The Intersection of Automotive Iconography and Visual Art in “Gosh”
A truly exceptional music video transcends mere promotional material, elevating itself to an independent work of visual art. The music video for English producer Jamie xx’s solo track “Gosh” is a definitive example of this modern artistry. Set against the surreal backdrop of Tianducheng—a replica of Paris located in China—the video features a lone vehicle leading a massive march of bleach-blonde youths. That vehicle is none other than the Subaru Impreza WRX STi. How exactly did this iconic Japanese performance car shape the aesthetic brilliance of the video?
Jamie xx: The Architect of Modern Electronic Soundscapes
Jamie xx is the creative driving force behind the globally acclaimed indie-pop band The xx, and a leading producer in the contemporary electronic music scene. His sound is rooted in underground club contexts like UK garage and dubstep, yet it is characterized by a highly refined minimalism and deep emotional resonance. Featured on his 2015 debut solo album In Colour, “Gosh” stands as a defining anthem of his career, driven by a heavy, rolling bassline and repetitive vocal samples.
Romain Gavras: The Director Behind the Dystopia
Embed from Getty ImagesThe visionary behind this overwhelming cinematic experience is French director Romain Gavras. Known for tackling social taboos, riots, and street culture with striking visual flair—evident in works like M.I.A.’s “Bad Girls” and Justice’s “Stress”—Gavras displays his full genius in “Gosh.” Utilizing zero CGI, he constructs an ambiguous world between reality and fiction through meticulously calculated camera work and the awe-inspiring, coordinated beauty of massive crowds.
An Atmosphere of Ordered Chaos
The setting, Tianducheng, is a bizarre ghost town dominated by a meticulous replica of the Eiffel Tower. Using this surreal space as a canvas, the video showcases hundreds of identically dressed youths moving in uniform precision. It is a beautiful yet haunting dystopian landscape, sterile but pregnant with a quasi-religious fervor. With a muted color palette that contrasts the immense scale of the architecture with human vulnerability, a quiet madness dominates the narrative.
The Hawkeye Subaru Impreza WRX STi: A JDM Masterpiece
In this world of controlled insanity, the sole mechanical protagonist is the Subaru Impreza WRX STi. The specific model featured is the late second-generation (GDB) Impreza, introduced in the 2005 facelift and universally known among enthusiasts as the “Hawkeye.”
Powered by Subaru’s traditional Symmetrical AWD system and the legendary EJ20 turbocharged flat-four boxer engine, this model is the distillation of technology forged in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The combination of its World Rally Blue paint, gold BBS forged wheels, and an oversized rear spoiler has been immortalized as a pinnacle of JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) culture by automotive purists worldwide.
What is the Impact of the WRX STi on the Narrative?
Why did Gavras choose a Japanese rally replica over a European supercar or luxury sedan? The answer lies in the WRX STi’s inherent blend of street-level ferocity and functional beauty, which perfectly resonates with the video’s underlying themes.
Against the backdrop of a “fabricated West” represented by the fake Eiffel Tower, the presence of an “authentic Eastern machine” leading the procession creates a brilliant juxtaposition. Amidst the sterile dystopian architecture, the vibrant Subaru Blue acts as a visual singularity. Even in the absence of engine noise in the audio track, the vehicle’s inherent aura implies a violent kinetic energy within the silent visual frame. In “Gosh,” the WRX STi is far from a mere prop; it serves as a charismatic symbol unifying the crowd’s fervor, injecting the video with an undeniable gravitational pull and authentic street credibility.
