February 10, 2021
Written by Amara Sorosiak
EMELINE BURIES VIEWERS IN NEW, VINTAGE INFUSED VISUALS FOR "6 FOOT DEEP"
|
The Los Angeles-based alt-pop singer-songwriter premiered a new music video for her 2020 single "6 foot deep" on January 28th. The video, directed by EMELINE herself, takes place in the Westerfeld Mansion, previously occupied by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Russian Embassy, and the founder of the Church of Satan -- the ideal set for this haunting and inventive single.
|
Complementing this infamous mansion’s history, EMELINE’s wardrobe pulls from pulp and gothic aesthetics that were riddled throughout the forties, fifties, and sixties. We see the singer dressed in black lingerie, with a purple wig adorning her head as she struts alone around the House of Legends. Conversely, a more masculine-looking EMELINE is seen drinking, smoking, and checking herself out around the mansion, wearing a variety of baggy vintage suits. These two personas are meant to counteract each other, with the feminine persona seemingly submitting to the masculine one when they collide -- paralleling the lyric: “How do you want me? Want me crawling at your feet.”
EMELINE is an outspoken feminist, having previously performed at the 2017 Women’s March in Boston, Massachusetts. This video in and of itself rallies for equitable treatment among all gender identities. When observing each of EMELINE’s personas in the “6 foot deep” video, one quickly picks up on differences in each of their demeanors. Wigged EMELINE is cautious as she navigates the mansion, constantly checking over her shoulder, with meek body language as she sings along to the song. Meanwhile, suited EMELINE is much more reckless, with more open and confident body language as she dances around rooms of the mansion. It suggests that society values, and is more forgiving towards, expressions of masculinity, in how the masculine version of EMELINE is able to act as freely as she pleases around this historic and sacred mansion, whereas the feminine version keeps to herself. However, the feminine persona comes into her own as the video progresses, unapologetically taking up more space as she sings, and dancing around like her suited counterpart. To top it all off, she occupies the last shot of the video, where she “throw[s] on [her] dirt,” burying viewers in a (presumably, 6 foot deep) hole outside.
EMELINE recognizes that hyper-femininity is underappreciated in greater society, or viewed as delicate and purely for the male gaze. Hyper-feminine presenting people, especially if they are women, are viewed as docile, even daft, and therefore less-than, because of their gender expression. It asserts that one has to possess masculine traits, or express masculinity in some way, to be respected and for society to empower them. However, EMELINE claims power in the hyper-feminine aesthetics of the 20th Century, showing that all women, regardless of their gender presentation, are to be honored, or to be feared.
Between the gritty colors, wondrous setting, and fun costuming, all to accompany this clean yet punchy single, EMELINE is a songwriter, and visionary, to watch out for in 2021. “6 foot deep,” and its stunning visuals, are only a glimpse into what we can expect from EMELINE in 2021 -- including, but not limited to, more exquisite alt-pop with dynamic lyrics, and self-directed videos.
EMELINE recognizes that hyper-femininity is underappreciated in greater society, or viewed as delicate and purely for the male gaze. Hyper-feminine presenting people, especially if they are women, are viewed as docile, even daft, and therefore less-than, because of their gender expression. It asserts that one has to possess masculine traits, or express masculinity in some way, to be respected and for society to empower them. However, EMELINE claims power in the hyper-feminine aesthetics of the 20th Century, showing that all women, regardless of their gender presentation, are to be honored, or to be feared.
Between the gritty colors, wondrous setting, and fun costuming, all to accompany this clean yet punchy single, EMELINE is a songwriter, and visionary, to watch out for in 2021. “6 foot deep,” and its stunning visuals, are only a glimpse into what we can expect from EMELINE in 2021 -- including, but not limited to, more exquisite alt-pop with dynamic lyrics, and self-directed videos.
