Words By: Bre Offenberger

This Wild Life, an acoustic rock duo, have released their latest single, “You Swore Your Love Would Burn,” with an accompanying video. The track is a heartbreaker, with frontman Kevin Jordan lamenting over his partner leaving after they promised they’d be there for him forever.

A winding acoustic guitar from Anthony Del Grosso leads Jordan through the reminiscence of his time with his former significant other. Now, knowing they’re no longer within reach, he tells them to not reassure him he’ll be OK — because he knows himself that he won’t be for a while. Gentle claps and bird-like sonic elements join as Jordan realizes promises are no longer something he can trust.

The video opens with the two bandmates as cartoon Pokémon characters, with the track’s opening intro now employing the glitchiness of typical video game music. They start a new game, as it flashes to them, now human, dressed in Pokémon attire running through a maze. They run into a fisherman, who gives them healing ointment after saying Del Grosso‘s ex roasted him on Twitter. They run into a woman named Sally, who claims she’s his ex and wants to fight him. The video transforms into the recognizable Pokémon battle scene. To win, she blocks him on all social media. As they continue through the maze, Del Grosso picks up a block of self-esteem before running into another ex, who wants to fight since her 56 calls to him have been declined. She makes Del Grosso, dressed as Pokémon, collapse, and Jordan as Ash has to carry him across town to the Heal House. He recovers instantly, but they run into one last person who wants to fight, and she beats them both handily.

Of the video, Jordan shares: “My love for emo and Pokémon meet in our new music video “You Swore Your Love Would Burn”. We made this video 100% DIY with $20 Animation Software, 10,000 hours of Pokémon gameplay experience, and a dream. Hope you love it.”

This Wild Life left Epitaph Records last year and released their first independent single, “Nothing Hurts Like Love For The First Time,” in November. “You Swore Your Love Would Burn” is the infectious follow-up that not only condenses to a T what it’s like to have your heart ripped out, but reminds listeners that it’s OK if the healing process is slow. There’s more to be expected from the band in the year, so keep on the lookout for more reassuring tracks.