Song Review: "Pop Pop Pop" by Idles
Idles take a bold sonic turn with "Pop Pop Pop", a track from their 2024 album "TANGK". This departure from their usual punk energy reveals a haunting, almost trip-hop inspired atmosphere. The unique production team of Nigel Godrich (Radiohead), Kenny Beats (hip-hop), and Idles guitarist Mark Bowen builds a fascinating backdrop for the song.
Atmosphere of Tension and Dissonance
Eerie guitar lines throughout the song establish an undercurrent of unease and tension. A relentlessly driving drum beat contrasts the melancholic instrumentation, adding a frenetic energy. Despite the dissonance, the production remains minimalist, creating a haunting, introspective mood.
Evolution of Joe Talbot's Vocals
Joe Talbot's vocals move away from his usual intensity. Instead, he opts for a spoken-word delivery with a poetic feel. His cryptic lyrics hint at internal conflict: "Hold the clutch, hold the phone, watch me fly – hold the mirror to my mother's cries".
"Pop Pop Pop" showcases Idles' fearless experimentation and ability to evoke emotion beyond their typical sound. The diverse background of the production team makes this song a standout in their catalog.
Listen to IDLES Pop Pop Pop
IDLES POP POP POP Lyrics Meaning
POP POP POP Key Themes
Freudenfreude: The German word "Freudenfreude" loosely translates to experiencing joy in the happiness and success of others. The song heavily emphasizes this concept, suggesting its central themes.
Vulnerability and Strength: The lyrics balance raw vulnerability ("Mother's crying eyes," "soft to the touch") with powerful determination ("strong like bull," "hold the sword"). This likely symbolizes the fight to find joy and connection even amidst internal struggles.
Love and Support: Images of a "cheerleader," "sister's love," and the act of holding someone up showcase the importance of loving support systems, especially in overcoming adversity.
Religious Symbolism: References to "holy water," "prophets," and especially the repeated "sunbeams like God from your face" hint at finding something akin to spiritual connection in the love and support of others.
Idles POP POP POP Meanings
The "Pop Pop Pop" lyrics are intentionally open to interpretation, but here are several possible ways to analyze the song:
Overcoming Personal Demons: The imagery of "imposter," "thief," and "spider in your bed" could represent internal struggles with self-doubt and self-sabotage. The focus on love and finding joy in others might signify the strength found in connection when battling those demons.
Resilience and Defiance: In a broader social context, images like "heat seeker of a missile smile" and "don't let pricks take your inch to a mile" speak to defiance against those who seek to diminish or control. The overarching theme of joy, then, is an act of radical resilience.
Pure, Untainted Love: The imagery of "sunbeams" and "pure salt" could represent a child-like, uncorrupted form of love experienced in genuine connection. This could be romantic, platonic, or familial. The repeated "Freudenfreude" suggests finding joy in simply witnessing the happiness of a loved one.
IDLES POP POP POP Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Freudenfreude
Joy on joy (joy on joy)
Cheerleader
Happy boy (happy boy)
Strong like bull
Vu-vu-vulnerable (vulnerable)
Keep my people up
That's my tool
Freudenfreude
Happy boy
Top seeder
Lucky koi
Heat seeker of a missile smile
Don't let pricks take your inch to a mile
Freudenfreude
Bada bing (bada bing)
She's a freight train, man
Watch her swing
Holy water eyes
Soft skin
Bricks and mortar
Horizon begins
[Chorus]
Sunbeams
Oh, sunbeams
Like God from your face
Sunbeams
Oh, sunbeams
Like God from your face
[Verse 2]
Gold sugar
Hues bright when the salt is purer
Hold tight (hold tight)
Hold me to the bunsen burner
And let the waves
Crash in
[Chorus]
Sunbeams
Oh, sunbeams
Like God from your face
Sunbeams
Oh, sunbeams
Like God from your face
[Verse 3]
Freudenfreude
Dopamine
Dance with time, my boy
I'm a fiend
Watch the night swing by
Hold the scene
Hold a flame, my boy
I'm a dream
Freudenfreude
Hot like fire
Docile prophet
Puts a tune to my smile
Send it up
Like smoke to the sky
Drink my water 'til the river runs dry
Freudenfreude
Sister's love
Hold the sword
So I'm soft to the touch
Hold the phone
Hold the clutch
Watch me fly
Hold a mirror
To my Mother's crying eyes
[Chorus]
Sunbeams
Oh, sunbeams
Like God from your face
Sunbeams
Oh, sunbeams
Like God from your face
[Outro]
Cathedral of trees over dilated eyes
A sea of screams under mackerel skies
Imposter, imposter, living in my head
Am I the spider in your bed?
A dead canary and a thief for a king
A cheerleader valiant
But I will sing about love, love
Love is the fing
Comments