Big | Brave released Vital yesterday, sharing a video for "Of This Ilk" to kick off the release on cd and digital formats (vinyl is still to come, on July 9, through Southern Lord).
The video, which first premiered at Roadburn Redux last weekend, is described by vocalist Robin Wattie:
This video and song is an ode to those that understand this all too well, all too deeply. There is a silent form of suffering that most do not share. It is a private shame that is very public. The percentage of the global population that take these painstaking, costly efforts in whitening, or rather more aptly, bleaching their skin is higher than a lot would understand, let alone, would ever consider. There is a billion dollar industry in injectables and cream-like products containing harsh and even life-threatening chemicals to lighten, clarify, and whiten one’s skin. This video is an ode to my younger self, and to all the other children, teens and adults of the past, present and future that have used bleach in every way possible, that withdrew from the sun, used clothespins on their nose, scraped their skin raw, buying every product available, in trying every means they can think of to achieve this exclusive coveted lightness, whiteness.
Vital is the band's fifth album.
Vital track list:
1. ABATING THE INCARNATION OF MATTER
2. HALF BREED
3. WITED. STILL AND ALL...
4. OF THIS ILK
5. VITAL