Cass McCombs presents a new single/video, “Karaoke,” from his forthcoming album, Heartmind, out August 19th on ANTI-. Following the recently-released “Unproud Warrior,” the Ariel Rechtshaid co-produced “Karaoke” is a burst of power-pop perfection. Through springy staccato guitar, vaporized electric keys, and an infectious melody, he triangulates a perch of his very own out among The Pastels, The Vaselines, and The Cure, and vibrates from there. Questioning what is fake and what is real, the song’s lyrics are both playful and painful: “Is it karaoke, all your words? // Is it karaoke, your antics? // Or is it all some kind of pantomime? // Playing the role of romantic? // Don’t let’s answer this question now // I Guess It Doesn’t Matter Anymore // Guess I’m a load of karaoke too // Unable to say more.” The chorus, “You sang a melody, unchained // But will your love godspeed to me?,” is a direct reference to the song “Unchained Melody.” The accompanying video, directed by Scott Kiernan, is a play on the song title, as Cass navigates through a surreal world of analog video effects, each image questioning the artificiality of itself. Additionally, last week, Cass released the “Instrumental Karaoke Version” for those wanting to sing along themselves.
