The video begins with a wide shot enables that all band members are seen. Being an indie band it is expected that some of the video style is of their performance, this allows the instruments to be seen instead of 100% pop or dance music where more technology and electronic conventions are used to make the music. Therefore, promoting the rawness and originality of the performance. The monochrome colouring to the scene represents the indie and alternative genre.
Here, before the music starts the band are in a discussion about the video; “We’re not a pop band’ ‘It’s not really what we’re about, it needs to be black and white for a start’ this already portrays the representation that the band want to get across to us as the audience to understand that they are different from other bands hence being independent. This would appeal to an audience of explorers who seek individuality. - Who are generally at their height of this in their late teens to early twenties. |
To signpost the beginning of the music and for the audience and most likely fans to detect the band, The 1975’s logo is shown. I’ve noticed multiple indie videos that do this such as The Kook’s ‘Bad Habit’. This allows the audience to detect the band; this also allows a promotion of the band to people who have not heard them before. Being an indie band, they may use the entitlement at the beginning of their music video to promote themselves as it isn’t a dominating music genre in the industry such as RnB or Rap.
This relates to the upbeat song being a pop song. So we see a combination of indie-pop throughout the rest of the video through the use of bright colours. First we see a clapperboard being shut almost central in composition. The close depth of field emphasises this as the main focus point yet still allows us to see the band in the background. The clapperboard could symbolise the beginning of a story, inferring that the video is narrative as well as having a performance style. The white backdrop is used throughout the majority of the video to contrast against the band members dressed completely in black. This maintains the originality of the band being alternative being dressed in such a dark shade, where as the colour used throughout is used to portray the pop aspects of the band and the song making it unique for an indie band to do, especially compared to other videos by The 1975. This ensures a mixed audience of pop and indie fans will be attracted from the song and aesthetically pleasing video. |
Later, relating to the song title ‘Girls’, females are introduced by them replacing each male band member from The 1975. Again, they are dressed in black but their wardrobe is very revealing. This links to Laura Mulvey’s male gaze, as the females’ outfits will trigger the audience to sexualise them, yet throughout the video the male band seem un-phased by the girls associating to the lyrics repeated throughout ‘They’re just girls’. |
There are multiple references back to the lead singer singing without group shots of the band’s performance. The medium close up ensures we see the lead singer’s engagement to the camera through direct address. There is also a clear contrast with the bright yellow background and Matty’s black clothing and alternative appearance for example his hair style. This clearly portrays a representation of pop within the music video and the actual song, as the song is upbeat and yellow is a fun and exciting colour. |
Throughout the whole video the multiple scenes that feature are edited to the tempo of the song. This is unusual for an indie video as usually they have more artistic and longer scenes to ensure the narrative style shows yet in this video again shows pop features being displayed. I noticed this specifically between scenes of the contrast of females playing the males instruments. |
A wide shot shows probably the most detailed and decorated set of the music video. Using a majority of colours, the band stands out being in black playing their instruments so they maintain the performance aspect of the video. The use of primary colours exposed through the background, props and wardrobe of the females bring elements of fun to the video linking to the pop genre. Due to the pops of colour throughout and styling through mise-en-scene, it suggests a 1960s theme. As the females in this scene have retro makeup adding to a ‘pop art’ look. |
Again, the next scene synergises with phases of pop art with an artistic musical highlight when the guitar plays a note and the music has a quick pause. This represents a car crash which can be detected from the scene before where a female is seen driving a vintage car; also having relevance to the time period. Her reaction is over dramatic as body retracts from driving the car, her mouth opens in shock and her hands are raised. This could even be stereotyped into being a typical representation of the female and how they ‘would’ react in real life.
The composition of the next scene is a long shot that allows us to see the band and some females in the background yet Matty is in the middle and the camera is focused on him. His eye contact gives direct address to the camera but further to the audience we are in eye-level of him. As he sings the lyrics to us, we connect and engage to what the lyrics are telling us. This will attract aspirers who live aim to fit in with the mainstream culture and will react to what they are being told through the song but not the actual meaning, which explorers and innovators would do. Throughout the entire video, the editing allows a reference back to a simple shot of the lead singer singing to the camera, engaging with Goodwin’s music video theory (1992) that a key feature of all music videos is several close ups of the artist. This ensures an artist and celebrity branding or the band is present, which is vital for an indie band to succeed especially not being in a dominant music genre such as rap and rock.
The composition of the next scene is a long shot that allows us to see the band and some females in the background yet Matty is in the middle and the camera is focused on him. His eye contact gives direct address to the camera but further to the audience we are in eye-level of him. As he sings the lyrics to us, we connect and engage to what the lyrics are telling us. This will attract aspirers who live aim to fit in with the mainstream culture and will react to what they are being told through the song but not the actual meaning, which explorers and innovators would do. Throughout the entire video, the editing allows a reference back to a simple shot of the lead singer singing to the camera, engaging with Goodwin’s music video theory (1992) that a key feature of all music videos is several close ups of the artist. This ensures an artist and celebrity branding or the band is present, which is vital for an indie band to succeed especially not being in a dominant music genre such as rap and rock.
A medium close up allows us to see a two shot of the main singer and the main featured female in the video. There is clear eye contact between the two which could suggest a romantic relationship. Generally, being in an adolescent and young adult age range it is clear that they fit in with an ‘emulator’ psychographic that they seek advancement in relationships to gain status. Typically, being in a relationship at this age is usually a priority as well as being at a height of their exploration with the opposite gender which is shown in this extract and throughout the lyrics. |
A close up allows us to see a female holding a vintage cigarette in between her teeth. This shows a sexualisation of the scene, bringing a prop close to her lips. Her lips having red lip stick on has a connection to the dominant accent colour seen previously through the red elegant dress. This emphasises the connotations of passion and romance. The dress seen before contrasts with the revealing black outfits perceived at the start of the video which links to David Gauntlett’s theory that women use their femininity to achieve, yet the band and the lyrics remain to get the message across that females shouldn’t dominate in their or their target audiences lives. This will engage the aspirers of their fans who look up to the band as idols. |
A macro shot allows us to see a colourful cake against a plain white backdrop. This seems to be a running theme with colourful props etc. throughout on white backgrounds to present pop aspects. The fact that the number on the cake is ‘17’ also has appeal to the audience specifically to people around a similar age. Similarly, is an opened pill bottle that is laying down displaying spilled medication. Possibly this has a connection with drug taking. This could link to the controversial sub-culture of delinquency attached to a teen audience, that they live in the moment because they’re young and can have fun, hence being an 'explorers' psychographic.
Lastly, is a shot of the lead singer looking up at 3 light signs entitling ‘Girls’. This location is very different to what has seen before with a darker background and there is an introduction of artificial coloured light. This is a more modern and innovative set than compared to 60s aspects before. As Matty looks up at the lit signs above him, it almost suggests that ‘girls’ are surrounding his thought process yet the lyrics repeat ‘they’re just girls’, reassuring the target audience not to worry and sending out a message through a conceptual style. |