"City Appearing" by Julia Holter is a song with poetic and abstract lyrics that create a dream-like and introspective atmosphere. The song explores themes of love, chaos, and the unpredictable nature of life. The opening lines, "So, in this late hour, Maybe trouble, Maybe fantasy, It's too hot for winter, Patience, violent heart," set the tone for the song, suggesting a sense of restlessness and conflicting emotions. The lyrics continue with metaphoric and enigmatic imagery, such as "Bright blue flames under my fingers, I'm taken by surprise, Taken through the city, Storm on my back." These lines evoke a feeling of being overwhelmed or consumed by intense emotions or experiences. The mention of "Claire," "Julie," and "Lis" introduces the idea of multiple people experiencing love or longing. It poses questions about their feelings and whether they reciprocate the narrator's emotions. This can be interpreted as reflections on the complexities and uncertainties of human connections. The reference to the city throughout the song suggests a setting where these emotions and experiences take place. It portrays the city as a vibrant and chaotic environment, with phones ringing, restaurants complaining, and people leaving early, creating a sense of urgency and disarray. The line "A fire without a hat" can be seen as a metaphor for a situation that is unpredictable and lacks control, just like a fire without a protective cover. As the song progresses, the lyrics become more abstract, incorporating images of birds, moon, swimming, and disaster. These elements contribute to the dream-like quality of the song, blurring the line between reality and imagination. The final lines, "All who are
