The Chills: Music video premiere for 'When The Poor Can Reach The Moon'

The New Zealand band have made a triumphant return with their fifth studio album Silver Bullets

The Chills - photograph by Jon Thom Moodie (Press Image/Jon Thom Moodie)

A "welcome back" to The Chills, who have unveiled the music video for their new single "When The Poor Can Reach The Moon" on The Independent.

With the October release of their fifth studio album Silver Bullets (almost 20 years after their last), the New Zealand band have produced arguably their best full-length collection so far, bursting with gorgeous melodies and Martin Phillipp's wonderful sincerity.

"When The Poor Can Reach The Moon" emerged from the 8-minute track "Pyramid" and was given its own space, to develop into an insightful anthem that works as a plea on behalf of the displaced. Watch the video below and let us know what you think.

Q&A with The Chills' Martin Phillipps

Where did the idea for the video for "When The Poor Can Reach The Moon" come from?

The lyrics actually mention "everyone with a space-suit on - just like an old cartoon" and then an old cartoon was discovered that, with a bit of judicious editing, fitted nicely with the themes and the feel of the track.

How do you feel about releasing The Chill’s first studio album in almost 20 years?

It is a relief to have created something that the whole band is very proud of which is also receiving such positive reviews and to know that we have updated the legacy of The Chills, so that we are no longer just a band that did special work back in the '80s and '90s.

Which artists have you been listening to recently?

As a longtime fan of both Scott Walker and David Bowie I am impressed that both artists have been producing some very interesting and challenging work of quality lately. I have been enjoying some Grimes and I'm also discovering a lot of good music, like Rats On Rafts, through Fire Records.

Do you think the version of The Chills now, in the new album, is something quite different to what fans will remember?

There is a deliberate link with The Chills of the past, but this line-up has been stable for many years now and is the right band to be taking our sound into the future.

The Chills' new album Silver Bullets is out now - 'When The Poor Can Reach The Moon' is released on 11 December. They tour New Zealand and Australia from 11 January 2016