videoSam Smith 'I'm Not Here To Make Friends' by Tanu MuinoTanu Muino brings us the first outstanding British music video event of 2023 with Sam Smith's unabashed, splendidly theatrical and joyfully outrageous video for I'm Not Here To Make Friends.Exuberant, eccentric, and defiantly brazen, this sees Sam Smith dispensing with any last vestige of previous public incarnations and embracing their queer superstar status with gusto - but also with a healthy self-knowing nod and a wink.Sam arrives by helicopter to a historic countryside manor, joining a gregarious crowd to engage is an extravagant costume party for the ages, over an inspirational sample of RuPaul before the disco beat of this surefire smash kicks in. And eyebrows are soon being raised...There is dancing. There are some extraordinary outfits. There's rowdy behaviour. And there is some very suggestive things going on, including a scene that may possibly be inspired by Frankie Goes To Hollywood's video for Relax!Throughout is the stunning array of costumes and looks, and Sam's playful and sexy performance, which dazzles in every vignette. They are clearly having the time of their lives. Bringing together so many different layers and inspirations - including a knowing nod to Steven Klein's promo for Gaga's Alejandro - the video oozes self-love and an excitable confidence, and is the perfect release to complement Gloria, Smith's just-released new album.It just ticks all the boxes it's supposed to tick - and that is really down to the genius of Tanu Muino. She just knows what a pop video like this should do, and achieved it, from start to finish.
Rob Ulitski - 2 months ago