Compliance
The Most Serene Republic Lyrics

The Most Serene Republic's song "Compliance" is a poetic exploration of the complexities of belief and memory. The first verse sets the tone: belief is personified as something that "wears a coat of punches in the morning," suggesting that belief is something that can be beaten down and has a certain vulnerability to it. The second line is a reflection on the ways in which we begin our days, often in a state of "unconscious revery," or possibly in a more self-aware state of pondering the significance of our beliefs. The repetition of the word "conscious" emphasizes the importance of being mindful of the origins and nature of our beliefs. The line "Notice if this is a gift or just a number for collection" seems to question the sincerity of our beliefs; are they something we truly value or are they simply a way of collecting social capital?

The second verse is more abstract, with imagery of a "rheumatic boulder" and pillows being brought from home to a reunion. These lines could be interpreted in a number of ways, perhaps as a metaphor for the weight of past memories or experiences that we carry with us wherever we go. The bombardment of games making us "simper" suggests the ways in which technology and media distract and fragment our attention, making it difficult to maintain a coherent sense of self. And the line "The ingredients of castles a runaway mother" could be interpreted as a critique of the ways in which societal norms and expectations can shape our beliefs and limit our individuality.

The final verse returns to the theme of memory, with a call to memory to hold on to the things that matter, like movies, novels, and paintings. The "Salvo of pleasure" could refer to the moments of joy and satisfaction that we experience when we engage with art and other forms of creative expression. The line "Languor in my fists, on my throne" suggests a sense of ennui, perhaps as a result of feeling trapped by societal expectations and obligations. The final lines once again return to the imagery of the "rheumatic boulder" and the "bombardment of games," emphasizing the ongoing struggle to maintain a sense of self in the face of external pressures and influences.