When MTV stopped playing music videos, many prognosticators claimed that the music video would go the way of the dodo. How wrong they were. Nowadays, music videos are better than they’ve ever been, and every weekend, I’m going to round up the best music videos released that week.
Note: Please read all of the blurbs in a sultry, Daisy Fuentes accent.
5. M83: “Steve McQueen”
In an era where fully realized albums are few and far between, Anthony Gonzalez’s decision to make the most important album of his career into a double LP was incredibly balsy. Luckily, it paid off, as Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming managed to hit heights not even reached by its seminal predecessor, Saturdays = Youth. The best thing about its length is that a year later, we’re still digesting it, and gems like “Steve McQueen” (the album’s 19th track) keep popping up as I go back through the album. It’ll take some time for the true scope of the Frenchman’s vision to become crystal clear, and you can’t help but feel that a few years from now we’ll be looking at it as one of the high watermarks of this decade.
4. Chromatics: “Looking For Love”
Who wants to spend five minutes checking out a bunch of people who are taller, better looking, and more stylish than them? When it’s backed by a track this deadly? Everybody.
3. Wild Nothing: “Paradise”
My roommate and I had an argument/heated discussion about Michelle Williams last week. I argued that she is a criminally underrated, extremely versatile actress, while he argued that she wasn’t nearly as good as his two favorite actresses, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Katherine Heigl. Ok, that’s not true, but basically, it boiled down to Michelle Williams vs. Heath Ledger. And while emoting into what looks like a flip-phone camera isn’t going to necessarily help my argument, it certainly won’t hurt it…especially when it’s soundtracked by one of the 10 best songs of the year.
2. Connan Mockasin: “Faking Jazz Together”
First off, thanks to my buddy Dan for tipping me off to this. The new video for the trippy Kiwi’s “Faking Jazz Together” is easily one of the most visually stunning of the year. Taking place in a forest scene that is very The Crucible/”An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge,” something very strange is afoot. Like the best videos, it perfectly captures the mood and feel of the song: shadowy, esoteric, affecting, and ultimately beautiful.
1. Trinidad James: “All Gold Everything”
Now, I’m aware that no credible music writer would rank this video over the preceding four (especially “Faking Jazz Together”), so it’s good that I’m not a credible music writer, because this has to be the best video of the week. How come? Ten reasons.
1. Adorable puppies used as rap props/accessories.
2. “Pop the molly, I’m sweatin'” rhymed with “mama said, boy, count yo’ blessins.”
3. A preponderance of cheetah print clothing. All worn by men.
4. Gold (painted) baseball bats and bikes.
5. Stuntin’ in a panda mask.
6. Chick w/ two gold teeth.
7. James has a Dungeon Family tattoo on his hands. Not a member of the Dungeon Family.
8. Velvet slippers.
9. 4 CHAINZZZZ.
10. Soundtracked by one of the best rap songs of the year and starring one of the most entertaining, seemingly affable new rappers of the year.
