Feel You

Julia Holter's 'Feel You' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of memory, longing, and the ephemeral nature of human connections. The song opens with a vivid image of rain in Mexico City, setting a melancholic tone that permeates the entire piece. Holter's lyrics suggest a desire to escape, not just from the sun, but perhaps from reality itself. This escapism is intertwined with a sense of nostalgia, as she recalls the 'rush hour car stares' and 'the memory of your piano,' evoking a past that is both vivid and elusive.

The recurring question, 'Can I feel you? Are you mythological?' underscores the central theme of the song: the blurred line between reality and myth. Holter seems to be grappling with the intangibility of her memories and emotions, questioning whether the person she longs for is real or a figment of her imagination. This sense of uncertainty is further emphasized by the fleeting nature of the figures she encounters, who pass by so quickly that they become almost impossible to recognize. The raincoat becomes a symbol of her isolation and the difficulty of truly connecting with others.

As the song progresses, Holter's narrative becomes increasingly fragmented, mirroring the disjointed nature of memory itself. She describes moments of confusion and disorientation, such as forgetting where she was going when the cab pulled up or being blinded by a flashing light in a parking lot. These moments highlight the elusive nature of her quest for connection and understanding. The song's closing lines, 'It's impossible to see who I'm waiting for in my raincoat,' encapsulate the sense of longing and uncertainty that defines 'Feel You.' Holter's ethereal vocals and the song's dreamlike instrumentation further enhance this atmosphere, making 'Feel You' a poignant meditation on the complexities of memory and human connection.