AWOLNATION return and challenge us with the questions, “What does it mean to be ‘The Best’?”, and “When it comes down to it, does being ‘The Best’ really matter?” Singer songwriter Aaron Bruno, the mastermind behind AWOLNATION wants to know in his new single and accompanying music video, ‘The Best’.
AWOLNATION have always been about challenging their listeners; their now Diamond-certified ‘Sail’, from 2011s release ‘Megalithic Symphony’, struck hard with listeners and made them think about their lives – thus making it one of the decade’s most influential songs, remaining on Billboard’s Hot 100 for 79 weeks, the record for an independent artist, and still the second longest for any artist. The album also produced Gold-certified, ‘Not Your Fault’, as well as two further top 10 tracks. AWOLNATION certainly doesn’t rush albums out, and it’s for good reason and it shows. Second album, ‘Run’, was released in 2018, and the third, ‘Here Come The Runts’, last year, 2018. The three albums have produced no fewer than seven Top 5 alternative radio hits – with two number 1s among them – as well as millions of sales and downloads, and more than 15 BILLION international streams. AWOLNATION’s music has found itself on the soundtracks of films, and tv commercials, as well as backing tracks on social media platforms such as Instagram, Vine, TikTok, and YouTube.
AWOLNATION, now signed to Better Noise Music, have released ‘The Best’, the first track from their upcoming album, ‘Angel Miners & The Lightning Riders’. The long player will feature appearances from Rivers Cuomo (Weezer), and Alex Ebert, best known for his work with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes. Speaking about ‘The Best’, Bruno said,
“I’m always on the journey to improving myself, but all along, knowing it’s close to impossible to really be the best at anything. And what does it mean to be the best? And does that really matter? Or maybe it is more about the journey and acceptance of comfort within one’s own existence.”
‘The Best’ was released shortly after Halloween, and comes with a suitably autumnal music video – well as autumnal as Southern California gets – directed by Amalia Irons. The clip serves to tell the start of the new album’s story, and introduces one of the record’s main characters. Opening with a shot on a pumpkin, carved with the AN initials, the clip is set at a somewhat spookier than average Halloween party – things of an extra-terrestrial nature occurring. It’s absolutely spectacular, scenes in what appears to be the California desert – but under a pocked cheese moon – serve to enhance the song without taking away anything from its impact.
Speaking of the video, Bruno said,
“I wanted to make a video that felt like some of my favourite childhood adventure movies and create something that has a magical feeling of the autumn season.”
You can find AWOLNATION online on their official website. Watch the video for ‘The Best’ below:
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