Manhattan

Gallant's 'Manhattan' is a haunting exploration of memory, reality, and the often blurry line between the two. The song's lyrics are rich with metaphors and imagery that evoke a sense of nostalgia and introspection. The recurring references to outdated technology like VCRs and tape decks suggest a longing to revisit and perhaps understand past experiences. The 'brainwaves living in stills' and 'nightmares just floating on film' paint a picture of memories that are static yet haunting, as if they are trapped in a loop, replaying over and over in the mind.

The song delves into the idea of confronting one's past and the 'white lies in the back of your mind.' This suggests that the protagonist is grappling with self-deception or perhaps the lies they've told themselves to cope with their reality. The mention of 'the devil letting you down' adds a layer of existential questioning, as if the protagonist is seeking answers or redemption for their past actions. The 'apex' and 'Al hamra' could symbolize the peak moments or significant landmarks in one's life, moments that are both exhilarating and terrifying.

The chorus's repetition of 'slide it in a tape deck, put it in a VCR' serves as a metaphor for replaying and analyzing past events, trying to make sense of how one arrived at their current predicament. The 'sharp turns covered in skin' and 'black gates just letting you in' evoke a sense of danger and inevitability, as if the protagonist is on a path they cannot escape. The song's closing lines, 'It came on paddle boats, upon arrival we tried so hard to flee, it followed,' suggest an inescapable past that continues to haunt the present, no matter how hard one tries to outrun it.