Sometimes, when we must confront life’s adversities head-on, we need an anthem for resilience and empowerment. At its core, Control by Chicago’s Iron Years serves as a clarion call to muster the courage and resolve necessary to initiate transformative change in one’s circumstances. The emotive lyrics and haunting melody of this synth-driven post-punk fever dream take us on a stirring journey from the depths of despair to the heights of determination. It’s not just about the struggle; it’s about that transformative moment of realization that sparks a personal renaissance. Ultimately, we possess agency over our destinies – even in the face of daunting obstacles – and consciously choose to steer our lives towards a path of our own design. While we may not control every aspect of our journey, we have the power to shape its direction and its outcome.
The video for Control marks the second directorial venture of Milo Mendoza and features a compelling acting and dance performance by Amanda Saucedo. This short film is a hypnogogic dive into the turbulent realm of anxiety and sleep disorders, exploring their dominion over the mind’s purgatorial spaces.
Watch the video for “Control” below:
Iron Years hails from Little Village on Chicago’s South Side, a neighbourhood celebrated for its cultural diversity. In this milieu of musical variety and urban realities, the group’s love for music intersects with the unavoidable presence of violence, inspiring them to carve out a space for creativity. Their art is an expression of resilience, drawing from the rich palette of Latin American rhythms, as well as post-punk, freestyle, synth-pop, house, industrial and many types of dance music.
Reflecting the vibrant sounds of Little Village evenings and capturing the essence of music flowing from neighborhood boomboxes and speakers, their work draws listeners closer, aiming to be the backdrop to one’s deepest desires, stirring an urge to dance. At the core of their sound is a primal need to move, a rhythm that speaks to something fundamental within us all. Their music bears traces of The Cure, Depeche Mode, Creux Lies, Body of Light, and Soft Kill, showcasing a diverse range of influences that shape their unique sound.
Control is the third and final single from Iron Years’ debut album Reverie. Included with the release is a remix of ‘Lucid’ by Clubdrugs.
Listen to and purchase Control on Bandcamp here:
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