Mitski, revered within the indie music sphere for her poignant and introspective songwriting, consistently navigates themes of love, loss, and existential introspection. Her song "When Memories Snow" stands as a prime example of her ability to encapsulate these themes through evocative imagery and haunting melodies.
At the outset, the song employs the metaphor of memories cascading like snowflakes, delicately covering the driveway of the narrator's consciousness. This imagery establishes a tone of introspection, setting the stage for the emotional journey that unfolds throughout the track. The act of shoveling these memories serves as a metaphor for the arduous effort required to confront and navigate through past experiences.
As the narrative progresses, the accumulation of memories becomes a tangible obstacle, one that must be cleared away for the narrator to forge ahead. This internal struggle is reflected in the repetitive nature of the chorus, where the narrator grapples with the weight of their memories while striving to carve out a path forward.
The imagery of memories melting and trickling through the drainpipe further underscores their transient nature. Despite the narrator's attempts to expunge them, memories persist, permeating every aspect of their being. This imagery also hints at the emotional weight that accompanies confronting one's past, as memories have a tendency to linger and seep into the recesses of the mind.
The line "And if I break, could I go on break?" exposes the fragility of the narrator's mental state. They contemplate the possibility of a mental or emotional breakdown, questioning whether they possess the resilience to endure the weight of their memories. This vulnerability adds layers of complexity to the song's exploration of the human psyche.
Additionally, the mention of being "back in my room, writin' speeches in my head" alludes to the solitary nature of the narrator's internal struggle. Despite outward appearances of success and acclaim ("Listenin' to the thousand hands that clap for me in the dark"), the narrator grapples with their inner demons in solitude, finding solace in the act of creation.
In conclusion, "When Memories Snow" offers a haunting exploration of the struggle to confront the past and the toll it exacts on the human psyche. Through evocative imagery and introspective lyrics, Mitski constructs a narrative that resonates deeply with the universal experience of grappling with memories and the passage of time.
