★★★★☆
Arcade Fire’s album “Everything Now” conveys the profound darkness and complexity that the mind goes through when it attempts to grasp the meaning of life. The album’s line-up delves deep into the different sides of obstacles and events that humans’ face.
“Signs of Life” narrates the confusion of being a young adult trying to find their way. Don’t we all want to find meaning? Yes! Humans’ crave meaning and reason. Young people (especially) want to know what the world has in store for them and what is their purpose. “Signs of Life” talks about how partying, having casual sex, being labeled as “cool” and being impulsive is not enough to live a fulfilling life.
“Good God Damn” was a huge surprise to me because I didn’t expect it to be so deep and emotional. The title makes it sound like someone is shouting “Good God Damn!” as if they are so ecstatic over something. But, that is far from the truth. The lyrics are written as “Maybe there is a good God, damn.” This phrase is repeated over and over. The lyrics are fairly melancholy such as “The sun never shows” and “I could say goodbye, to your oldest friend.” “Good God Damn” asks us to wonder if there really is goodness and compassion in this world. Are we safe? Is the almighty in the sky prepared to protect mankind or will he smite down with anguish and despair?
Is there a meaning to life? Does every reaction have several thousand different reactions? Is everything just black and white? Not, according to “Everything Now.” Arcade Fire wants us to see the gray.