12-22-18
It’s hard to disassociate the opening lyrics to Alt-J’s Dissolve Me, from anything aside of a drug connotation. “Now dissolve me, two tabs on your tongue…” With this being the only real reference to any illicit activity I think it’s more related to the feeling itself before one enters into an engrossed state.
Much of the album revolves around the concepts closely tied to the emotional rollercoaster a strong love brings. Dissolve Me is able to put a voice to the concept of love so grand it’s like dissolving into a new state of existence. It isn’t lust or deep desire, but rather serene tranquility that is found in fully welcoming and blending into one “being.”
We’re able to do this in so many capacities, whether it’s through the love of another or even in the work that we’re passionate about. Feeling that sense of “dissolving,” at least in this context is not “losing” ourselves, but rather connecting with that which we are moved by on a deeper level.
I have been fortunate to find this feeling. It was hard to distinguish from more primal responses like lust, and desire, but it was when I found myself within a sustained state of ease and comfort that I finally began to notice the differences. It’s in the sincerity and authenticity when we give and receive the energy that we are able to begin “dissolving.”
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Now dissolve me
Two tabs on your tongue
A herd of shepherds to herd the sheep
Sleep now, my only one
Broken sweethearts
Ah… who sleep apart
Both still pine for the other’s side spine
Spoon as sleep starts
[Pre-Chorus]
And pulse to pulse, now shush
[Chorus]
She makes the sound
The sound the sea makes
To calm me down
[Verse 2]
I am see-through
Soap sliver you’re so thin
As I begin rubbing lathers up
Your state worsens on my skin
And gold…
Fat less finger to lip
One-two, three-four, hush
[Pre-Chorus]
And pulse to pulse, now shush
[Chorus]
She makes the sound
The sound the sea makes
To calm me down
She makes the sound
The sound the sea makes
I’m tired now
[Outro]
She makes the sound the sea makes
Knee-deep in the north
She makes the sound the sea makes
Knee-deep in the north
She makes the sound the sea makes
Knee-deep in the north
She makes the sound the sea makes
Knee-deep in the north
She makes the sound the sea makes
Knee-deep in the north
She makes the sound the sea makes
Knee-deep in the north
She makes the sound the sea makes
Knee-deep in the north
She makes the sound the sea makes
Knee-deep in the north sea