Last Year

Alt-J's song 'Last Year' is a poignant exploration of a year marked by emotional highs and lows, encapsulated through the months and personal experiences of the narrator. The song begins in January, symbolizing a fresh start, but quickly delves into a series of emotional struggles. Each month is depicted with vivid imagery and personal anecdotes, reflecting the narrator's fluctuating mental state. For instance, March's 'hugs became hold ons' suggests a shift from casual affection to a desperate need for connection, while July's 'dry like wiping skin from my skull' conveys a sense of intense discomfort and desolation.

The song also incorporates cultural references, such as learning to count to ten in Japanese in June, which may symbolize a search for new beginnings or a way to cope with the ongoing turmoil. The mention of diazepam in August highlights the narrator's reliance on medication to manage their emotional pain, further emphasizing the depth of their struggle. The narrative reaches a somber climax in December, with the mention of a funeral, suggesting a tragic end to the year and possibly the narrator's life.

The recurring mention of 'Mississippi' serves as a metaphor for a place of solace or escape, yet it is also described as a 'cold, black sleep,' indicating a state of numbness or death. This duality reflects the narrator's internal conflict between seeking comfort and succumbing to despair. The song's haunting melody and introspective lyrics create a powerful portrayal of a year filled with emotional turbulence, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion.