When Fashion Meets Fantasy: Troye Sivan’s “Party” Video Reckons with the Past

Gandalf himself narrates the baroque, risqué video for Troye Sivan’s latest single, “Party,” from his upcoming album She’s the Best. The iconic voiceover guides us through a world where knights and peasants dance to a sample of Madonna’s 1998 hit “Music.”

Sivan has long been drawn to exploring themes of identity and belonging through his music, often incorporating nods to literature and mythology in his lyrics and visuals. This choice of narrator, however, speaks directly to a fascination with the past that underlies much of Sivan’s work. The presence of Gandalf serves as a wink to fans familiar with J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga, while also underscoring the way that Sivan is drawing on a broader cultural heritage in “Party.”

The use of Madonna’s sample is telling: it speaks to a desire to tap into the sonic nostalgia of the Y2K era, while also subverting expectations through its collision with medieval imagery. This impulse speaks to a wider trend in pop music, where artists are increasingly seeking out new ways to engage with the past while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

The medieval setting of “Party” is part of a larger cultural phenomenon that sees pop stars turning to historical dress and aesthetics in their music videos. From Lady Gaga’s Renaissance-inspired getups to Harry Styles’ gothic knights, there’s something about the opulence and grandeur of bygone eras that speaks to our collective desire for escapism.

This fascination with the past says as much about our present as it does about Sivan’s creative vision. In an era marked by social media fatigue and a growing sense of disillusionment with modern life, we’re turning to fantasy as a way out. The medieval setting of “Party” is less about nostalgia than about conjuring up a world where time stands still – where the complexities and anxieties of our own era can be temporarily forgotten.

The decision to sample “Music” speaks to a broader discussion around creative reuse in pop music. Sampling has long been a key part of musical innovation, from hip-hop’s earliest days to the work of artists like Daft Punk. Madonna herself has been a master of sampling and creative reinterpretation throughout her career, and Sivan’s use of her song is a testament to the enduring power of her songwriting.

In fact, Sivan’s experimentation with structure in “Party” – taking something familiar and turning it on its head – speaks to a wider shift in the pop landscape: an increasing willingness to engage with the past while embracing the possibilities of the future. As we wait for She’s the Best to drop on October 9, we can’t help but wonder what other surprises Sivan has in store for us.

With Gandalf at his side, Troye Sivan is ready to take on the world – and redefine what it means to make pop music in the process. “Party” may be more than just a song – it’s an invitation to join a fantasy world of our own making. So let’s take a deep breath, don our medieval finery, and dance the night away with Troye Sivan.