Bret McKenzie - Freak Out City

What this video is

Released in July 2025 as the title-track single from McKenzie's second solo album on Sub Pop, 'Freak Out City' arrives at a moment when McKenzie — best known globally as one half of Flight of the Conchords — is consolidating a serious solo identity distinct from his comedy-music legacy. The song addresses contemporary anxieties around misinformation and online radicalization, themes that resonate broadly in…

Why it matters

Represents the maturation of comedy-pop artists into earnest singer-songwriter territory; McKenzie's pivot from joke-driven composition toward what critics called 'more conventional pop' (Spectrum Culture) mirrors a broader 2020s trend of comedic musicians seeking critical legitimacy. The video's…

The director

New Zealand-born freelance filmmaker, cinematographer, and musician based between Wellington and Berlin. Works across music videos, documentaries, and commercials. Directorial credits include Wax Chattels' 'Efficiency' (shot on 16mm and Super 8 in Auckland)…