Animal Impulses

IAMX's 'Animal Impulses' is a haunting exploration of the raw, untamed aspects of human nature. The song opens with the striking imagery of 'razor eyes' and 'walls coming down,' suggesting a moment of intense clarity and vulnerability. The comparison to being 'wilder than lions' and 'louder than sound' evokes a sense of primal energy and unrestrained emotion. The mention of 'the birds and the bees getting older' hints at the passage of time and the inevitable changes that come with it, while the 'cold breeze blowing over my soul' introduces a feeling of existential chill and introspection.

The repeated refrain of 'shine razor eyes' serves as a call to embrace this raw, unfiltered state of being. It suggests a kind of defiance and a refusal to be tamed or civilized. The line 'I'm tired of this human duet' expresses a weariness with the constraints and expectations of societal norms. The phrase 'no civilizing hides our animal impulses' underscores the central theme of the song: the idea that beneath the veneer of civilization, our primal instincts remain ever-present and powerful.

IAMX, known for their dark, electronic soundscapes and introspective lyrics, uses 'Animal Impulses' to delve into the tension between our civilized selves and our more instinctual, animalistic nature. The song's brooding atmosphere and repetitive structure mirror the cyclical nature of these impulses, suggesting that they are an inescapable part of the human experience. By confronting these impulses head-on, the song invites listeners to acknowledge and perhaps even embrace the wilder aspects of their own nature.