Cosmia is a song by Joanna Newsom that touches on the themes of grief and lightness. The song title comes from the scientific term for a particular genus of wasp that is attracted to light. Inspired by the death of a close friend, Newsom reflects on the despair this loss brings. Her haunting lyrics symbolize someone who is moving towards light and happiness yet cannot seem to escape the darkness of grief. Much like a wasp attracted to light. The combination of the upbeat melodies and the repetition of lyrics such as “I couldn’t keep the night from coming in,” allow the listener to truly understand the pain associated with death, as well as the conflicting emotions of the promise of one day finding happiness.

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Feature: Iva Rajović, on Unsplash, Creative Commons