Clementine Valentine’s New Single Is a Beautiful Mystery

Clementine Valentine have continued their fine run of 2023 singles with “The Rope”.

In its glistening instrumentation and pristine vocals, there are enjoyable little hints of the wonderful Vashti Bunyan in the art pop duo’s new single.

The real beauty, though, as with everything Clementine Valentine have released so far, lies in the inscrutability of the music. Their songs don’t readily reveal their secrets – they entice with whispered words, engulf in elusive notes, gently provoking the listener’s inevitable return.

“To us, it means different things at different times, so we’d rather not spoil the mystery by over-explaining,” they assert. “We’re proud of this song, it feels like our ancestors are speaking through us – which was an overarching theme and intention for this album.”

You can watch the accompanying music video below. Directed by Auckland-based duo PICTVRE (Veronica Crockford-Pound and Joseph Griffen), the clip draws inspiration from Ingmar Bergman’s psychological masterpiece Persona and Jean-Luc Godard’s science fiction classic Alphaville.

Formerly known as Purple Pilgrims, sisters Clementine and Valentine Nixon decided to perform under their birth names this year, and it’s a decision that’s richly rewarded fans so far. “The Rope” follows the equally beautiful “Time and Tide” and “Endless Night”, and all three will feature on Clementine Valentine’s forthcoming debut album, The Coin That Broke the Fountain Floor.

Following the album’s release in August, Clementine Valentine will embark on a New Zealand tour the following month, taking in stops in Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland (see full dates below).

Clementine Valentine’s “The Rope” is out now. The Coin That Broke the Fountain Floor is out August 25th via Flying Nun Records (pre-order here). 

Clementine Valentine 2023 New Zealand Tour