Exclusive Premiere: Alt Band PA System Yearn for Love on ‘Black & Blue’

Punctuated with swirling synth work and dancey rhythmic work, Chennai alternative act PA System have released the music video for their new song “Black & Blue,” the first single off their upcoming debut full-length album Strangers Down The Hall. 

The indie band — who came together in 2018 while they were students at the K.M. Music Conservatory in Chennai — previously released their debut EP On Days Like This in September last year. With a spirited studio-like setting for the music video to “Black & Blue,” drummer Arvind Krishnan says it was a challenge to film given pandemic-related precautions. “But we managed to carry it out keeping the necessary safety precautions in mind. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for us as we had a lot of fun on set while filming and we have produced a music video that we’re all very proud of,” he adds. 

Complemented by vocalist Pratyush Shankar’s half-jaded croon about changing relationships, “Black & Blue” is the first of more singles showcasing an evolving sound, building on demos that the band have worked on for two years and finessed during the lockdown last year. Shankar says about the latest song, “We took a step back in time and decided to go with a retro vibe for the song; we took what we loved about Eighties pop music and tried to incorporate it as a part of our sound. Lyrically, the song speaks about yearning for an unrequited love.” 

Bassist Prashanth Venkat adds that upcoming material from Strangers Down The Hall will likely be out with music videos as well. He says, “Currently we have a lot of cards out on the table and we’re ideating about the visuals for the upcoming videos.” 

Watch the video for “Black & Blue” below.