Earlier this year, Will Butler announced that he was no longer a part of Arcade Fire. Today, he's released his first two songs since making that announcement, "A Stranger's House" and "Nearer to Thee," which follow his 2020 album Generations. The former comes with a self-directed video that finds him sitting alone eating at a restaurant.
But is Butler actually alone? There's two wine glasses on the table. He's also directing his attention off to the side. Maybe there's someone in the room that we can't see—perhaps just out of frame—because of where the camera is facing. Or maybe we're the friend that he's telling his story to.
The video for "A Stranger's House" has subtitles for Butler's story. He talks about an ex-friend who he realized was more of a stranger in the end. He recalls visiting a villa in Italy with this friend and a tense, cryptic relationship with the estate's caretaker. It's a suspenseful build that mirrors the single's lyrics in which Butler repeats his longing for another.
Watch the video, hear "Nearer to Thee," and check out Butler's upcoming tour dates below.
