She’s made quite an impact on the chart music scene over the course
of the last few months, with mega-hit ‘Problem’ and super-collaboration ‘Bang Bang’. But with this mid-tempo R’n’B jam Ariana
slows things down and the song finally has an accompanying video that compliments this change of pace.
The video starts by introducing both Ariana’s and featuring artist The Weeknd’s names
before revealing the title of the song. Here she is establishing herself the kind of artist whose video deserves an introduction, giving it the feeling of an event. We
then see Ariana writhe around in what looks like an abandoned chateau, clad in a bralet and pencil skirt. Gone is the playful ponytail that originally got her
noticed and had fast become her go to ‘look’. Maybe by this point Ariana feels it’s time
to ditch the image that got her name out there and is now establishing herself
as a grownup entertainer, although without too much shock value (ala Ms. Cyrus). She’s not gone all mature on us just yet though with some fun cat ears
thrown in for good measure. As Ariana continues to grind on what could possibly be her
nans chair, the room lights up, with sunlight beaming through the windows. Intercutting this are clips of lightening and random explosions of dust. Is
this another hint at Grande’s ascendance into adulthood, her, ahem, awakening?
We then see The Weeknd in what is perhaps the dingy basement to
Grande’s old mansion. His inclusion adds a certain urban flavor to the video. Throughout
these early stages of her career Ariana has made a point to team up with
artists perhaps already more respected than herself, Iggy, Nicki, Mac Miller the list goes on (well actually not really, Jessie J? Nah.) She takes this theme a step further with The Weeknd, a less 'mainstream' artist.
However, is this a case of Grande aligning herself with the cool elite or The
Weeknd slumming it with a bubblegum pop princess? Either way it’s a hookup that
just seems to make sense. Separate clips of the two singers are interspersed
until they finally seem to unite back to back (with a little help from CGI
perhaps). Ariana is next seen in a long overdue second setup (it was getting a
bit tiresome seeing her throw dust around that grotty bedroom.) Here she lays
on a dark rippling pool that is intercut with scenes of her and The Weeknd
cavorting amidst the debris, giving a climactic feel to the end of the video.
All in all compared to the sense of event and decadence of Ariana’s
other videos this latest effort seems a little beige and lazy. But perhaps Ariana
wishes to show a more stripped back part of her star persona. This may be
something the star feels is necessary in order to gain credibility in a world
where it can be hard for ex-tween darlings to be seen as anything different.
Well, with this chilled R’n’B tinged number, accompanied by an understated laid back video, Ariana Grande seems to be making an effort to do so.
Don't miss info for when the next post is up! follow my personal accounts at:
Twitter: @KnightCharlie
IG: charlie_knight15
No comments:
Post a Comment