Snow Patrol Release New EP, New Video, “Called Out In The Dark”

Earlier this week, Snow Patrol released Called Out In The Dark, an EP prologue for their upcoming sixth album entitled Fallen Empires. The first single, appropriately titled “Called Out In The Dark”, showcases a bouncy departure from their earlier days of contemplative alt-rock. The song is certifiably sing-along-able; the strong hook, rhythmic synths and adorably groovy frontman will definitely appeal to the masses. It makes Snow Patrol a rare example of a band with indie roots successfully branching out in a new pop direction. As the lead singer, a lanky fellow aptly named Gary Lightbody, mused on the band’s Tumblr, “If you don’t try new things you fade away and die…”

But the idea of pop success is still a contentious matter between a band and their fans. Among the mostly positive YouTube comments beneath the video for “Called Out In The Dark” are those by the more dissatisfied customers. “I hate how all these brilliant bands are selling out and releasing sh*tty pop songs :(. What ever happened to the band i loved that sang beautiful, passionate songs like Run and Open Your Eyes?”

By the looks of other comments, some YouTube users find less fault in the song than they do the video “Hmmmm i do agree with some comments its a BRILLIANT radio song but the video is slightly mainstream. Very surprised with them for doing this type of video but hey ho if it gives them more exposure then thats a good thing for a great band and it is their comeback single for a long time so they’ll have to attract new followers.”

The video itself is an impressively inventive take on the music video process. In it, Lightbody heartily attempts to sing his own song in his own music video, but finds himself replaced by an actor (Jack Davenport) sporting a flashy suit and backed by teenage dancers. The duration of the video involves Lightbody inserting himself into the video in increasingly annoying (yet lovable) ways, and at last making peace with the director (Tara Summers) by–what-else–dancing. Given the lyrical content of the song, (“We are listening/And we are not blind/This is your life/This is your time”), the concept for the video seems even more telling. Overall a quite refreshing mix of cuteness and surprisingly potent intelligence. We can’t wait to see what Snow Patrol has in store for us on their new album, which will be released later this year.

Preview the Called Out In The Dark EP below: