In honor of the release of her new EP, “The Long Sleep,” Norwegian avant-garde musician Jenny Hval has shared the music video for the single, “Spells” which she previously shared. The video, directed by Constance Tenvik, features Hval throwing a dance party in a huge mansion. Nothing about this music video makes sense, but that is okay. People dress in weird costumes prance around; one character wears a plastic carrot nose while holding tea and there’s even a pillow fight smack dab in the middle of the video. It is an odd visual companion to an odd song worthy of Hval’s vocals.
“A detective like version of Jenny is carrying a mysterious suitcase through various disco-infused rooms. At times her doppelganger appears. Soon enough the content of the chased suitcase is revealed to be pastel colored marshmallows. The slumber party is officially open, and the sweets are up for grabs. A pillow fight evolves into a carnivalesque parade serving dance moves and crocodiles made out of bread and spinach – and with hard boiled eggs as eyes (recipe found in Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes). On the dance floor, Jenny attempts to become a disco ball by draping herself in silver sequins and by pointing with a Maglite on the rotating body. While she is covered in silvery fabrics and spinning, she is not noticing that the party is leaving her.”
Watch the video for “Spells” below.
“The Long Sleep” EP Tracklist:
1. Spells
2. The Dreamer Is Everyone In Her Dream
3. The Long Sleep
4. I Want To Tell You Something
The Long Sleep is available via Sacred Bones. The record was recorded by Hval and longtime collaborator Håvard Volden and producer Lasse Marhaug. She also had help from Kyrre Lasstad on percussion, Anja Lauvdal on piano, Espen Reinertsen on saxophone, and Eivind Lønning. Hval’s last full-length record was Blood Bitch, released back in 2016 and was considered “one of the bravest and best albums of the year” according to the New Yorker. The Lost Girls collaborative EP followed that one this past February. Hval is publishing her debut novel called Paradise Rot through Penguin Random House’s Verso available October 2nd.
Jenny Hval Tour Dates:
4/21 – Zurich, CH @ Norient & Rewire present Sonic Fiction (concert series)
5/10 – Seattle, WA @ Nordic Museum
5/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room HLP
5/13 – Mayer, AZ @ FORM: Arcosanti
5/17 – Sun. May 20 – Durham, NC @ Moogfest
5/25 – Den Haag, NL @ Korzo Theater (REWIRE & KORZO)
6/1 – Olso, NO @ Blå
6/5 – London, UK @ St John on Bethnal Green
6/14 – Barcelona, ES @ Sonar Festival
9/01 – Cologne, DE @ Pop Festival
Leave a Comment