Affection

Crystal Castles' song 'Affection' delves into themes of fragility, heritage, and existential longing. The lyrics open with the imagery of catching and crushing a moth, a delicate creature, which symbolizes the ease with which something fragile can be destroyed. This act of casual destruction may reflect a deeper commentary on how easily affection and delicate emotions can be mishandled or taken for granted.

The mention of ancestry and the inability to disappoint it without a past suggests a struggle with identity and the weight of familial expectations. The speaker seems to be grappling with their place in the world, feeling the pressure of their lineage while simultaneously yearning for a sense of belonging. The desire to 'sleep inside your menagerie' evokes a longing for safety and comfort within a collection of cherished things, yet it also hints at a sense of entrapment or being part of a display.

The final line, 'We drown in pneumonia not rivers and streams,' shifts the focus to a more somber reality. Pneumonia, a disease that affects the lungs, can be seen as a metaphor for suffocation or drowning in one's own environment, rather than finding solace in nature's rivers and streams. This line underscores the theme of internal struggle and the harsh realities of life that contrast with the yearning for affection and connection. Crystal Castles' ethereal and haunting musical style amplifies these themes, creating a poignant and introspective listening experience.