Lil Nas X has taken the time since his breakout hit, “Old Town Road” to open up to the world more about his identity as a queer individual. He has grown to become someone who embraces themselves and advocates for openness among others. And that all comes to a head with his newest music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).”

Lil Nas’ first release since “Holiday” back in November (which we also covered in our weekly new music round-up) is a dedication to his 14-year old self. The song is titled after his birth name, Montero, and the popular 2017 movie Call Me By Your Name. The song is about Lil Nas speaking to his significant other and asking for a more open, public relationship, where they don’t have to hide who they are and can call each other by their names. 

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— ☆ ‧dreamboy··‧̩̥˟͙冬˟͙‧̩̥l (@LilNasX) March 26, 2021

The music video, however, is the real pièce de résistance. Directed by Tanu Muino and Lil Nas himself, the video starts with a voiceover by the artist, where he says “In life, we hide the parts of ourselves we don’t want the world to see. We lock them away. We tell them no. We banish them. But here…we don’t. Welcome to Montero.” The video then opens in the Garden of Eden where Lil Nas plays Adam, eventually confronted by a humanoid snake hybrid, also played by Lil Nas. He tries to escape but is unsuccessful as he is put under the snake’s spell and kisses him.

We are then taken to a colosseum-like courtroom where Lil Nas is judged by a council of denim wearing…well, more Lil Nas Xs. As he is about to ascend to heaven, a (very long) pole emerges which he grabs on to and slides down all the way to hell. There, Lil Nas X, in boxers, thigh high boots, and red dreadlocks, meets the devil, who he proceeds to seduce with a (surprisingly gymnastic) lap dance. He does so and then snaps his neck, claiming his crown for himself.

The video is replete with several Biblical references and callbacks to Greek Mythology. In one scene, a tree glows with writing taken from Plato’s “Symposium” and the devil’s throne features Greek lettering, saying “they condemn what they do not understand.” But the song is also one big reference to Lil Nas himself, using metaphors like “dance with the devil” and “go to hell” to explicitly talk about the things people have said to him as a queer person. The opening voiceover and use of text also point to the same themes, which reflects what he said the song stood for in the first place.

Check out Lil Nas X’s symbolic “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” music video below: