The Re-view

Darren Hayes: Stupid Mistake (Official Music Video)

Darren Hayes has released the video for the fourth single to be taken from his 2011 album ‘Secret Codes & Battleships’.

‘Stupid Mistake’ was co written by the former Savage Garden frontman and longtime collaborator, Robert Conley and it will serve as the follow up to his recent UK release ‘Bloodstained Heart’. A tough act to follow, that’s for sure as the soaring ballad is one of my favourites in recent years. 

It’s perhaps not the most obvious cut from the album but Hayes is pretty spoilt for choice. I’d have personally put my money on either ‘Hurt’ or album closer ‘The Siren’s Call’ being selected. However, this is another masterpiece in songwriting, with Hayes’ inimitable vocal delivering passionate lyrics filled with anguish. 

The stylish video, filmed entirely in monochrome,cuts between the ‘Insatiable’ singer dressing up as a melancholy clown, and freeing himself of his make up.  

“I’ve been walking around with my head in the dirt, I’ve been stripped of everything that ever made me converse,” he sings.

And when it comes to folk burying their heads in the sand, you could say the same for the British public who don’t seem to be cottoning on to the fact that ‘Secret Codes & Battleships’ is absolutely brilliant.

‘Talk Talk Talk’, ‘Black Out The Sun’ and ‘Bloodstained Heart’ all failed to translate in to UK chart success but, during an interview with Digitalspy, Hayes said that he hopes to reissue the album later this year with additional tracks and live performances. He also recently confirmed a string of UK tour dates to take the album on the road. 

‘Stupid Mistake’ will be released as a four track digital bundle on 6 May, and as a Gold Vinyl 7-inch.

Below, check out Darren’s cover of Madonna’s 1985 single ‘Angel’, which appeared on the ‘Talk Talk Talk’ digital bundle.