If you grew up in the 90’s, you are fully aware of who the Barenaked Ladies are, if only from their mega-hit “One Week”. Though the group has a number of other radio jams under their belt (“If I Had a Million Dollars”, “Pinch Me”), “One Week” has left an indelible mark on western culture.
The group has endured long past this early mainstream success, and even past the departure of former co-frontman Steven Page, releasing music that is far deeper and better than any of their 90’s fans would have expected (ie: “Easy”, “You Run Away”, “Odds Are”), and they continue to prove themselves excellent songwriters on their latest single “New Disaster”. And coming with it is a video that transforms the band and song into a lively comic book, courtesy of Marvel illustrator Enis Cisic.
About the song, Ed Robertson says: “It is about the distraction of modern politics coupled with the pressures of the 24-hour news cycle, which is so sensational, un-vetted and un-researched. It seemed like the Nostradamus predictions of new disaster were getting worse and worse, even after we recorded the song.” BNL match this topical message with a driving, anthemic rock beat and chorus that completely gets stuck in your head. And the video’s visual perfectly accompany the song’s lyrics about fear-mongering news cycles, disaster porn and our dependence on screen culture.
Yet, there’s also a glimmer of hope in it, as the young girl at the video’s center finds a way out of this vicious cycle. Watch the video above, and stream the new track below!
