Chosen by Monk
Our latest visual feast is truly that, and comes from alt-pop sensation Jagwar Twin, who has released the cinematic interpretation of his viral hit ‘Bad Feeling (Oompa Loompa)’ – a vivid, big-top spectacle that sees the multi-dimensional artist becoming the ringleader of his own surreal circus.
Playfully distorting the boundaries of reality backed by a troupe of dancers, the visual weaves together the song’s introspective musings on disillusionment to question what’s real as chess pieces tower to unimaginable heights while hypnotic spinning wheels and otherworldly carousels play backdrop to a dreamlike carnival that invites listeners to question their own realities.
Directed by visionary Ukrainian creator Ganna Bogdan and filmed at the iconic LA Circus as a commentary on how life is all a performance, the video mirrors the song’s thematic exploration of looking beyond the surface to dare listeners to trust their intuition, instead of falling prey to societal pressures and outside influences.
I aimed to create something that transcends the everyday, a melody that invites introspection and challenges the listener to find depth in the mundane, shares Jagwar Twin.
The whole world is kind of like a circus where no one really knows what’s up or down, left or right, black or white… so Ganna and I wanted to make sure that symbolism was in the video, especially as Jagwar Twin is all about exploring polarities and where they overlap.
Director Ganna Bogdan adds:
When Jagwar Twin suggested a Slavic circus concept, I was excited to make it happen.
I grew up in Ukraine loving the local circus and theater scene and most of my team is from Ukraine. The music video captures a mix of Eastern European circus, theater, playing with opposites, and surrealism, and of course adds elements of dance and glimpses of magic. I’m grateful for my talented team and for Jagwar Twin for delivering such a great performance on set.
The near-supernatural alter-ego of singer, songwriter, producer, and storyteller Roy English, Jagwar Twin boldly holds up a mirror to reflect humanity to the listener with his unique style of garage-rock guitars, grimy breakbeats, and vivid poetry combined with an electro-pop flourish and soulful R&B. Touching on the duality of life and the search for equilibrium, Jagwar Twin exists to find spirit in our shared humanity, venturing forward with encouragement to others to do the same work, while emphasizing what unites us.
‘Bad Feeling’ so far has generated more than 100 million streams across TikTok, Instragram, YouTube and other social media platforms.