For those of you who weren’t aware, Blvd Hvnny is the latest solo project of Martin “Cito” Otto (of WONDERboom fame) – and his evocative new single “Nocturne” and accompanying music video are full of an enticingly dramatic energy that we honestly love to see (and hear).
Off the bat, Nocturne is captivatingly dark and tormented. A slow burner that takes its time building towards an achingly beautiful and impassioned chorus, the song is characterised by expansive melodies made up of brooding piano and haunting riffs. “Nocturne” is tied together by Blvd Hvnny’s deeply emotional vocals which lend gravity and a jarring sincerity to the song’s viscerally lovelorn lyrics.
Directed by Brad Devine and featuring atmospheric cinematography from Gavin Pincus, the video is quite something to behold. A perfectly dark and enigmatic accompaniment to the track, it is shot inside the seemingly deserted Ponte building in Johannesburg, and follows a character wreathed in shadows as he seeks his true love. A masterful juxtaposition of light and dark, with some supernatural elements interwoven along the way, the video is an enthralling visual spectacle that pays homage to the darkly dramatic feel of the song itself.
