Myaku
Dir en Grey
The Dark Spiral of Memory and Rebirth in 'Myaku'
Dir en Grey's 'Myaku' is a haunting exploration of memory, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of existence. The song's lyrics, filled with vivid and often disturbing imagery, delve into themes of transformation and the passage of time. The opening line, 'Got for gimmick... devise,' sets a tone of manipulation and artificiality, suggesting that the experiences and memories described may be constructed or distorted.
The recurring refrain, 'Saa nemurimashou, yume wo miyou,' which translates to 'Let's sleep, let's dream,' invites the listener into a dreamlike state where reality and illusion blur. The list of words that follows—'blood, earth, lie, sky, body, god, box, beast, smell, neck, trap, black'—paints a surreal and fragmented picture, evoking a sense of chaos and disorientation. This imagery is further emphasized by the line 'Ano hito wa kabe no naka,' meaning 'That person is inside the wall,' which could symbolize entrapment or isolation.
The chorus, 'Akaku amaku rasen wo egaita kioku wo tsuchi ni kaeshite,' translates to 'Return the sweet, red spiral-drawn memories to the earth.' This line suggests a desire to bury painful or corrupted memories, returning them to the earth as if to cleanse or purify them. The imagery of a 'sweet, red spiral' evokes a sense of both beauty and danger, hinting at the seductive nature of these memories. The song's conclusion, 'Tsukihi ga tateba izure wa Kono ko ga umarete anata ni nari,' meaning 'As time passes, this child will be born and become you,' reinforces the theme of rebirth and the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that the past continually shapes and influences the present and future.
'Got for gimmick... devise' is repeated at the end, bringing the song full circle and emphasizing the artificiality and manipulation inherent in the cycle of memory and rebirth. Dir en Grey's 'Myaku' is a complex and evocative exploration of these themes, using rich and often unsettling imagery to convey a sense of unease and introspection.