Based on the epic journeys of the Mario Bros. and Zelda, California eclectic indie rockers Xiu Xiu have enlisted a world class video game designer to craft the clip for "Boy Soprano" off their forthcoming album, The Air Force (out Sept. 12). "We thought it'd be interesting for [the designer] to do something with the most basic software," Xiu Xiu's Jamie Stewart told SPIN.com, referring to the music video's nascent-looking graphics.

But the lyrics to the song are much more complex than the clip's aesthetic. "Boy Soprano," a hauntingly entrancing track, is about "three young men between 18 and 22 who I have really conflicted -- but good -- relationships with," the 34-year-old Stewart admits. "I still have a paternalistic relationship with them but have no control over them, and I find them all incredibly attractive but they have really fucked up lives. It's mostly a song about being concerned for these people while admiring them a lot."

Though Stewart didn't reveal if he and his three young acquaintances pass the time playing video games, he did reveal they play a significant role in the life of Caralee McElroy, one-third of the Xiu Xiu trio and Stewart's younger cousin. The clip wasn't inspired by any particular video game, so from underwater, to space, to land, it traverses every tangible location, which was unintentional, according to Stewart. "We'll have to invent some other dimension," he said, referring to what's in store for Xiu Xiu's next video. "Some post-apocalyptic mayhem, which won't be far from reality soon enough." With that philosophy, it's no wonder the final words stretched across the clip are "game over."

Now Watch This:
Xiu Xiu - "Boy Soprano" QUICKTIME

Talk: Would you tell Xiu Xiu to shoo? COMMENT

On the Web: Xiu Xiu at killrockstars.com