Moonlight Diver, Crosstown’s first single, introduces listeners into a rich lyrical tale of desires, destinies, and surrender. It’s told from the point of view of a character being taken deep down by a siren-an intoxicating attraction that promises transformation but may well be his doom. Throughout, the echo is “a little longer,” an invitation into a space indistinct between surrender and resistance. This refrain here suggests an inner conflict: though one wants to yield to the call of the siren, yet the oncoming frightening experience stands in his way.

The siren’s voice is as seductive as it is soothing, promising “wildest dreams and fantasies” through “the ethereal door.” This supernatural doorway seems to symbolize unexplored depths of the narrator’s psyche, inviting introspection while simultaneously reflecting the mystery and danger of the ocean. The imagery in lines such as “Her fingers curl around, round my heart” combines physical touch with emotional vulnerability in an attempt to emphasize just how strong a hold the siren has on this narrator’s heart and mind.

The tender moments of submission and seduction on “Moonlight Diver” reverberate throughout the album, utilizing dreamlike and mythological imagery to parse personal identity and the pull of the seen by the unseen. Water, nightfall, and mythical creatures abound in imagery throughout many songs; there’s a sense of continuity in the lyrical landscape-one that calls up a haunting and personal atmosphere. This album encourages listeners to face their “destiny” by facing fears and desires usually suppressed-substantial as the bottom of the ocean.

The evocative lyrics of Crosstown present a modern retelling of the siren myth in a fusion of indie rock, dream pop, and synthwave into one lyrically immersive soundscape as immersive as the story it redefines. One feels, with every listen, words inviting him to dive a little deeper into their meaning, as if joining the narrator in his plunge into the unknown.