Video Picks
Powered by CircleSquareLA
Monday, 06 February 2023

FENCER- SANITARIUM

Where do you go when you can’t take it anymore? A question posed by philosophers and loners alike for a millenia that only leads to more questions. The answers as expansive as they are limited, dictated by a moment’s state of mind and communicated solely through action. A healthy approach to such a question answers through song or any constructive activity that refuses to indulge the hopelessness that “it” entails. 

‘Sanitarium’, Fencer’s lead single off their imminent self-titled debut album relegates this hopelessness to the air above. While the body lingers in its depressive state and the mind moves at a goldfish’s pace, Fencer’s resolve to ‘build a sanitarium in the sky’ is one of the more poetic solutions to the dwindling spirit of a burgeoning emo band. There have been murmurs that the analog sound formerly known as “music” is slowly gaining steam. While individualistic Emo-tech has resurrected the genre and pacified those coming of age, the pendulum is swinging back to The Industry’s public enemy number one: the band. Through thoughtful lyrics, engaging structure and shared ability to play tangible instruments, Fencer offers the feel and freshness of a garage band to a generation who would be forgiven for thinking that was just something that came on their MacBook. 

Creating a through line of sound and color, the ‘Sanitarium’ video deepens the scope of Fencer’s world, building on their preceding videos and other visual aids. Opening with our aforementioned question, we meet our loner boy protagonist languishing on a solitary swing in the middle of a vast body of water. His only companion is a tauntingly distant mailbox. His head replaced by a blue box once recognized as a desktop monitor. His face, a placid black screen. The sea quickly evaporates to the next frame and our friend is now hanging out aboard a ship’s skeleton, equally as stranded on dry land. His first mate is a Donald Duck plush and his phone, once Fencer Blue, has been weathered to match its place in history. Without the possibility of a connection, our boxy friend bounces around searching for other blue things and places with vibrant color adrift in a dry, sandy gray and forgotten inland town. 

Once friends are found they are equally as faceless, though much more unsettling. These players convey the feeling that when you’re searching for a break, getting kicked in the head is better than being alone. Chasing a dream can bring both things, but when you find yourself in the rubble of screens at least you have the music to come back to. 

Ultimately, Fencer’s ‘Sanitarium’ despite its glorification of mediocrity transcends above its own expectations to become a solid single that builds excitement for what’s to come. Be sure to tune into your platform of choice for “Fencer” the album and come see these angsty boys and their instruments at The Mint on February 27th. Hunnypot Approved.

-Robyn Dee

Written by  Hot Tub Johnnie
Last modified on Thursday, 09 February 2023
  • GUNS N' ROSES, PERHAPS
    It used to be that the announcement of a new Guns N’ Roses video would be earth-shattering news. And while the release of “Perhaps” doesn’t carry the same weight as it would have back in the day, it does have some importance. After all, the last GN’R album came out… Read more
    Posted Thursday, 21 September 2023
  • THE ROLLING STONES, ANGRY
    The Rolling Stones are old. The Rolling Stones are ageless. People say they should hang it up and retire. People say they’ve never sounded better live. What some people fail to realize is that The Rolling Stones aren’t just rock stars. They are working musicians. They make music. And now… Read more
    Posted Tuesday, 19 September 2023
  • THE DOLLYROTS - NIGHT OWL
    THE DOLLYROTS - NIGHT OWL Hunnypot has been a big fan of The Dollyrots since the beginning, so we are excited about their new album coming out. They dropped a music video for their song “Night Owl”. You can see it here. The Dollyrots are set to release their new album Night Owls on October… Read more
    Posted Thursday, 14 September 2023
  • MONSTER ENERGY'S "50 SIPS" FEAT. BUN B, SYMBA, N.O.R.E., DJ EFN, PETER ROSENBERG AND OTHERS
    Monster Energy's "50 Sips" is a celebration and exploration of hip-hop's 50-year history. This 90-minute piece, available on Monster Energy's YouTube channel (see below), brings together various perspectives from rappers and cultural figures to trace the evolution of hip-hop over the past five decades. "50 Sips" features some of the… Read more
    Posted Friday, 08 September 2023
  • ADDISON GRACE - WHITE LIE
    ADDISON GRACE - WHITE LIE Addison Grace’s song "White Lie" is one of those songs that before you know it, it’ll be stuck in your head, and you will be playing it on loop. The lyrics are relatable and cut deep but are sung in such a way that the song manages to be upbeat… Read more
    Posted Wednesday, 02 August 2023