Nares Unveils Haunting Music Video for “Levitate” Featuring 8485

Canadian dark pop artist Nares has unveiled the official music video for her hauntingly ethereal single “Levitate,” featuring 8485. The track offers a deeply introspective journey, blending somber melodies with expansive production to create an immersive atmosphere. “Levitate” explores themes of emotional transformation, isolation, and connection, inviting listeners to experience a deeply emotional landscape where longing and transcendence coexist.

The song was written over several years in a remote country cabin in Guelph, Ontario, a space that allowed Nares to reflect and draw inspiration. During this time, 8485 breathed new life into an older demo of Nares' titled “seethru,” revitalizing the track into something both massive and emotionally charged. The result is a song that feels expansive and raw—sonically rich while emotionally vulnerable. The track’s unique blend of dark pop, hyperpop, and electronic influences creates a cinematic soundscape that captures the complexity of the emotions it portrays.

The official music video, co-directed by Nares and Jonathan Matta, serves as a visual representation of the track’s haunting atmosphere. The video draws on surreal, Lynchian imagery with elements inspired by "The Virgin Suicides" and Jungian symbolism. The combination of found-footage aesthetics and high-contrast cinematography brings to life the dual perspectives of Nares and 8485—two individuals navigating separate emotional realities, yet finding common ground in their search for meaning and transcendence. The dreamlike visuals unfold as an expression of emotional duality, reflecting the feelings of longing, disillusionment, and a desire to break free from isolation.

The video begins with Nares performing a ritualistic fire ceremony, burning an infinity symbol into the earth—a symbol that holds layers of meaning. The act represents death, rebirth, and the process of individuation, suggesting that transformation is both a personal and universal journey. In contrast, 8485 is seen floating aimlessly in an above-ground pool, his character lost in thought, adrift in the depths of his own subconscious as he seeks purpose. The imagery suggests the dissolution of self, a visual metaphor for emotional unraveling and the struggle to find meaning in a world of uncertainty. These contrasting scenes mirror the song’s exploration of transformation and the inner conflict that accompanies it.

Nares explains that the song is about two separate beings experiencing the same emotion, a sense of longing and searching for transcendence. She describes it as a "hive-mind" experience, where despite the distinct paths they take, both individuals seek the same emotional destination. “We’re two separate beings experiencing the same feeling, like a hive-mind,” she says. “Emerging from isolation and disillusionment, we seek transcendence by whatever means necessary. It means different things to us, but we’re searching for the same thing.” This statement encapsulates the essence of the song—an exploration of universal themes through the lenses of individuality and connection.

8485 reflects on the filming process, recalling his experience shooting in Nares' grandmother's basement, where the fog and atmosphere created a “Twin Peaks”-inspired ambiance. He notes the connection between the video and David Lynch’s work, adding that the duo has now dedicated both the song and the video to Lynch, especially after his passing. This tribute adds another layer of meaning to the visual and sonic collaboration, linking the music video’s dreamlike visuals to Lynch's own exploration of the surreal and the unconscious.

The video’s visuals further explore themes of duality, self-sacrifice, and transformation, drawing inspiration from Nares’ and 8485’s zodiac elements—Water (Pisces) and Fire (Leo). The imagery emphasizes the balance between opposing forces and the internal struggle for self-realization. The infinity symbol burned into the earth suggests a cycle of death and rebirth, while 8485’s character’s immersion in water represents the subconscious mind, where one can dissolve and reform. The 888 symbol, featured throughout the video, references the idea of transformation, new beginnings, and the cycle of life—tying together the song’s motifs of change and personal evolution.

Nares, hailing from St. Catharines, Ontario, is a multifaceted artist who blends a wide range of musical genres, including dark pop, hyperpop, electronic, country, R&B, and hardcore influences. Her music is deeply influenced by themes of isolation, fleeting romance, and existential longing. Nares finds inspiration in a variety of sources, including literature, film, politics, and her dreams, which inform her unique sonic vision.

“Levitate” is a track that invites listeners into a complex, emotional world where themes of transformation and connection unfold through vivid soundscapes and compelling visuals. Fans can now experience the full journey of "Levitate" through streaming platforms, with the music video available to watch and immerse in its surreal atmosphere. Additionally, a custom ‘DNA Ring,’ inspired by the imagery in the video, is available for purchase on Nares' official website, NARES.EARTH, offering fans a tangible connection to the visual world of the song.