REVIEW: “Get God’s Attention by Being An Atheist” by of Montreal
By Carly Tagen-Dye
Photo Credit: Christina Schneider
Pop favorites of Montreal know a thing or two about baring their souls to the world. Since 1996, the group has been releasing records and songs that deal with everything from divorce to isolation, all paired with the kind of upbeat indie you can’t help but tap your feet to. The band’s sixteenth studio album UR FUN (released January 17 via Polyvinyl Records) mirrors frontman Kevin Barnes’ personal life, merging autobiography with thought-provoking, insanely catchy electro-pop.
Written completely by Barnes in a period of self-inflicted “creative hibernation,” UR FUN explores his personal journey through modern artistry. The band recently released a music video to accompany the song “Get God’s Attention by Being An Atheist.” The track is on-brand for of Montreal; intricate, infectious, and inspired by lost 80’s gems. It takes a deep look at facing our fears head-on, and how to come out victorious in the end.
“Get God’s Attention by Being An Atheist,” naturally, is all about redemption and rebirth. The title alone is an escape from a higher power, its lyrics hinting at what it means to fall from faith in search of something new. At first glance, this music video feels more akin to something that’s crawled out of the depths of hell. There are some serious horror vibes, with black and white shots of a person in an unsettling deerlike costume stalking a child, followed by creatures with jagged horns and gaping mouths. It is eerily reminiscent of the music video for “Kids” by MGMT, where a baby is chased through a city by grotesque and brooding monsters. of Montreal, however, have much more in mind than merely traumatizing the youth.
“I wanted to use child actors because this song is an anthem to rebellion and fuck-all’edness,” Barnes states in a recent press release. “Anybody who’s spent any time around five-year-olds knows that they are the embodiment of punk rock élan...that teaches other kids how to conquer their demons, and have a blast while doing it!”
That message rings true into adulthood as well. As the child marches forward with a wrestler’s mask on, unafraid to face the world and tackle whatever it throws his way, we can’t help but feel we should be doing the same. Gaining a small army of friends as the video progresses, the kids attack their demons with absolutely no fear, bringing color back into their world. Matched with the song’s bumping beat and Barnes’ techno-ridden vocals, it feels like the ultimate anthem to jump around and let loose to; a kind of wakeup call to carry yourself onward. Like Barnes sings, “We don't wanna be safe, we want experience, we want it louder.” That yearning for freedom and total exhilaration bleeds beyond the screen and is sure to leave viewers inspired to tackle whatever is holding them hostage.
of Montreal is embarking on a national tour alongside openers Lily’s Band, Lily and Horn Horse, and Locate S,1. Check out the full list of cities on their website.