American Oxygen. Doesn't sound like a name for a song, right? Well you'd be wrong as it's the title of Rihanna's new track, which comes with a very emotional video (scroll down to watch). So it's all about patriotism and happy American people right? Wrong. Well, yes and no. Because the video combines old footage of happy things like family gatherings and people waving the American flag (because, you know, that's all they do in America) with rather serious footage of the Civil Rights Movement, the Moon Landing, The Twin Towers aftermath and 'Black Lives Matter', among many more. For those who think Rihanna didn't have it in her to make a thought-provoking track (with an equally striking video), she's clearly proving she's a woman of many talents.
This one's pretty hard-hitting as singing about chasing the American dream contrasted with visual imagery about the sometimes harsh reality of that dream is as bold as it is upsetting (to say the least). The video evokes a whole array of emotions as the imagery changes from reports of Martin Luther King Jr being shot and killed to tiny children running around joyfully to immigrants trying to seek entry into the USA to live a 'better life'.
Of course, the singer herself is present in the video, seen at various points outside City Hall and with a parachute on her back trying to run forward; contrasting the types of struggle she has in moving with the struggles that people go through in their every days lives. It's all very metaphoric. Props to the video's director and editor (and everyone else involved!).
In terms of the song, Rihanna has had some interesting releases as of late, joining up with Paul McCartney and Kanye West for 'FourFiveSeconds' (which we're not overly keen on) and kicking it on her own in 'Bitch Better Have My Money' (which we greatly prefer). Now with 'American Oxygen' it showcases a different side to the singer and the track is probably best watched with the video itself as it creates a whole new meaning for the song. The instrumentals are key to this, and opening with strong piano beats helps to create that 'classic' acoustic that sounds timeless. Switching it up when the song starts to some more experimental sounds creates the distinction between the 'old' and the 'new' and is appropriate for this style of song. It's an impressive effort on Rihanna's part, although there could have been more lyrical content.
Watch the bold video below:
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