Declan McKenna is the Life of the Metaphoric Party in First Independent Release
From eccentric visuals to loud choruses and witty metaphors, indie rockstar Declan McKenna has returned to do what he does best with his latest release.
McKenna via Instagram.
“Champagne” and “That’s Life,” a double A-side pair of singles, are the English songwriter’s first releases under his new, independent record label, Miniature Ponies. He announced the departure from Columbia Records last week on Instagram where he posed with a parody newspaper headlined “‘Indie King’ Goes Indie,” playing into the popularity of his 2015 song “Brazil” that went viral on TikTok seven years later. The post quips that McKenna “is reported to have abandoned his Major Label record deal after shocking reports of the deal ‘coming to its natural end.’”
As introductory tracks to this new chapter for McKenna, “Champagne” and “That’s Life” serve as mixtures of the distinct sounds of his previous records. At the same time, the singles are unapologetic examples of his ever-evolving and sometimes quirky musicality.
After inviting listeners to feast on dinner and wine in his last album, What Happened to the Beach?, McKenna is keeping the drinks flowing in “Champagne.” The five-minute song opens with distorted power chords and a wall of sound underlaying a 1962 address by former President John F. Kennedy on space exploration, an apt introduction to the synth-filled, other-worldly sounding tune. A groovy bass line drives the track, giving it an inherently danceable melody. The verses feature dream-like falsetto backing vocals and percussive interjections, contrasting relatively morbid lyrics like, “I think God is coming after me / And I got these bloody hands.” As the full band enters in the chorus and creates a sound more reminiscent of his first record, What Do You Think About the Car?, he flips the storytelling switch and sings, “You can’t celebrate without champagne,” drawing out the syllables.
Watch the “Champagne” music video on YouTube.
On his Instagram story Thursday, McKenna said the “Champagne” music video is “one of his best.” Directed by Jake Passmore, the theatrical video features McKenna playing a waiter in a 50’s diner with high-class clientele. Perhaps reflecting the song’s theme of willful ignorance, as the chef gets beat up by customers, McKenna is seen dancing along to the chorus while pouring a champagne tower. After McKenna’s awkward dance moves save the day and he is gifted a comically large key to the city, the video ends with him being shot in the head by a firearm making the sound of popping open a champagne bottle. Roll credits.
The theme of hiding dark lyrics behind vibrant production continues in “That’s Life.” The high-register staccato piano chords that open the track feel almost comedic once McKenna laments, “And it only gets worse / The harder you try / That’s life, that’s why it works.” The slew of hand claps and space lasers that get added to the sonic mix throughout the track widen the gap between the instrumentation and story as he sings lyrics like “You’ll live a lie, then crash and burn / It’s fine, you’ll learn.” This sort of “conform or else” messaging reminds me of songs like “Be An Astronaut” from his sophomore album, Zeros, where McKenna sings, “You were born to be an astronaut, so do that or die trying.”
McKenna is finishing up his last couple of shows on his North American leg of tour before he joins Sabrina Carpenter as an opening act for the end of her Short n’ Sweet tour. Tickets can be purchased here.