Today, Abifrail (Abby Manos) and Fastidious (Sarah Roth) release the music video for “Catatonic,” a glitchy new alt-techno track that is the first collaboration between the two artists. Manos has previously released Runnin x2, but this is Roth’s first time producing her own music, and it does not disappoint.
Their collaboration began when Roth invited Manos to provide vocals for a beat she had made, which featured just a single spoken word: “catatonic.” This repetitive, monotone word highlights the feelings of disconnection and aimlessness that Roth experienced after her breakup. Her dissonant voice is contrasted by Manos’ emotional verses with lyrics that sound dissociative but contain deeper meaning. I asked about the lyric “it feels so good to feel so dead,” and Manos shared that this came to her as she pondered what it truly means to feel catatonic—to slip into a dissociative state. “In relationships when you feel powerless and helpless, the feeling of being dead serves as a defense mechanism where detaching will replace the intense emotions. It feels so good because it will provide a moment of peace even if it’s twisted or temporary.”
Manos’ brilliant lyricism combined with Roth’s catchy beat and impressive production make for the perfect party video, which was directed by Maria Galebach (whose previous work includes visuals for NYC-based acts Fcukers and Shallowhalo). The video features both Manos and Roth in several scenes before, during, and after a party—ending in a ‘catatonic’ state that is not so uncommon to a typical party scene. The duo shared that they had a few different influences for this style of music video, one of them being Skins (UK). Manos shared that this was one of her favorite shows for the way it depicts party scenes and escaping reality, and this served as the ultimate inspiration for a song like “Catatonic.” Another captivating element of Manos and Roth’s video is its use of water. There are scenes in which both of them are underwater, providing a visual sense of bliss in an otherwise chaotic environment. This was partly inspired by the Deftones’ music video for their song “Sextape,” which takes place completely underwater. Styled by Carolyn Galebach, both Manos and Roth stumble over each other throughout the video, scantily clad in Euro-trash party attire. It’s messy. It’s weird. It’s perfect.
At its purest form, the video was inspired by their own fun.
Watch the music video for “Catatonic” below