Kasabian are gearing up to release their latest album For Crying Out Loud, but the record's rollout isn't going particularly smoothly. After revealing some truly abysmal album artwork, the UK rockers have now come under fire from a mental health advocacy agency for their "You're in Love with a Psycho" video.
The clip was released earlier this week, and it stars the band, alongside British actor Stephen Graham and comedian (and new Great British Bake Off presenter) Noel Fielding, as patients in a psychiatric ward. Donning orange-coloured scrubs, they down medication and perform crazed choreography under the watchful eye of hospital staff.
UK organization Time to Change has criticized the song and video — condemning the use of the term "psycho" and deeming the portrayal of psychiatric inpatients as "unhelpful, damaging and disappointing."
Time to Change shared a statement from the organization's director, Sue Baker, this morning (March 31). It reads:
As so many musicians have recently talked openly about their experiences of mental health problems it is disappointing to see this video. The use of the word 'Psycho' in a song and accompanying music video featuring people pretending to be psychiatric inpatients is unhelpful, damaging and disappointing when society is moving on from this sad and tired stereotype. We are sure the insult and harm was unintentional, or misjudged irony, but we are raising it as we know it will only serve to fuel stigma.
If fans think it is OK to call people with mental health problems who have been psychiatric inpatients 'psychos', then we are turning back the tide of progress on public attitudes that are more respectful and less judgemental of people living with mental health problems. We are keen to work with the band and the music industry to help shift outdated stereotypes and stigma.
The band and the video's guest stars have yet to respond to the criticism.
See footage from the video in question below, as well as a behind the scenes clip from the shoot.
The clip was released earlier this week, and it stars the band, alongside British actor Stephen Graham and comedian (and new Great British Bake Off presenter) Noel Fielding, as patients in a psychiatric ward. Donning orange-coloured scrubs, they down medication and perform crazed choreography under the watchful eye of hospital staff.
Our video for You're In Love With A Psycho is out today, big thanks to @noelfielding11 and @StephenGraham73 WATCH: https://t.co/2bc7xcrjcp pic.twitter.com/rEeHSAbjEJ
— KasabianHQ (@KasabianHQ) March 30, 2017
UK organization Time to Change has criticized the song and video — condemning the use of the term "psycho" and deeming the portrayal of psychiatric inpatients as "unhelpful, damaging and disappointing."
Time to Change shared a statement from the organization's director, Sue Baker, this morning (March 31). It reads:
As so many musicians have recently talked openly about their experiences of mental health problems it is disappointing to see this video. The use of the word 'Psycho' in a song and accompanying music video featuring people pretending to be psychiatric inpatients is unhelpful, damaging and disappointing when society is moving on from this sad and tired stereotype. We are sure the insult and harm was unintentional, or misjudged irony, but we are raising it as we know it will only serve to fuel stigma.
If fans think it is OK to call people with mental health problems who have been psychiatric inpatients 'psychos', then we are turning back the tide of progress on public attitudes that are more respectful and less judgemental of people living with mental health problems. We are keen to work with the band and the music industry to help shift outdated stereotypes and stigma.
The band and the video's guest stars have yet to respond to the criticism.
See footage from the video in question below, as well as a behind the scenes clip from the shoot.
Behind the scenes on Friday's shoot, originally for @TheLADbibleGrp, now with extra bits! Big thanks to @StephenGraham73 and @noelfielding11 pic.twitter.com/PAOUXKWDVg
— KasabianHQ (@KasabianHQ) March 6, 2017
