Sleater-Kinney – “Untidy Creature”

Sleater-KInney has released the new video for their song, “Untidy Creature” and they posted these words about it on their Facebook page:

Our new single and video “Untidy Creature” is out now – watch + stream and pre-order Little Rope (out Jan 19): https://i.sleater-kinney.com/UntidyCreature

It was the first song we wrote for Little Rope, although we didn’t know it at the time; we weren’t certain we were even working on another record. We also worried it had come too easy, the song featured two elements that come very naturally to Sleater-Kinney: a big guitar riff, an even bigger vocal. But as the year wore on, and our choices and bodily autonomy shrank, our feelings about the song changed. It became a gift, somewhere to put our darkest fears, and our deepest hopes. We sometimes feel trapped or angry, and yet still we breathe. “Untidy Creature” became the album closer, and one of our favorite songs to ever occupy that position.

For the video, we wanted imagery that spoke to the themes which permeate Little Rope: uncertainty, restlessness, urgency, all of the in-between and discomfiting states with which we’re forced to reckon. So, we came up with the idea of a woman holding her breath in a bathtub for the duration of the song, unsure of her motivations, not knowing whether she’s seeking escape, disappearance, absolution, or simply a moment of quiet and reprieve. We love the tension created by an act that defies both custom and comfort.

We want to thank the amazing Amber Bourke Freediving, a free diving champion and record holder, who traded the deep sea for shallow waters. And Nick Pollet, who shot, edited, and color-corrected the video. Thanks also to Jon Povey for letting us use his bathtub.

NOTE: The stunts in this video were performed by trained professionals. Do not try this at home.

– Sleater-Kinney