The New Pornographers Release Eclectic New Video

Anna Marketti ’17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

The spunky group of Canadians donning a seemingly inappropriate name are back at it, after a four year gap. The New Pornographers latest album has been available since the end of August, but they recently dropped a music video for the track “Dancehall Domine.” Embracing the echoing, explosive pop they’re known for and fusing it with an almost psychedelic, quasi-surfer rock vibe, the video is full of neon lights and pastel colors, complete with a brief Kanye West parody.

Slightly reminiscent of the “Dani California” video from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the band is sent on a journey through the decades, mimicking classic music videos of the different eras. This would almost be successful if only the committed to a sense of order- the video leaps around from decade to decade without a smooth transition. Drawing influence from the trend of using your band members as well as unrelated pedestrians lip syncing the words, the video seems to be grasping at something just out of its reach. The viewer is taken to time travel with the band, jumping from flashy 60s influenced soundstages to a black-and-white talk show. At one point, you’re even prompted to put on 3D glasses.

The crowning achievement of the video lays at the two-minute mark, where we find Neko Case riding on horseback, arms wrapped around a burly blonde bearded man a la Kim and Kanye in the “Bound 2” video.
Acting as a collage of found footage, the “Dancehall Domine” video is just as eclectic as The New Pornographers are themselves.

In fact, this isn’t the first time they’ve put out a unique music video. Their video for “Moves”, released three years ago, opens with Paul Rudd and Bill Hader donning T-shirts stuffed with pillows, making them appear pregnant. The remainder of the video unfolds into a fake movie trailer about The New Pornographers’ rise to stardom. With a cameo from Donald Glover (Childish Gambino), the video embraces the flashy personality their music reflects. And the video for “Dancehall Domine” achieves this exact same thing. Catch them at the Boston House Of Blues on November 19th for more surprises.