Across seven albums released over twice as many years, Crocodiles have explored a number of alt-rock subgenres popularized in and around the ’90s, from slacker rock and shoegaze to post-punk and neo-psych. Their upcoming endeavor Upside Down in Heaven sees them diving headfirst into gritty punk sounds with a specific set of influences in mind to guide them. “Our idea was to make an energetic punk record touching upon a lot of our favorite sounds, from ’70s NYC, to ’80s/’90s UK,” the band’s Charles Rowell shares. “Our approach was more like a garage band for this album: Plug in and bash it out. Shout it loud and let the energy come across.”
Such is the case with the record’s latest cut, “Love Beyond the Grave,” which applies punk’s driving recklessness to a playful three-minute bash shrugging off the looming threat of death—if not embracing the romance of the concept. “Those who create art probably have both a fear and curiosity about it,” Rowell continues, speaking of death. “This song, like many we’ve written, simply takes a look at the ‘big picture’ through vignettes, experiences at younger ages. We live and we die. Most of it is inconsequential, some of it very important. If you can, leave something behind for future generations to see or hear.
In accord with its subject matter, the video for the track (directed by fellow West Coast garage rocker Kate Clover) comically depicts a relationship that could only work post-mortem. “Kate is astounding,” says Rowell of the director, who also co-helmed the band’s previous video for “Degeneration” alongside Rowell’s bandmate Brandon Welchez. “She’s a constant inspiration, and I feel like we’ve been chasing her since we first met. For both videos she was there and her eye for aesthetics is impeccable.”
Check out the new video below.
