GAYLETTER

One of the most common experiences among gay men, one that seems to transcend both age and upbringing, is being faced with that one hopeless crush on a straight boy. Whether it was a high school fantasy or a college heartbreak, unrequited romance is in many ways something of a rite of passage for gay guys. Kids afraid of coming out all over the globe are watching their best friends, coworkers, and peers with privately longing eyes, waiting for that lucky moment when maybe, just maybe, the feeling will be reciprocated. Unfortunately, the fantasy of the “straight boy” is just that, an escapist pipe dream that more often than not ends in bouts of self-loathing, despair, and, in worst case scenarios, violence.

Such is the focal point for chillwave forefather Washed Out’s latest music video, ‘Weightless.’ The track is a standout from last year’s dreamy LP Paracosm, and the clip, helmed by director David Altobelli, serves as a perfect fit for Washed Out’s hazy ballad. Honing in on a young man secretly lusting after a friend, the seven-and-a-half-minute short film dips freely between technicolor dreams and reality before our ill-fated protag finally makes his feelings known. It’s well worth a watch, not only for the film’s gorgeous cinematography but for its emotional honesty as well, especially if you’re currently in the throes of a similarly unrequited love. Even when it seems like there’s nothing worse than having feelings for someone who will seemingly never return them, it always helps to remember that there’s a whole community of likeminded guys out there ready and willing to help you through it.

Watch the video for ‘Weightless’ below: