'Eugene' is the ninth track on Arlo Parks' 2021 Album 'Collapsing on Sunbeams'. The song features the story of an unrequited love for a straight girl, leading to the hatred of her lover 'Eugene'. Arlo herself has stated that the song explores the 'agony, jealousy and confusion that comes to light when the lines between platonic and romantic love blur'. In the video, it shows the transition of the relationship between the two girls from close to distance due to the new lover. It is told through a linear narrative, clearly showing a beginning, middle and end. The music video exhibits representations of Black people, Women and Men, as well as Same-sex relationships.
Nearly 90% of the video is shot from this birds eye view, causing the audience to focus on only what is happening on the bed. At the beginning of the video - lighting is natural, clearly being sourced through the window at the top of the bed, creating a homey and comfortable atmosphere. Following the title, the video displays a montage of the two girls engaging in photo taking, watching films, cuddling while napping, etc - presenting to the audience that they have a close relationship. The body language and intimate gestures suggest to the audience that these two may be more than close friends. Their costumes are simple casual wear, which seems the most fitting due to the location being a bedroom.
Here, we can see the physical separation of their close relationship. The lighting has become cold and blue, representing the emotional state of the girls. The crack in the duvet appears similar to those of broken-heart symbols that are often seen after break-ups, once again hinting their possible romantic relationship.
The physical divide between the bed makes this moment appear even more isolating as Arlo watches the one she loves become infatuated with another lover, Eugene. The lighting becomes slightly warmer, possibly hinting that Arlo has come to accept the separation yet is not willing to let her go just yet, hence the dark surroundings.
Following this, the newly formed couple engage in the same activities that the two girls had before. The use of the Polaroid camera as a prop is interesting due to that only one copy of the photo can be printed. Meaning that though there is two people in the photo, only one person will be left with the memories of that photo to resonate with. Arlo's gaze is directed towards the camera for the first time here, implying that they do not want to live subconsciously in someone else's eye line.
The line that plays during this shot 'I kind of fell half in love and you're to blame' sort of encapsulates the entire experience that Arlo has been through. Here, as the girl re-focuses on Arlo, it gives the impression that she has finally acknowledged her damage. However, it is after Arlo has began to face away from them, which could give a sense of realisation that she has lost her.
The ending of the video shows the realisation that the girl does love Arlo, leaving Eugene on the other half a heart as she did before in the initial separation. The use of mise-en-scene here is crucial as the blue flowers represent love, desire and inspiration, commemorating their newly discovered love. However, blue flowers can also represent 'striving for the impossible' which could imply that Arlo's character will continue to fall into this cycle with this girl and she will never settle for her. That idea can also be verified by the non-changed lighting, presuming it would have transformed into the lighting pre-Eugene.
Music Video: As The World Caves In - Matt Maltese
Genre: Singer - Songwriter
'As the World Caves In' is the 10th track on Matt Maltese's 2018 album 'Bad Contestant'. Maltese' style often blends elements from Indie Pop, Indie Rock and Chamber Pop. The song features the narrative of two lovers nearing the upcoming apocalypse, stating that they'll lie together until the end of it. The video is a mix of performative, as well as narrative due to the integrated editing. The video exhibits representations of Young Adults, as well as fully grown adults.
The opening of the video features Matt Maltese himself as he sings the lyrics of the song. The kitchen location seems cluttered, though homey, which is accompanied by the warm lighting tone. The bottle that he touches clearly displays a danger sign which could foreshadow the upcoming lyrics 'The Paper says its doomsday'.
The pan into the room gives an emotional reveal of the lovers that were previously aforementioned. The camera slowly gets closer to the couple, soon revealing the painting of the tombstones. Their body language is relaxed, despite the knowledge that they will indefinitely die - and soon, as they are comforted by each other's company. The closed curtains, grand piano and lit lamp next to the sofa all create the 'homey' environment that leaves audience to understand that these two people are obviously in love in some way or form.
This shot of the painted crucifixes leaves the audience with a heavy heart. The handmade touch of the freehand inscribed 'rest in peace' gives the impression that the two are not entirely overwhelmed over their deaths due to that they believe it is God's gift for them. This would make their intimate moments that follow even more soulful as it queries life and death.
This dance could represent their last celebration on earth, alive. The formal attire adds to this idea. However, it could also represent their future 'dance with the devil' that is often used by some Christians when someone has performed a sin. These people could be dancing for humanity's sins, since one was the cause of the world's untimely death. The moves however, could be the couple's guardian angels luring them to their grave, as they feature pulling, as well as pushing - suggesting that they will relieve them from life's burden.
The final shot features the couple entering a casket, showing their will to die together. The lighting slowly dims as the lid to casket is lowered, representing the world being taken over by the bombs. The couple had the opportunity to grieve each other, as well as each other, before entering the afterlife which is a possible metaphor to not leave any opportunity left untaken or unappreciated.
Music Video: If You Ever Forget That You Love Me - Isak Danielson
Genre: Pop
'If You Ever Forget That You Love Me' is the third track on Swedish Singer Isak Danielson's 2021 album 'Tomorrow Never Came'. The music video follows the life of one young couple as they navigate family life. The music video is a strict linear narrative as it shows the growth of these two characters over time. It gives representations of Straight Men and Women, both adults as well as children and teenagers.
The video primarily remains as a 2 shot, with a continuous focus on this one park bench. The filter changes over the course of the video in order to show change in time. In this shot, we are introduced to the two main characters in this love story. The books suggest that these people are still in education, placing them as high school/university students. From that, we can see how over time, the love they have for each other has grown.
The use of fading in this sequence helps to make the transition between the years much more smooth and natural. The crossing from either side of the screen in order to show the growth of the child also allows the audience to gain knowledge of the child without having to sit through an extensive birth to adulthood montage. By making it less time consuming, it allows for the audience to continue concentration. The small sparks/blotches in the filter gives about the look of aging, making the video seem as though it is representing history.
This final scene mirrors the beginning sequence in which the man passes a note to the woman, which in turn starts their life together. By the end of the song, the music becomes extremely slow. So, as she places the note down on the same bench in the same position, the lyrics state 'So I wrote it down on our kitchen table, If you ever forget that you love me'. The gesture from the beginning of the song, as well as the impersonated one at the end, are a simple - though powerful - interpretation of the lyrics (and title) that is repeated throughout the video to narrate the events.
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