Old Death

Directed by Kyle Garrett

Warning – This review may contain spoilers.

Old Death is the music video for Car Colors’ debut single, which is the new project by Charles Bissell of The Wrens. From the start, the video pulls you into its haunting and reflective atmosphere, using the framework of an old, detuned television to explore themes of time, memory, and mortality. The video feels like a visual poem, capturing the introspective and emotional tone of Bissell’s journey. It’s a meditation on how we spend our time and the cost of those decisions—a theme that resonates deeply with the human experience.

I found the music video visually stunning. The lighting, cinematography, and editing work beautifully together to create an almost ethereal mood. The slow, tracking shots and repetitive action may seem simple on their own, but when combined with the song’s atmosphere, they create something quite captivating. However, I did notice that the repetitive nature of the visuals could become a weakness in the middle of the video, where I felt the pace lagged a bit. While the simplicity adds to the video’s elegance, a few more varied shots could have broken up the monotony in the middle. Still, the production design and the overall vision were clear and well-executed, which kept me engaged until the end.

While most elements were excellent, the sound mixing left me struggling a bit. The music itself was compelling, but I had difficulty understanding some of the lyrics because the instruments seemed louder than the vocals. It felt like the vocals were competing with the rest of the sound, which took away from the emotional impact of the lyrics. After listening again, I got a clearer sense of the song’s message about time and how it affects our choices, but I wish it hadn’t taken a second viewing to grasp that fully.

I think music lovers and those who appreciate artistic, introspective music videos would really connect with Old Death. It’s not a straightforward, fast-paced video, but rather a visual experience that makes you think and reflect. While some might feel it’s a bit drawn out, especially with the repetitive visual motifs, the overall piece is thoughtful and visually engaging. For those who enjoy music videos that feel like an artistic journey rather than just a song with images, this one will likely leave a lasting impression.