Reaper

Clairo's song 'Reaper' delves into the complex emotions surrounding the anticipation of future responsibilities and the fear of failure. The lyrics reflect a conversation with oneself, grappling with the inevitability of becoming a provider and the anxiety that accompanies this role. The opening lines, 'It's nice to hear your voice again / I pushed you so far down and I let you sink through the drain,' suggest a reconnection with a part of herself that she had previously suppressed, possibly due to the overwhelming nature of these looming responsibilities.

The metaphor of 'a claw on my shoulder' symbolizes the persistent and inescapable pressure to conform to societal expectations of adulthood and family life. This pressure is personified as a presence that is 'coming closer,' making it impossible to ignore. The line 'I keep forgetting that I'll have a family' highlights the internal conflict between her current self and the future self that will have to take on these new roles. The 'single obnoxious sigh of relief' she hears when she listens closely could represent the societal relief when one conforms to these expectations.

Clairo also touches on the cyclical nature of life and responsibility with the lines 'I'm born to be somebody then somebody comes from me.' This reflects the idea that one's identity and purpose are intertwined with the roles they will eventually take on, such as parenthood. The references to personal memories, like 'the Rabbit Moon' and 'swim team,' serve to ground these abstract fears in concrete experiences, making them more relatable. The repeated refrain 'I can't fuck it up if it's not there at all' underscores a deep-seated fear of failure and the desire to avoid these responsibilities altogether as a means of self-preservation.