Incarnate Devil

DIIV's 'Incarnate Devil' is a haunting exploration of existential dread and the search for identity amidst chaos. The song opens with a sense of immediacy, 'It's today and it's in a word,' suggesting a moment of realization or confrontation. The protagonist breathes and seethes, indicating a struggle with internal turmoil. The phrase 'Fade to zero' evokes a sense of erasure or insignificance, while 'I’m misinformed, I’m barely born' hints at a feeling of being lost or incomplete. The imagery of the 'incarnate devil' and a 'talking snake' introduces a mythological and possibly biblical dimension, symbolizing temptation, evil, and the complexities of human nature.

The repetition of 'Here he comes today' and 'It's written on my face a clue' suggests an inevitable encounter with this dark force. The 'tunnel you can look right through' could symbolize a journey or passage, perhaps one that reveals uncomfortable truths. The line 'It’ll take some time in line' implies a process of waiting or enduring, further emphasizing the theme of an arduous journey. The stars floating along the void and the reference to 'ancient minutes in the cuckoo's month' add a cosmic and timeless quality to the narrative, suggesting that these struggles are both personal and universal.

The final verses introduce a more personal dimension, with the repeated lines 'You have my face, my neck, my waist' and 'You had my face in a rocking chair that stays in place.' This could symbolize a loss of identity or control, as if the protagonist's very essence has been taken or manipulated. The mention of a 'fucking saint' juxtaposed with the devil and snake imagery adds a layer of irony and complexity, perhaps questioning the nature of good and evil. Overall, 'Incarnate Devil' is a rich tapestry of metaphors and imagery, capturing the essence of human struggle, identity, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.