Meaning of "Ivory Tower" by Everything Everything

The lyrics of "Ivory Tower" delve into themes of alienation, cynicism, and societal critique. The imagery presented reflects a sense of disconnect and disengagement from the world, symbolized by the ivory tower—a metaphor for privilege and isolation. The protagonist seems to view themselves as separate from the chaos and struggles of the world, finding solace in their aloofness. The lines about dancing with blackface on and crushing someone in a Waitrose aisle suggest a darkly satirical commentary on societal norms and superficiality. The repeated refrain of "I can think of nothing else but this, but this machine" highlights a fixation on technology, possibly alluding to a desensitized, automated mode of existence. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment with the state of society and a retreat into a self-imposed bubble of detachment.