Visual impact… with kids!
Shady Love by Scissor Sisters feat. Krystal Pepsy video appreciation
Scissor Sisters, the incredible North American band, said ‘welcome 2012’ with a music video published the January 1 at them Twitter account. Shady Love was the presentation letter for their last album Magic Hour. Baby Daddy, the band guitarist, said this is a very different song and is like a stand by between last tour and the album. So, video is also, very different Scissor Sisters get used to.
This is Shady Love by Scissor Sisters feat. Krystal Pepsy
Even when Baby Daddy said the video was different, this is what Scissor Sisters usually does: create an impact. With Night Work -last album- and the first single was the same. Invisible Light is the different album song, and video is very, really shocking. They, that time chose Canada collective artistic for make a provocative and sexual video. This time chose Hiro Murai as director, and other weird artist for make a collaboration song: if you don’t know the name of Krystal Pepsy don’t worry, we are talking about the rapper Azealia Banks.
This music video is as usual in first Scissor Sisters video: the band doesn’t appear. And are kids who made a very weird show. The first thing I can notice about this video is very kinky: yes, they are kids, but show is sexy, clumsy sexy. And it has butt shake and blood -fake but blood-. If you had the opportunity to see other Scissor Sisters video you know this is so, so them. But also check the director work who worked directing the recognized series Atlanta and Legion by FX, music videos for Childish Gambino -Donald Glover’s alter ego- and the amazing Smooth Sailing by Queens of the Stone Age, you can see also the video represents his artistic vision.
Investigating about Hiro Murai I found he is really productive, and like weird stuff, like Bloc Party’s Sings video. I like the way he used kids, combined casting and costume in a simple but creative way. Video hasn’t lip-sync, but that is for me, perfect: they are kids! But if you really need to know where is the sync, is in dance moves. The best scene in video is sword little girl with blue dancers and air: is like a little honor to Ana Matronic -Scissor Sisters singer- in Any Which Way video.
Is impressive how Murai represents Kristal Pepsy in dancers, and Jake Sheers in last scene when he is making a rap -Jake, can you really do that?- with black kid in a car, like Kanye West style. Also, is a good story: parents don’t interest that, like usual parents don’t interest a school play. If the video were recent, the only what the adults need is a smartphone. So, these shots are good for talk about something: rhythm.
Visual rhythm isn’t perfect (again is a video with kids, and that is awesome), but exist in a delightful way: first scene when appear boys and girls dressed in the same way and do a movement sequence, is like see The Chemical Brothers’ Let Forever Be video, but not with a digital effect, is very impressive! Other scene is the end, with that confetti celebration, just in time.
Photography and colors are the most professional in video: lights aren’t like in a school theatre, and had a beautiful post edition treatment for that intense blue and vibrant yellow what predominates in the entire video. About song topic and semiotic subject: isn’t a exactly lyrics translation but you can feel them. You can’t see literally, but you can feel the mood, kids attitude is mind-blowing. Good cast, and good actor direction. And believe me: work with kids is hard.
I’m a big Scissor Sisters fan. When I watched the video the first time I was in shock: that is unexpected video for them. But, like always happen to me with the band, I loved the music video after watched the third time. I like they aren’t afraid to do different things. And I like the director style: I think, and that is very important for any videoclip director, he really understands Scissor Sisters and the song and could translate song topic -lyrics in particular- in a creative way.
I recommend Hiro Murai work: maybe this article can help and go to see his beautiful web site. I like discover new directors -new for me of course-. I have to say this isn’t the best Scissor Sisters video, and maybe, fans are disappointed right now because is very different. But I think that is the video impact.
