Miles Francis, the multitalented NYC based musician has released a second single in 2021 titled “Popular.”
Earlier this year, they released “Service,” a catchy alt-pop romp exploring the dark side of devotion, complete with boy band style choreography of Miles Francis clones in the video. This actually mirrored Miles’ recording process in quarantine of cloning one element into many, making a band out of a solo artist.
Previously they’ve collaborated with Will Butler (Arcade Fire), Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Antibalas, Amber Mark, Angelique Kidjo, and many more. A popular project of Miles’ on YouTube #MultiMiles was started in January of 2021 and so far includes 12 videos plus an NPR Tiny Desk submission version of Service. Their previous EPs Doves and Swimmers have earned them praise from the likes of NY Times, FADER, Stereogum, and KCRW.
“Popular” comes out Aug 25 and is a continuation of the “Service” video, tackling the male need to take up space and power, from conversations to countries. The song features Lizzie Loveless and Lou Tides (aka Lizzie and Teeny Lieberson, formerly of TEEN) on background vocals. In the “Service” music video, Miles Francis and their two clones sing, play their instruments, and perform the synchronized choreography while constantly peeking over to the side of the camera. This small detail could be overlooked as a natural habit of the artist until about halfway through the video when all three clones get disturbed and paranoid before leading into a dance number. Then of course the ending features a downed Miles and an imposing silver mannequin.
This is where the “Popular” music video picks up. The video starts pretty intensely, a very different vibe than the previous video, where the now moving mannequin drags Miles to a different set. Fewer clones and more color and light distortions in this one. After a makeup application scene that felt like a hostage situation Miles goes back to the familiar two piece drum set up a changed person. Social commentary is littered throughout both videos and can be dissected with a few viewings.
To celebrate, Francis will be taking to the streets of New York today for live performances on a pickup truck (“Popularalooza” schedule here + Instagram live here), ahead of their Sept 15 hometown show at Our Wicked Lady benefiting Trans Asylias.
For more information visit their website.
To stay up to date on Miles make sure to follow them on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.
Their music can be listened to on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, and Soundcloud.
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