Oceanator pairs anxious ruminating with comical imagery in “Bad Brain Daze” video

Indie rock project Oceanator released a new single, “Bad Brain Daze” with a music video directed by Chris Farren. The noisy, upbeat tune about daily anxiety is accompanied with happy cartoon imagery that bursts into ironic flames as singer-songwriter Elise Okusami dwells on unhealthy thoughts and obsessively checks her phone. 

“When I try to sleep now / I think of every stupid thing I’ve ever done or said they fill my head / Go to bed and start again tomorrow,” sings Okusami, describing racing thoughts over a danceable guitar hook. “Bad Brain Daze,” like its delightful animated visuals, gives the audience welcome comical relief to frightening feelings. 

The video for “Bad Brain Daze” came together in warm-hearted DIY spirit. “When Elise asked me to direct a music video for her, I thought ‘I don’t know how to do that!,’ but I said ‘Yes! I know how to do that!’ and quietly panicked for the next 3 weeks,” Farren told Brooklyn Vegan. “The video we came up with is a fantastical little day-in-the-life tale about anxiety, productivity, dread, and being horrifically ripped in half by cartoon animals.”

“Bad Brain Daze” is the first single leading up to Oceanator’s sophomore LP Nothing’s Ever Fine, out on April 8th via Polyvinyl Records. The band opens for Pedro the Lion at Union Transfer on April 24th. For information and tickets, go to the XPN Concert Calendar. Watch below for “Bad Brain Daze.”