"Ribs" captures the unsettling feeling of growing older, exploring the stress and anxiety that can come with the passage of time. Written by Lorde and Joel Little for her debut album Pure Heroine, the song delves into introspective themes characteristic of her songwriting. It's an electronica, indietronica, and electropop track that music critics have often highlighted for its lyrical depth. Playing "Ribs" can feel like stepping into a shared moment of youthful apprehension about the future.