Saskatchewan singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andy Shauf recently released a music video for "Quite Like You", the fourth track from his concept album The Party (2016). There's more affect and emotion on display here, since Shauf adopts a first person perspective that contrasts with third person perspective he used for "The Magician". The same nonchalant penchant for psychological dissection is, however, still present.
"Quite Like You" relies on the familiar ’70s-style studio-pop aesthetic he relied on throughout the album, but the track stands out slightly for its accessibility, earnestness and relatively optimistic vibe. It amounts to a refreshingly chill and timeless mid-tempo ballad, which, on first listen, appears to have been inspired by the ordinary pleasure of meeting someone seemingly exceptional at an otherwise humdrum party.
Pay closer attention to the verses, and you realize that the situation is not that simple. Shauf's lyrical persona engages Sherry, his best friend's Jeremy's girlfriend in a conversation after the two of them have an argument. The alchohol helps his kindness transition into carelessness, and his clumsy attempt to take advantage of her vulnerable situation (which involves throwing Jeremy under the bus) only pushes her back into Jeremy's embrace:
'Jeremy’s so stonedI’d be surprised if he saw the tears in Sherry’s eyesshe’s standing in the corner staring at the floorI wonder what the hell he did this time?normally I wouldn’t care to be so boldtonight I think I’ll ask her what is wrongshe seems a bit embarrassed and I understandI say “I wish that you were having a good time”she says “you know I’ve never really met someone like you”I’m not one to speak up but I’ve had a fewso I start cutting Jeremy right in twoI say “I don’t know what you see in him it seems to me that all he ever does is bring you down”I’m spilling my drink as I really starttearing one of my best friends apartshe’s getting uneasy and my drunken speech endsas my hand finds it’s way to hersand I say “you know I’ve never really met someone like you”Jeremy walks overand to my surpriseSherry puts her arm around his side'
Lyrics:
The accompanying music video was directed by Canuck musician Chad VanGaalen; it features socially awkward humanoid aliens interacting with each other in a familiar party milieu (but the twist is that they are controlled by a human gamer/couch potato):
"Andy's story was really easy to get inside of and hang out for a while, so I just sat right here in my drawing chair and decided what type of fashion the party mutants would be wearing. Tennis ball pedestal helmets will obviously be available soon-ish."
Chad VanGaalen, Stereogum
