Berlin-based band BED encapsulates a bold queer musical identity through their unique blend of shoegaze, dream pop, and post-punk. Their latest single, “Heart Shaped Bed,” stands out not only as the fourth release from their debut album but also as our Sound of the Week. The track serves as a haunting exploration of libidinous desire intertwined with deep emotional turmoil.
Drawing from a rich tapestry of vulnerability and desire, BED’s music tells stories through evocative lyrics that evoke a profound sense of intimacy. The gender-ambiguous vocalizations reflect a fluid identity, challenging normative creative expression and inviting listeners into a coming-of-age journey filled with the paradox of losing innocence while reconciling the wounds of adulthood.
“Heart Shaped Bed” encapsulates the aftermath of a collapsed relationship, acting as a cathartic reflection on personal experiences steeped in grief. With haunting imagery—like an abandoned baby or a mysterious dog in one’s bedroom—the song navigates themes of existential pain and identity crises. The poignant line, “my life is a lie – that sells well,” delivers a painful confession, positioning the vocalist’s struggles front and center.
Written by Astorga and Astolfi on a rainy summer day following their own heartaches, this track is a raw cry for help. The duo channels their inner turmoil into an assertive narrative punctuated by punchy electronic beats and emotionally charged melodies. As the song builds in intensity, it becomes both a descent into self-destruction and a transformative journey of healing.
Accompanying the single is a visually striking music video featuring a woman in a heart-shaped bed balancing innocence with overt sexuality. She traverses a spectrum of emotions—from manic highs to profound lows—encountering fleeting connections with various lovers. As the tension escalates towards the song’s climax, viewers witness a psychological breakdown leading to a pivotal moment of independence.
In the end, she stands alone at a party, tears glistening on her cheeks as strobe lights dance around her. Caught in a whirlwind of identity exploration, she embodies both herself and the male figure initially introduced in the narrative, emphasizing the fluidity that resonates throughout BED’s work.
“Heart Shaped Bed” is a testimony to the complexities of love, loss, and the search for self, solidifying BED’s place as a standout queer artistic force in the music scene.
Starring: @solastolfi @nicoastorgah @maya.uma.sehmer @drebgetz @petrapocalypse
Director: @bycrisci
Associate Director: @solastolfi
Creative Direction: @bbbbbbeeeeeedddddd & @bycrisci
Director of Photography: @antonbeliaev
Art Director: @nicoastorgah
Executive Production: @farbfilm.studio / @9two7
Producer: @_galinamalinova_
Production Coordinator: @vvroobel
Production Coordinator: @emma.ist.ehmer
1 AD: @grisha_shell
Runners: @y9nnni @acidlife_
1st AC: @mr.ceci_mechoka
2nd AC: @chr_istus
Steadicam Operator: @_lucasheinze
Published byGaffer: @jens.thurmann
Best Boy: @noel.metzler
Key Grip: @4grips4film
Electrician: @jonas.clrs
Lab: @cinelab_romania
@kodak_shootfilm
Set Design: @nicoastorgah
Set Build Curtain, Window: @eazhc
Set Build Assistant: @dmytroooo @l0l3b0b3d0d @polinazagumenova @neurosi
Carpenter: Théo Salvatore Canu
Makeup: @kunaevamua
Styling: @nicoastorgah
Editor: @bycrisci
Colorist: @imriagmon
Colorist Rep: @sec.studio @sec.color
VFX Window: @noaroe @janisreichert_
Extras: Arturs Strekalovs, Bruce L. Edwards, Catalina Varela, Elmo, Florian Dillen, Ivan Vasin, Kristina Polosina, Letu, Mara Chiappara, Maria Paz Gonzalez, Natalie Meoz, Nicole Andrea Bächler, Sebastian Halle, Tatiana Chekhova, Yanina Isla
Doggo: @windhundmarie
Doggos Mom: marielynnspeckert
Heart Shaped Bed written by @solastolfi @nicoastorgah with contributions by @thiermannpablo and Ema Schiller
Recorded, produced and mixed by @thiermannpablo
Mastered by @jari.antti
Additional Sound Design by @thiermannpablo @bycrisci
Released by @_bretford_
Published by What Is Happening? I feel it everywhere! Gmbh / @random_musick / @wisemusiccreative.de
Many thanks to: Flo at @malzfabrik , Cornelia at @cinelab_romania @camelot.berlin @julian.wildner & everyone involved for their commitment and energy
Supported by Initiative Musik gGmbH with project funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media
