Vincent Poag‘ s visual treatment for “The Unknown” arrives as a refreshing dive into life’s beautiful chaos. The Long Island troubadour’s latest offering isn’t just a song – it’s an existential road trip wrapped in a deceptively simple package.
From its opening invitation to “buckle up for the ride of your life,” Poag crafts a carnival mirror reflection of modern existence. The lyrics dance across the screen like thoughts in a fever dream, each line building on the last to create a surreal landscape that feels both foreign and familiar.
His voice carries the weight of experience as he navigates through images of “armpit nose-picks” and “cockeyed parades” with the casual grace of a seasoned storyteller. There’s something of Dylan’s stream-of-consciousness writing here but filtered through a lens that’s uniquely Poag’s own.
The video’s visual elements complement the cyclical nature of the lyrics, creating a hypnotic effect that pulls you deeper into its world. When Vincent Poag asks “What the hell’s going on?” repeatedly, it doesn’t feel like confusion – it feels like the only sane response to an insane world.
By the time we reach the comfort of that final scene—shoes off, loved ones nearby, thunder rolling outside—Poag has taken us through the funhouse and back to our own living room. It’s a masterclass in making the universal feel personal, and vice versa.
“The Unknown” serves as both the title track and spiritual center of Poag’s latest album, capturing a moment in time when questions feel more valuable than answers. In a world obsessed with certainty, there’s something rebellious about embracing the mystery. Poag doesn’t just embrace it; he turns it into art.
For fans of Leonard Cohen‘s poetic musings or Tom Waits‘ carnival-esque storytelling, Poag’s latest offers a fresh voice in the conversation about life’s great uncertainties. Sometimes getting lost is the only way to find yourself, and “The Unknown” makes for one hell of a travel companion.