In Cold Blood

Alt-J's 'In Cold Blood' juxtaposes the carefree, sun-soaked imagery of summer with a chilling narrative of violence and death. The song opens with a cryptic binary code, 'Zero one one one zero zero one one,' which sets a tone of disconnection and digital coldness. This is immediately contrasted with the warm, nostalgic scenes of summer—'Pool, summer, summer, pool, pool summer'—creating a stark dichotomy between the idyllic and the sinister.

The lyrics weave through seemingly innocent summer activities, like enjoying a drink by the pool and playful physical feats, but there's an underlying tension. The repeated phrase 'Kiss me' adds a layer of intimacy and vulnerability, which is then shattered by the revelation of violence. The mention of 'Mr. Caspian's killer' and the lifeless body in the pool introduces a narrative twist, suggesting that beneath the surface of this summer paradise lies a dark, violent reality.

The song's chorus, with its repetitive 'la-la la-la la la' and the haunting phrase 'in cold blood,' underscores the cold, calculated nature of the violence described. The use of binary code and the detached, almost robotic delivery of the lyrics further emphasize the theme of disconnection and the chilling contrast between the warmth of summer and the coldness of murder. Alt-J masterfully blends these elements to create a song that is both unsettling and captivating, leaving listeners to ponder the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath seemingly perfect surfaces.