Stay High by Tove Lo analysis

The video I will be analysing is 'Stay High' by Tove Lo as it, like the songs I've been contemplating choosing for my own music video, tells a story by following the artist as she recalls what happens on a night out. Although; my video will not resemble 'Stay High' in terms of concept, props or lighting, as the explicit nature of this video will limit my audience to adults only due to the adult content I still think this video is a good one to analyse due to its abstract nature which I find to be quite alluring and interesting.

The video begins with what looks like her memories from a hangover, as images of her drinking and changing clothes (multiple times) flash on the screen. Similarly to Beyoncé’s "Pretty Hurts" the direction for the video goes down the documentation route. 

Picture 1 displays the artist waking up from a pile of people, suggesting that she has fallen asleep at a party. First impressions from this opening scene of the artists character and the theme of the song is that it is based around a party-goer trying to recall what happened up the day before. 

Picture 2 shows the singer dressing for a night out, in this video the artist is seen changing a multiple amount of times, which adds to the documentary feel of the video as it shows that this is a recording of the characters life over a period of time. Goodwin's theory of voyeurism is key in this video as we are introduced into this artists world, as we see everything that happens to her through her eyes, her perspective. Furthermore, many record companies tend to use close ups of their artists to sell themselves to the audience, to sell a brand, and Close Ups are featured heavily within this video due to unique way it has been filmed.

Picture 4 showcases the artist in a more generic way as she stands in front of a black screen; giving her the main focus. Moreover, this also helps to piece the meaning of the, particularly abstract, video as she sings "You're gone and I gotta stay high/ All the time/ To keep you off my mind" thus illustrating a relationship between the visuals and the lyrics because as she sings this we are shown clips of her getting drunk, recapping the night before. 

Picture 5 displays the artist applying make up to her neck to cover the love bite on her neck, this shows the artist as a promiscuous and sexually active young woman. This is one of the many conventions and stereotypes attached to females in the media, they're either seen as: powerful cold hearted women, housewives or sluts. 

Picture 6 shows the artist getting ready for a night out by putting on her makeup, this use of an extreme close is really effective because it is an invasion on the artist and it makes the audience feel even more connected to her.

Picture 7 illustrates the artist washing her face, this could represent the cyclical quality of her life as she has a wash, puts on her make up and goes out. The washing motif suggests a sense of routine, suggesting the artist is living the stereotypical young person lifestyle, of sleep all day and party all night.

Picture 8 and 9 show the artist taking a paracetamol for what the audience can only assume is for her hangover after the night before. This suggests that she lives this cyclical life where she parties all night and then regrets it the morning after as she wakes up with a massive headache. the fact that she chose to highlight this sows how important it is as there is also a close up that has been slowed down to show the paracetmol going into the water.