Contour
Lissom
The Haunting Elegance of 'Contour' by Lissom
Lissom's song 'Contour' is a haunting and evocative piece that delves into themes of identity, transformation, and the passage of time. The lyrics are rich with imagery and metaphors, creating a sense of melancholy and introspection. The opening lines, 'Calling the haunting away / Spit in the lake where you lay,' suggest an attempt to dispel lingering memories or emotions, perhaps related to a past relationship or a significant life event. The act of spitting in the lake can be seen as a symbolic gesture of rejection or cleansing, trying to rid oneself of the past's haunting presence.
The recurring phrase 'And I curve you around' implies a sense of manipulation or control, as if the speaker is trying to reshape or redefine someone or something. This could be interpreted as an effort to change one's perception of a person or situation, bending it to fit a new narrative. The lines 'Drawn across your face / I will kill your name / Forked across your frame / And it drowned' further emphasize this theme of transformation and erasure. The imagery of drawing and forking across someone's face and frame suggests a violent act of redefining or obliterating their identity, ultimately leading to their metaphorical drowning.
The repetition of 'And I pour until nothing's left' conveys a sense of exhaustion and depletion, as if the speaker is pouring all their energy and emotions into this process of transformation and erasure. The final lines, 'Oh contour, you're bored of us now,' add a layer of resignation and acceptance. The 'contour' could represent the shape or outline of a person or relationship that has grown tired and disinterested, signaling the end of an emotional journey. Lissom's 'Contour' is a poignant exploration of the complexities of identity and the emotional toll of trying to reshape and redefine oneself or others.