Halifax’s psychedelic pop group Walrus have released a video for their new single “Played Out,” and it’s filled with an undying lust for professional wrestling. As their second single dropped this year, the track comes in anticipation of their upcoming album, Cool to Who, set to release October 18.
Directed by wrestling buff Jeff Miller, the video depicts a day in the life of a pro wrestling fanatic. From showing off his World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship belt to acting out matches with action figures to practicing his moves on a pillow and a trampoline, this guy is a serious about wrestling—and he really showed that pillow who’s boss.
Walrus percussionist Jordan Murphy states, simply, they “love to include any wrestling whenever we get the opportunity.”
“There’s lots of little nuggets in there for any real marks, so hopefully people can have some fun with it.”
The song itself may or may not be related to the video topic (that all depends on how you truly feel about pro wrestling); It addresses the notion of maintaining a bad habit that barely serves you, just for the sake of it.
“‘Played Out’ is about doing something over and over even though you know it’s not good for you, and the feeling is played out compared to what it used to be. You do it anyway,” says lead vocalist Justin Murphy.
Musically, the track contains the band’s signature echoey vocals and mellow, psychedelic riffs with some synth thrown in for good measure. The song’s pacing is slow and the sounds are distorted, placing it somewhere in the middle of doom and indie rock, but still carrying hints of pop.
In the end, though, we are left wondering whether the album may follow some type of theme. The band’s previous video, for their track “Cool to Who,” also follows a day in the life of a person who is obsessed with something: sporty cars—though he is, unfortunately, not a car owner himself. Perhaps the remaining eight tracks of the record will follow suit by continuing to describe some of the awkward traits we humans can carry.