Louis The Child has a busy year lined up in 2016. Not only are both members (Robby Hauldren and Freddy Kennett) full time students, but they're due to perform at Coachella, Governor's Ball, Buku, and plenty of other festivals. They are also due to release their debut EP in the spring, but have already put out official remixes for Ty Dolla $ign and Miike Snow. And just in case you were still skeptical of their bonafides, they've appeared on "Artists to Watch" lists from Buzzfeed, Complex, Dancing Astronaut, and more.
It's no surprise that they would be ready to release a video for "It's Strange," their hit single that's already amassed well over 4 million views on YouTube thanks to being featured in FIFA '16. Paired with K. Flay (the up-and-coming singer with a soul-studded voice), the track has definitely garnered some acclaim. But it's the knockout combination of Flay's laissez-faire stroll through Steven Mertens' abstract and technicolor landscapes that make the video sure to match the music's success, and then some. His stop motion landscapes provide contrast to Flay's casual movements and compliment the swells and hits woven by Louis The Child.
The concept of the video seems perfect in reflecting the context of the song, Flay's walk through her own brain as she dissects the breaking down of her emotional walls to let in a new love. "Opened me up/I let down my defenses/Swore that I wouldn't go falling again." The lyrics allude to her own personal reflection on past lovers and why she's become a bit of a recluse in the dating world. Her calm, cool, and collected demeanor while she walks through these fantastical environments adhere perfectly to the tone of both the video and the music.
After many listens, a few dozen viewings, and an almost irrational number of lyric readings, I can definitely say that I will be relatively shocked if I don't find myself blasting this from my car with the windows down, whenever winter decides to blow over. I will definitely be making some time to catch Louis The Child live this year, and can only hope I'm lucky enough to see K. Flay as well.
As though all that wasn't enough, Louis The Child has a charitable side. They're releasing a remix package of "It's Strange" that includes a whopping 22 remixes by the likes of Boombox Cartel, JackLNDN, Nine Lives, and many others. $3.99 gets you the full remix package, with proceeds going to the charity Kiva.
Be sure to keep an eye on both Louis The Child as well as K. Flay, both artists are sure to make waves in 2016.