Ms

Alt-J's song 'Ms' is a hauntingly poetic exploration of loss, memory, and the passage of time. The lyrics are rich with metaphors and abstract imagery, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that invites listeners to delve into their own interpretations. The opening lines, 'We can’t lose touch but we can let go, blue and white gun made from Lego,' suggest a paradoxical relationship where connection and separation coexist. The Lego gun, a child's toy, symbolizes innocence and fragility, contrasting with the themes of loss and darkness that permeate the song.

The recurring phrase 'The dark seeks dark' emphasizes the inevitability of darkness and perhaps the human tendency to gravitate towards sorrow or melancholy. This is further illustrated by the line 'The nights of all my youth pressed into one glass of water,' which evokes a sense of nostalgia and the compression of time. The imagery of 'ten thousand ladybirds' adds a surreal touch, representing the weight of memories and emotions that accumulate over time.

Throughout the song, there is a sense of trying to hold onto something ephemeral, as seen in the lines 'All the vowels vow to guard your name, keep your estate clean, happy.' This could be interpreted as an attempt to preserve the purity of a memory or a person. The repetition of 'Darker, darker, darker, darker' at the end of the song reinforces the descent into deeper layers of darkness, suggesting an inescapable pull towards the shadows of the past. Alt-J's unique blend of cryptic lyrics and atmospheric soundscapes makes 'Ms' a compelling piece that resonates on multiple emotional levels.