Los Angeles band Battle Tapes have so far released 2 albums, 4 EPs, and quite a lot of singles, and so you’d believe it if I said they know what they’re doing. Not only that, but they’ve composed music for classic video games, such as the bracing, ‘Feel The Same’, which was featured prominently in ‘Grand Theft Auto V’. Their latest single, ‘Brand New’, continues with their stock-in-trade rhythm guitar and synth rock, accompanied by instantly memorable melodies, and serves as the centrepiece for ‘Texture’, their latest album, released this year.
‘Texture’ is Battle Tapes’ best release to date – the full length album is a scalding take on arena rock, contemporary pop, disco, electronic music, and, of course, video game soundtracks. ‘Brand New’ is the perfect fit for a PlayStation or Xbox title, and it should’t be too long before it finds itself featured on one, with its monster hook and turbo-charged beats. Battle Tapes are leaving nothing to chance however, and they’ve taken on the talents of visionary three-dimensional cartoonist and retro-film “de-maker” Hoolopee to create an incredible music video, featuring a fictitious game world.
In the clip for ‘Brand New’, we see avatars of the band members as they strum and sing on a platform, while the protagonist of the piece participates in a snowboarding competition, takes on a military installation, and competes in futuristic high-speed race. All the while Battle Tapes are playing their song, at times their avatars glitching wildly. Hilarious and a whole lot of fun, it’s a great homage to original PlayStation games, and in keeping with its feel and fidelity.
Hoolopee and the band have got everything right: from the blocky, pixelated texture of the characters, the static backgrounds, the ice blues and magma oranges, and the insane grimaces on the faces of the snowboarders as they crash down the slopes. In the final sequence, one of the contestants takes off into space, before plunging into a of confusion of code. Come along for the ride and immerse yourself fully in this ‘Brand New’ game!
Watch the music video for ‘Brand New’ below, and find out more about Battle Tapes and their music online on their official website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
