Song Review 2: Nine Point Eight by Mili
Nine Point Eight has quite the act to follow after what A Turtle's Heart had to offer. And this one certainly doesn't disappoint! This song, along with YUBIKIRI-GENMAN, being featured in Rayark's mobile rhythm game "Deemo" was tremendously helpful in the group's early success. Additionally, you can expect a similar quality of story and meaning within this song just like we saw in A Turtle's Heart. Mili really does put in the work into every song they produce. Allow me to walk you through my interpretation, analysis, and review on one of Mili's most beloved works.
Song Analysis:
Please note that I'll be operating under the assumption that our lead is female and her partner male for simplicity of writing this analysis and review.
This song features another set of star-crossed lovers who are separated and joined again by death. It appears that our couple is on the run, perhaps escaping from an abusive situation back at their homes. Maybe they're being persecuted or even exiled? What is apparent, however, is that these two are young, deeply committed to each other, and are deeply in love.
You ready? Calla lily, carnation, daisy Silently chase away your worries Chrysanthemum, kalanchoe Become your shield whenever you fall asleep
The voice giving the first line is the lead's lover. It's confident and encouraging, he's giving our lead the push she needs to take the leap of faith and escape whatever tragic situation is plaguing them back at home. And off they go with spirits high and hope at its peak. Calla lilies and carnations are symbolic of their youth, devotion, and love for each other while daisies can be taken here to represent their purity of heart and a new beginning for them. She is also a guardian, watching over him while he sleeps and shielding him from the horrors back home that may be tailing them and the worries about what the future holds. They're also optimistic yet realistic, as represented through the chrysanthemums and kalanchoes. The message of these flowers is one of devotion, hope, and persistence. All of which will be necessary for their adventure.
I cried out Please don't leave me behind, leave me behind So you held me tight And said I will be just fine, I will be just fine, I will be just fine
As he carries anxieties and worries, she is weighed down by nightmares of past and fears of being left alone. She's terrified because his body is bruised and battered, he can barely keep up. He will not last much longer. But they are there for each other — it is his turn to act as protector over his partner. Their love is one of the strongest sorts, perhaps they too are soulmates.
Petals dance for our valediction And synchronize to your frozen pulsation Take me to where your soul may live in peace Final destination
Unfortunately, her biggest fear is realized. She is leading the way, hand in hand, as he's barely strong enough to follow. And with a gust of wind that sent flower petals flying, he keels over. The wind can be interpreted as representation of the friction and challenges on Earth that they face: they're fighting against the world, and it succeeds in separating the lovers and taking what hope and support they had as seen with the flying away of the flower petals. The moment he collapses she stops and so does her perception of time. She cries out in shock and tears as she feels his body fall. "Please! Take me with you! Don't leave me!" she yells through sobs. Our next pair of lovers face another painful separation via death, and she is now left alone in a green and flowery field.
Touch of your skin sympathetically brushed against the shoulders you used to embrace Sparkling ashes drift along your flames and softly merge into the sky
As much as it hurts her to do, she must cremate his body. She won't allow him to become decomposed or food for wandering beasts. Before she does, she holds him one last time. And as he burns, his ashes dance alongside the flower petals and pollen, intertwining together in one last beautiful display — a goodbye.
Lisianthus aroma drags me out of where I was Cream rose, stargazer, iris Construct the map that helps me trace your steps
The slowing down of the song before these lyrics are sang provides a window into our lead's mind. As she's watching his ashes fly away with the flowers, so too goes their hope and plans to spend their lives together. Memoires that they created and shared together of love, peace, joy, and absurdity flashes before her. Her eyes glaze over again as she realizes who she lost and that she's all alone. She's then brought back to the present by the smell of the flowers not taken by the wind: Lisianthus, cream rose, stargazer, and iris. The smell of Lisianthus tells of the eternal bond of lovers — there may be hope yet. Cream rose, stargazer, and iris flowers speak to her newfound hope, determination, and measured thought as she realized she might be able to be reunited with her lover. But how? She observes the upwards swirl of petals, and the way is revealed to her.
Zip my mouth I just keep climbing up, keep climbing up Justify our vows I know you are right above, you are right above, you are right above
Up she goes. She's determined and will not be stopped. She will join her lover in the afterlife. The vows spoken of are likely promises of commitment both in romance and in life. She says that her partner is right above. Is this heaven she's alluring to? No. It's Mag Mell. This is the afterlife I spoke of last review. That is where her lover is now and where she seeks to go. It's not documented very well, but Irish mythology speaks of Mag Mell as a utopian place where happiness never ceases and need for food and water is no longer so. It's not quite an afterlife, rather a secluded place on Earth, but I believe Mili is taking the small jump to make it an afterlife in their universe. It's heaven in the sense that it's a utopian space but different in that only the deserving are admitted. You won't gain admission simply by forgiveness of sins. Since they are both pure of heart, they will likely be welcome.
Look Now I'm on the top of your world, top of your world My darling Here I come, I yell And take a leap to Hell
Atop the peak she arrives. Our lead is once again breathless but this time it's because she notices just how high she is and how far she can see. She is literally standing on top of his world; she is his Polaris. The map is made, and it points straight up — right to Mag Mell. What's really nice is that you can hear her hesitation and fear with the small utterance of "darling". But the reminder of being alone and the possibility of being reunited with him is the push she needs. She then runs to the edge and makes one last leap of faith.
Swirling wind sings for our reunion And nine point eight is my acceleration Take me to where our souls may live in peace Our brand-new commencement
If the wind is representative of the evil nature of the world conspiring against these two, then the wind is literally laughing and singing for her demise. Maybe it was these two against the world, after all, and their troubles larger than we might have imagined. Now, she takes the leap of faith, falling downwards at acceleration of nine point eight meters per square second. As she falls, our lead reaches out to her deceased lover and asks for his guidance in their new life together. She hopes their new beginning will be one of peace and tranquility rather than the hell they've been suffering on Earth. Perhaps the commencement referenced is a welcome ceremony that everyone gets upon admission to Mag Mell? An interesting and comforting idea.
Touch of your lips compassionately pressed against the skill that you used to cherish Delicate flesh decomposes off my rotten bones And softly merge into the sky
This song ends with our lead crashing headfirst into the remains of her lover. In life, death, and the afterlife, these two are inseparable. So, too, is her body reunited with nature and her soul with her lover. May they find peace in Mag Mell like our previous pair of lovers.
Song Review and Rating
Nine Point Eight is a similarly tragic and sad story in comparison to A Turtle's Heart, although it's told in a more direct manner. On initial readings and analysis, I was disappointed in the straightforwardness of Nine Point Eight. But upon repeated listening and reading, I've come to value this song more and more. While I appreciate the openness to interpretation that A Turtle's Heart provided, there is elegance and beauty in both complex and straightforward stories. Even in the simplest and most direct telling of stories there is nuance to analyze and interpret.
Perhaps there isn't as much depth in the way the story is told is because the one telling it — our young female lead — isn't as mature and cognitively developed compared to the older lead of A Turtle's Heart. If that's the case, then at the time of writing this, my appreciation for both songs and Mili in general has somehow increased even more.
There's something I'm still wondering about. Why is hell still called hell? Is it to rhyme with Mag Mell? I imagine this is the case because the rhyming scheme makes you wonder just how different the two are in Mili's lore. Since Mag Mell is a space in the afterlife that only admits the worthy, perhaps hell is where those are rejected go. In which case it may either be limbo or hell according to Christian beliefs. Something to ponder further.
Regardless, Nine Point Eight is a lovely song that I really enjoyed diving into! This song just aids A Turtle's Heart in shaping and defining what kind of band Mili is. However, I actually enjoyed it less than A Turtle's Heart. It's not one of my favorites, but I still appreciate what it had to add to this album, their repertoire, and to their success. I wouldn't skip this song if it came up on shuffle. Too many memories and sentiment are linked to this song alone.
I rate this song a decently high 7/10
Authors Note
I thank each and every one of you for reading my post :) It means a lot to me! As you may have noticed, I'll be working through each song in order that they are listed in the albums. I'll then be moving on from album to album in order of release date. Next Friday is my review and analysis of Utopiosphere! My opinion on that song isn't that high right now, but maybe that will change upon closer review.
As always, feel free to provide any feedback and criticism you may have through my AMA page, submissions page, or through DMs! This story was a little more difficult to construct as the story detailed by the song is relatively simple and straightforward. The parts left unsaid were very open to possibilities and interpretation, perhaps a little too open for my taste. I think it turned out alright, though! This review certainly isn't my magnum opus, but I am nonetheless proud of it.
Thank you again so much for reading! I'll see you next Friday. ❤️
Jailaster
