Mount Kimbie's "Fishbrain": A Sonic Enigma That Lingers
Mount Kimbie's "Fishbrain" is a sonic enigma that burrows its way under your skin. From the moment the track begins, a sense of unease settles in. Gritty, distorted guitars jangle against glitchy, fractured electronics, creating a disorienting foundation. Kai Campos' vocals float ethereally above the chaos, his lyrics cryptic and questioning. The repeated refrain, "Fishbrain, what do you think about!?" feels less like a direct address and more like an internal struggle against spiraling thoughts.
Production as a Masterclass in Dissonance
The song's production is a masterclass in controlled dissonance. Elements clash and coalesce, building tension that never quite fully resolves. It's a testament to Mount Kimbie's skill that this unsettling atmosphere doesn't become overwhelming; instead, it's strangely captivating.
Haunting Music Video Adds Depth
Alongside the dissonant soundscape, the accompanying music video adds another layer of unsettling beauty. The charcoal animation depicts a dystopian world of fish-scale factories and enigmatic figures, perfectly mirroring the song's haunting tone.
"Fishbrain" isn't an easy listen, but those willing to surrender to its unsettling atmosphere will find a uniquely rewarding experience. It's a track that lingers long after it fades out, a testament to Mount Kimbie's continued sonic inventiveness.
Mount Kimbie Fishbrain Lyrics Meaning
The lyrics of "Fishbrain" are deeply introspective and deal with themes of existential doubt, environmental anxieties, and finding hope amidst chaos. Let's break it down:
Fishbrain as a Metaphor
The central image of "fishbrain" seems to represent a sense of mental numbness or lack of deep thought. The repeated question, "Fishbrain, what do you think about?" highlights a struggle with mental clarity and meaningful introspection.
Existential Drifting and Disillusionment
The verses portray a feeling of being adrift, like someone "sliding down" or "a bad swimmer." This internal drifting and the lines about being "born again" with a different mindset suggest a personal struggle and a sense of disillusionment with a previous way of life.
Environmental Collapse
Images of burning states, collapsing freeways, and choking on polluted air paint a vivid picture of environmental disaster. This reflects mounting anxieties about climate change and its destructive consequences.
Finding Hope in Connection
Amidst this chaos, the lyrics highlight a sense of connection found in the outside world ("working outside... I feel connection outside"). There's hope found in the natural realm, possibly hinting at finding a sense of grounding and purpose in the face of destruction.
Alkaline
The recurring question "Does it feel good knowing you're alkaline?" is intriguing. Alkaline can refer to a sense of neutrality or being chemically balanced. It's possible this questioning implies a search for inner peace or stability even when external circumstances are chaotic (like the kitchen being on fire).
Fishbrain Meaning
"Fishbrain" isn't about concrete answers, but rather it captures a whirlwind of internal questioning. The speaker wrestles with existential doubt, fears of environmental collapse, and the ever-present internal struggle symbolized by "fishbrain." The song ends with a glimmer of hope, possibly in connection to the natural world or another person, but it's a fragile sort of hope within a turbulent landscape.
Mount Kimbie Fishbrain Lyrics
[Intro]
Fishbrain, what do you think about?
Don't know
Never thought about it
[Verse]
Sliding down
A bad swimmer
Inside my mind
I drift alone in the shallows
A face, a square, in alkaline
Now we're running out of films
In late July, the days roll by
And I let 'em go
I think I've been born again
My head feels different now
Working outside, living outside
I feel connection outside
The state's on fire
The freeways, they sway and collapse
People hide, clouds cry
A new way to be on dry land
There's no air to breathe, I choke
I can taste the industry
I thought we wеre done
I thought our time had finally comе
I guess I was wrong
Yeah, I guess I was wrong
[Chorus]
Fishbrain
What do you think about?
On your sofa
When you're kitchen's on fire?
And, fishbrain
When you slip away at night?
Does it feel good knowing you're alkaline, alkaline?
Fishbrain
When did your world collapse?
You were so close
Now your kitchen's on fire
And, fishbrain (Fishbrain)
When you've given all you've got
Does it feel good knowing that you're alkaline? (Alkaline)
[Post-Chorus]
You're my hope
You're hope now, baby
I feel so close to you
You're my hope
Now we're running out of films
[Outro]
In late July, the days roll by
And I let 'em go