Unknown Mortal Orchestra just released a visually stunning new video with an equally striking storyline for their tranquil, melancholy song “Hunnybee” from the band’s latest record “Sex & Food.” The animated video, reminiscent of your favorite anime TV show or old Gorillaz video, depicts a young girl riding a train, wearing headphones, (possibly listening to “Hunnybee” herself) reading a book and casually glancing out the window as the train steadily passes scenic views of a coastline and rolling foothills. We’ve had “Hunnybee” in our chill playlist for a while now, so we’re super excited about and impressed by UMO’s imaginative visual take on the song:
The video starts off impeccably conveying that lovely feeling you get when you’re alone with your music, or book, or a beautiful view (or all of the above in this case) and can just sit and think in peace. Details like a bee’s fluttering wings, book pages intermittently flipping, a suitcase bouncing on a shelf, clouds floating by and the sun reflecting off the lake water – all to the beat of the song, make for a perfectly-executed and thoughtful video that’s just the relaxing piece of art we didn’t know we needed.
But just when you’re ready to drift off into a deep slumber, the story takes an unexpected and suspenseful turn as danger presents itself in a loose bolt on the train’s wheel, a suitcase now clearly labeled “HEAVY” that looks ready to fall and a termite-infested tree branch hanging ominously over the railroad tracks. With a closer look at the darker lyrics of the song like “eras rot like nature” and “days are getting darker,” the twist, possibly symbolic of the inescapable chaos of the world despite its beauty, starts to come together.
Hats off to Unknown Mortal Orchestra for taking us on an emotional rollercoaster – or train? – ride in less than five minutes. That might be a new record.
