Disclosure are an English electronic music duo who have just released their debut album 'Settle' which quickly topped the UK album charts. Prior to the album release in June 2013, 'Latch' was released as a single in late 2012, and is the 3rd track on the album.
By contextualising the lyrics, it's evident that the track is primarily about finding a strong connection with another person and falling in love with them 'now I've found you in my space, I won't let go of you' The 'now I've found you in my space' lyric may suggest that this love was unexpected and unplanned, which is supported by the opening scenes of the video where the young girl and boy are standing in the lift by each others side. Their connection is initially shown in a extreme close up of their hands intertwining and later they decide to show their love for one another in a passionate kiss. Also the two homosexual females in the video encounter one another accidentally, but when they find each other they're inseperable. The track is based around romance and the narrative of the lyrics suggest loving someone and feeling such strong emotions that you never want them to leave your side 'I'm latching onto you'
'If there are boundaries, i will try to knock them down' has reference to any relationship as complications will happen, but the voice of the track gives off the impression that they are willing to do anything and overcome anything in the way for this love that they have found. When looking at the video, this becomes a clear message communicated throughout by the use of characters and the general narrative that is shown. The video shows numerous couples embracing each other and sharing passionate romantic moments. However the clear focus of this is the characters involved. All three couples are introduced within the opening scenes of the video, one couple are a hetrosexual couple, the second is two homosexual females, and the third a man and a women of different races. Each indicate a past of trying to hide their relationship for various reasons, and eventually they step out and accept who they've fallen for. The hetrosexual couple have to wait until the lift is empty in order to show interest in one another, and as soon as people enter the lift again, they're apart.
The lighting in the video is consistently dark and shadowy, possibly reflecting the fact that there are secrets and almost as if the characters are hiding. There is a constant hazy filter in the video which may have been used to reflect the societies distorted view towards these couples. There are flashing coloured lights throughout the video, and this along with the party setting reflects the genre of the track, which is electronic dance music. The costumes and party environments used introduce an aspect of verisimilitude for the viewer as they characters are stereotypical teenagers and so the the typical listener of this genre of music will be able to relate to them.
The characters are represented in a positive way. I think that the aim of this video is to represent all three couples in an equal way and challenge representation in society of homosexual, or different races in a romantic relationship. There are a series of cross cuts used to show all 3 couples kissing, and at this point everyone else in the room is frozen. By showing them doing the same action would reflect the idea that all of their love is the same regardless of who they're with, and the frozen backgrounds not only put emphasis on the characters but it also shows that they're lost in each others company and nothing around them matters, communicating the lyric ' I’m so encaptured, got me wrapped up in your touch'
The lyrics show strong correlation with the moving image for example when the lyric 'I wont let go of you' the couples are all shown holding one another in space with lights around them. In fact the video even adds and builds meaning into the lyrics, and so it is evident that music videos can be used to expand and communicate a deeper meaning than just the surface meaning of the lyrics.
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