Premiere: ÖZLEM Shares New Video For “DURANGO”

Premiere: ÖZLEM Shares New Video For “DURANGO”

Watch the video below

April 23, 2024

By Caleb Campbell

ÖZLEM is the moniker of singer/songwriter Liam Lyons-Shields, through which they explore the world of left-wing pop. Their previous releases have touched on synth pop, disco, and smoky balladry, while their latest single, “DURANGO,” takes inspiration from the dramatic soundtracks of vintage spaghetti westerns and brooding 60s duets. Today, ÖZLEM returns with an accompanying video for “DURANGO”, premiering with Under the Radar.

The video opens with a moment of subtle intimacy, first with a spoken-word intro embellished with shimmering synths, then with ÖZLEM accompanied by a flamenco fingerpick. As the song progresses, it blends into a decadent maelstrom of swaying rhythms and percussive guitar tones, all centered around ÖZLEM's magnetic vocal delivery. They imbue the track with an eerie mournful quality, but also lean into the 60s pop sheen of the track, joining their vocals in beautiful loving harmonies.

Meanwhile, the video frames them as a ghost wandering a gothic cathedral, pining for an unrequited love. However, the song and video end in a moment of catharsis, with ÖZLEM saying goodbye to their love and finally finding peace, making the sacrifice to move on before their hearts break again: “Oh, I'm leaving tomorrow / Before sadness / Though I don't want to go / Oh, goodbye Durango / You saw in me a soul that was always yearning / And I thought I knew you all along.”

ÖZLEM says of the song and video, “The film is symbolic of my attempt to break free from years of heartache over unrequited and unsuccessful love. Writing the song was an extreme catharsis as it is a story straight from my life, unlike most of my work which exists in a fantasy space or deals with metaphors. I confess my constant longing for love, but I find the confidence and self-esteem to walk away when I see that the relationship is not serving either of us.”

The “DURANGO” video was directed by Peter McCain, Brooklyn-based photographer, filmmaker and editor of the Batshit Times magazine, and shot at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity and the Evergreens Cemetery.

Check out the song and video below, everywhere now.