Survive by VHS Collection

by Lana Fleischli

On January 19th, 2022, VHS Collection released their newest single and video entitled Survive ahead of their newest album, coming out February 25th. The track was released on Tiger Tone Records / [PIAS]. A single is a big deal. It’s the tease into what is to come in the future, whether that is a full album, an EP, or just what’s next in their story. Not to mention that a single generally encompasses a whole concept or theme so that it can stand alone, apart from an album.. 

VHS Collection’s, Survive, does just that. By using intense beats and synths, the overall message of perseverance comes through. It all leads up to the chorus, which is incredibly reminiscent of 2000’s synth pop. The chorus emboldens the meaning of the song. It’s about people’s need to survive and how everyone goes through hard times. 

The message is even more clarified in the music video, which was also released with the song. The video was created to highlight the experiences of everyday people throughout the country. The video shows a wide range of people living their lives. The video is provocative by exhibiting all walks of life. It is meant to show that everyone is just getting by. 

VHS Collection’s, Survive, exhibits different people with different backgrounds and professions, while also showing all of us that even in a divided world, we are all just trying to get by. This is a message that hits really hard. My best friend told me a long time ago, “Everyone’s ‘worst’ is different,” and I truly believe that. Something that is totally regular for you could be someone else’s “worst” and vice versa! I appreciate that Survive represents that idea. It reminds all of us that our struggles of just living are valid. Sometimes I feel like we all need the reminder that just getting out of bed in the morning can be an impressive feat. We are all trying and we are figuring it out. We are just trying to Survive.