mercury - steve lacy
Lets dive in to this bitter yet soooo sweet track
might be too real
This fusion track weaves flourishing bossa nova rhythms with the elegance of a traditional waltz, creating an electrifying contrast that vibrates both sensual energy with emotional complexity. The track allows us to dance and celebrate romance and pleasure but with the undertone of heartache. This song is emotionally so freeing yet ironically makes you feel like you want to break free from what is holding you back. Steeped in despair until reality slips out of frame, the song melodically becomes slightly unhinged. This fusion melody (already serving complexity) with the build up of vocal effects such as autotune, guides us through the raw reality of the human experience when ‘falling in and out of love.’ The lyrics and music unburdens itself.
My advice when reading this JOURNALISTIC analysis, is to simultaneously listen to the song to get the full experience!
"Can't tell if I'm winning or falling behind”
Gemini Rights, Steve Lacy
well.. what is the significance of mercury?
Mercury in its physical sense, is a poisonous metal. It flows quickly. The significance of its composition may portray the fast pace of falling in and out of love; how love feels to him. Just like the physiological makeup of the metal and how it moves fluidly, the song feels like it is increasing in speed, however it is just becoming more chaotic.
Additionally, mercury in retrograde in astrology is associated with confusion, delay and frustration. The name of this song perfectly conveys the imprinted turmoil underneath the track, capturing the emotions between longing and exasperation.
oh that rhthym.. am i dancing, am i longing, am i running away?
The time signature of this song is in 3/4 which is traditionally the rhythm for a waltz dance or love song. A waltz is dance performed by a couple. The waltz rhythm is also fused with a slick bossa nova beat which traditionally based on Brazilian music to celebrate romance and sensual pleasure. Nevertheless, the ecstatic rhythm juxtaposes the lyrics - making us feel good and bad about the song, creating our own internal conflict when listening to the track; the theme of the song itself. Usually when a love song is sad, it is about longing for someone but here, Lacy sings about the magnetic yet poisonous, emerging emotions that arise from toxic love.
The music video
Let me tell ya! So much can be unpacked here. From the symbolism of the cage, the dog and ripped clothes… but what does it all mean?
In this music video, Lacy is alone in a cage guarded by dogs. The dogs are unable to get in, yet as the video progresses, his clothes tear, and he becomes injured without actually being physically harmed by the dogs. This may be an analogy of how he is his biggest threat. He is protected by the cage yet he still manages to be harmed. This analogy may be used to reflect his mental state and internal mental deterioration and turmoil. A depiction of an avoidant attachment style - not allowing your emotions or love to run free and instead, cage them up inside until you cannot take it anymore.
The dogs may also be a symbol to represent love in this video, as dogs are affectionate, domesticated animals that stay loyal to their owners.
The end of the music video ends abruptly (before the actual track ends) once we see the dog has entered inside the cage. This may represents how when you finally allow your emotions/love in (the dog in this case) it can be too intense to bear, too intense to continue. The abrupt ending may also represent the fear of unknown - once the emotions/love is in, you lose control of the situation one ‘protects’ themselves from.
How the melody reflects this theme of avoidant attachment
As the song progresses, vocal effects such as autotune are added to help disrupt the original sound of the song. Letting go of the original vibe of the song, may be more so having less control of it (just like his mental state throughout this song). The song becomes more energetic, liberating, and chaotic. Especially when he sings ‘I don’t even know how to feel.’ More instrumentals are being played at this point: including synths and flutes. This enhances the mental state of cognitive dissonance.
Really and truly, this song is about not being able to have control of your emotions, no matter how hard you try. The melody, rhythm and music video not only reflect, but imitate this exact feeling with its complex fusion, build of melodic chaos and vocal effects. What better way to convey a message than to feel it, hear it and experience it.
Official music video
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