Monochrome City

ACE COLLECTION's 'Monochrome City' delves into the complexities of unspoken romance and the internal struggle of acknowledging one's feelings. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is trying to ignore their romantic inclinations, perhaps out of fear or uncertainty. The line 'ロマンスなんて気づかないふりしたい' (I want to pretend not to notice romance) sets the tone for this emotional journey. The protagonist uses distractions like music and busy environments to momentarily forget their feelings, as seen in 'イヤホンがブルース騒ぐ色がしたブルー' (The earphones are noisy with blues, a blue color). This metaphor of 'blue' not only signifies the music genre but also the melancholic state of mind.

The song further explores the internal conflict through metaphors and imagery. The '未読のメッセージ' (unread messages) in the pocket symbolize unresolved emotions and thoughts that the protagonist wishes to forget. The 'ポケットが白鱈重なる' (pocket is full of unread messages) suggests a buildup of these unaddressed feelings. The lyrics '恋心ってたぶん始めからもう気づいていて' (I probably noticed my feelings from the beginning) reveal the protagonist's awareness of their emotions, yet they are caught in a dilemma of wanting to keep these feelings to themselves while also recognizing the need to let go.

The song's chorus reflects a desire to return to a simpler, more beautiful time, '少し前の麗しい頃に戻りたい戻れない' (I want to go back to the beautiful days, but I can't). This longing for the past is juxtaposed with the present turmoil, where the protagonist's heart is in chaos, and they are torn between two selves. The lyrics 'ふたつの自分をさまよって' (wandering between two selves) encapsulate this internal struggle. The song concludes with a poignant realization of the desire to be loved and the pain of unfulfilled emotions, '愛されたいよ回りの異性がすべて消えされとか思うよ' (I want to be loved, I wish all the other people would disappear).