Tove Lo Electro-Pop Conventions Analysis

“Stay High (Habits)”

GC1: Lyrics and Visual Narrative
• The video is a mixture of performance and
narrative
• The narrative is elliptical (Vernallis), but it shows a
woman partying in attempt to get over a breakup
• The narrative is looped to show the repetitive nature
of the singer’s actions and the days blurring together
• A sense of voyeurism (Goodwin) is present through
the direct eye contact and getting ready or sleeping
• There narrative is non-linear and jumps back and
forth
• The narrative relies on partying stereotypes such as
drinking, reckless hookups, and clubs/bars
GC2: Genre Characteristics
• The genre of the song is electro-pop
• The low-key lighting, mixed with
neon colours and signs are
characteristics of the genre
• The locations are relatable to young
adults (16-25+) as it is stereotypical
for young people to party
• The editing is fast-paced to match the
beat
• The protagonist is portrayed as the
victim of the narrative
GC3:
Intertextuality
There is a postmodernism through the non-linear
and narrative and loop
Postmodernism
GC4: Representations
• The music video depicts a young woman partying
after a breakup, and relates to the target audience
of females ages 16-25+
• Partying is represented through the mise-en-scene,
with messy costumes and makeup, shots of
alcohol, and depictions of smoking and drugs,
which cuts off a younger audience (under 16) for
the video
• There are shots objectifying the singer and a sense
of voyeurism as she changes, which appeals to the
male gaze (Mulvey), and the homosexual female
gaze
• There is variation in the group of friends, of the
singer, as well as the people she hooks up with as it
depicts both heterosexual and homosexual
relationships
 • There video is mostly shot with a wide-angle fish-eye
lens on the singer to reflect the distortion she feels
GC5: • There are a lot of CU and MCU of the singer to show her
emotions
Cinematography • The lighting is a mix of low-key and neon
and Editing • There are frequent jump cuts which is distracting and
distorting for the viewer, as well as confusion created by
jumping back and forth between scenes and creating an
elliptical (Vernallis) narrative
Notable Marketing
• Original self-release was unpopular, but re-release spanned legnthy
radio plays and many remixes
• Grew organically as singer had no label
Notable Shots
Possible Influences
• The bar mise-en-scene
• A singular protagonist
• Mixed locations
• Performance and narrative
• The pool table shots
• Using a distorted lens