Aperture

Sleeping At Last's song 'Aperture' delves into the complex interplay between light and darkness, happiness and sorrow, and the quest for self-discovery. The lyrics open with a reflection on happiness as a distant memory, likened to a blurry photograph. This metaphor sets the stage for the song's exploration of clarity and focus, both literally and figuratively. The artist speaks of adjusting the aperture, a term from photography that controls the amount of light entering the camera, symbolizing the effort to bring clarity and brightness into one's life. This act of 'curating light' suggests a conscious effort to focus on positive aspects and let go of the dim, negative experiences.

The song also touches on the passage of time and the emotional toll it takes. The line 'God, it has been quite a year' encapsulates a period filled with both living and dying, metaphorically speaking. This duality highlights the struggles and small victories that define the human experience. The plea for the scales to tip in favor of the narrator underscores a desire for balance and justice in life, a recurring theme in the song. The transformation of a once-sweet melody into mere words signifies the loss of something precious, yet the determination to 'tune the orchestra' and 'play the overture' reflects a resolve to reclaim and redefine those lost moments.

The imagery of an archeologist digging to prove existence adds another layer of depth to the song. This metaphor suggests a deep, introspective journey to uncover one's true self, akin to unearthing hidden treasures. The 'subterranean cathedral' represents a sacred, inner space where echoes of past experiences come to rest, seeking resolution and peace. The repetition of the plea to 'set the record straight' emphasizes the narrator's yearning for clarity, truth, and a balanced life. Through its rich metaphors and emotional depth, 'Aperture' captures the essence of human resilience and the ongoing quest for self-understanding and balance.