The use of eyewear in the music industry is nothing new, with artists as diverse as Elton John and Kurt Cobain being known for their choice of shades. To illustrate, although it’s been 30 years since Nirvana frontman Cobain’s untimely passing, his sartorial choices remain popular. Even his signature clout goggles were reissued a few years ago following immense public interest.
Utilized as a piece for both fashion and visual storytelling, the right sunglasses can help convey the message the artist and their work stands for. As such, it’s only natural that sunnies are used in many music videos to help further deepen the narrative. Interestingly, among indie artists whose resources are a little more limited, such eyewear becomes both a practical and stylish tool. In celebration of the creativity with which indie artists have long been using sunglasses, here are a few of the cool music videos where eyewear plays a central role.
We Are Scientists – Your Light Has Changed
A California-based trio that’s been active since the late 90s, We Are Scientists is a staple in the local pop-rock circuit. Known for their humor, the trio injects comedy into their lyrics, live shows, interviews, and, of course, their music videos.
In their 2018 music video for their single “Your Light Has Changed,” the group delves into how one can get stuck on the idea of someone or something, regardless of the reality of their relationship. In the accompanying music video, we see various individuals receive a package with a cassette tape inside. Once they play the mysterious tape, they’re transformed into androgynous figures wearing a white t-shirt, a side-swept bob, and a pair of black sunnies.
These sunglasses feature a classic silhouette seen in many popular pieces today. With an angular shape and thick acetate material, these shades are popular for both men and women, thanks to their versatility. In other brands, such as Foster Grant’s Lakewood, such a style is even given a more contemporary touch via tinted lenses. Since these shades are unisex, it makes sense that this silhouette is the best choice for “Your Light Has Changed,” where the story sees the whole world end up as one uniform entity, waiting around—for better or worse.
Hot Mulligan – Equip Sunglasses
Music doesn’t need to be overly deep or life-changing. Sometimes, all you need is a good beat and feel-good lyrics that you can listen to without having to dissect its prose. This is the case in “Equip Sunglasses,” which premiered on the Billboard charts in 2020.
Written and performed by the pop-punk band Hot Mulligan, the song was inspired by the artists’ wanting to create an easily digestible anthem for the paranoia you feel when you’re being observed. In the lighthearted music video, the band dons leather jackets, dances around a vintage Chevy, and sports black sunglasses as the song picks up.
Somewhat reminiscent of the visuals in Ferris Bueller and Greased Lightning, “Equip Sunglasses” is a more modern take on the confidence you can gain when you distance yourself from society’s judgment. The brand of eyewear Hot Mulligan uses in the music video is not specified, but based on its cool factor, our best bet is the Wayfarer style, popularized by Ray-Ban.
Popstar – Afterparty
Released just this April, “Afterparty” by the duo called Popstar is a veritable cocktail of lights, colors, synths, and sunglasses. Definitely not a group that wants to be stuck in one niche, Popstar’s visual and auditory offerings are a genre-defying journey into a diverse musical profile. In “Afterparty” alone, listeners will note influences from rock, electronic, hyperpop, metal, and industrial music.
The music video’s stylings are similarly varied, with each scene in the neon-lit video featuring a different pair of specs. In the bathtub, we see a futuristic pair of wraparounds. Later, in a decked-out garage, the duo performs in oversized and bejeweled shades, similar to the Lucy and Natalie Solar Shields. Although the in-your-face music and cinematography may not be for everyone, there’s no denying that anyone giving the music video a watch will find an eyewear style they resonate with, given the multiple pairs they feature.
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