Essie Gang’s J Rick heads to Iceland for his epic “Close” video

London's J Rick knows how to make a music video. His 2019 single "Gone" was filmed in Egypt while his new visual, premiering above, switches things up amid the rolling vistas and endless scenery of Iceland. From the vast mountains, through to the epic waterfalls and images of horses galloping across wide open spaces, pause "Close" at any point for your next home screen wallpaper.

The Octavian producer (Rick made the beat for breakout single "Party Here) and founding member of the Essie Gang collective switches things up on "Close." There's a darkness to the bass-heavy production, with Amsterdam-based R&B singer Rimon's cry of "If your intention ain't pure, you ain't getting none" floating delicately above the dissonance.

Speaking to The FADER via email, J Rick said "Because we had shot my previous video for 'Gone' in Egypt, which is a legendary place, so we did the opposite of that. 'Gone' felt hot to me. 'Close' is darker. Iceland is a place with different landscapes. The sun doesn't go down all summer. You can get trapped in London city life but I want to show people what it’s really like in other places."

"Close" will appear on Rick's new mixtape No Retreat, No Surrender, due in September.

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Thumbnail image courtesy of Jack Bridgland.