Yeah, I know we haven’t really dedicated as much ink to The Grateful a MogAAAz on this blog as they deserve. It’s not that we have any bias against them, we like them actually, but for me at least, they’ve never quite broken the intangible barrier that would truly win me over. I can’t even give you a good reason why except maybe to say that Melon Batake a go go’s shadow loom over them a bit too much. But I think the real truth is that it’s really my fault for not giving them enough attention and I simply need to do better.

https://twitter.com/mogaaaz/status/1239401155613974528?s=20

But there might be a change in the wind’s direction with this new tune from Melonbat’s sister group. They dropped a new MV and I casually decided to give it a click, thinking that I’d probably suggest it for the Weekender later on. And then I watched this video, and then I watched three more times…

Okay, first off, the hook for me hit immediately. That pulsing synth line is awesome! I mean I freakin’ love it. Great memories of Depeche Mode, Sisters of Mercy, and all my other favorite moody and brooding gothy pop from when I went to art school and wore black turtlenecks in the summertime. Man, that beat is killing it in all the right ways. And the vocals are quite clean and crisp but have this underlying sadness and dread that sells this just right.

And the MV… right away the first thing that struck me was the ultra-wide-screen ratio. Do yourself a favor and watch this full-screen, or on a large TV, it’ll work even better. I don’t know if any of you have seen it, but the lighting and mood-making in this video reminds me of the 1983 film “The Hunger” starring David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve. (Directed by Tony Scott, Ridley’s brother. Underrated flick in my opinion.) It’s got this kind of moody desperation to it that works exquisitely with the wide, cinematic format. I think this is one of the nicest looking MVs I’ve seen in a while.

And another way I know this works is because personally I’m quite cynical about idols doing “dark and edgy” stuff. 90% of the artists who go for it fail in my eyes because they  come off like they tried too hard. It’s easy to pretend, less easy to succeed. This MV has succeeded beautifully with well-executed foreboding flair.

Anyway, great, great song that’s evocative of the past but yet fresh and forward looking, and an MV that scores big on the same counts. Well done GOLLIPOP, and well done MogAAAz!!