southbound

"southbound" is a candid exploration of sexual submission, obsession, and the allure of toxic dynamics. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship defined not by emotional safety, but by a thrilling, almost self-destructive physical intensity. The title itself serves as a double entendre: it refers to the literal direction of the narrator's tongue (oral sex), but also metaphorically suggests a descent—going "south" or downhill into moral ambiguity and chaos.

Central Themes:

• Submission and Control: The narrator repeatedly places himself in a submissive role, "crawling on knees" and asking to be "violated." This language suggests a desire to relinquish control completely, finding pleasure in being at the mercy of a dominant partner who "loves to cause a scene."
• Public vs. Private Intimacy: The song contrasts the partner's desire for public performance ("Touchin' me in public like she wants the world to see") with the narrator's focus on private, raw intimacy ("ruin these sheets"). It highlights a dynamic where the partner uses the relationship for validation or chaos, while the narrator is addicted to the physical connection.
• Acceptance of Toxicity: There is a clear awareness of the unhealthy nature of the bond ("I don't care if you're using me"). The narrator is not a victim in the traditional sense; he is a willing participant who actively encourages his partner's "demons" and "messy" behavior because it feeds his own "appetite."

Ultimately, the song is a celebration of carnal desire that overrides rationality. It captures the feeling of being so infatuated with someone's darkness that you are willing to let it consume you, prioritizing the "dopamine rush" of the moment over long-term well-being.

The song opens with a fragile admission of vulnerability, where the narrator confesses that falling in love feels dangerous, carrying the weight of potential destruction. He warns that this intensity might "crush" either him or his partner, setting a tone of high stakes from the very beginning.

As the first verse unfolds, the scene shifts to a public display of chaotic affection. The partner is described as someone who thrives on disorder and attention, touching the narrator in front of others specifically to cause a scene. Despite recognizing this performative aspect, the narrator is captivated. He acknowledges that he is being used, but the physical connection is so overwhelming that he doesn't care; his only focus is on the immediate pleasure of ruining the sheets together.

The chorus erupts into a desperate plea for intimacy. The narrator explicitly directs his partner to take control, using the metaphor of leading his tongue "southbound" to describe an act of oral worship. He begs for faith and physical closeness, asking his partner to "violate" him—a word choice that emphasizes a desire for rough, consuming, and perhaps even degrading intensity rather than gentle love.

In the second verse, the power dynamic becomes even clearer. The narrator is physically and emotionally on his knees, crawling at his partner's feet. He offers himself as a vessel to help her exercise her demons, not by banishing them, but by bringing them to life. He encourages her darkness, expressing a wish to keep nothing buried and to engage in a night of raw, performative sex comparable to a porn star. He asks for forgiveness for his insatiable "appetite," completely surrendering to the gaze of his partner.

The song concludes with the repetition of these desperate requests—to be kissed, to be led "southbound," and to be "violated." The outro reinforces the cyclical nature of this obsession, fading out on the same intense, submissive demands that drive the track.

"southbound" was released on March 19, 2025, as part of a double single titled southbound / test drive. It was later included as the eleventh track on Artemas's mixtape LOVERCORE, which was released on October 24, 2025. The song was written by Artemas Diamandis alongside long-time collaborators Jesse Fink, Kevin White, and Toby Daintree. Production was handled by Artemas himself, with co-production from Kevin White and Toby Daintree.

The track emerged during a highly productive period for Artemas following the massive global viral success of his 2024 hit, "i like the way you kiss me." Riding the wave of his "dark pop" popularity, "southbound" was crafted to lean further into the gritty, lo-fi aesthetic that had become his signature. Critics and fans noted that the song felt like a natural evolution of his sound—retaining the 80s/90s darkwave influences but adding a grimier, early-2000s "warehouse rave" energy.

Artemas has described his creative process during this era as spontaneous and focused on capturing a specific "vibe" or atmosphere rather than polishing a track to perfection. This approach is evident in the song's raw, somewhat distorted mix, which was intended to mirror the "messy" relationship described in the lyrics.

Rhyme Scheme: The song uses a mix of perfect and slant rhymes. In the chorus, "mouth" and "southbound" form a slant rhyme, while "me" and "see" in the verses provide tighter, perfect rhymes. The pre-chorus often employs an AABB structure ("do to me" / "using me") to build tension before the release of the chorus.

Rhythm and Meter: The track is set in a 4/4 time signature with a driving, mid-tempo beat (approx. 120-130 BPM) typical of synth-pop and dance music. The vocal rhythm is syncopated, often dragging slightly behind the beat to create a lazy, "drugged" feel that enhances the song's atmosphere of intoxication. The relentless, throbbing bassline provides a rigid grid that contrasts with the looser, more fluid vocal melody, symbolizing the tension between the narrator's internal chaos and the external situation.

Musical Techniques:

• Gritty Production: The production features a "dirty," distorted bassline and lo-fi synths that create a claustrophobic, sweaty atmosphere reminiscent of an underground rave. This sonic texture mirrors the "messy" lyrics.
• Vocal Delivery: Artemas employs a signature vocal style that alternates between a disinterested, deadpan delivery in the verses and a more strained, desperate falsetto or croon in the chorus. This contrast highlights the shift from observation to emotional surrender.
• Minimalist Arrangement: The track is stripped back, relying heavily on the rhythm section (bass and drums) to drive the momentum, allowing the vocals to sit "close" to the listener's ear for an intimate effect.

Literary Techniques:

• Double Entendre: As mentioned, "southbound" functions on both a literal sexual level and a metaphorical emotional level.
• Hyperbole: Phrases like "It might crush you" and "wants the world to see" exaggerate the stakes of the relationship to match the intensity of the narrator's feelings.
• Imperative Mood: The chorus is full of commands ("Take my tongue," "Put some faith," "Violate me"), which paradoxically express submission—he is commanding her to take control.

Released in 2025, "southbound" cemented Artemas's status as a leading voice in the "dark pop" and "alt-pop" revival. Following the massive success of "i like the way you kiss me," this track proved he was not a one-hit wonder, demonstrating his ability to craft a cohesive, edgy aesthetic that resonated with Gen Z listeners.

The song became popular on social media platforms like TikTok, where its "messy" lyrics and heavy basslines were used in trend videos showcasing "villain era" aesthetics or chaotic nightlife montages. It solidified his fanbase's interest in his LOVERCORE era, which was characterized by themes of obsession and modern romance. While it may not have reached the same omnipresent viral height as his previous hit, it was a critical piece in building his discography and maintaining his momentum in the alternative music charts.

The lyrics of "southbound" rely heavily on physical and spatial imagery to convey emotional states.

• "Southbound": The primary metaphor of the song. Explicitly, it is a directive for oral sex ("Take my tongue and lead it southbound"). Implicitly, it represents a descent—falling into bad habits, lowering one's standards, or heading towards a "hellish" or darker state of being. It symbolizes a journey away from the "heavenly" or moral high ground.
• "Crawling on my knees": A classic symbol of supplication and worship. It elevates the partner to the status of a deity or idol, reinforcing the theme of religious-like devotion to a toxic figure.
• "Demons": Represents the partner's trauma, baggage, or darker personality traits. By offering to "bring 'em to life," the narrator symbolizes his role as an enabler—he doesn't want to heal her; he wants to play with her darkness.
• "Violate me": A strong, provocative word choice that symbolizes a desire for total surrender. It suggests an experience that breaks boundaries and social norms, moving beyond gentle love into something rougher and more consuming.

"Southbound": The title hook is repeated as a directional command, anchoring the chorus and serving as the song's central image of descent and pleasure.

"Violate me": This provocative phrase recurs in the chorus and outro. Its repetition desensitizes the listener to its violence, normalizing the extreme dynamic of the relationship. It becomes a chant of surrender.

"Put some faith in me": This line adds a twisted layer of quasi-religious devotion. Repeated alongside the sexual commands, it suggests that this physical act is the narrator's form of prayer or salvation.

"Baby likes it messy": This motif establishes the partner's character and the chaotic environment of the song. It sets the stage for the "scene" that is about to unfold.