Just in time for summer flings and lighthearted crushes, budding indie-pop artist Ananya has released the music video for her latest single, “Man of the Match,” a sporty and spontaneous ode to not-so-platonic friendships. Shedding the skin from her more introspective recent releases, Ananya takes on a quintessential pop sound that gives her pining a flirtatious, playful air. The will-they-won’t-they pop track embraces the giddiness and exhilarating uncertainty of having an unexpected crush, which transported us back to our own past loves. “Man of the Match” is definitely a strong contender for song of the summer!
Directed and edited by Ben See-Tho of OrangeJuuz and filmed by cinematographer Benjy Berkowitz, the music video shows Ananya replaying memories from earlier in the day when she had a run-in with her crush, played by Sri Kaushik, while he was practicing on a soccer field (or a football pitch, as the London-based artist would say). In the video, we watch as Ananya is “blushing and pining” over her beau, trying to decide if she should make a move. Eventually, she decides to shoot her shot as she gets in a cab back to the field to go look for him. The video closes with the pair running into each other on the sidelines as Ananya gives a playful smirk. Watch the meet-cute play out below:
Produced by Simon Jacobsson and Ramera Abraham, “Man of the Match” satisfies our pop-princess cravings, featuring a retro synth, cheeky adlibs, and a tension-filled bridge that is more than worth the wait. “Man of the Match” levels the playing field with its coy demeanor, admitting that “the only way out is through,” as Ananya sings. In this contemporary version of cat and mouse, we can’t help but cheer Ananya on from the bleachers! The next time you find yourself falling for a friend, “Man of the Match” is the must-listen track that will give you the ammo to daydream and wonder about what could be.
“‘Man of the Match’ is a flirty, football-coded pop song about catching feelings when you really weren’t planning to. It lives in that push-and-pull of playing it cool, but lowkey hoping they’d catch you if you actually went for it. It’s confident on the surface, a little chaotic underneath, and all about that moment where it stops feeling like a game and starts feeling real.” – Ananya
Embracing the meaning of her name, “unique,” Zimbabwe-born, London-based Ananya boasts a diverse range of artistry in her songwriting, graphic and fashion design, and experience with multiple instruments. She also holds a deep passion for helping others, which led to her launching The Nani Wellness Project in 2022, an organization with a focus on addressing the mental health crisis in hometown of Zimbabwe. The non-profit highlights her dedication to boosting awareness and making tangible strides in the mental health realm.
Following the releases of “Know You” and “My Darling New York,” Ananya is placing a new side of herself on the table: one that is spunky, upbeat, and positively infectious. “Man of the Match” elevates her discography and is just another glimpse of what’s to come from this artist on the rise. Follow Ananya on Instagram, TikTok, and visit her website Ananya.World.
