Ustela

Itoiz's song 'Ustela' delves into the disillusionment and frustration that arise when once-cherished ideals and tools of empowerment begin to decay. The lyrics open with a reference to a 'nire lagun xelebrena' (my peculiar friend) and 'nire mailu urdina' (my blue hammer), which symbolize the protagonist's former sources of strength and joy. However, these symbols are now 'usteltzen ari da' (rotting away), reflecting a sense of impotence and loss. The protagonist laments the loss of faith in the law and its enforcers, feeling powerless without the 'mailu' (hammer) that once provided a sense of justice and control.

The chorus, 'Usteldu bahaiz zer egingo didate, mailu behar zaitut... ez usteldu' (If you rot, what will they do to me, I need you hammer... don't rot), underscores the desperation and dependency on this symbol of power. The hammer is not just a tool but a metaphor for the protagonist's ability to fight back against oppression and injustice. The plea for the hammer not to decay highlights the fear of losing one's means of defense and agency in a world that seems increasingly hostile and unfair.

In the second verse, the protagonist dismisses the idea of seeking solace in 'izarrak edo metaforak' (stars or metaphors) or 'poemak' (poems) when things go wrong. Instead, they express a desire to break 'mahiak, kristalak' (tables, crystals), indicating a raw, visceral need to physically manifest their frustration. The hammer, once again, is seen as the 'defentsa onena' (best defense) against the 'legeen gorilen aurrean' (gorillas of the law), symbolizing the oppressive forces of authority. The song captures a poignant struggle against the decay of personal and societal ideals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining one's tools of resistance in the face of adversity.