Normani’s otherworldly “Waves”
The Former Fifth Harmony Member Subtly Celebrates Womanhood With Her Latest Music Video
Since Fifth Harmony formally announced its members would part ways in May 2018, former member Normani has slipped effortlessly into a blossoming career as a solo artist. The release of the music video for her latest single “Waves” confirms her artistic growth beyond the girl group’s end.
The video literally takes viewers out of this world, set on some faraway moon with the opening shot showing Normani’s face looking down from the sky above.
With its otherworldly setting and its spotlight on womanhood, “Waves” has a distinctly “God is a Woman” vibe –– and it’s entirely possible the artist has been taking notes from fellow pop powerhouse Ariana Grande. Normani will accompany Grande on her Sweetener World Tour this summer.
Throughout the video, Normani unabashedly employs sensual body language and sexy choreographed dance moves, wearing a range of lacey, black attire, from lingerie to a business casual-esque belted dress. The one white, flowing gown she wears contrasts strikingly with her other styles, adding a touch of soft femininity to compliment the risque black bodysuits and harnesses she wears for the bulk of her screen time.
Rapper 6LACK’s feature on the track and consequent appearance in the “Waves” video doesn’t deviate from woman-centric theme of the production. His and Normani’s on-screen chemistry only adds another layer of sensuality while still serving as subtle nods to the power of women.
Even the smallest details of the “Waves” video point clearly to a theme of empowered womanhood, despite the song itself being a kind of longing ballad for a lover. In the video and her other works as a solo artist, Normani seems to preach the same message of woman power, the roots of which can be traced back to Fifth Harmony. But she’s matured it into something sexier.
The final shots of the “Waves” video show a diamond tear falling from Normani’s eye and a quick zoom-out shot of her and 6LACK lounging on white sheets, still on the deserted moon. The video’s mix of sexy with a hint of sweet, and power with a touch of heartbrokenness sends the message that, for women, there is beauty and strength in embracing sexuality and a bit of vulnerability both in romantic relationships and in artistry.
