In the press release announcing her second album, Toronto-based artist Lydia Ainsworth appeals to one of the great 20th century scientists of perception and consciousness: “Jimi Hendrix said you need fantasy, to see reality more clearly.” In "The Road," a video single from Darling Of The Afterglow (directed by her sister, Abby Ainsworth), the artist joined by a group of dancers inhabits a series of scenes, set pieces, and performances. Moving from meadow to dance club, the video tracked by Ainsworth's gothy R&B, conflates and disorients what is real and what is imaginary until the two are unintelligible and the sense of performance becomes total. She is dancing and every moment is her stage.
In "B.H.S.," Nottingham barstool malcontents Sleaford Mods perform on the back of a yacht, while its bloated, berobed owner rolls around in a martini stupor. "We're going down like B.H.S.," Jason Williamson sings, referring to the failed chain of British department stores. The middle and working class's proverbial ship has been leaking for decades (forever perhaps) and it's become an emergency. Don't expect the ship owners to do anything to help.
Cleveland indie rock act Cloud Nothings use the music video for "Internal World" to host an important message from the Department of Human Being Assimilation. It's an instructional video that'll teach just about anyone how to pass as a person — from brushing your teeth (31 lateral strokes) to shaking hands (make eye contact!). It's all terrific advice, especially if you're actually a dangerous, maybe blood thirsty reptile infiltrator.
FULL SCREEN: Lydia Ainsworth creates fantasy to find reality in “The Road” by chris hampton | Chart Attack.
