Fia James pays homage to 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' on new single

Fia James, Brooklyn’s favorite New Englander, just released her debut EP spotless state of mind alongside the music video for the record’s title track. The tracklist is composed of several singles James released earlier this year, such as “batman,” a dark and witty dissection of a toxic relationship through the lens of Gotham’s famous cloaked crusader and his most laughable nemesis. “jealous baby” and “isn’t it” also appear on the record.

“spotless state of mind,” the project’s title track puts another tragic pairing at its narrative forefront with allusions to the 2004 cult classic Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind. James positions herself as Kate Winslet’s character, Clementine, and her partner as Joel, Jim Carey’s character.

There’s a monotony to the song’s melody that makes it sound like a memory. This is no clearer than in the chorus when James croons: “I could relive the process / Never making progress / ‘Cause I know exactly where this will lead.” What’s really interesting and complex about this song is how it articulates the disillusioned perspective of young people in relationships.

The current generation of daters have come up in an era in which they are acutely aware of the psychoanalytical side of romantic love. There is no room for love languages, only attachment styles. People have become so hyperaware of themselves, and the reasonings for why things happen the way they do, that the healing journey becomes stunted. Where else are you supposed to go if you’ve already pinpointed the why?

James shares more about the track:

“‘spotless state of mind’ feels like romanticizing your own collapse in real time. It’s about memory, ego, longing, and trying to make something beautiful out of the train wreck”

The music video is reflective of this. James sits alone on a vintage couch peeling clementines while wearing blue tights, pink high heels, and a cowboy hat. James laments the end of the relationship, but she never cries. Instead she smiles at the camera, like if she convinces viewers that she’s fine, maybe she will convince herself, too.