Today, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) has shared his video for his song “Can’t Feel My Face” via Apple Music Connect. I have never watched one of his videos before, and I’m a bit of a fan. I’m excited to see what he has in store. The video for “Can’t Feel My Face” is directed by Grant Singer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEI4qSrkPAs&w=640&h=360]
The video opens up with Tesfaye staring into the viewer’s soul, singing into a microphone in a dark room. He seems to be really into singing—and he should be, it’s his career. He breaks out into full performer mode for a crowd of venue patrons who are disinterested in his theatrics. There is one woman who is very enticed by his performance throughout the entire music video.
In an unrelated note, I had no idea what The Weeknd looked like until right now, and I’m very fascinated by his hairstyle in this video.
There’s nothing unique about this video until Tesfaye is set on fire by a skeletal club patron. Sure, there’s a change of lights come the bridge of the song, but it’s three minutes and 38 seconds of The Weeknd dancing, walking around, dodging flying alcoholic beverages. Where’s the flair? What makes this video unique? Being set on fire? I hope this isn’t a typical show for The Weeknd.
While the song is very catchy and easy to sing along to, I wouldn’t re-watch the music video. Yes, you cannot deny Tesfaye’s performing vigor, but how long can you watch that in a music video? Why would you re-watch a music video for that? You can easily look-up an actual performance of him live and, arguably, it will be ten times better. The fact that the only redeeming part about this video is that he is doing the same thing, but on fire, is troublesome. Where is the replay value? Not here.
The video was first released via Apple Music Connect. You can also watch Tom Cruise and Jimmy Fallon lip sync “Can’t Feel My Face” from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon from last night.
The Weeknd’s new album, Beauty Behind the Madness, will be released on August 28th via XO/Republic.
[Lead image via atrilli.net]
