Words By: Bre Offenberger

Canada-based indie pop phenoms, Valley, have released the music video for their latest single, “Like 1999.” The video, which features TikTok influencer Boman, is a playful depiction of behind-the-scenes work that oozes nostalgia and feel-good vibes.

A lot of newly released music has surrounded the feelings that have manifested themselves during the pandemic, which is fair to say the least. Valley, however, go even beyond that. They don’t want to transport back to 2019 — they want to go back to the last century, specifically 1999 just before the turn of the millennium, before technology and social media claimed the throne. Co-vocalist Rob Laska, over a simple acoustic guitar, admits he would throw away the accessibility. He would choose to never receive a text again if it meant he and his love could go back to an unbothered time, just relax and savor the moment. Since he can’t, he decides they can play pretend and enter an imaginary time machine back. Midway through the track, co-vocalist Karah James croons some oh-so sweet harmonies to add a dash of flavor to an already gorgeous melody. There’s no doubt Valley has somehow encapsulated the entire world’s feelings in a two-and-a-half minute track.

The video opens with Boman, the music video director, getting off the phone and pretending to be excited to see “The Valley Girls” — signifying he doesn’t even know who the band is. Laska admits he doesn’t understand the point of the video, but Boman walks away to start the music before the band is even ready. As Laska looks around the room frantically while beginning the track, Boman is seen running over to fix the position of Alex DiMauro’s bass before eventually adjusting everyone’s posture. Laska is blatantly annoyed before the entire scene switches to the bandmates channeling their inner child, playing with a Buzz Lightyear action figure and battling with lightsabers. The scene switches again, this time to the bandmates sitting, instruments and all, in a room popping with orange. Laska then opens his eyes, being brought out of his vision for the perfect music video by Boman complaining to him. The band escapes and goes elsewhere to perform a video they’re actually proud of.

The video follows Valley’s launch of like1999.com earlier this week. The site provides fans with a potential Spotify canvas contest and more. There will also be a director’s cut of the music video that will drop on April 2, with Boman joining the band for a YouTube watch party at 12:30 p.m. that day.

“Like 1999” started out as a TikTok video that blew up within a matter of days. Valley told fans they would release the song if the video hit 1 million views, and it did just that hours later. Having already toured with the likes of The Band CAMINO and Lennon Stella and getting ready to support LovelyTheBand once it’s safe, Valley have already made a name for themselves, so it’s going to be beautiful to watch them grow even more.