Schwarz, schwarz, schwarz sind alle meine Kleider
In environments marked by tedium or a lack of stimulation, one may find themselves resorting to dissociation—a psychological phenomenon characterized by a detachment from the present setting. This response can emerge as a method for coping, providing a mental reprieve from the ennui and mitigating emotional discomfort. Symptoms typically include extensive daydreaming, an acute sense of separation, or a feeling of estrangement from one’s own physical and mental presence.
The new single and video from Germany’s Caput Medusae, I Wear Black ‘Til I’m Dead, explores themes of isolation and melancholy against the backdrop of an indifferent urban landscape. The composition, marked by a mournful organ and sharp synth chords, underscores a pervasive sense of alienation. As the protagonist, played by the stone-faced Joy Maria Bai, navigates Berlin’s nocturnal streets, she encounters individuals engulfed in their own crises. Her solitary journey through the city is ghostlike, and her encounters, spectral. In a deserted library, she briefly aligns with another solitary figure (Rhys Williams), enhancing the video’s haunted ambiance. However, redemption arrives in a pulsing nightclub where, amidst a crowd, she rediscovers her vitality through dance, reanimating her connection to the world around her.
The music video for I Wear Black ‘Til I’m Dead, filmed and Directed by Ramzi Hibri, captured in the shadowy corners of Berlin in November 2023, marks another collaboration between the Director and Executive Producer Manoela Chiabai. The duo, recognized for their prior engagements with bands like Slowdive, Idles, and Depeche Mode, bring a seasoned touch to the visual portrayal of isolation and revival in the heart of the city. Their craftsmanship infuses the video with a stark, yet profound, exploration of urban solitude and communal discovery.
Watch the video for “I Wear Black ‘Til I’m Dead” below:
You Can’t Negotiate With Zombies unveils a fusion of post-punk, good old-fashioned gothic charm and eerie electro-wave, teasing the potential brilliance of newcomers Caput Medusae. Though their defining sound is still gestating, the collection offers a tantalizing peek into their artistic evolution. For dedicated Überfans of the goth subculture, it’s not merely a decadence but a meticulously crafted starting point.
You Can’t Negotiate With Zombies is out on July 5, 2024.
Listen to I Wear Black ‘Til I’m Dead on Spotify below:
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