On your first viewing of Tegan and Sara’s new music video for the synth-pop ballad "Hang on to the Night" from Tegan and Sara’s 2016 album Love You to Death, you will think, "That horse looks familiar! Snakes with boobs! I love this song!" On your second viewing, you’ll be hit with a strange mix of melancholy and hope. On the third viewing, you’ll think, "Yeah… I think I need to watch that again."
The animated video is directed and designed by Lisa Hanawalt, producer for Netflix’s hit BoJack Horseman, and animated by Nicole Stafford. In the video, a large purple horse calmly wakes up surreal nocturnal creatures, including the aforementioned snakes with boobs, and a star-crossed cat couple.
"The song was a response to a number of sudden deaths in our family and my anxiety about mortality," Sara Quin told Nylon. "If you can manage to hang on, you can face another day."
Hanawalt’s and Stafford’s visuals capture the emotional depth of the song. Hanawalt was inspired by traditional folklore and moments of Fantasia. The result is something strange and mystical, wistful and gloomy, and at times, full of joy.
Sara Quin says she feels the song and video are ultimately hopeful. "Humans are incredibly resilient, and the refrain reminds me of what we are capable of and what we can recover from."
Watch the video below, and let us know what you think in the comments.
