A$AP Rocky has dropped some memorable videos in the past — we’re thinking of the psychedelic classic for “LSD” 10 years ago in particular — but the new Winona Ryder-starring one for “Punk Rocky,” from his long-awaited forthcoming album “Don’t Be Dumb,” sets a new standard in humor and surreality.
It’s all a bit much to describe, but the scenario basically revolves around Rocky — who has a singing eyeball and wears pink rollers in his hair — and his punk rock band rehearsing in a garage while Ryder, who apparently plays his Beavis and Butthead T-shirt-wearing mom, looks on approvingly. A neighbor becomes upset at the noise, and drama ensues.
According to the announcement, the clip finds bringing “five out of six of his ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ alter egos to life: Rocky portraying GR1M, Tommy Revenge as RUGAHAND, Thoto as BABUSHKA BOI, the Williams twins as SHIRTHEAD, and DUMMY appearing alongside them.” Along with Ryder, it also stars Danny Elfman, Thundercat, and A$AP Nast.
The video was directed by Rocky alongside Folkert Verdoorn and Simon Becks (collectively known as the Three Musketeers), was produced by Magna Studios, Freenjoy, and AWGE.
The song, a relatively low-key indie-rock groove, doesn’t quite match the unhinged performance in the video, but it’s cool on its own as well. The track was written by Rocky, Cristoforo Donadi [Ghost], Adam King Feeney [Ging] and Zach Fogarty.
“Don’t Be Dumb,” Rocky’s first full-length release in eight years, features cover art by Tim Burton and is out January 16.