Happy New Year.

Though it took me a few listens, I was pleasantly surprised to discover this hidden motif at the beginning of Summer Salt’s new song, Fire Flower.

Although Summer Salt has taken to an easy, laid back sound—with their new single being no exception—I still find the band to be inexhaustible.  

Fire Flower opens with a relaxed guitar and gentle drumming; considering how closely akin these instrumentals are to any of their other songs, I welcomed the greeting like a lost friend returning home.

I did, however, find the nostalgic New Year’s Eve countdown to be a fantastically intricate theme for the song; even though the actual lyrics to the song would have been unrelated, the band does an impeccable job of making the lyrics into something more. 

“I’ve got an island in my back pocket, lookin’ for a way to find love any day.”

The possible interpretations of these lyrics are endless. As for me, I found them to be a reference to the influence of social media in our lives.

The “island in my back pocket” represents how devices such as phones are the cause of increased loneliness and isolation in people’s lives. As social media usage increases, the more we withdraw ourselves from the world around us.

In relation to the theme of a new year, I observed how the track was almost an ode to New Year’s resolutions. 

Many say they are going to exercise more and eat healthier—they may even be as bold to give up social media. I reveled in the utter celebration of the ruin of humanity.

“I will fall in love with the one my heart’s dreaming of. Shallow glasses breaking, the longing never ends. Letting go of the ways that we changed, still, I pretend.”

Again, the song mentions wishful changes of hopes and accomplishments; it also sticks to the mysterious theme that—without the introduction of the iconic midnight countdown—the lyrics of the track contains the potential to be interpreted in a variety of ways. 

The band refers to the attempt and the eventual inability to hide the bitter truth: there is no way in escaping your emotions. They will reveal themselves in one way or another—yet, we still all attempt to do so nonetheless. 

In most realities, you often end up right back where you started—wishing for things to change or work out for the better. Of course, you try for the first few months of the year, but eventually your fire will fade into the falsetto of time’s honored traditions.

Real change is hard to achieve. Life’s downfalls are at the cause for even the strongest of wills to spiral. Self-doubt can seem almost endearing—to wallow is to indulge. 

In the conclusion of the metaphorical single, Summer Salt directly references the infinite cycle.

“Turn to dark. Fire flower, don’t pass me by. I’ve waited all these years to find the tears falling from everything my heart could dream of.”