Today we’re thrilled to bring you the music video premiere for “Religion Is Dead,” the title track of an upcoming EP from Jennifer Akerman, the force behind the Los Angeles-based dark-pop venture, Final Child. This release arrives almost a year after her initial full-length album, which came out on November 11th of last year. Intriguingly, Jennifer reveals that the conception of this EP wasn’t originally on her 2023 agenda. However, her creative cosmos was realigned during a collaborative session with Animaan Pathak, who’s one-half of the musical duo Analog Party.
Creative ideas often act like fireworks—unpredictable, sudden, and explosive. You may walk into a room with a blank slate, but walk out with a vision that refuses to fade. This was precisely the alchemy between Jennifer and Animaan. As if catching lightning in a bottle, the session became a catalyst for what we now know as the “Religion Is Dead” EP.
Available from today, October 27th, “Religion Is Dead” holds a special place in Jennifer’s artistic portfolio. She explains:
It was one of those songs that just wrote itself. In these current times, I think it’s more important than ever to remember that we ALL come from the same place and all that matters is love.
Although not religious herself, Jennifer employs the song to convey a universal sentiment. She says:
I’m not religious myself but that doesn’t mean that I don’t believe. I never want to disrespect someone who is religious, but this is my take on life and how I experience it. Life is short, so enjoy it while you can!
“Religion Is Dead” is its magnetic fusion of contrasting elements. The track engages with grunge-inspired, somewhat distorted guitar lines that echo the raw ethos of garage rock. At the same time, the musical atmosphere ascends into a realm of ethereal charm, marked by ambient and almost otherworldly sonic effects. These tonal disparities create an arresting canvas for Jennifer Akerman’s vocals, which oscillate between mellifluous singing and haunting non-lexical vocals.
The song’s lyrics are a medley of existential questions, yearnings, and conclusions. Lines like, “They say that somebody looks after me. But I’m not so sure I believe,” grapple with the crisis of faith, almost as though she is knocking on the door of the metaphysical, only to find it unanswered. The uncertainty is captured in the desperate plea, “Where the hell are you hiding? Am I wasting my time? What’s this life all about?”
Yet, the song doesn’t stay in a place of pure despair. As she discovers a different kind of divinity, one grounded in earthly experience. The climax of this journey hits with the chorus with the lines, ‘Let it go. Who cares, when heaven is here?” And the song feels like so much more than a catchy tune – it also open the doors for a full-on chat about the big, weighty topic of religion’s role in our lives today. Like a thought-provoking book or a challenging film, making you examine long-held views on spirituality and faith.
For the video, when it comes to multi-talented duos who can take a concept and bring it to life in the most imaginative ways, look no further than Munnycat, who filmed and directed the shoot. The home style setting with strategic lighting instills the video with an almost an uncanny, haunting presence. The somber hues of the house and the flickering lights, intermittently casting shadows and revealing spaces, work in concert to produce a subtle horror-esque vibe. This visuals aligns perfectly with the sensations of the song itself.
Final Child mentions that the song and the EP, are just a taste of things to come:
The songs were so raw and different from what I’ve previously released. I can also be a bit impatient sometimes haha…I’m actually working on a whole separate album at the moment together with producer Matt McJunkins (A Perfect Circle). But that you’ll hear more of in 2024.
Be sure to keep an ear out for Jennifer Akerman’s upcoming EP, and for more information of a full-length album set for 2024.
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