Video Premiere: Ralfe Band’s “Cold Chicago Morning”

Led by songwriter Oly Ralfe, UK outfit Ralfe Band already has garnered success with music videos, as evidenced by its SXSW-award-winning animation for “Women of Japan,” and we’re happy to debut its newest video, “Cold Chicago Morning.” (Not to mention that we here in Chicago can relate to the title.)

Following the group’s soundtrack work for Bunny and the Bull, Ralfe Band’s 2013 LP, Son Be Wise, reveals a continued maturity to its twee spunk, as evidenced by past singles “Come On Go Wild” and “Barricades.” But the video for “Cold Chicago Morning” attempts to narrate a new, darker path.

Though its leading piano line seems playful and soothing, Oly’s vocals reveal the opposite, opening a nightmare of the mystery and uncertainty of a “cold Chicago morning.” In the video, an innocent girl takes the lead to navigating through these feelings, as if “all of her friends have been blown away,” and hesitantly peers from every corner to spot an intruder.

Its climactic conclusion, full of down-scaling piano and swelling layers, finds the girl rushing back to her room. Even though her eyes only reveal fear, listeners are left with another gratifying video experiment and beautiful addition to the band’s catalog.