“Half of me” the shadow in the corner

If you haven’t seen the music video for “Half of Me” click here. Whether it’s wrestling with yourself to figure out what playlist to listen to for your car ride home or choosing your next career move, while deciding which course of action to take, the phrase “part of me wants” seems to pop up almost anytime there is a dilemma in making a personal decision. Artist Dscry (Ryan McKeown) Explores this concept, seemingly taking inspiration for the Jungian idea of the shadow-self. The long-short of the idea is that the only way to become who you truly are meant to be is to embrace every part of you, even the “shadow-self”. In the music video Ryan seems to be in a state of disassociation, typically a state tied to unfulfilled wants/needs of the individual. As this intensifies Ryan’s faces shifts and another darker/edgier, but also a seemingly more focused Ryan appears. the original Ryan is intrigued and investigates as his shadow-self, with strong intent, drives away. in the space that the shadow-self left, the band is playing. This seemingly represents Dscry’s unfulfilled dreams/aspirations. Ryan pursues his shadow-self across town to lake with a dock. Water is often associated the darkness, the unknown, and mysterious untapped potential. His shadow self is standing at the end of the dock. Ryan charges headfirst towards his shadow self in an attempt to capture him. He plumets into the water. immediately he is on stage with the band in the climax of the song with the lyrics '“do you think of me, as I think of you”. Asking the question if his shadow self has the same desire to be whole with his current self, as he has with his shadow self.

I think Dscry did an amazing job both musically and through narrative to convey the feeling of wonder of what else there is inside the self to the listener and viewer alike. This song and video have definitely inspired me on my personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance.