The most electrifying music videos of the year so far…
Is there any person on this earth who doesn’t enjoy a good music video? Really, though — how can you not? It’s a cinematic, sharable medium that allows us to experience our favorite musicians in a visual, intimate way. Fortunately for music lovers like you and me, there’s been no shortage of good material circulating on web in 2015. With our toes barely dipped into February, we’ve already enjoyed riveting work from Sia (“Elastic Heart”) and FKA Twigs (“Pendulum”), all within the last thirty days. In fact, some of the most memorable music videos have sprouted within the last month. From Flying Lotus’ cinematic death theory to José Gonzàlez’s performance at a Sunday Assembly, we’ve got your music video needs covered. Let’s indulge as a pre-cursor to tomorrow’s Grammys, shall we?
Flying Lotus – “Coronus, The Terminator”
It’s not often a music video comes along and completely knocks you off your seat, but Flying Lotus’s hair-raising video for “Coronus, The Terminator” does precisely that. The video, directed by Young Replicant, explores the mystery of death. The only thing more hauntingly beautiful than the images is the choir singing, “The days of men are coming to an end/So come with me.” And maybe that’s what makes this music video so profound — the images can speak for themselves. The music is just an added bonus.
Mourn – “Your Brain Is Made of Candy”
Shot by Barcelona-based director Roger Guàrdia, Mourn’s music video follows the story of a troubled young man who can’t seem to escape the color blue. Whether or not the color blue is a metaphor for something larger is entirely up to you. My guess is that his brain is made of a giant Blue Raspberry Jolly Rancher. So sit back and enjoy this beautiful audio-visual experience. Is anyone else getting a heavy ’90s vibe from this?
Shura – “Indecision”
When it comes to gender norms in music videos, Shura has been known to break a binary or two. Her latest, “Indecision,” is no exception. The video, directed by Emily McDonald and Nev Brook, follows the main character in a mesmerizing exploration of identity. Shura sat down with Dazed and explained that both the video and song were intended to be “a moving story about a journey and change”. And while there are many unanswered questions about the main character, Shura assures that it’s “open to interpretation”.
Sia – “Elastic Heart”
This should come as no surprise. We’ve already dubbed “Elastic Heart” as one of the most performative music videos of the year. And while it did ruffle a few feathers (some interpreted undertones of pedophilia), the controversy actually brought us closer to the truth behind the video’s meaning. Following Sia’s apology, she revealed that Shia LaBeouf and Maddie Ziegler were actually meant to represent “two warring ‘Sia’ self-states”. Now, re-watch the video in that context.
FKA Twigs – “Pendulum”
Known for her highly evocative and cutting edge music videos, FKA Twigs’ self-directed video for “Pendulum” does not disappoint. But the bondage-heavy video is more than art for art’s sake — there is a meaning behind all of this crazy hair-suspension. FKA Twigs explained that she used her own hair to represent “being suspended and held back by [her] own fears”. Soon enough, she emerges on screen as a silver puddle a la Nickelodeon’s “The Secret World of Alex Mack.” Here’s a quick refresher in case you want to get all Nickelodeon-nostalgic with us.
José González – “Leaf Off/The Cave”
Director Mikel Cee Karlsson has a fascinating way of exploring human nature with his ultra slow-motion portraits. If you don’t believe me, try watching both parts of Junip’s “Line Of Fire“. Aside from the video’s [almost painted-on] aesthetic, the video features José González singing onstage at a Sunday Assembly. Just so you know, a “Sunday Assembly” is, in fact, a real thing. It’s like a Sunday mass, but instead of congregating to praise God, these non-religious people congregate to “celebrate being alive”. Hey, why not?! It certainly made for an interesting video.
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