VIDEO PREMIERE: SJ Talbot unveils vibrant visuals for new pop anthem 'Easy For Me'

BIMM Dublin graduate SJ Talbot's second single, 'Easy For Me', depicts the push-and-pull of resisting bad habits and trying to say no to a worn-out relationship.

The Clontarf rising star has shared a brand new video for the electro-pop banger, directed by Fionnoughla Madden and Robert Montogomery - premiered below.

The follow up to her September 2020 debut 'Envy' features intelligent songwriting, a mature blend of soul and dance-pop, and an absolutely irresistible hook.

Roping in her friend Martin Poppmeier to portray her boyfriend in the video, SJ plays tennis, takes an aerobics class and tries her hand at roller skating in the tongue-in-cheek visuals, making every available attempt to distract herself from the negative elements within her relationship. Josh Doran, Sintia Azubike and Sean Sheppard also feature in the clip, with styling from Emma Banks.

"We began building the storyboard over zoom calls in January 2021," SJ tells Hot Press of the new clip. "Although we were only working off the demo at the time, we knew that it was a summer dance anthem and that had to be reflected in the visuals. I raised the idea of the roller skating theme, which then set a vintage, retro tone for the rest of the video's overall aesthetic. We decided that the mood should be feel-good with light-hearted comedic elements in it, true to the carefree nature of the song."

"In the first scene of the video, myself and my boyfriend (played by my friend Martin) are seen eating at a diner but not communicating. Frustrated, I get up and leave without him noticing. Then I'm seen carrying out different activities - the different sports are meant to depict that I'm trying to distract myself from the relationship by keeping myself busy, as I know I'm better off without it," Talbot continues.

"In the tennis scene, I begin by losing badly to my instructor (played by Odin Strange) because I can't get my head in the game. The game changes when I mistake my instructor for my ex, begin to feel motivated and then beat him, winning the match. Later in the video I'm seen opening a vintage car boot with Martin kidnapped inside, then metaphorically and physically dumping him."

Due to the covid restrictions, the video took two months to film overall.

"It was a great lockdown project to work on and so enjoyable to make," the musician adds. "I think the whole team succeeded in creating a colourful, action-packed visual that truly compliments such an energetic song. You can’t keep running away from closure, at some point, it will eventually catch up with you. You’re better off, in the long run, to face the truth and cut off all ties rather than running around in circles and deluding yourself that things will get better in time."

Now a BIMM Dublin graduate, the 23-year-old is no stranger to the thriving Irish music scene. She has worked as a session singer and keyboardist for various acts within the last four years while honing her craft as a solo performer. She transitioned from pop fanatic to pop artist in 2017 when she began producing her original music and developing her individual sound.

Check out the exercise-filled visuals for 'Easy For Me' below: