This is an awesome analysis!
okay, so, I found it oddly symbolic how Ashton and Calum were the only ones who “escaped” per se, like Michael is still climbing that ladder and Luke has literally 0 escape. There’s a few frames where Ash seems to have escaped the tunnel and Cal manages to free the chain from the cement block (despite it having to be at the cost of his bass, possibly symbolizing that if he wants freed of this image he has to sacrifice his music.) Ashton had said on instagram: “The wind tunnel was the expression of repression within the soul, constantly fighting within till you reach the light / contentment.” which just kinda furthers my thinking of “Kale is PR and as soon as it ends we’ll see the old, happy Ashton."
Also some colour symbolism (which I’ve been studying for a while as I’m a media student) (and also because i now have some more space to write this)
Luke: Red & White - so red is a super intense colour emotionally, it shows passion but can also tilt towards more angry feelings in a person. (Possibly angry that he’s had to put up with this facade?) Red is also a great colour to catch attention, which makes sense as Luke’s the front man of the band. I find it interesting that they’ve used white as well, as this often shows towards purity and innocence, perhaps pointing towards the fact Luke is also the youngest but he’s clearly innocent in the PR bullshit because why would he get a say? it’s a cash grab.
Calum: Green - so green is often an indicator of safety but it also can be used as a sign of courage and hope, something which I feel Calum is regarding being the only one without a Beard. I’m not sure how much it relates in this instance but green also is commonly associated with money, which could be hinting towards something more sinister (especially when you look at it coupled with the lyrics.)
Ashton: Yellow - Another attention grabber which makes me wonder about the amount of pap walks Ash and Kale get, because how often do you see them paying any mind to each other otherwise? Yellow USED to be associated with honor and loyalty, which would make a LOT of sense because of how committed Ashton is to everything music and the band, however it is now more associated with cowardice, which could also point to how Ashton may be fearful of something happening if he reveals his true self under the watchful eye of Modest. It may also be noteworthy that too much yellow starts to become disturbing (which certainly was the case I felt with the whole being trapped in such a strange place.)
Michael: Blue & Black - So, as we all know blue can often be associated with calm and tranquility however more commonly is is associated with coldness and depression, which is what I think this is hinting at more here. Michael is clearly unhappy being stuck with Crusty (who wouldn’t be), which seems to be a common theme (even if Michael didn’t write the lyrics, he and everyone else were bound to have had some input.) Black is often associated with gloominess and also depression which is the same as above but not many people know that black is associated with submission, which is clear that Michael (and the rest of the band, if you look at their outfits in this whole thing AND how they show no resistance on being put under at the start) have had to submit to Modest and the fact they’re being forced to put up with Beards would be enough to send anybody spiraling into their own mental darkness. I do find it interesting michael is wearing a white shirt, perhaps showing that despite it all, there’s still a small glimmer of hope and innocence in this whole thing.
So yeah. That’s been my whole analysis on this MV. I do think there’s a whole lot of different deeper meaning on this but this is my interpretation of it.
Thanks for sharing, Nonnie! It was very thought provoking. Please feel free to share any time!