Declan McKenna Turns Frustration Into a Proper Pop-Rock Rush
Declan McKenna is baccckkkk — and “Nothing Works” is exactly the kind of return we wanted. The new single comes charging in with restless guitars, bright hooks and that slightly off-kilter McKenna energy that can make frustration sound almost euphoric.
Released ahead of his forthcoming third album What Happened to the Beach?, the song finds McKenna wrestling with expectations, self-correction and the feeling that no amount of adjusting yourself is ever quite enough. The chorus makes the point plainly: he keeps trying to fix himself, and still — nothing works.
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Declan McKenna Is Back
“Nothing Works” puts Declan McKenna back in that sweet spot between wiry indie rock, left-field pop and a chorus built to stick.
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The official video pushes the song’s wired mood even further. Directed by Finn Keenan and filmed in Cavan, Ireland, it moves between a heightened nightclub fantasy and McKenna sleepwalking through a more ordinary reality — a visual setup that fits the track’s tug-of-war between control and complete exasperation.
McKenna has always been good at dressing anxious ideas in songs that move, and “Nothing Works” does that trick beautifully. It sounds loose, immediate and a little unhinged around the edges while still landing as one of his most instantly catchy singles.
What Happened to the Beach? is set for release on February 9, 2024 through Columbia Records. For now, “Nothing Works” gives us a very convincing reason to start counting down.
Declan McKenna — “Nothing Works” Official Video
The official video was released October 5, 2023 on Declan McKenna’s official channel and was directed by Finn Keenan.
A Little Declan McKenna Appreciation, Because Why Not?
And because one Declan moment is never quite enough around here, we’re finishing with a little Declan McKenna appreciation from the INYIM archive.
Source: Declan McKenna official video and artist channels. Video gallery images are from the “Nothing Works” official video; additional images are INYIM Declan McKenna appreciation archive photos. This archived INYIM post was restored and lightly reformatted for readability.
