Alex Nicol - "Mirage"

Alex Nicol’s debut album, All For Nada, was one of my favorite records of 2020. A big part of what makes the Montreal-based artist’s music so compelling to me is the attention to detail that he puts into his songs. His songwriting is immersive in its ability to bring narratives to life through his quaint lyricism and precise instrumental flourishes and arrangements that perfectly capture the meaning of his words. Each song is an arresting experience to behold, and just from listening, you can see them play out in your mind’s eye. 

For his music videos, Nicol takes a similar approach, collaborating with other talented Montreal artists to create cinematic embodiments of his musical works. His first video for “Two Times A Charm” dramatized the song’s key theme of thought suppression, as the protagonist frantically (and literally) tries to box up his unwanted thoughts and bury them, but he’s unable to do so, reflecting the fact that sometimes no matter how hard we try to exert control over them, certain feelings and experiences still remain with us. Similarly, the video for his second single, “Trust,” masterfully visualizes the song’s sharp laundry metaphor in various picturesque city-settings, as several garments flicker in the breeze while drying on a clothesline.

All of this is to say that the brand new video for “Mirage” is another stunning visual accompaniment that provides further substance to an emotionally complex song.  Through the lyrics, Nicol questions the concept of objectivity in our post-truth society and reflects on learning to accept and process the absurdities of modern culture. The video rides tandem with his words, showcasing the surreal reality of isolation, how we currently consume art, the desire for escape when that seems impossible, and the control that the uber-wealthy exert over society. Early on, an iteration of the classic perspective questioning quote “if a tree falls in a forest,” scrolls across the center of the screen, but the first three lines are replaced with “if an artist falls in a forest, and no one is around, do they make a sound?” The focus of the video then turns to a scene of Nicol sitting on a revolving stool in an empty room, as shots of his head and body parts are projected onto the wall and in the air. The word “wanderlust,” which is featured prominently in the lyrics, is also reflected in the video, as Nicol can be seen wandering aimlessly in the forest. The “boy with the orange ball” described in the lyrics also makes a brief appearance. 

The video was directed by George Simeo “Director Big Shot” and he shared the following about the concept behind the video:

This video is a surreal tribute to the absurd world we’re living in: where the fabric of social reality is called into question, and truth is a matter of opinion – just make sure you have enough views! Welcome to “Mirage,” where every scene is tampered with, just enough, to leave you wondering "Is that really in the shot?". We also explore the future of live-events in glorified isolation, the feeling of wanderlust with no place to go, and the secret plans of billionaires. Something for everyone!

Stream the video below! All For Nada is out now via Michel Records. You can purchase a copy via Bandcamp. The album is also available to stream on Spotify. Keep up with Alex by following him on Instagram and liking him on Facebook. To learn more about Alex, check out his appearance on Episode 141 of the Look At My Records! podcast!