The song "Pull The Trigger" is by the artist grandson. It is featured on his new album, Inertia, released on September 5, 2025.
This song is a powerful and unsettling exploration of violence, societal complicity, and the complex factors that push individuals to extreme acts. grandson, known for his politically charged and socially conscious music, uses "Pull The Trigger" to delve into the dark side of human nature and critique how society reacts to and often consumes violent content.
The opening verse immediately sets a grim tone, introducing "Connor's loadin' up a clip, and he's dumpin' that shit at anybody that told him, 'Get a grip'." This paints a vivid picture of a troubled teenager, a "teenage murderer, product of his environment," who is consumed by dark thoughts and ready to lash out at those who dismissed his struggles. The repetition of "Shot, shot, shot" and "Drop, drop, drop" emphasizes the raw, chaotic nature of the violence and Connor's complete immersion in destructive fantasies. It suggests a profound sense of frustration and feeling trapped within a violent world.
The recurring pre-chorus, "Oh, I want the taste of metal in my mouth," is deeply unsettling. It can be interpreted in several ways: literally as the taste of a gun barrel, symbolizing a desire for self-destruction or an embrace of the tools of violence; or metaphorically, as a craving for the intensity, power, and danger that violent acts might offer to someone feeling powerless. This line reveals a disturbing allure of violence, a nearly addictive impulse that the protagonist feels.
The chorus, "'Cause we all love it when it gets violent / And you would pull the trigger, don't you deny it," is a direct and accusatory statement directed at the listener and society at large. grandson challenges the audience's denial, suggesting that there's a collective, perhaps subconscious, fascination with violence. He implies that many people, given the right circumstances or provocations, might also be capable of such acts. The line "These delights have ends / For me and all my friends" could be a cynical commentary on the fleeting nature of this destructive thrill, or a grim acknowledgment of the inevitable consequences for those who succumb to it. This part of the song highlights how society can normalize or even derive perverse enjoyment from violent behavior.
The second verse offers a crucial insight into the artist's own struggles and perspective: "It's a good thing I picked up a pen, or it would've been a machine gun I picked up instead." This line is a powerful confession, revealing that the act of creating music and writing lyrics serves as a cathartic outlet for grandson's own anger and frustrations, preventing him from resorting to real-world violence. He channels his rage and social commentary into art, rather than destructive actions. He further escalates the imagery by imagining walking into a school, filling a gun with lead, and aiming for a "high score," a chilling reference to school shootings and the desensitization often associated with such tragedies through media and video games.
This verse also contains a sharp critique of racial bias and societal judgment: "My skin is white, so you would say I need a therapist / If it was brown, you would call me a terrorist." This stark juxtaposition exposes the hypocrisy and double standards in how society labels and responds to violence based on the perpetrator's race. It highlights how privilege can lead to different interpretations of mental health versus criminal intent. The line, "And that night, when everybody's asleep, you would watch it on repeat," further underscores society's fascination with and consumption of violent events, turning real-life tragedies into a form of entertainment.
"Pull The Trigger" is the closing track on the Inertia album, and reviews suggest it's where grandson's "new sound" works best, allowing for a "smarter approach to melodic structure" and more compelling lyrical content. The song delves directly into the topic of school shootings, showcasing a willingness to be vulnerable without concern for appearing "cool". The closing sections reportedly pull back on distortion, creating a brighter, more open sound, perhaps hinting at a glimmer of optimism for the future despite the dark themes explored. The Inertia album itself is described as a record born out of frustration with political apathy, aiming to challenge a system that thrives on indifference and demanding a response and responsibility from its listeners. grandson explicitly states that he makes music that demands both a response and responsibility, refusing to soften his message and acting as a challenge to complicity. He connects his music to a desire to express anti-establishment feelings with specificity.
The song concludes with the repeated lines, "Already gone, no way you're gonna reach him / Already gone, and there's nothing you could teach him / He's already gone / He's already gone / Fuck it." This reinforces the tragic finality and sense of hopelessness surrounding individuals who have reached this point of no return. It speaks to the perceived failure of society to intervene or offer help before it's too late, leaving a lingering sense of despair and resignation. It's a powerful and disturbing commentary on the consequences of ignoring cries for help and the systemic issues that fuel such desperation.