Laura Jinn is, to quote the title of her latest single, “Sick”, but not in the way you might think. Diving into the theme of sickness in a more metaphorical sense, the Brooklyn-based hyper-pop artist brews up a hyperpop-flavored antidote that is both sugary sweet and surreal. In the words of Jinn herself, “No narrative, just vibes.” The music video for the track, which PopWrapped are delighted to premiere, is simultaneously playful and sardonic, encapsulating the many forms of sickness – psychological, emotional, physical – that Jinn explores on and through her EP of the same name. Hypnotic, alluring, and a little unhinged, “Sick” is an addictive listen and PopWrapped caught up with Laura to chat about the music video and its darker themes.
Where did you come up with the idea behind the video and what were some of its inspirations?
I wanted something bright and poppy and surreal to fit the song. No narrative, just vibes. Billy Coughlin, the director, got it right away and suggested I get some interpretive dancers in the background. That made me picture these anonymous mischievous figures in black, similar to the soot sprites in Spirited Away. I brought some props to get the ball rolling but we improvised everything on set. The direction was to keep it goofy, campy, gory. Billy is an amazing editor. He had the idea to slice out the figures and double them, triple them. I love the high-def quality of the image. The whole video has a stark surreality that reminds me of early Youtube.
What was your favourite makeup/costume look from the video?
For my vanity’s sake I have to choose the red outfit — the gory Desi cowgirl look of my dreams. I bought the skull & roses cowboy boots a few years ago at a vintage store I love in Portland – God bless Material Objects. They are incredibly painful but summarize my aesthetic principles better than anything else.
Makeup-wise, my favorite look is the painted face from the green outfit. The makeup artist, Dana Akashi, had the idea to cover my face in latex, make it look like skin, and peel it off for a spooky reveal. I love how she painted on my eyebrows and smudged the line of my lips — it’s clownish, but glam.
Your music style/genre is described as ‘Maniacal, electro, goth pop.’ What made you choose this genre for your EP?
I was and am a die-hard MCR, FOB, Panic! At the Disco fan. I am drawn to the grandeur of their vision and the power of their feeling. I don’t have a band, so electronic music gives me the opportunity to create soundscapes that are as dense and powerful as those of a rock band. And I’m a coder, so the computer is my most natural instrument.
When I first started making music, I was like, “what is pop music?” Like what makes a song a pop song? I still am not totally sure. Pop music to me is: you’re supposed to like it. I definitely want people to like my songs.
Why did you decide to centre your EP around the theme of ‘Sickness’?
It wasn’t a conscious decision, rather something I realized tied the songs together once they were written. I love music that is passionate and that explores the limits of our psyches, and sickness is everywhere there – lovesickness, obsessions, compulsions, dreams and nightmares. I also think the central wordplay of “Sick” – that it means cool, but also unwell – is just really fun. It hints at something profound – that what makes us deviant also makes us great.
Your songs sound upbeat and positive, but deal with darker, more negative themes. How do you find and apply that balance?
I’m a silly girl who is always laughing to keep myself from screaming. Our lives are filled with injustices, both personal and global, both in and out of our control. I get so angry at this injustice that I want to explode, to escape. But escapism also feels empty and degrading. In my music, I’m grappling with living in this world while wanting to be outside of it – like the club is on fire and we’re still trying to dance through it.
What else do you have in the works that fans can look forward to?
A few singles that will trickle out end of this year & early next! And if we’re lucky, a live show in NYC this fall.
Check out the video for “Sick” below and to keep up to date with Laura Jinn, follow her on Instagram.
