Sometimes we’re not able to get on board the hype train immediately when it leaves the station (Even if we have a ticket!) but also sometimes we’re able to catch the same train when it makes its’ return trip so in the case of The Shang Hi Los, we might’ve missed our initial time to wax poetic on all things “Op-Operator” but with an accompanying video treatment from Joan Hathaway on the, ahem, way it looks like the time once again is now.
Tl;dr Oh hey! The Shang Hi Los have a new video soon!
Anyway! “Op-Operator” is the song in question and it’s a banger in the vein of Rick Springfield, The Beach Boys, or The Cars’ more radio-friendly singles with an infectious chorus at its’ heart delivered with an elegant exquisiteness by Jen D’Angora (Vocals, Guitar), Chad Raleigh (Guitar), Lee Harrington (Bass, Vocals), Dan Kopko (Vocals, Guitar), and Chuck Ferreira (Drums). It’s a nostalgic sugary sweet Pop love song with a twist made all the more memorable by D’Angora and Kopko’s dual vox at the core while Ferreira and Harrington provide the booming backbeat with Raleigh (And Kopko and D’Angora) laying down the steady strums.
The video, filmed at Stereo Jack’s Records in Somerville (Check ’em out here and here) by Joan Hathaway, is as playful as the Retro-Pop soundtrack it provides the visuals for with D’Angora as the coolest Record Store clerk ever following the storyline of the song to a tee. If you grew up in a time when music videos were just becoming the thing and mostly fun mini-movies (ZZ Top and Huey Lewis and the News’ ’80’s eyefuls definitely come to mind) then this one’s for you. And if you didn’t grow up then and just dig a good time with a kickass soundtrack then this is also for you.
“Op-Operator” is out now on Rum Bar Records and can be yours to stream when you head here. For the video, you have to wait until March 20th so keep yer peepers peeled to ye olde YouTube page here along with The Shang Hi Los socials which you can find here and here.