Video Review: “Sad Day” by FKA Twigs & Hiro Murai
In this era of fast music, there are only a few artists who take the time out to perfect their craft and are able to and are able to provide detail and distinction to their artistry. FKA Twigs is without a doubt one of those artists. If you’re familiar with her work, then you know that Twigs’s music videos, much like her music, are never of the ordinary. There’s storytelling, drama, and action. Not to mention she does her own stunts. In her latest video for (song/single) “Sad Day,” the British singer once again delivers another praiseworthy performance in this stunning visual experience.
Directed by Hiro Murai, the video takes place at night. FKA’s silhouette is illuminated by the street lights as she drags her feet along a deserted road in London. Seemingly going nowhere. Then it cuts to martial artist, Teake, entering a restaurant in its lazy hours. Although clearly nervous, he takes a seat in the back and waits patiently. A chime sounds as the door is opened, and standing in the middle of the restaurant is Twigs, stalking her opponent in a haunting manner.
“Would you make a make a make a wish on my love.” The song plays as her body contorts in swan-like movements until she reaches behind her, pulling a sword out from her coat. In a flash, her opponent pulls his own sword out of nowhere and a deadly duel commences. For almost a year, Twigs has been studying and training to perfect the art of Wushu in preparation for this very moment. Many times before, she’s displayed her talent on stage, but nothing comes close to this theatrical display. You can track her journey on her Instagram where you’ll also find her pole dancing videos, another art form which she’s practiced for two years, giving her fans an angelic performance in her Cellophane music video.
Teake and Twigs’s movements are sharp and precise with the purpose to hurt one another. They are hesitant in doing this, but it needs to be done. Hence the lyrics “it’s a sad day for sure.” Even after throwing each other out of a window, their fight to end eachother doesn’t stop. At this point, “Sad Day” is the soundtrack to Murai’s short film. The video is not about the song. If you want to listen to the song, then stream Magdalene. This is about the story. A story of two lovers settling their differences once and for all, no matter how much it pains them.
Their swords have matching red tassels, as if they were a matching set. They once belonged to each other, but now they’re enemies. There’s a sense of familiarity in their interaction. FKA’s acting is emotionally charged and every line unspoken is revealed in her eyes. The love is still there, as hesitation occurs when they both have each other by the throat at the edge of their blades, but unspokenly decide to take their dispute elsewhere. Murai’s action flick soon takes flight, literally, as the two leads leap and float from building to building like something from The Matrix.
In a final duel, Teake gains the upper hand as his skills appear to be superior to that of Twigs. T lyrics, “I can imagine a world when my arms are embraced around you,” add a devastating blow to a tragic ending. The winner of be battle does not matter because in the end, they have hurt each other both physically and emotionally. Just before you pat yourself on the back for finishing the video without crying, Mirrored Heart, the seventh track from Magdalene, plays as the ending credits roll. Music is an artist’s way of storytelling, and the music video is their way of painting the picture. If Twigs’s future music videos are as vividly painted as Sad Day, then then we all have something to be looking forward to.