Los Angeles Ensemble Velour Academy Ponder Existence in Their Video for Dreamy New Single “Pulsar”

“This is such a rotten game.”

Velour Academy, began as a compelling partnership in Los Angeles, showcasing the musical prowess of Jamil Kassimali (mastering the bass, guitar, pulsar synth, and songwriting) and Shannon Martinez (weaving her magic with vocals and songwriting). Their sonic collaboration was subsequently strengthened with the integration of Matt Calderon, Itzel Palacios, Justin Hall, and Zoe Scott. Now, Velour Academy has released their ethereal new track titled “Pulsar.”

Evoking the resonances of artists like Liz Phair, Strawberry Switchblade, Jill Sobule, Throwing Muses, and Juliana Hatfield, Velour Academy’s music captures a nostalgic nod to the past while firmly anchoring itself in the contemporary.

The distinctiveness of Martinez’s voice, an intriguing blend of innocence and lullaby-like tonality, creates a fascinating contrast against the weighty philosophical undertones woven into their lyrics. The song examines the human endeavor to make sense of the vast, unending universe and the chaotic intricacies of life. The lyrics evoke imagery of probing the darkness and solving life’s mysteries piece by piece, as one would a puzzle. They express a yearning to render the unknown familiar, to give form to intangibility and make abstract concepts tangible. The ‘rotten game’ mentioned repeatedly seems to symbolize life’s complex challenges and the often futile attempt to derive meaning and purpose amidst the chaos. The song further suggests a sense of insignificance in the grand scheme of the cosmos, portraying existence as mass without a purpose.

…However, a glimmer of hope is expressed in the potential of human recognition or discovery being remembered, and perhaps rewarded.

“This song is about human existence on earth and in the galaxy and how we don’t have all the answers but are constantly trying to figure it all out, with a little bit of a pessimistic slant,” says lead singer Shannon Martinez. “The lyrics also make reference to Carl Sagan’s pioneer plaque, a message to extraterrestrial life that was cast into space.”

The video showcases figures in a wooded area searching for greater meaning beyond the mortal world. It was directed by Evan Snyder and stars Jimi—shot in Los Angeles in May 2023.

Watch the video for “Pulsar” below:

Originally formed in Los Angeles, California, as a two-piece, made up of songwriter/bassist Jamil Kassimali and songwriter/vocalist Shannon Martinez, Velour Academy spent years perfecting their poppy punk sound on a series of demos before recording expanding to four members (adding drummer Matt Calderon and backup vocalist/keyboard player Itzel Palacios) and recording their first formal album, “OOZE”, in 2017.

Now we have the group’s second full-length, entitled “CHISME,” featuring the additional guitar of Justin Hall. If you’re looking for a record to brighten up your day, this album would certainly do it. The album was originally self-released by the band in 2021 and has now been adopted by Denver, CO-based label Snappy Little Numbers, who re-released it last March.

You can purchase the album on vinyl and cassette here or below:

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