It’s been a hot minute between drinks for French artist Woodkid, whose acclaimed cinematic pop sees him sit somewhere in between M83 and Hans Zimmer. Tracks like “Run Boy Run” have notably popped up in shows like Umbrella Academy, and he also scored the 2015 Jonás Cuarón film Desierto.
There’s an industrial feel to his latest single, “Goliath”, which dropped at the end of last month, which feels like a natural evolution from some of the sounds we heard Woodkid – real name Yoann Lemoine – play with on that soundtrack – in particular on the single “Land of All”.
The cinematic quality of his music is perhaps unsurprising given Lemoine’s work as a music video director, working with the likes of Taylor Swift (“Back To December”), Katy Perry (“Teenage Dream”) and Harry Styles (“Sign of the Times”). And his own music videos have always been of immense quality as a result. The video for “Goliath” is no exception, a bursting delight both visually and aurally that Lemoine has directed himself. Enjoy a breathtaking intensity that would feel comfortable in a Christopher Nolan film; with Woodkid’s vocals shining brightly.
The track is the first to come from his as yet untitled new album, due out later this year – the first Woodkid LP since his 2012 debut, the phenomenal The Golden Age. So to say we’ve been waiting for this record for a while is an understatement – and if “Goliath” is any indication, Lemoine will be delivering one of the albums of the year.
Play it loud, and watch on a big screen. Amidst all this “made at home” content, I don’t know if we’ll see a more epic film clip this year. And to my tastes, we may not even hear a better song.
