Drowning

Malukah's song 'Drowning' is a haunting exploration of isolation, despair, and the struggle against overwhelming emotional pain. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone slowly succumbing to the depths of their own sorrow, using the metaphor of drowning to convey the suffocating nature of their feelings. The repeated imagery of falling, drifting, and sinking emphasizes a sense of helplessness and inevitability, as if the protagonist is caught in a current they cannot escape.

The song's use of cold and dark imagery, such as 'darker, deeper, colder water' and 'freezing water,' further amplifies the sense of desolation and numbness. These elements suggest a profound emotional coldness, a detachment from warmth and life. The protagonist's struggle is not just against the water but against the silence and the violence within themselves. The lines 'Drowning in silence / Breathing in violence' encapsulate this internal battle, highlighting the paradox of feeling both overwhelmed and numb at the same time.

Malukah's lyrics also touch on themes of invisibility and misunderstanding. The repeated assertion 'I know you never knew me' speaks to a deep sense of alienation and the pain of feeling unseen and unheard. This is compounded by the imagery of 'bleeding in violet' and 'dying alone,' which evoke a sense of suffering that is both vivid and solitary. The song ultimately portrays a journey into the 'great unknown,' a metaphor for the uncertain and often terrifying future that lies ahead when one is engulfed by such profound despair.

'Drowning' is a powerful and evocative song that delves into the depths of human emotion, capturing the essence of what it feels like to be overwhelmed by one's own inner turmoil. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding and empathy in the face of invisible struggles.