John Legend has become a cultural staple since he stepped on the scene in 2004. So much so that he’s one of the select few in the EGOT club. But even staples have to switch their style up and give the people something new every once in a while. John is set to do just that with his upcoming Pharrell Williams-produced album Muse. Its lead single, “Daylight,” takes him in a new direction, and so does the song’s music video.
Rather than go for spectacle, Legend and director Paul Hunter go for simplicity. The clip begins with flashes of John and four female dancers standing in the warm amber glow of stage lights as Pharrell’s signature four-count intro plays. We’re then taken to what is presumably the beginning of the day as the dancers prepare for the shoot on an otherwise empty soundstage. The singer then walks in from outside and takes his seat at his signature piano.
From there, magic happens as the ladies move to the sound of John’s singing and playing as the scene plays out as if it were a rehearsal. Interspersed with these moments are scenes from the end result, showing the women moving fluidly around the singer and forming breathtaking shapes and poses made for the screen. It’s a testament to how sometimes a simpler concept is the best concept when it comes to visuals.
The Muse era looks to be a rather intriguing one for John Legend. We truly cannot wait to see how it all shakes out both sonically and visually. Get into the video for “Daylight” when you press play.
