Sublime have released “Ensenada,” their highly-anticipated new single and their first taste of their upcoming album.
Fans – understandably – have been celebrating the tune’s arrival. “Ensenada” marks the first fully original song with Jakob Nowell, having stepped into the band his late-father made famous decades ago.
With “Ensenada”’s arrival comes the song’s music video, a collection of performance footage, backstage moments and glimpses inside the studio. Here, The Pier breaks down the “Ensenada” video.
Inside Sublime’s ‘Ensenada’ Music Video
The clip opens with Jakob burning what appears to be incense. “It’s a test of the ancient fire-benders to keep the flame,” the singer proclaims as he carries the small fire. The frontman, who has discussed things like spirituality and personal journey in the past, appears to be blessing the studio space where Sublime will record.
As the song kicks in, we get concert footage from various festivals. Sublime has been active in 2024 and 2025, playing some of the biggest events in America. While its not always easy to pick out the exact locale of each clip, we spot performances from BottleRock, Boston Calling, Beachlife and Colorado’s famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
The Performance footage is intertwined with clips from back in the studio. Drummer Bud Gaugh is seen greeting the camera before laying down some backbeats. Bassist Eric Wilson – with his instantly-identifiable cheetah-printed bald held – plucks along, while producer Jon Joseph and frequent collaborator Zane Vandevort can be seen adding their own flavors to the mix.
Several of the band’s famous images pop up in the video, including the iconic Sublime Sun, one of the most recognizable emblems in all of music. Giant inflatable versions of Lou Dog – Bradley’s beloved Dalmatian – can be seen during the concert sequences, while keen eyes might also catch the logo for Jakob’s record label, SVNBVRNT.
Fletcher Dragge makes a cameo appearance – the Pennywise guitarist reportedly contributed to Sublime’s as-yet-untitled upcoming album. The “Ensenada” video ends on a heartfelt note: a picture of Jakob as a baby, held by Bradley and his mother, Troy. It’s the perfect way to bring things to a close, Sublime’s new frontman proudly taking the baton from his departed father.
