Speaking to The Guardian about Kanye West's new album "ye", Reznor bemoaned the lack of serious writing about rock, saying: "How many Kanye West thinkpieces have The Guardian done in the last fucking month? The guy's lost his fucking mind: that's the thinkpiece. His record sucked, and that's it. He has made great shit; he's not in a great place right now."
Reznor also spoke about the state of the U.S., remarking: "It feels like things are coming unhinged, socially and culturally. The rise of Trumpism, of tribalism; the celebration of stupidity. I'm ashamed, on a world stage, at what we must look like as a culture... It doesn't feel like we've advanced. I think you're seeing the fall of the empire of America in real time, before your eyes."
Reznor, who is a recovering addict, said that NINE INCH NAILS' recent string of EPs was inspired by his past history. He explained: "I think I know who I am now, the chaos feels behind me, there's family life and stability. It was me daring myself to say: 'What if all that was bullshit? And what I really am is an addict in remission that can't wait to light a match to the whole thing?'"