Video: French Vanilla, ‘Real or Not’

S.Lo on July 10th, 2019

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Post-contemporary art punks French Vanilla have a knack for pure pop fun that’s more than meets the eye (or ear). Indeed, their latest tune, “Real or Not” (off their sophomore album “How Am I Not Myself?” out now via Danger Collective) is reminiscent of the jubilantly thoughtful English Beat as well as the declarative feminist punk tradition, with singer Sally Spitz playing off the rhythmic bounce of saxophonist/bassist Daniel Trautfield, bassist/guitarist Ali Day and drummer Greg Shilton.

As the album’s lead track, the placement of “Real or Not” is as intentional as the repetition of lyrical phrases– “There’s a window / there’s a chance… It was a gamble / It was a risk… Some image of what I represent / On the ceiling while I’m lying in bed… If you just had a thing / then maybe you could change…” That’s not just the gist of this 2 1/2-minute bliss, it’s (excuse the phrase but) literally the entire song. It’s almost a new performative couplet form (count those iambic feet and read the Interview Magazine conversation between Spitz and her mentor Stanya Kahn). Say it once, and say it again to make sure people heard you, like the broken record technique of marketing. And keep bouncing to the music. French Vanilla’s approach, masterfully produced by Sean Cook (St. Vincent), is to also add a self-consciousness to it all. “When we were recording the album, we all thought this would be the lead single,” Spitz said. “It didn’t turn out that way, but we wanted to give it special placement as the first track. It’s a great, uplifting way to ease into the album.”

The video for the song, directed by Billy Easter, is playful and fun without being overwrought and trapped in its own color-scheme devices. The over-arching theme is to let go and let things flow. Like great pop, the simple is profound.”This is a hopeful song about seizing opportunities to do or become something. The lyrics are about looking in the mirror and wondering if you have the courage to give up the comfort and warmth of your ignorance on the path to self-knowledge,” Spitz explained.

Grab your solid-tone umbrella and raft and be ready to take the next opportunity to roll around the sand, water and stage and reach enlightenment.

||| Watch: The video for “Real or Not”