As Valentine’s Day approaches, Blue Valentine, the latest music video from George Alley, offers a moody reflection on love’s contradictions. The single, from Alley’s self-titled debut album—available on streaming and a 12” transparent root-beer vinyl—features vignettes inspired by Andy Warhol’s screen tests, with Alley calling various “Valentines” on the phone.

Director Aly Spengler, fresh from their work on Trixie Mattel’s favorite new film Patrice: The Movie, drew inspiration from Warhol’s silent black-and-white screen tests, as well as Interview Magazine’s behind-the-scenes videos. With collaboration with producer Philip Moore they also infused the visuals with Baroque influences, particularly the dramatic light contrasts of Caravaggio, to reflect the pressures and illusions of love.

“The song speaks to the idea of romanticizing something that maybe isn’t all it appears to be,” Spengler explains. “I wanted to visually capture that emotional complexity through chiaroscuro lighting—George bathed in shadows, a bright beam of light just out of reach.”

Filmed with a stripped-down crew, the shoot had its challenges—Spengler, working solo, navigated handheld shots in a dark leaking basement while wearing a walking boot from an on-set injury, and an incident that cause 20 firemen to show up. But Spengler states, the result is a piece of queer art.

“Warhol, Caravaggio—both their works were considered controversial, even homoerotic,” Spengler notes. “In an era where queer art is under attack, it’s important to keep amplifying LGBTQ+ voices. What better way to express oneself than through art?”

Watch Blue Valentine now.
‘George Alley’ Vinyl also available to order at Bandcamp.