A Closer Look at Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves”
Music as we know it is dramatically different than it was just a year ago. Live performances are postponed at least through 2021. Many bands are holding off on releasing new content, and more artists than ever have resorted to live streaming to maintain connections with...
Music as we know it is dramatically different than it was just a year ago. Live performances are postponed at least through 2021. Many bands are holding off on releasing new content, and more artists than ever have resorted to live streaming to maintain connections with their fans.
In the midst of all of this, Glass Animals created a masterpiece that brings forth nostalgia about times before the coronavirus took control of all our lives and demonstrates the power of a community coming together. “Heat Waves” is a single off their album Dreamland which is set to be released August 7th (it was postponed to allow focus to remain on the Black Lives Matter Movement).
The music video depicts lead singer Dave Bayley walking down an empty street in his hometown of Hackney, London. What seems like a lonely endeavor is turned into a celebration of community as footage alternates between professional takes and clips that neighbors filmed on their own devices. Watching the video, viewers are transported to the scene as Bayley meanders down the street, pulling a wagon stacked with box TVs behind him. He sings along to “Heat Waves” as the occasional neighbor is seen filming from their windows or in a reflection on glass. Bayley continues walking down the street until he reaches an empty concert venue where he sets the TV’s up around him. As the TV’s turn on, they reveal bandmates Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer and Drew MacFarlane, who perform virtually alongside Bayley. I could not help but get chills and watery eyes each time I watched them perform to the crowdless venue.
It is an emotional video, not quite as lighthearted as the music video for the single “Dreamland” off the same album (which I also recommend you watch). However, it evokes powerful emotion and will leave you feeling like there is still hope in the world. (Hey Siri, play “It’s The End of the World as We Know It by R.E.M.) To see for yourself, click here. In the meantime, I’ll be counting down the days until the rest of the album arrives….