Nofan Ahmad Kholikin Pengarang Atinia Hidayah, S.S., M.Hum. Dosen Pembimbing 1 Ana Widiyanti, S.S., M.Hum. Dosen Pembimbing 2 Ana Widiyanti, S.S., M.Hum Penguji 2 Latifah Dwi Ariani, S.S., M.Hum. Ketua Penguji Atinia Hidayah, S.S., M.Hum Penguji 1

Understanding how music conveys complex psychological experiencesrequires both literary and semiotic interpretation. This thesis analyzes theexistential crisis reflected in the lyrics of the band Gulch, particularly from theiralbums Burning Desire to Draw Last Breath and Impenetrable CerebralFortress. The analysis applies Roland Barthes’ theory of denotation andconnotation to explore how literal (denotative) and symbolic (connotative)meanings in the lyrics reflect deep psychological turmoil and existentialanxiety. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method. The primary dataconsist of selected song lyrics by Gulch, and the theory of two orders ofsignification by Roland Barthes is used to decode the embedded meaningswithin the texts. This study also considers the emotional states and existentialconflicts expressed through the lyrical characters. The findings reveal that Gulch’s song lyrics convey profoundpsychological conditions such as alienation, suicidal ideation, inner conflict, and loss of meaning. Through Barthes’ semiotic lens, these lyrics serve asmetaphors for existential suffering and the modern individual’s struggle to findidentity and purpose amidst chaos. The violent and surreal imagery, whileintense, becomes a literary medium through which existential crises areexpressed and interpreted. Keywords: existential crisis, Gulch, denotation and connotation