Junk

"Junk" by Puzzle (Fletcher Shears) serves as a metaphor for the creative process and the act of finding value in what others—or even the self—might discard. The central image of the "junk pile" represents the chaos of the mind, past experiences, or the overwhelming stimuli of the modern world (hinted at by the "Las Vegas strip" reference). Instead of being overwhelmed by this debris, the narrator adopts a proactive, resourceful stance.

The line "Find my metal in the junk pile" suggests extracting strength, truth, or artistic material ("metal") from a mess of "junk." It aligns with the Vada Vada philosophy espoused by Shears, which emphasizes pure, uninhibited creative expression that draws from all aspects of the artist's reality, regardless of how disjointed they may seem. The song moves from observation of the external world (people eating, faces, devils) to internal alignment ("I'm in tune"), culminating in the act of creation "only for you." This "you" could be a romantic partner, the audience, or perhaps the self, suggesting that the ultimate act of love or purpose is transforming chaos into something structured and meaningful.

The song opens with a stream of consciousness, presenting a montage of vivid, somewhat disjointed images. The narrator claims to possess an "elephant memory," suggesting an ability to recall everything, perhaps even the unwanted or discarded details of life. We are transported to a setting that evokes the artificial glare of the "Las Vegas strip," observing people in mundane acts like "eating" and seeing "different faces" pass by. There is a sense of vigilance, a focus on the "devil that you can see" in the evening, implying a confrontation with tangible demons or realities rather than hidden fears.

The atmosphere shifts to a more personal, intimate space illuminated by a "bright ass moon." This light brings clarity, allowing the narrator to feel "in tune" with their surroundings and themselves. In this state of alignment, confidence surges; there is "no room" for failure or loss. The core action of the song then emerges: the narrator is digging through a "junk pile," searching for "metal" or "shit that I can use." This act of scavenging is not one of desperation, but of alchemical creation. The narrator is determined to take these discarded scraps—the debris of life or the mind—and forge them into "something," specifically "anything, only for you." It is a declaration of devotion and artistic repurposing, turning the worthless into a dedicated gift.

"Junk" was released on January 2, 2019, as the second track on the album X Hail. Puzzle is the solo project of Fletcher Shears, one half of the Californian experimental punk duo The Garden. The album X Hail marked a continuation of Fletcher's exploration into electronic, sample-heavy, and genre-bending music, often categorized under the term "Vada Vada"—a genre created by the Shears twins to describe their creative universe which has no boundaries.

Fletcher Shears typically produces, writes, and performs his solo work entirely independently. X Hail is noted for its "zany" production, utilizing cartoonish sound effects and lo-fi aesthetics that resemble a "funky video game soundtrack." The song "Junk" specifically embodies the album's ethos of piecing together disparate sonic elements into a cohesive, catchy whole. Fletcher has stated in interviews that he tries to avoid specific themes, preferring his music to come "straight from [him], with nothing in between," suggesting that "Junk" was likely born from a spontaneous assembly of thoughts and sounds that felt right in the moment.

The song utilizes a mix of end rhymes and slant rhymes, contributing to its casual, conversational flow. For example, "room", "tune", and "lose" form a loose rhyme scheme (AAAA) in the second verse, creating a sense of sonic cohesion that mirrors the narrator's feeling of being "in tune."

Rhythmically, the vocal delivery is laid-back and slightly syncopated against the driving, mechanical beat of the instrumental. The tempo is upbeat (around 128 BPM), giving the track a strutting, confident energy that contrasts with the potentially depressive image of a "junk pile." The phrasing is often short and punchy ("People eating," "Devils pre death"), mimicking the act of picking up and inspecting individual items.

Musically and lyrically, "Junk" employs several distinct techniques:

• Stream of Consciousness Imagery: The lyrics jump from elephants to Las Vegas to moonlit rooms without traditional narrative transitions, mirroring the way a mind wanders or how one might sift through a physical pile of objects.
• Lo-fi Electronic Production: The track features the signature Puzzle sound—distorted synths, punchy but raw drum machine beats, and a mix that feels intentionally unpolished, enhancing the "junk" aesthetic.
• Repetition as Mantra: The repetition of the phrase "Find my metal in the junk pile" functions as a hook and a mantra, reinforcing the song's central theme of reclamation.
• Juxtaposition: The lyrics contrast the artificial (Las Vegas, junk, metal) with the natural (elephant, moon, evening), creating a surreal "Vada Vada" landscape where these elements coexist.

While "Junk" did not chart commercially on a global scale, it is a fan-favorite track within the cult following of Puzzle and The Garden. The song is often cited by fans as a highlight of the X Hail album due to its catchy hook and relatable message of finding self-worth. It exemplifies the Vada Vada movement's influence on underground indie and experimental pop, encouraging listeners to embrace eccentricity and creative freedom. The track contributes to Fletcher Shears' reputation as a unique solo artist capable of crafting distinct, atmospheric worlds separate from his work in The Garden.

The lyrics rely heavily on industrial and scavenging imagery to convey psychological states:

• The Junk Pile: Represents the subconscious, the clutter of daily life, or a repository of discarded memories. It symbolizes the raw material of life that appears worthless until examined closely.
• Metal: Symbolizes durability, value, and structure. Finding "metal" amongst the "junk" implies finding one's strength or a solid idea amidst chaos.
• Elephant Memory: A metaphor for the burden of remembering everything—grudges, mistakes, and details ("Devils pre death"). It suggests a mind that is full to the brim.
• Bright Ass Moon: Acts as a symbol of illumination and clarity. Unlike the artificial lights of the "Las Vegas strip," the moon provides a natural light that allows the narrator to be "in tune."
• The Devil You Can See: Likely represents known problems or tangible struggles, as opposed to the anxiety of the unknown. Focusing on the visible devil suggests a pragmatic approach to dealing with one's demons.

The primary motif is the "Junk Pile." This phrase is central to the song's identity, repeated in the chorus to emphasize the setting and the action. The line "Shit that I can use" is also significant, underlining the pragmatic and transformative intent of the narrator. The recurrence of "You" ("Only for you", "Make you something") grounds the abstract scavenging in a purpose driven by connection or devotion, turning the solitary act of searching into a relational gesture.