Brodka Debuts Video For “Up In The Hill” On NYLON Clashes LP Out Now On Play It Again Sam
Brodka Debuts Video For “Up In The Hill” On NYLON Clashes LP Out Now On Play It Again Sam
“Orchestral chamber pop with a distinctly dark, cosmic edge.” – FADER
“Otherworldy folk,” – Cool Hunting
“A beguiling, witchy Cowboy ballad with galloping drums, '70s pop hallmarks, and a sense of feral danger.” – Line Of Best Fit
“Artful, intelligent and wildly ambitious,” – CLASH
Following the recent release of her standout debut English LP Clashes (through Play It Again Sam) and the sharing of the striking and symbolic videos for tracks “Horses” and “Santa Muerte”, Polish pop singer Brodka is pleased to share stylish video for track “Up In The Hill” on NYLON.
Directing the video herself, Monika Brodka was able to actualize her own artistic vision. She explains: “I've always wanted to have a video where a band actually performs music live. ‘Up In The Hill’ has this vibe of psychedelic 60s rock, so I got inspired by all these amazing TV studio performances. As a stage backdrop, I used this beautiful piece of fabric designed by Aleksandra Wasilkowska that we used on my summer tour. The eye became the theme of the whole video. Everything turns into one big psychedelic trip, with Jodorowsky mixing it up with Queen...”
Having already released three acclaimed albums in her native Poland, including 2010’s double-platinum Granda, Clashes marks her first release in English, and-furthermore-her most diverse and ambitious album to date. Clashes dazzles with Brodka’s singular blend of orchestral pop and cosmic poetry that’s undercut with hint of brooding darkness. Even in a language that’s not her first, she asserts her informed approach to songwriting in a way that’s emotionally engaging. Dramatic without being overwrought, Clashes is a widescreen and determined listen from an artist in constant forward motion.
“I am a car-crash girl…”, resounds the opening line of lead single “Horses”, referencing Kim Gordon’s description of Courtney Love in her autobiography and hinting at Brodka’s musical and artistic interests. Despite the rich textures present on the record, she is as equally influenced by New York no wave, jazz and R&B. Additionally, her early experiences of church services have heavily impacted the depth and melodrama that charges throughout Clashes.
This interest in religion and spirituality has also influenced the visual themes running throughout her artwork, photography and ornate sense of style. “For this album the big inspiration was liturgical outfits,” she explains. “I wanted to take the colors - silver, gold, white, purple, blue – and the shapes of some of these clothes and turn them into something more modern. I am always trying to take some of the meanings of the subjects that I am interested in, chew them up, digest them, and throw up something that is more my kind of thing.”
Operatic and intelligent, palpable and profound, Clashes isn’t just a step forward for Brodka, it’s a bound, and promises only the expansion of a global audience for such a truly remarkable artist.
- More at UnRatedMagazine.com
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