Norman Bates’ knife—this is “psycho.” In recent years, dependence on technology and media has transformed everything, enabling unapologetic manipulation and subtle brainwashing by powerful forces. As society increasingly embraces “psyops” as the new normal—whether consciously or not—Brunk’s clear, impassioned voice rises above the noise with a single poignant message: “Don’t be a sheep.”

The surreal, “blended” animation style in the “Psycho Warfare” music video morphs and melts a barrage of vibrant, eerie, and disorienting visuals in rapid-fire succession, plunging viewers into an overstimulating, chilling reality. This alternate universe—which could alternatively backdrop a trippy avant-garde sci-fi film—is one where pickle-people store brains in glass jars and complex equations keep the world spinning. Everything feels upside down. Yet the subliminal (or blatantly obvious) messaging— “obey,” “buy,” “conform” reflects a reality all too familiar. The outside world—saturated with manipulative schemes at every turn—is terrifying, and Brunk casts a spotlight on the looming threat. Still, he insists it’s not too late to open our eyes, ears, and hearts. Without losing its playful spark, this mesmerizing visual becomes an unexpected invitation to step back, think critically, and ask the ultimate question in our human search for truth: “What’s actually going on?”