Ok, that’s a bit of an unfair headline, because the new Nine Inch Nails song “Everything” isn’t entirely terrible. Yeah, it’s a bit “pop-py,” it’s kinda strummy, and it’s definitely light on the load at certain points. And it just feels really …awkward.
People seem to be having strong reactions to it, both positive and negative, however, and we suppose our only regret is that Trent Reznor didn’t make “Everything” the first single off September 3rd’s Hesitation Marks, instead of the kinda-same-y “Came Back Haunted”. Because that would have really fucked with people.
It’s actually pretty refreshing to hear NIN shake things up a bit. To a casual older fan like myself (who was way more into the band in high school, when I first saw them at Webster Hall in NYC) things felt a bit repetitive over the years. Everything sounded kinda like a large dog fighting you off for its favorite chew toy.
But judging from this new fan video created by Simon Rivas, you’d have thought Reznor shifted gears as hard as that time Chris Cornell worked with Timbaland.
Rivas’ clip, posted yesterday and titled “NIN release brutal new song,” only has around 500 views, but it feels like it’s going to catch on. The video features Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air dancing like you did alone in your bedroom the first time you heard “Gave Up,” as well as cameos from puppies, frolicking teens, and Nyan Cat.
Oh and there’s also an animated Trent riding a fucking unicorn under a rainbow. And Pikachu.
After we just saw Prince embrace his Dave Chappelle parody for the cover of his new single, let’s hope Reznor just co-opts Rivas’ clip as the official video. Because there’s no way he can beat this. Carlton knows what’s up.
Nine Inch Nails play the TD Garden in Boston on October 11.