It’s getting closer to Halloween and we’re firmly in cold, cozy, spooky season as those pumpkin spiced nerds say. I must admit I like it too – while I don’t get too hung up on the aesthetics, I do appreciate a good hoodie and dark mood. No matter what time of the year it is, you can count on SANDŌKAÏ to dazzle using similar aesthetics with their art.
With masks, foreboding forests and natural atmosphere, and a beautifully gloomy soundtrack, this Swiss duo come forward with the new video for their track “MÅLA”, a treat from their upcoming album Special Computer which drops on October 24. We’re happy to premiere it in full for y’all right now, right here!
There’s something about this video that captures the allure of autumn. To dig deeper into it, the masked band members (known only as Membre 1 and Membre 2) are the most curious element of the “MÅLA” video, pouring water into (well, through) a wire bucket, adorning themselves with big sunflowers, and manipulating time and shadow to appear as echoed otherworldly beings. The accompanying music is splendid, at times psychedelic and expansive, but others reserved and scarce. Everything is delicate, like the lapping waves of foamy water prominently featured in the video or the weathered, eroded stone structures these masked figures pose themselves in as arcane watchers of the wilderness.
Both together, you can feel the sublime energy that SANDŌKAÏ are going for, effortlessly achieved by a dedication to an aesthetic both sonically and visually. Video director Wanda Chouadra seems a remarkable pick to take a vision and set it in motion to their music, showing a care and attentiveness that many other bands could benefit from. Special Computer seeks to be an ‘emotive and dynamic sonic journey that immerses listeners in a vibrant palette of colors and light‘ and given what can be heard on “MÅLA”, I’m willing to bet it’s a mission accomplished in total.
You won’t have to wait long to discover it for yourself though – October 24 sees the release of Special Computer which means there’s still time to preorder through SANDŌKAÏ‘s Bandcamp. You can also peer into the duo’s world through their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Band photo by Nikita Thévoz
