Aftertouch

Song Meaning

The lyrics to "Aftertouch" plunge us into a hazy, late-night scene where a narrator grapples with a powerful, resurfacing infatuation. They're high, cynical about love, and caught in a loop of self-deception. The feeling they "thought was gone" has returned, strong and undeniable, despite a clear-eyed view that "Human love is a pack of lies." This central tension drives the piece: an internal conflict between a deeply cynical understanding of love and an overwhelming, persistent emotional pull. The narrator explicitly acknowledges their altered state, stating, "I guess that I'm pretty high / So I'll lie and think of you." This isn't just a confession; it's a conscious choice to indulge in a known falsehood, a temporary escape from a harsh reality they've already identified. The craft here is particularly striking in its use of futuristic, almost sterile imagery. "Lights of the hovercars" and "parallel lines of / Ultra-violet rise and fall" paint a detached, sci-fi backdrop to this intensely personal drama. This cold, mechanical world culminates in the gut-punching metaphor of a "plastick heart," suggesting the object of affection is either emotionally distant, artificial, or perceived as such by the narrator, further isolating their raw feeling. The repeated, enigmatic refrain of "Aftertouch" acts as a lingering echo, a persistent sensation that mirrors the narrator's enduring infatuation. It's a perfect title for this blend of intense, almost obsessive emotion and detached, futuristic melancholy. The lyrics capture the painful resignation of knowing you "won't be fine" but choosing to "lie and say it's true" anyway, a powerful testament to the intoxicating, self-destructive nature of certain desires.