As a medium for delivering both music and sparking our imaginations, the music video is a mode of expression that I have and always will love, perhaps driven by my other great passion, film! Below we have some wonderful Irish music videos that have been released in the last few weeks.
1) Æ MAK - 'We Have It Right Here: A Love Cult'
My suggested videos on YouTube over the past 12 months, whilst entirely innocent, would probably be a cause for concern without context. I've always been fascinated by cults since going on a deep dive into The Manson Family a number of years ago. Possibly because I watched a documentary on it recently, Æ MAK's video for 'We Have It Right Here: A Love Cult' echos Wayne Curtis Bent's the Lord Our Righteousness Church, an end of days cult in New Mexico. Of course the standard hallmarks apply widely, a strange expression of heightened bliss in the eyes of followers, who, when faced with evidence and logic about their nefarious leader, laugh loudly at how ridiculous the accusations are, whilst their leader sits among them smiling quietly. Unsettling stuff! Video producer Tim Shearwood captures this 'return to Eden' psychosis perfectly in the facial expressions of the actors, and the ensuing communal ecstasy which follows. Our recent review of the track can be found here.
2) WOB! - 'Syncopate'
The Irish King of house and drum n'bass WOB! is firing out the singles thus far in 2019, and 'Syncopate' shows that the curve bell is still heading north. The Serbian born artist reached out to Polish creatives for the stunning visuals on the video for 'Syncopate', lead by Okime Emiko. It's an arresting affair, how can something so high-tempo and sonically claustrophobic somehow lend itself to chilled out vibes, the bass-lines are so chunky and large they barely make their way out of the speakers. I think if WOB! did a collab with Æ MAK above my head would probably explode.
3) Jackie Beverly - 'Talk it Through'
Rising Irish star Jackie Beverly released her debut music video for single 'Talk it Through' this weekend. Directed by Ciaran O'Brien, Beverly shares; "I wanted the video to weave in and around the concepts of relationships, friendships and mental health, as these are the main factors that influence my songwriting. These concepts are so diverse and complex in themselves that it was important to leave space in the video for people to make up their own meaning to it."
Of the track itself we recently wrote; "Beverly connects seamlessly with her late-2018 debut single 'Out of Reasons', developing on that soft and gorgeously placid synth-driven momentum, her latest track wanders further off into a lush and enchanting darkness, taking us with it. There is certainly a deeper dive into the best aspects of 80's synth-pop here, little bit Kate Bush musically, particularly on the percussion, and vocally my fav Jane Wiedlin of Go-Go's fame. But Beverly's vocal and music are her own, the mood she delivers is desperately disarming and understated, becoming the perfect medium for the listener to disappear very far into."
4) Jake Regan - 'Over It'
A very welcome return to the local music scene, Jake Regan released his solo debut single 'Over It' a few weeks ago, and there is now a beautifully shot visual accompaniment by production company C-47 to go with it. Shot on the beaches of Wicklow and the Dublin mountains it; "...takes place over a night of huffed petrol and terrible sexual encounters."
From a moody, despondent slacker-rock intro which jams in a left-hook on the minute mark, little quiet breaks trickle down the crevices of fuzzy guitars and monotone, ponderous vox. The track could have ended a 3:30 and I'd have been more than happy, however a wonderful shift in tempo and tone pushes towards a bubbling indie-pop finale.
5) Junk Drawer - 'Year of the Sofa'
I promise I didn't forget, it's just been a little while is all. Goddamn Belfast's Junk Drawer are the finest purveyors of antique slacker-rock, latest single 'Year of the Sofa' is like Pavement's Brighten the Corners on 21st century synthetic steroids. Jake Lennox's vocal has also never sounded better, almost matched by his acting prowess as the video's central figure. Junk Drawer describe the concept of the song & video as being; "Written during one of many ongoing bouts with ennui, our nameless hero spends more time preparing for the mythical perfect moment than actually carrying out said plans. They remain largely an observer, wallowing in languor and taking refuge in stolen moments with Prestige TelevisionTM when conscience permits as more of an observer."
Word has it that this is the first taster of Junk Drawer's debut LP, that may be out over the coming months....
Check out our previous VidList, No. 12, here https://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-vidlist-delush-baba-happyalone-pillow-queens-shaky-shack.html
