Chaotic Excitement in Sally Boy’s Latest Video - 'Sippy Cup'
words by Sahar Ghadirian, cover image by Ava Doorley
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Premiered on September 15th, the music video for Sally Boy’s latest single ‘Sippy Cup’ is nothing short of charismatic, with a late 90s, electric twist. The song gained attention from Zane Lowe after making its debut on the Beats 1 Radio show.
21-year-old, LA based Sally Boy (Erez Potok-Holmes), is the epitome of a new and refreshing artist. With elements of an indie, basement pop sound centring his musical outputs, the infectiousness of his voice and his first two singles, ‘Sally Boy,’ and, ‘Stormy,’ make it difficult to not be drawn to the singer.
Sally Boy delves into the excitement of starting out with someone, being with them, hoping for a future, and feeling like your ‘head is spinning for no reason.’ However, with that comes anxiety and uncertainty. The irony of ‘Sippy Cup’ is that it’s about his ex, and the chorus solidifies this complexity as you look back in retrospect… Maybe now is the time to do some growing up and embrace whatever truly brings you happiness.
The rollercoaster of emotions that emulates from this, alongside a bouncy trap pop beat, coincides with the music video. Through the use of clean transitions and constant angle changes, the video feels like you’re a spectator, a part of an electrifying environment. The whimsy playfulness the video brings embodies the feeling of being young.
Walking out of a refrigerator, moshing in a living room with your peers, kissing in stores, going on a chaotic candlelit dinner date in the back of a truck. The Eddie Mandell-directed music video showcases a wild and unrestrained series of events. Captured on a VHS camera, the 90s-esque aesthetic provides light-hearted viewing. The seamless cuts outside and inside the retro red car adds to the effortless charm of the track, while the static of the VHS tape provides a gritty, youthful lens.
The homemade aspect of Mandell’s video mirrors the time we’re in now. Quarantining (and the pandemic in general) has made life a lot harder for the creative industries, but not impossible to create. There’s been a consideration to think more, slow down, and go back to the drawing board. Sure, life isn’t perfect - but this music video proves that your best work can be produced in the midst of the imperfect.
The ‘Sippy Cup’ music video is quintessentially a mark of DIY creativity which reaps its rewards. The unapologetic, unadulterated message the video brings is to simply let go, and gives off a freeing sentiment. Sally Boy’s upcoming EP is due to drop October 2020, and with that will come further explorations into identity, early love, and an inspiring sense of escapism as the final months of the year draws near.
collage by Ava Doorley