Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) "I Wanna Get Better" Video Reviewed

Jack Antonoff of fun. released a music video (directed by girlfriend Lena Dunham) for his song, “I Wanna Get Better” and now I’m pretty sure I like his side project, Bleachers, more that fun.  He’s a genius, and I had no idea that he had this in him.  He has a fantastic voice and incredible lyric abilities.

The video features Jack as a therapist, just dumped, listening to other people’s problems and pleads of ‘I wanna get better’ but not actively doing anything about it.  He seems distressed, distracted, disgusted.  It’s interesting how the video captures his apathy and obvious efforts to be empathetic but he’s just having a hard time.  It’s really well done.

As for the lyrics, they’re powerful on their own.  “I didn’t know I was broken until I wanted to change” is a line in the chorus that definitely sums up the main theme of the song, and is really relatable.  I’m sure a lot of people can identify with this.  It’s hard to even recognize that’s something wrong until you decide to change.  It’s stunning and I was really blown away by it.

“She said to get better so I put a bullet where I shoulda put a helmet and I crashed my car cos I wanna get carried away; that’s why I’m standing on the overpass screaming at myself, ‘HEY I wanna get better!’”  This bit is what got to me the most, and hit me really hard.  First off, the imagery is heartbreaking.  I love how honest and scary it is, along with a hint of hope.  It stands out the most to me and I can’t get enough of this line, and how well it fits.  In the video, it’s when Jack finally says something and speaks up and stands up for himself, so that makes it even more powerful.

I’m thoroughly impressed by Antonoff, and his extensive talent I had no idea existed.