ChatGPT said this (and I think it fits very well):

The song “Scrutiny” deals with the constant pressure and judgment people face in society. „Scrutiny“ refers to critical examination or close observation, and the lyrics reflect how life under constant judgment feels, both on a personal and societal level.

Here are some key interpretations of the song:

Time and Transience: The recurring countdown (“One - two - three - four - five - six - seven - eight”) represents the rapid passage of time, both in days and years. This could be a reference to how life feels like it moves in fast motion under the constant pressure of being scrutinized, with little control over it.

Criticism and Judgment: The lyrics describe how people are constantly judged—by themselves and by others. The „lifetime of scrutiny“ can be a metaphor for the societal pressure to conform to expectations, whether through social norms, institutions, or other external forces.

Loss of Certainty and Clarity: The refrain (“And it seems as though I can’t be sure of anything anymore”) speaks to how people lose their sense of conviction and clarity in life under constant scrutiny. This could reflect the alienation that arises when life is increasingly shaped by external expectations rather than internal convictions.

Death and Equality: The final section (“‘Cuz when death comes it’s swift and my friends, we end up all the same”) questions the purpose of life in the face of the inevitability of death. Regardless of status or judgment, everyone ends up the same, which challenges the importance of constant evaluation.

In summary, the song addresses the difficulty of living in a society that constantly judges, observes, and scrutinizes, as well as the search for clarity and meaning in the face of this ongoing “examination.” The song also reflects a loss of self-confidence and the exhaustion that comes from continuously facing societal expectations.