Timothy Bailey & The Humans Unpack Trauma On “Weird Animal”
The level of attention and detail on the new Timothy Bailey & The Humans album is truly stunning. Each little production touch and musical flourish help the vulnerable songs extend far past their tender composition, and it’s what makes their new self-titled record a musical marvel. That careful, meticulous artistic vision extends past the music as well, as the band has shown on their latest music video for the album’s true standout song, “Weird Animal.”
Directed by Rachel Kleinman, the video evokes the longing distress of classic cinema, with scenes that evoke imagery of film noir mysteries and New Hollywood explorations. Alongside Liza Kate, Bailey explores the central query posed by the song throughout which becomes more strained and distressed as the song plays out. “Am I weird animal? / Can you show me what I’m for?” he asks in the opening moment while brass notes sputter over an emotive backdrop of poignant tones. Bailey’s delivery here is enough to pull you in, but the clever video elevates the proceedings making this song really ring deep in our subconscious.
Like the rest of the record, “Weird Animal” finds Timothy Bailey working through his past trauma and abuse with music. “Making pain into compelling art is important work,” Bailey remarked in a press release for the video. “When it’s done well, as it is here, it has the power to connect rather than repel.” Bailey himself had much more to say about the context and genesis of “Weird Animal,” but instead of splicing it up into neat little snippets, we invite you to read the full thing on his website so you can fully understand the context behind this affecting song (link here).
“Weird Animal” is the third single from the group’s new self-titled record, after “Great Man Singing” this past September (link) and “Ellington Bridge” in May (link). Each fascinating in their own right, this latest single may be the most stark taste of what’s really housed within the ten track record that is deeply moving and utterly gripping.
You can watch the video for “Weird Animal” below and we strongly recommend you listen to the new self-titled record by Timothy Bailey & The Humans. Stream it on Bandcamp and while you’re there, maybe pre-order a snazzy vinyl copy to add to your collection (link here).
