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FKA twigs’ new single “Drums of Death” is the kind of track that practically begs for a deeper dive. Between the glitchy production from Koreless, the experimental lyrics co-written with trans artist and poet Tintin, and the underground club energy that twigs channels from her time in Prague’s rave scene, there’s so much happening here. It’s bold, visceral, and unapologetically complex—exactly what we’ve come to expect from twigs.
As I listened, I realized this was a perfect excuse to stretch my literary muscles and see how poetry and classic literature can help unpack the song’s layers.
For me, “Drums of Death” feels like a modern echo of the work of poets like Edna St. Vincent Millay, Djuna Barnes, and Frank Stanford. Their explorations of identity, desire, and performance line up with what FKA twigs is doing here. These are just my own opinions, but I hope to shed a new light on the song’s themes of liberation, hedonism, and empowerment by exploring it through a literary lens.
Let’s see what happens when we put twigs’ cutting-edge vision side by side with the timeless voices of poetry and prose.
Drums Of Death FKA Twigs Lyrics
Drums Of Death FKA Twigs Meaning
“Drop your skirt to the floor / Shed your skin”
These opening lines dive straight into the theme of liberation. FKA twigs uses strong, physical imagery—dropping a skirt, shedding skin—to show the act of letting go. To me, it’s about breaking free from expectations or roles society puts on us. “Shed your skin” isn’t just about clothes; it’s about stripping away anything that’s holding you back and revealing your true self.
This idea of transformation is bold, and it reminds me of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s First Fig. Her line, “My candle burns at both ends”, is all about living your truth, no matter what others think. Like the song, it’s about being brave enough to show the world who you are, even if it’s messy or imperfect. Millay’s “lovely light” feels similar to the freedom and strength twigs is showing here.
The use of this imagery also makes me think about how growth often requires tearing something down. Whether it’s old ideas, old relationships, or even old versions of ourselves, there’s power in starting fresh. FKA twigs is saying it’s okay to let go—and necessary if you want to fully own your life.
“Feel hot, feel hard, feel heavy / Fuck who you want”
This line is all about desire. FKA twigs doesn’t sugarcoat anything here. She’s saying that it’s okay to feel things fully—physically and emotionally. When she says, “fuck who you want,” it’s about owning your choices without feeling guilty. It’s a call to live unapologetically, especially when it comes to pleasure.
This made me think of Djuna Barnes’ Nightwood, where she talks about desire as something raw and intense. Barnes writes, “Love becomes the deposit of the heart… what we seek is some kind of permanence.” That’s a fancy way of saying we all want to feel something real. FKA twigs pushes that same idea, but with a modern twist: don’t overthink it—just let yourself feel.
By talking so openly about desire, the song challenges the way society often judges people, especially women, for going after what they want. There’s a sense of power here. FKA twigs is telling us that it’s okay to prioritize yourself and your happiness, even if it looks selfish from the outside.
“Hello, it’s your life, and you’re my main character”
When FKA twigs says this, she’s reminding us that we’re in control of our own lives. Being the “main character” means putting yourself first and shaping your story the way you want it. It’s an empowering message, and I think it’s meant to make us think about how we see ourselves.
This ties into Frank Stanford’s The Battlefield Where the Moon Says I Love You. One of his lines says, “I am the king of the fireflies.” It’s this moment where the speaker creates a bold identity for himself, like he’s stepping into a role. The same thing is happening here in the song. FKA twigs isn’t just talking about living your life—she’s talking about performing it in a way that makes you feel powerful.
The repetition of “it’s your life” drives the point home. It’s like a reminder that no one else gets to tell you who you are or how to live. Just like Stanford’s characters take control of their chaotic, messy lives, FKA twigs is asking us to do the same.
“See upcoming pop shows / Get tickets for your favorite artists”
At first glance, this line feels like a light break from the intensity of the rest of the song. But when you think about it, it’s still part of the bigger message. Going to shows and experiencing art is a way of shaping your identity. The things we love—the music, the movies, the books—become part of who we are.
This made me think about how much individuality comes from what we consume. FKA twigs is saying that cultural experiences matter. They’re not just entertainment; they’re a way to express yourself and connect with others who feel the same way.
This moment in the song reminds us that being the “main character” doesn’t mean you’re alone. It means finding inspiration and joy in the world around you. By including this line, FKA twigs shows how art and culture can be tools for self-discovery and empowerment.
The Main Throughlines For Me
The themes in “Drums of Death” hit hard and fast. Liberation is at the forefront, with lines like, “Drop your skirt to the floor / Shed your skin,” setting the tone for shedding constraints and stepping into your true self.
This feels like a direct call to action: stop hiding, stop playing it safe, and embrace whatever version of yourself feels the most alive. It’s a theme we’ve seen before in Edna St. Vincent Millay’s First Fig, where she writes, “My candle burns at both ends… / It gives a lovely light!” Both Millay and FKA twigs lean into the idea that living authentically—even recklessly—is worth it if it means shining brightly. Twigs’ creation of this song, with Koreless building the instrumental on a flight to Berlin and testing it in the legendary Berghain sound system, mirrors that same fearless energy.
Everything about this track, from its origins to its execution, feels like an act of creative freedom.
Desire and indulgence run deep in the song, with lyrics like, “Feel hot, feel hard, feel heavy / Fuck who you want.” It’s unfiltered, and it’s powerful. To me, this feels like a rejection of shame around physical and emotional longing, much like Djuna Barnes does in Nightwood. Barnes writes, “What we seek is some kind of permanence,” tying the search for connection to something primal and deeply human. In twigs’ world, though, permanence isn’t the point—it’s about fully inhabiting the moment, letting desire guide you without overthinking it. Her collaboration with Tintin, a trans poet and club scene fixture, adds to this perspective.
Together, they tap into the kind of fleeting but electric energy you find in underground spaces, where connection often comes without strings attached but still feels intensely real.
The line “Hello, it’s your life, and you’re my main character” brings everything together. It’s about stepping into the role of protagonist in your own story, owning your narrative, and embracing who you are with zero apologies. This idea feels like a modern echo of Frank Stanford’s line in The Battlefield Where the Moon Says I Love You: “I am the king of the fireflies.” Both Stanford and twigs remind us that identity is something you can shape—it’s a performance, but it’s also the most authentic way of living. With “Drums of Death” inspired by twigs’ experiences in Prague’s underground rave culture, this idea of performative identity feels even more poignant.
That world thrives on bold self-expression, where how you present yourself becomes a form of art. Through the song’s bold imagery and fearless lyrics, twigs challenges us to do the same: to see life as a stage, step into the spotlight, and own every moment.
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