Daft Punk have been grabbing the internet’s collective attention quite a bit since dropping their new song “Starboy” with The Weeknd last week. In the aftermath of the new single’s release, rumors spread like wildfire about the possibility of a 2017 tour, which have since been largely debunked. Now, The Weeknd’s collaboration with the robot duo is back on our minds as they deliver a music video for the song.
The “Starboy” video opens with an intense sequence, as The Weeknd’s Abel is suffocated to death while a haunted organ and cinematic booms set the scene. The song then begins, and the R&B vocalist appears again to sing its catchy hooks donning his newly short hair. The concept of the video references the star powered themes of the song, as Abel carries a glowing cross around a sprawling mansion and proceeds to smash up his awards.
Daft Punk are mostly absent from the video, though they do surface in the form of an epic painting adorning the mansion’s walls. The clip comes to a conclusion with Abel driving off in a luxury car with a panther as his passenger.
Despite having just been released today, Daft Punk and The Weekend have already been nominated for Best Video at the upcoming MTV EMAs for “Starboy.” It’s certainly a striking visual tie-in to the new single, and its violent imagery makes for a gripping watch.