Fans of Portland experimental rockers Menomena were no doubt disappointed to hear that founding member Brent Knopf left the band to explore other creative pursuits. Justin Harris and Danny Seim have soldiered on, however, releasing the group’s fifth album, Moms, earlier this year. The video for their latest single, “Plumage,” is a sign that the pair have lost none of the daring creativity that put the band on the map in the first place.

The video opens on the bare legs Harris and Seim as they face off in a desert to the tune of steady handclaps. Light guitar riffs kick in as they walk toward each other, every few second donning a new piece of clothing. Sandals on one, loafers on the other. Cuffed blue jeans vs. white chinos. The clothing changes but the theme remains the same; one side rough and grungy, the other chic and monied. The one-upsmanship continues until the two men stand face to face, their attire a jumble of weaponry and stereotypes. In a flash the camera zooms out revealing the two still staring each other down, but this time in their underwear. The culturally loaded plumage they previously wore proved to be a shell, which once removed revealed that they were more alike than not, both bare humans. No amount of plumage could change that.

Menomena’s Moms is out now on Barsuk.

STREAM: Menomena – “Plumage”