Ultraviolet

Spiritbox's 'Ultraviolet' is a haunting exploration of existential dread and the search for meaning in a world that feels both familiar and alien. The song opens with the protagonist waking up inside a dream that fails to break the soul they once were, suggesting a sense of disconnection from their former self. This theme of disconnection is further emphasized by the imagery of light and darkness, where the light once loved now seems distant and unattainable.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a 'crimson key' shining through the trees, symbolizing a gateway or a revelation that the protagonist hesitates to embrace. This hesitation is rooted in the presence of an 'emotional vampire,' a metaphor for a draining, toxic influence that saps the protagonist's emotional energy. The recurring motif of dreaming and dying underscores a cyclical struggle with identity and purpose, as the protagonist dreams of dying and being reborn in another life, free from the burdens of the current one.

The chorus, with its plea to be covered in ultraviolet light, suggests a desire for transformation and purification. Ultraviolet light, often associated with both healing and destruction, represents a duality that mirrors the protagonist's internal conflict. The idea of a 'river flowing back in time' evokes a longing to return to a simpler, more innocent state, while the 'velvet sky' symbolizes a beautiful yet elusive escape. The song's conclusion, with its repeated refrain of 'dream I die,' leaves the listener in a state of contemplative ambiguity, reflecting the ongoing quest for self-discovery and redemption.