Nitrous
Joji
The Euphoric Escape of Joji's 'Nitrous'
Joji's 'Nitrous' is a song that delves into the complexities of emotional detachment and the desire to escape from the pressures of life. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is trying to distance themselves from their feelings and the expectations of others. The reference to being 'out of sight' and not wanting 'stripes' suggests a longing to avoid conflict and the burdens of responsibility. The loud 'insides like motorcycles' metaphorically represents internal chaos and noise that the protagonist wants to drown out or ignore.
The chorus of the song reflects a mix of emotions, with love, highs, and pain all prompting a desire to express oneself through singing, yet there's a numbness that comes with being 'in a rover,' indicating a sense of isolation and disconnection. This rover could symbolize a protective shell or a means of moving through life without truly engaging with it. The repetition of 'Hey, hey, hey, hey' can be interpreted as a call for attention or an expression of the numbness itself, a sort of placeholder for the words that can't be found.
The second verse introduces the theme of battling personal demons ('fighting two devils') and the struggle to connect with someone who is emotionally unavailable ('you were cold as ice'). The artist expresses a sense of urgency and a desire for genuine connection ('love me like it's now'), yet there's an underlying resignation to the fact that this connection might not be possible. Joji's music often explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition, and 'Nitrous' is no exception, offering a window into the artist's introspective and melancholic world.