“Buzz” serves as the title track of NIKI’s third studio album and is filled with the raw emotion and spontaneous energy that comes from the early stages of infatuation or love. Written in a corner of the Vancouver airport, the song captures the whirlwind of feelings that often accompany these moments. By calling this track the “sister song” to “Plot Twist” from her MOONCHILD album, NIKI hints at a thematic continuation, where both songs explore the unpredictability and excitement of relationships, albeit from different angles.
“It’s the anticipation when the amps turn on
Just cables and crackle
It’s the first flicker of the neon sign
It’s the words stuck in your Adam’s apple”
- Anticipation when the amps turn on: The image of amps turning on evokes the moment just before a concert begins, where the crowd is filled with a buzzing excitement. This metaphor perfectly captures the emotional state of being on the verge of something significant. The amps, which amplify sound, symbolize the potential for something powerful to happen — much like the potential energy in a new relationship.
- Cables and crackle: The “cables and crackle” suggest the raw, imperfect beginnings of this energy. It’s not yet refined or polished; it’s still in its early, chaotic stage. This imagery suggests that the feelings are fresh and unfiltered, not yet fully formed but undeniably present.
- First flicker of the neon sign: Neon signs are often associated with the nightlife or urban environments, representing a vibrant, almost electric atmosphere. The “first flicker” indicates the beginning of something bright and attention-grabbing, much like the first signs of attraction. It’s a moment of realization that something is coming to life, something that will shine brightly and be impossible to ignore.
- Words stuck in your Adam’s apple: This line personifies the tension and hesitation that comes with strong emotions. The Adam’s apple, typically associated with speech, symbolizes the difficulty of expressing what one feels. The words are “stuck,” suggesting that the emotions are so overwhelming that they choke the speaker, making it hard to articulate their feelings. This sets up the theme of the song as one where emotions are intense and just on the brink of being released.
“It’s a hand on the handle of the front door
It’s making eyes in the middle of the dance floor
I feel like hot shit
Wanna make out in your car in the lot at the drug store
It’s a bumblebee on a blossom
The first coffee shop run in Autumn
It’s that feeling, a propeller
The first line of a fucking best seller”
- Hand on the handle of the front door: This metaphor paints a picture of being on the threshold of something new. The front door represents the boundary between the known and the unknown, and the hand on the handle suggests that the speaker is about to cross that boundary. It’s a moment of decision, where one can either step forward into a new experience or stay in the safety of the familiar.
- Making eyes in the middle of the dance floor: This line captures the playful, flirtatious exchange between two people. The dance floor is a space where people come together, often filled with energy and attraction. “Making eyes” implies a silent communication, a connection that doesn’t need words. It’s a moment charged with potential, where anything could happen.
- Feel like hot shit: Here, NIKI expresses the confidence that comes with the excitement of a new crush or the thrill of being noticed. There’s a sense of empowerment, where the speaker feels on top of the world, fueled by the possibility of something new and exciting.
- Wanna make out in your car in the lot at the drug store: This line combines the mundane with the thrilling, turning an everyday location into a place of potential romance. The drug store parking lot is an ordinary, almost banal setting, but the desire to make out there suggests that the speaker is so caught up in the moment that even the most mundane places take on a new, romantic significance. It’s a reflection of how infatuation can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.
- Bumblebee on a blossom: The imagery here is delicate and natural, symbolizing the fragility and beauty of new feelings. The bumblebee, a creature that plays a vital role in the ecosystem, represents the beginning of something fruitful. The blossom is the potential that is yet to be fully realized. Together, they symbolize the delicate balance of attraction, where something beautiful and essential is just beginning to unfold.
- First coffee shop run in Autumn: Autumn is often associated with change, the transition between the warmth of summer and the cold of winter. A coffee shop run in Autumn evokes a cozy, comforting image, one that suggests the beginning of a new routine or tradition. This line suggests that the speaker is experiencing something new and comforting, a small ritual that marks the start of something meaningful.
- Feeling, a propeller: A propeller is an engine that drives movement, propelling something forward with force. Here, NIKI uses this metaphor to describe the feeling of anticipation and excitement, which is propelling the speaker forward into something new. The idea of being driven by this feeling suggests that the emotions are strong enough to push the speaker into action, moving them towards whatever comes next.
- First line of a fucking best seller: The first line of a best seller is crucial — it’s what hooks the reader and sets the tone for the entire story. By comparing her feelings to this moment, NIKI is emphasizing the importance and potential of what she’s experiencing. It’s the start of something that could be truly great, something that could leave a lasting impact.
“The song’s about to start (Can you hear it?)
The door’s about to open (Can you feel it?)
The flower’s about to fruit (Can you see it?)
I’m about to fall for you”
- Song’s about to start (Can you hear it?): This line reinforces the theme of anticipation. The song, much like a relationship, is about to begin, and the speaker is fully aware of the significance of this moment. The repetition of the phrase “Can you hear it?” suggests that this is not just a personal experience but one that’s shared or that the speaker hopes will be shared.
- Door’s about to open (Can you feel it?): This line mirrors the earlier imagery of the hand on the door handle. Now, the door is about to open, signaling that the moment of decision or action is imminent. The question “Can you feel it?” implies that the speaker is trying to convey the intensity of the moment, encouraging the listener to share in this feeling.
- Flower’s about to fruit (Can you see it?): This metaphor speaks to potential and growth. The flower represents something beautiful that has been nurtured, and now it’s on the verge of bearing fruit, symbolizing the culmination of effort and time. The question “Can you see it?” invites the listener to recognize this potential, to see what’s about to unfold.
- I’m about to fall for you: This line ties together all the imagery and metaphors, bringing the focus back to the central theme: the speaker is on the brink of falling in love. The repetition of “about to” throughout the chorus emphasizes that this is a moment of transition, where everything is poised to change.
“About to fall for you”
- The repetition in the post-chorus serves to reinforce the inevitability of the her feelings. By stripping away the metaphors and imagery, this line brings the focus back to the raw, unadorned emotion at the heart of the song. It’s a straightforward declaration, underscoring the intensity of the moment.
“It’s the accidental touch when you don’t mean to
The thickest tension
It’s the millisecond freeze frame after good news
Or unexpected mention”
- Accidental touch when you don’t mean to: This line captures the significance of small, seemingly insignificant moments. An accidental touch can carry a lot of weight when emotions are involved, especially in the early stages of attraction. It’s a moment where physical contact is unplanned, yet it sparks a deeper awareness of the other person, heightening the tension.
- Thickest tension: The use of “thickest” suggests that the tension is almost tangible, something that can be felt in the air. This line speaks to the intensity of the unspoken emotions between the speaker and the person they’re attracted to. It’s a tension that hangs heavy, creating a charged atmosphere where anything could happen.
- Millisecond freeze frame after good news: This line uses a cinematic metaphor to capture the moment right after receiving good news, where time seems to stand still for just a brief moment. It’s a fleeting, yet powerful sensation where the world pauses to let the joy sink in. This freeze frame mirrors the moments of anticipation and excitement that permeate the song.
- Unexpected mention: This could refer to the surprise of hearing one’s name or being acknowledged unexpectedly, which can cause a similar freeze-frame moment. It’s a recognition that catches the speaker off guard, adding to the emotional complexity of the situation.
“It’s the big long bow and the show ends
The phone toss when it’s risky and you hit send
It’s feeling dizzy when you’re tipsy
Wonder why you’re so nervous ‘round your so-called “friend”
It’s goosebumps when you hear the drums
The running start before the big jump
It’s that feeling, so stellar
Bro, if you like her, just go and fucking tell her”
- Big long bow and the show ends: This line evokes the image of a performer taking a final bow after a performance, signaling the end of a significant moment. It’s a moment of closure, where everything that needed to be expressed has been laid out, and now it’s time to move on. This could parallel the end of a period of anticipation, where the speaker finally takes action.
- Phone toss when it’s risky and you hit send: This line captures the anxiety and excitement of sending a risky text, particularly one that might reveal one’s true feelings. The “phone toss” suggests a mix of fear and exhilaration, where the speaker is almost too nervous to see the response but can’t help but hope for the best.
- Feeling dizzy when you’re tipsy: This line continues the theme of disorientation and excitement, where emotions are heightened, and everything feels a bit off-kilter. It’s a metaphor for the way attraction and infatuation can make everything feel surreal and slightly out of control.
- Wonder why you’re so nervous ‘round your so-called “friend”: Here, NIKI explores the ambiguity of feelings between friends, where the line between friendship and something more becomes blurred. The speaker’s nervousness around this “friend” suggests that there are deeper feelings at play, even if they’re not yet fully acknowledged.
- Goosebumps when you hear the drums: The physical reaction of goosebumps emphasizes the impact that music — or emotions — can have on the body. It’s a visceral response to something powerful, much like the way strong emotions can cause a physical reaction.
- Running start before the big jump: This metaphor captures the buildup of momentum before taking a significant leap. It’s the preparation, the gathering of courage before making a bold move, whether it’s confessing feelings or taking a risk in a relationship.
- Feeling, so stellar: Describing the feeling as “stellar” suggests that it’s something extraordinary, out of this world. It’s not just an ordinary emotion; it’s something that feels cosmic, all-encompassing.
- “Bro, if you like her, just go and fucking tell her”: This line breaks the fourth wall, directly addressing the listener. It cuts through all the anticipation and hesitation, urging straightforward action. It’s a call to be bold and honest, to stop waiting and take the leap.
Conclusion
“Buzz” is a song that encapsulates the intense anticipation and excitement that comes with falling in love. NIKI’s use of vivid imagery and relatable metaphors creates a powerful narrative of the moments leading up to the realization of love. Each line is carefully crafted to build up the tension, capturing the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of these early stages. The song is not just about the feelings themselves, but about the anticipation of those feelings — the “buzz” that signals something big is about to happen. As the opening track of the album, it sets the tone for an exploration of love, attraction, and the moments that lead to significant emotional shifts.