Fós - "Bádaí na Scadán" (Music Video Premiere)

Written by: The Administrator

A music video premiere is a fairly infrequent affair at ye olde Sleeping Village, but not quite infrequent enough to consider "rare." Perhaps "uncommon" would be a better measure. In any case, it's been a while since we ran one of these, and the theater required significant sprucing up before we felt comfortable allowing you fine folks inside. With the cobwebs and dust bunnies banished, then, the show is ready to begin. We'll dim the lights. Make yourself comfortable.

Today's feature presentation comes to us from Dublin, Ireland's Fós. The forthcoming Níl mo chroí in aon rud, out Jan. 27th, demonstrates a haunting blend of traditional Irish folk singing with the sheer droning heft of doom and sludge. It's a fusion that feels as natural as it is engaging, and "Bádaí na Scadán" serves as a perfect showcase of Fós's uniquely eerie and captivating aesthetic. Give "Bádaí na Scadán" a listen (and a watch!) below, and we'll meet you on the other side.
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"Bádaí na Scadán" operates on the basis of stark contrast. The instrumentation is thick and heavy, almost oppressively so. The low end applies a churning weight that feels notably physical--indeed, upon first hitting play, I was genuinely taken aback by the monolithic roar emanating from my subwoofer. The drums feel muffled in a way that only adds to the sense of all-enveloping heft. One does not listen so much as become buffeted by the song's tide. But then the achingly gorgeous vocals kick in, immediately transforming an ominous atmosphere into something significantly more sorrowful. 

Of course the juxtaposition of ethereal melodic vocals and mighty instrumentation isn't new, but Fós present a meeting of complimentary extremes that feels wholly unique. In terms of creating a soundscape that lures the listener in, the formula is incredibly effective. I really can't say that I've heard anything quite like this. Rather than harping on the oppositional nature of the sounds at play, the focus becomes the emotional similarities. "Bádaí na Scadán" oozes a profound sense of somber yet bittersweet lamentation. And, although unconventional, "Bádaí na Scadán" does admittedly feel more traditional than some other tracks on Níl mo chroí in aon rud, which lean into an unsettling--yet wildly intriguing--electronic and industrial direction. But that's a story for another day.
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And, lest it be forgot: the video itself! It's stark and utterly gorgeous in a way that matches the song perfectly. This is cinematic yet suffocating. The high contrast black and white along with the close-up imagery helps maintain the notion that you're only seeing a sliver of the world, putting together a tragic story beat by beat. There's a true claustrophobia permeating the video, making for an uncomfortable viewing experience. I really enjoy that once the singing begins, the imagery briefly humanizes by incorporating shots of fingers and eyes. A loose narrative forms: stormy seas, a drowning hand, a dipping oar, the ribs of a ship, surge against rigging, a body descending into the watery abyss, a screaming face. Water drips. Always more water, more waves. I've never drowned before, but this feels as close as I'll ever get. This is a masterfully crafted music video, and fits the song extraordinarily well. 

​Fós - Níl mo chroí in aon rud will be released on Bandcamp Jan. 27th, 2025, and on streaming platforms Feb. 3rd. January 27th
A physical release album will be available on vinyl, courtesy of Fiadh Productions. 

Video directed by ChariotOfBlackMoth‬

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​Fós can be found: 
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Bandcamp
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