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A New Controversial Release!
Wednesday 12th June 2013 | Abby
Having fun with Kim Jong-un! It’s what to expect with Grouplove’s latest debut single and music video, which within only a few days has received 95, 641 already.
Music is a powerful avenue for controversial expression, where artists can express their concerns about the world and the people living in it. Grouplove has recently released their wonderfully controversial music video for their latest debut single ‘Ways To Go’, and it looks like they have had fun while making it!
The background story of Grouplove seems like one of destiny. After living for years in New York, the paths of Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi crossed and the connection was immediate. Only knowing each other a few days, Hooper felt compelled to invite Zucconi to an art residency in Greece, and that is where they met the other three members of the future Grouplove. Money was scraped together to ensure that these people could form a band and record a stunning album. This triumphant story has a beautiful ring to it, and with the happy ending, the music industry has been blessed with the catchy lyrics, unique vocals, and brilliantly composed tunes that make Grouplove.
Grouplove have remained silent since the release of their last studio album Never Trust a Happy Song in 2011, but with the release of their latest single, the indie music industry should now expect Grouplove to deliver a sequence of vociferous and colourful tracks that will rock the music world. The collection of Grouplove’s new music will be compiled in the album Spreading Rumours, set to be released 17th September. ‘Ways To Go’ is something to get excited about, a track which is an explosion of electric-pop, a wild rock-out session all executed in just under four minutes. The catchy, energetic, and vivid song is fashioned with an excellently creative music video focused on the child version of Kim Jong-un, who rebels against persecution and strict militaristic life for peace and enjoyment. Child-Kim Jong-un who has been “working like a dog” whereby he “turned all my dreams off” wakes at the beginning of the clip and seeks an alternative. Dancing about his palace, Jong-un chooses Hawaiian shirts rather than his military uniform, he un-cuffs a Caucasian man, puts a daisy in the barrel of a loaded gun, and appeals to loving his staff. Whilst this happens, Grouplove is held in one of the palace rooms performing their debut single and being filmed by Korean soldiers, this message speaks louder than words, as it seems the band believes that music is the avenue that appeals to and can achieve peace and harmony. This music video is totally controversial, but it is not a morbid, melancholically presented message. The message for ‘Ways To Go’ is fashioned into an interesting, exciting, and truly entertaining music video! This music video is really unique, and the staging of the band is also an interesting topic of discussion, where each member has their own individual style featuring colourful hair and relaxed outfits – all working to juxtapose the stern qualities of the palace room they present in, the soldiers uniform and company, and the dictator-like pictures of Kim Jong-un.
Hopefully, this is the first of a series of controversial and exciting music videos to come from Grouplove this year!
Written By Abby D @AbbyDonkin
