Sam Franko a.k.a Bara Hari, brings us the video for “Ugly on the Inside”, the second single from her forthcoming EP “Dark New Day”. A song Franco says “was inspired by society’s use of constructed avatars as a means of modern interaction and communication.”.
The video cycles through various scenes of Franco showing off her impressive costuming skills as she portrays a pair of avatars, a warrior and an angelic winged persona that is representation of Icarus, in intermittent glimpses of what might be the “true” self. This persona is mostly viewed in shadow, perhaps to signify that she is hiding behind the avatars that give her agency in worlds where she may not have the self assurance to tread.
Franco says the video was inspired by music videos of the 90’s like R.E.M.’s “Losing my Religion” which prompted her to construct the wings seen in the video. While also giving a visual nod to the lyrical theme of Icarus flying too close to the sun.
As for the music.. once again, Franco delivers… this track kicks ass! Soaring vocals paired with a great rhythm and when that beat kicks in you know she means business! Lyrics like “feed me with your fast affection, Nothing you see means anything…” A clever turn of phrase inditing the vapidity of most of the trappings of internet culture.
Who cares how ugly we are on the inside when our avatars are so beautiful?
Watch the video and tell us what you think:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ10dDe23o0
Dark New Day is set to release on May 21st, 2021