Jacob Banks reveals powerful video for “Unknown (To You)”

Emotions are often categorized as something that belongs to women and women only. When men do express emotion, if it’s anything besides anger or loathing, they’re frequently told to “man up” and put their feelings aside. Disappointment, hurt, and even love are feelings men are told (sometimes explicitly and other times implicitly) that they can’t express, and that’s exactly why it’s so powerful that Jacob Banks shows the realities of these emotions in his new video for “Unknown (To You)”, which can be seen above.

Banks wrote the video and co-directed it with FRMWRKLDN. While cinematic and professionally shot, this is a story that could happen to any one of us. “Unknown (To You)” shows a strained father-son relationship as the two struggle to show their love for each other. NYLON called the song “a gut-punch of emotion”, and we couldn’t agree more. Though Banks is only 26, there’s something deeply powerful about the conviction with which he delivers every word. In a press release, he said of the video:

“It can be difficult for men to express their emotions and convey affection, but no one ever talks about it…. It’s a masculinity thing but also a cultural thing, and I think many – especially those who grew up in immigrant households – will relate to the dynamic between the father and son in the video. My dad is an immigrant, and even though he is present in my everyday life and I know he cares about me, it’s hard for him to show his love as a parent. ‘Unknown (To You)’ is a song that evokes abandonment, regret, and hopelessness, and I wanted to create a storyline that shows just how hard it can be to communicate emotion and really open up.”

“Unknown (To You)” is the first single from Banks’ upcoming album The Village, which will be released on Darkroom / Interscope Records. Following a performance at Austin City Limits this weekend and a short tour in Europe, he will hit the road for a North American Tour in November. The full list of dates can be seen below and tickets are available on Banks’ website.

Jacob Banks- Into The Wild 2017 North American Tour Dates

What did you think of Jacob Banks’ video for “Unknown (To You)”? Let us know in the comments below, or share your thoughts with us over on Twitter.