Detailed Analysis

1. BethDavies
Imagine Dragons Detailed Analysis (Demons)
The music videoforthe Imagine Dragons’song‘Demons’isanalternative rockmusicvideoand
generallyfollowsconventionsof theirgenre.
Firstly,the videoincludesalive performance of the bandthroughthe use of a LS - whichhighlights
theirinstrumentsaswell astheircostumes(astheyare wearingquite casual clothingof skinnyjeans
and a t-shirt).Thisfollowsconventionsasithelpsthe audience identifywiththe bandbytheir
representation.
In addition,the musicvideoalsofollowsconventionsbyincludingMS/CUof the leadsingersinging,
as well aseach bandmemberplayingtheirinstruments.Thisiseffective becauseitemphasisesthe
realismforthe audience bycreatingthe effectthattheyare performingjustforthatindividual –
whichalsoemphasisesthe desire effecttobe so close withthem.
Anotherwaythe musicvideofollowsconventionsisbyhavinga very
strongrelationshipbetweenthe lyricsandthe visuals.However,there
isonlyone example of anillustrative linkasthe leadsingersings,
“Look intomy eyes,it’swhere mydemonshide”.Ashe singsthis,the
image presentedtothe rightispresentedonscreen.This isbeneficial
as it givesthe audience aninsighttothatperson’slife andalsogives
theman ideaof what their‘demons’are.
As well asthis,the relationshipbetweenthe musicandthe visuals
isalso verystrong.For instance, the shotstendtocut on a 2-4
count basisas well asbuildingtensionbybottlessmashingon
screenas showninthe image to the left.Thisiseffective asit
buildsuptensionforthe audience andkeepstheirattention
throughoutbykeepingthem entertainedinthe conceptand
narrative.
However,the fellingof wantingtolookmore,astheyare entertained,is
juxtaposedthroughthe use of ‘notionlooking’.One exampleof thisiswhen
the male actor is lookinginthe mirrorwhilsttensinghisarmsthatappear
fragile.Thisnegativelyimpactsthe audience bymakingthemfeelguiltyby
lookingintosuchan intimate momentinthe maleslife,whichshocksthem
intorealisingthe strugglesinsome people’slives.
Despite the musicvideofollowingconventions,italsochallengesconventionsbynotincludingany
intertextualreferences.Therefore,we canalsoconclude thatthisparticularmusicvideofollowsthe
majorityof Goodwin’spoints,despitebeingamplifyingthroughout(especiallyinthe name of the
song,‘Demons’).Throughoutthe video,thisisimpliedtorepresentpeople’sbattlesthattheyface in
theirlife,likeTylerRobinson’sinspirational battle withcancer,whichiswhatthe songis dedicated
to.