This Ready Flesh

TR/ST's 'This Ready Flesh' delves into the murky waters of existential longing and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. The song opens with a vivid image of stumbling through the dark, a metaphor for navigating the complexities and uncertainties of life. The 'messy messy truth' suggests the chaotic and often uncomfortable reality that we all face. The narrator admits to being a 'strange hand with too many rolling pikes,' indicating a sense of disorientation and perhaps a struggle to find stability or purpose. Despite this, there is a recognition that the emotional experiences, even the tumultuous ones, are valuable and worth the journey.

The recurring line 'You can't believe it's nothing' serves as a poignant refrain, emphasizing the tension between nihilism and the human desire to find meaning. This line is repeated multiple times, creating a hypnotic effect that mirrors the cyclical nature of existential questioning. The song suggests that while it may be tempting to believe in nothing, there is an underlying belief in something, even if it's not clearly defined. This duality captures the essence of the human condition—caught between despair and hope, certainty and doubt.

The imagery of a 'wondering rat in the photographic alley' adds another layer to the song's exploration of existential themes. The rat, a creature often associated with survival and adaptability, symbolizes the search for something more—'someone who's magic, a feeling of a hand.' This quest for connection and new sensations highlights the innate human need for intimacy and understanding. The song concludes with the repeated assertion that 'we believe in nothing,' which can be interpreted as a resigned acceptance of the absurdity of life or a call to find meaning in the very act of searching. TR/ST masterfully blends dark, atmospheric sounds with introspective lyrics, creating a hauntingly beautiful exploration of existential angst.