There’s a mystical point in “First Class,” the slow-burning, cinematic new single from European dark electronic duo Close To Monday, where the listener completely loses their sense of where they are in the song. With mechanical precision at the core of producer Alexander’s swirl of pulsating atmosphere and the heavenly, invitational vocals of singer/songwriter Ann providing a pull to Alexander’s push, “First Class” could be a few minutes long, or it could be 100. Art decorated in music, it transports the listener elsewhere through synth-pop hypnosis, and the return to reality at the track’s conclusion is a dramatic and frustrating thump back to our normal surroundings.
So it makes sense, then, that the video for this primal seductive blitz, arriving in tandem with its streaming release today (January 19), strips away the narrative and allows the opulent exhilaration of the music to dominate the narrative, as staging backdrop provides auxiliary theatrics to both the song itself and the performers themselves.
“This particular music video is aimed to capture the raw emotions of the artists, emphasizing the interplay of sound, and the game of light and shadows,” the duo declare. “Maintaining a minimalist approach, the video was intentionally designed to ensure that nothing distracts the viewer from the melody and the pure essence of the sound. Upon viewing this video, the audience is invited to briefly immerse themselves in the world of Close to Monday, experiencing the atmosphere created by our music and visuals.”
“First Class,” however, is not without its underlying storyline, and in this case it’s a theme of a person so fixated on materialism and personal success that they lose sight of the beauty of the world around them. Their “First Class” lifestyle only allows shallow benefits, and Close To Monday skillfully pair the notion of a person lacking spiritual and human depth with a song as sonically rich and deep as the Atlantic Ocean our protagonist flies so very high over.
“As usual, every track we create is born from observation and experience, drawing inspiration from our own emotions and the world around us,” Close To Monday reveal. “Perhaps you’ve witnessed impeccably dressed individuals stepping into extravagantly expensive cars without a trace of happiness on their faces. Their opulence and coolness, far from being a sanctuary, are more like a self-imposed cage. They’ve willingly confined themselves, throwing away the key, making it impossible to unlock from within or without. It’s a genuine tragedy, and this track delves into that narrative.”
Grab the closes pair of headphones and get lost in “First Class” below.
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