Kevin Bronson on January 8th, 2021

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Happy new year — here’s a roundup of three videos that got us away from doom-scrolling for a few minutes …

TWO, “Cage Fighter”

L.A. duo TWO — the collaboration between ex-Nico Vega bandmates Aja Volkman-Reynolds and Dan Epand — unveiled their self-directed video for “Cage Fighter,” from their debut EP, “Pull the Knife Out.” “Our hope is to capture the anxieties, the antagonism, the fear, the judgment, and the anger that have torn American society apart,” Epand says. “And to capture ALL of it. At the same time.” Speaking of anger, the duo was rightly incensed to learn that President Trump had used an old Nico Vega song, “Beast,” without permission in a video titled “Fight for Trump.” They demanded it be taken down. [Previously: “In This Rough”]

POOLSIDE, “I Feel High” (ftr. DRAMA)

On the heels of the December collaboration with Neil Frances, Poolside is back with another tag-teamed dollop of pop, this involving the dark-pop duo DRAMA. “I Feel High” features vocals from Via Rose and value-added synths, percussion and production from Na’el Shehade. “DRAMA transformed the song from a classic, laid-back Poolside vibe into a banger for the club,” Poolside Jeffrey Paradise says. Adds DRAMA: “It’s all about that invincible feeling you get when you’re young, and out with your friends. In the moment you have this undeniable sureness that no matter what ‘this is not how I die.’” The video is the work of animator Michael McAfee and artist Libby Cooper.

VIOLENT VICKIE, “Under the Gun”

Long Beach’s Violent Vickie makes dark, synth-driven post-punk that evokes grainy black-and-white imagery illuminated by bursts of strobe lights. “Under the Gun” is a good entrée to the artist’s sophomore album, “Division,” released last year. Here’s the video for the single — stream the whole album here.