Textual Analysis LSD

ASAP ROCKY

The music video for LSD is completely distorted with colour changes, camera
switch ups, heavy editing and transitions. The music video seems reminiscent of
Across the Universe with a mix of Kaynes 808 albums. It also borrows heavily
from Gaspar Noes 2009 psychedelic fantasy film Enter the Void (2009) using
imagery of Tokyo and the room of reflective glass, fairy lights, chandeliers,
carnival lights and bright colours to give powerful visuals mimicking an acid trip.
Knowing that the majority of his audience wouldnt be able to relate or visualise
what an acid trip is as the drug itself isnt in high demand and has a bad vibe to
it, ASAP Rocky wanted to give people drugs through his music. When breaking
down the title LSD it stands for love, sex, drugs which is what its all about;
its a clever play on words referencing both acid and his love affairs with women,
and the video gives strong visual imagery of distortion showing the audience
what he wants them to see.
The beat itself is a slow deep bass with deep sighs every now and then. When
breaking down the beat it starts off with simple high guitar chords, the bulk of
the soundtrack are three simple sounds from a synthesiser or deep bass and is
then layered by the high guitar chords and piano notes with a simple track from
a drum later on. The soundtrack is very slow and gives a very calm vibe adding
to the trippiness of the music video. The editing of the music video is very
synchronous with the sound track; the pulsing of the lights like a heartbeat
matches the deep bass.
The camera work is relatively simple with transitional and establishing shots
making up the bulk of the music video. Not only does this help to set the scene in
Tokyo and make it easier to visualise the scale of the buildings but it builds on
the acid trip. The transitions between camera shots are well edited mainly
focusing on the lights with inspiration taken from kaleidoscopes.