Friends

Empire Of The Sun's song "Friends" delves into the complex emotions surrounding the unexpected return of a friend who brings with them a mix of nostalgia, fear, and unresolved issues. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone grappling with the sudden reappearance of a person they once knew well. The opening lines, "Straight down the line I watch you disappear / Before my eyes saw through solid air," suggest a sense of loss and confusion, as if the friend had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a void that is hard to comprehend.

The recurring line, "No one ever said that you'd be back here / Now I gotta to be scared of my friend," highlights the emotional turmoil and the sense of betrayal or fear that accompanies the friend's return. This could imply that the friend has changed in ways that are unsettling or that their past actions have left scars that are hard to heal. The phrase "Mountains rising out of my head" metaphorically represents the overwhelming thoughts and anxieties that the protagonist experiences, making it clear that the friend's return is not a simple reunion but a catalyst for inner conflict.

The song also touches on themes of escapism and self-medication, as seen in the lines, "Score some spice attack gonna another share / Take back the ride / And I couldn't shake the fear / While they got high." This suggests that the protagonist and their friend may have used substances to cope with their issues, but these actions only serve to mask the underlying problems. The repeated assertion that "Sorry doesn't cut it for me" indicates a deep-seated need for genuine resolution and understanding, rather than superficial apologies. Overall, "Friends" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the emotional baggage that can come with them.