It was seven years. Seven years of silence is basically a lifetime in the post-hardcore world, so when Vic Fuentes finally dropped the needle on The Jaws of Life in 2023, fans weren't just listening—they were dissecting. Among the glossy, 90s-grunge-inspired tracks, one song stuck out like a sore thumb. Pierce the Veil So Far So Fake is a weird, twisting piece of music that feels both like a throwback and a total departure.
Honestly, it’s the kind of song that makes you realize how much the band has changed since the days of Collide with the Sky. It isn't just another high-speed anthem.
What’s Actually Happening in the Music?
Musically, the track is a bit of a chameleon. While a lot of the album leans heavily into that "Pacific Northwest" sound—think Nirvana or Alice in Chains—this song keeps a foot in the door of their "mexicore" roots while trying to be something entirely more sophisticated. The guitar work from Tony Perry isn't just shredding for the sake of it anymore. It’s atmospheric. It’s moody.
The production on Pierce the Veil So Far So Fake is incredibly dense. Paul Meany, who produced the album (and is the frontman of Mutemath), brought this specific, textured layer to the track. You can hear it in the way the drums sit in the mix. They don't just "thwack"; they breathe. Lonny Eagleton’s bass lines are thick, almost sludge-like at times, giving the song a grounded feeling that their earlier, more frantic work often lacked.
It’s interesting.
Most people expect Pierce the Veil to stay in that high-pitched, frenetic energy forever. But they’re older now. Vic’s voice has matured, and you can hear it in the mid-range of this track. He isn't reaching for those glass-shattering notes as often, but when he does, it feels earned. It feels like a choice rather than a default setting.
Breaking Down the Lyrics and the "Fake" Motif
If you look at the lyrics to Pierce the Veil So Far So Fake, you're looking at a narrative about disillusionment. Vic has often talked about how the pandemic and the long hiatus affected his writing. There’s a line about "the world is ending, but we're still pretending." It’s cynical. It’s that feeling of looking at your surroundings—whether it’s the music industry, social media, or just the state of the world—and realizing how much of it is performative.
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The title itself feels like a jab. "So Far So Fake." It plays on the old "so far, so good" idiom but twists it into something bitter.
- The first verse sets up a sense of claustrophobia.
- The chorus breaks out into that classic PTV melody, but the lyrics remain dark.
- The bridge is where the song really shines, shifting the tempo and making things feel off-kilter.
It’s not just a "breakup" song. It’s more of a "society-up" song. It’s about the exhaustion of trying to keep up appearances when everything feels like it’s crumbling. Many fans have speculated it’s about the superficial nature of the Los Angeles scene or the pressures of returning to the spotlight after nearly a decade away. Given how private the band has been, that tracks.
Why This Track Splits the Fanbase
There is a huge divide in the PTV community about this specific sound. On one hand, you have the "King for a Day" purists. They want the breakdowns. They want the chaos. For them, Pierce the Veil So Far So Fake might feel a bit too polished. It’s "radio-friendly" in a way that feels intentional.
On the other hand, there are the listeners who grew up with the band. If you were 15 when Selfish Machines came out, you’re in your late 20s or early 30s now. Your ears have changed. You probably listen to more than just emo-pop-punk. This track caters to that evolution. It’s sophisticated. It’s sophisticated enough to be played in a dark lounge but heavy enough to spark a pit during a live set.
The transition from the previous track, "Shared Trauma," into this one is particularly effective. It builds a cohesive "vibe" that defines the middle of the album. It’s not just a collection of singles; it’s a movement.
The Live Performance Factor
If you’ve seen them on the Creative Control tour or their recent headlining runs, you know how this song translates. Live, the drums are much more aggressive. Jamie Preciado is a fireball on stage, and his energy usually forces this song to move faster than the studio version.
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There’s a specific moment in the song where the instruments drop out, leaving Vic’s voice vulnerable before slamming back in. In a room of 5,000 people, that silence is deafening. It’s a testament to their songwriting that they can command that kind of tension.
Is it "Real" PTV?
There’s always this debate about "selling out" or "changing the sound." Honestly? It’s a tired conversation. Pierce the Veil So Far So Fake is arguably more "real" than a lot of their older stuff because it doesn't rely on tropes. There are no gimmicks here. No guest features to boost streams. No forced "core" elements just to please a specific demographic.
It’s just four guys in a room (well, with a world-class producer) making the music they actually like.
The track serves as a bridge. It connects the flamboyant theatricality of their past with the grounded, gritty reality of their present. If they had released Collide with the Sky part two, it would have felt like a parody. Instead, we got something that feels authentically like men in their 30s processing the world.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
People often think this track is a filler song. It isn't. It’s actually one of the most technically complex songs on The Jaws of Life if you pay attention to the time signatures and the layering of the synths in the background.
Another misconception is that the lyrics are about a specific person. While Vic is a storyteller, he’s often mentioned that his writing is more of a "collage" of feelings rather than a diary entry about one individual. It’s about a collective feeling of falseness.
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How to Truly Appreciate the Track
To get the most out of Pierce the Veil So Far So Fake, you need to stop comparing it to 2012.
- Listen with high-quality headphones. The panning in the bridge is incredible.
- Watch the live footage. See how the band interacts during the instrumental breaks.
- Read the lyrics while listening. The wordplay is sharper than it sounds on the first pass.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Listeners
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of The Jaws of Life and this specific track, here is what you should actually do:
Check out the "making of" clips that the band posted on social media around the album's release. Seeing Tony Perry work through the guitar tones for the album gives you a much deeper appreciation for why this song sounds so "dusty" and vintage.
Compare this track directly to "Death of an Executioner." You’ll notice that while "Death" is the high-energy opener, "So Far So Fake" is the thematic anchor. It’s the "dark night of the soul" moment for the record.
Explore the discography of the producer, Paul Meany. If you listen to Twenty One Pilots' Trench, you can hear the DNA of Meany’s production style, which helps explain why the electronic elements in this Pierce the Veil track feel so organic and integrated rather than "tacked on."
Finally, look at the setlists from their 2024 and 2025 tours. Notice where they place this song. It’s usually a mid-set mood shifter. It’s designed to give the audience a moment to breathe and feel something heavy—not just physically, but emotionally—before they ramp back up into the classics. This song isn't a fluke; it's a blueprint for where the band is heading next. It’s more mature, it’s a little more cynical, and it’s definitely not fake.