Elvis Costello Gets Animated In New Music Video For ‘Magnificent Hurt’

Elvis Costello today shares a new video for his song “Magnificent Hurt,” the lead track from his upcoming album with the Imposters, The Boy Named If, which will be released in January.

The clip features marionette figures made by Tony Sinnett, who conceived the idea along with Costello himself. Animation is by Arlo McFurlow, artwork by Eamon Singer, and the video was edited by Elliot Thomas.

Costello plays guitar and takes the ever-distinctive lead vocal on “Magnificent Hurt,” which also features Vox Continental and electronic keyboards by his ever-present collaborator Steve Nieve. Also on board are frequent and longtime musical companions Pete Thomas on drums and percussion and Davey Faragher on bass and vocals.

The song will be part of The Boy Named If when the album is released by EMI in the UK and Capitol in the US on January 14. The 13-track set, produced by Costello and Sebastian Krys, includes a guest vocal by Nicole Atkins on the track “My Most Brilliant Mistake.”

The album is Costello’s sixth release since October 2020 and will be available on CD, vinyl, cassette, as a download, via streaming and in a numbered, signed, 88-page hardback storybook edition.

“Magnificent Hurt” was described by Spin as “organ-thumping,” while Stereogum called it “a straight-up rocker that sounds a whole lot like something that Costello might’ve made in the late 70s. The song has a pounding backbeat, some perfect organ interjections from longtime bandmate Steve Nieve, and a lead vocal with some real snarl in it.”

cultfollowing.co.uk said the song proved that Costello was “back with a bite.” It went on: “He and the Imposters are gearing up for another setlist of quality entertainment…his vocal powers remain unchallenged and as strong as ever. He adapts with the vocal array now presented to him to deliver a story of bridging the gap between risk and reward.”

Pre-order The Boy Named If, which is released on January 14.