The clip is set in a futuristic laboratory and sees singer and songwriter Dan Smith Dan playing a character using technology to try and resurrect a lost loved one. Nodding to the classic science fiction of Metropolis, Ex Machina, and The Matrix, the video paints an emotional and intimate story.
“It’s really satisfying to have finally directed, and I’m really proud of the little film we made," says Smith. "I grew up with film as my main obsession, so this was a bit of a dream. I learned a shitload, and it was good to be challenged in a new way.”
Smith came up with the album concept of being a tribute to humanity in a tech age and reflecting on the strangeness of living through times that can feel like science fiction before the pandemic. The album was already underway and the band on hiatus from touring when the world shut down, forcing interaction solely through screens.
“Working on these songs in such an apocalyptic period, with everyone stuck at home, glued to screens, fed into the feeling that what is real and what is not has become pretty difficult to discern sometimes,” says Dan. “We’re in the age of deep fake, fake news and lying world leaders. But online, you can be anyone. What that does to our sense of self and to our relationships is huge, and it’s fascinating.”
The songs contain references to the world of science fiction film and literature, video games and VR.
Having co-written for other artists in recent years, for the first time ever on a Bastille album, the band opened the door to collaborators. Although primarily produced by Dan Smith and long-term production partner Mark Crew, the band also worked with a handful of writers and producers to expand the world.
Having co-written for other artists in recent years, for the first time ever on a Bastille album, the band opened the door to collaborators. Although primarily produced by Dan Smith and long-term production partner Mark Crew, the band also worked with a handful of writers and producers to expand the world.
“Distorted Light Beam” was co-written and produced with Ryan Tedder (Adele, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift), who also helped as a sounding board and executive producer for the album. “Thelma + Louise,” “Stay Awake,” and “Back To The Future” were co-written with songwriter Rami Yacoub (Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time”, Lady Gaga’s Chromatica Album). They also worked with British writers Jonny Coffer, Plested, and Dan Priddy.
You’ll also hear the voice of award-winning actor, musician, writer, creator, producer, director, and activist Riz Ahmed on a spoken word piece called “Promises.” Riz’s piece was a response the album and brings its overarching themes into sharp focus.
Give Me The Future is accompanied by a fictional, but familiar, tech giant called Future Inc., the creators of an invention called “Futurescape”—a device which allows users to live out their dreams virtually. It’s weaved through every element of the campaign and can be seen in the videos for all three singles— “Distorted Light Beam,” “Thelma & Louise,” and “No Bad Days.” Watch Bastille talk about the inspiration behind Future Inc. HERE.
This is Bastille’s fourth album and it serves as a reflection on where we are and perhaps where things could be, “I’m just observing the truly weird times we’re living in and having fun responding to it through these songs,” Smith says. “As the final track “Who Knows What the Future Holds… Don’t Matter If I Got You” says, this is happening, whether we like it or not. Finding happiness in the moment is surely the aim, whether it’s in the real or virtual world.”
“You don’t predict the future, you imagine it.” – Future Inc.
TRACK LISTING:
1. “Distorted Light Beam”
2. “Thelma + Louise”
3. “No Bad Days”
4. “Brave New World” (Interlude)
5. “Back To The Future”
6. “Plug In…”
7. “Promises” (by Riz Ahmed)
8. “Shut Off The Lights”
9. “Stay Awake?”
10. “Give Me The Future”
11. “Club 57”
12. “Total Dissociation” (Interlude)
13. “Future Holds” (feat. BIM)
ABOUT BASTILLE:
2. “Thelma + Louise”
3. “No Bad Days”
4. “Brave New World” (Interlude)
5. “Back To The Future”
6. “Plug In…”
7. “Promises” (by Riz Ahmed)
8. “Shut Off The Lights”
9. “Stay Awake?”
10. “Give Me The Future”
11. “Club 57”
12. “Total Dissociation” (Interlude)
13. “Future Holds” (feat. BIM)
ABOUT BASTILLE:
The four-piece's last album, 2019's Doom Days, was the conclusion of an unofficial trilogy. Last year, they released the Goosebumps EP, featuring Graham Coxon on “WHAT YOU GONNA DO???” and producer Kenny Beats on the title track.
Doom Days charted in the Top 5 in both the U.K. and U.S., the only U.K. band to have achieved this chart landmark alongside The Beatles and Queen in 2019. With over 11 million records sold, 6 U.K. Top 40 singles, and 1.5 billion video views, Bastille continues to be one of the world’s most streamed bands.
Photo by Reece Owen, courtesy Republic Records
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