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We Are Shining "Wheel" (Carl Addy, dir.)

It's a philospher's Tumblr page come to life, swirling with borrowed images in a vortex of GIF psychedelia. 

Carl Addy, director:  "Our inspiration behind this promo was the idea of modern tribalism, using visuals in the same way that the band appropriates audio samples. We wanted to make a Tumblr as a video to show their influences and inspirations yet  with a cleverly weaved narrative. I’m incredibly proud of the final film that we have created and working with We Are Shining has been an excellent creative adventure.”

Blog

PSY "Gentleman" is #1 Most Watched of 2013, #5 All Time

Don't call it a comeback, he's been for years. Or, at least a year. 

Just when you though PSY had run his amazing course, a press release comes to remind you that the follow-up, "Gentleman," is actually in the midst of an impressive run:

"Heating up his sizzling and scorching hot streak yet again, PSY's music video for "Gentleman" is currently YouTube's "Most-Viewed" music video of 2013 with over 572 million views. The cinematic clip for the infectious and invigorating international anthem continues to entice viewers daily. In addition, the music video is ranked #7 on YouTube's all-time most-viewed videos list. It's on track to hit 600 million by the end of the year. As a result it will become #5 of all-time."

Take that, Miley.

News

2013 UK MVA Winners

The UK Music Video Awards (MVAs) took place last night in London with winners ranging from France's Megaforce and Fleur & Manu directing teams, Spain's creative group Canada (confusing, yes?), US director Kahlil Joseph and lots of UK representatives.

Rock legend Ray Davies bestowed music video and film legend Julien Temple with the Icon Award, recognizing his nearly 40 year career from documentaries for The Sex Pistols and Joe Strummer to videos for The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, Neil Young and many other luminaries.

See below for all the winners!

Commercial Break

RedFoo at Airport Security and Miley in a Box for this "MTV EMA spot" (Mickey Finnegan, dir.)

Miley Cyrus in a remake of Boxing Helena? Not quite, but she is the surprise in this airport teaser for the 2013 MTV EMA Awards which also stars show host RedFoo and his package.

The MTV EMAs will air live in Europe on Sunday, November 10 with a US airing on MTV at 7pm ET that same day.

Best Video Nominees are as follows...

  • Justin Timberlake “Mirrors” (Floria Sigismondi, dir.)
  • Lady Gaga "Applause" (Inez & Vinoodh, dir.)
  • Miley Cyrus "Wrecking Ball" (Terry Richardson, dir.)
  • Robin Thicke f/ T.I. and Pharrell “Blurred Lines” (Diane Martel, dir.)
  • 30 Seconds to Mars “Up In The Air” (Bartholomew Cubbins, dir.)

... and performers include Katy Perry, Kings Of Leon, The Killers and Icona Pop.

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Steel Panther "Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World" (Rob Riggle, dir.) NSFW

There's really only two things separating this from actual '80s metal videos:

  1. The inclusion of boobs, blow and other NSFW touches
  2. Irony

Satirical hard rockers Steel Panther enlist Rob Riggle to direct and star in this imaginary bash to celebrate the last day of the world with a guest list that includes Steve-O, MMA fighter Chuck Liddell, Breaking Bad actor RJ "Junior/Flynn" Mitte and Ron Jeremy, of course.

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Cloud Control "Promises" (Keith Musil, dir.)

It might take a rewatching or two to piece together the mystery here — which is a smart trick for a music video — but you'll realize right off the bat that something is eerily wrong as a woman wakes up to an empty bed and then stumbles through a drunken date with a young man who looks very much like the prime suspect in a local murder spree...

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Justin Timberlake "TKO" (Ryan Reichenfeld, dir.)

Don't go assuming that the footage of Justin Timberlake getting dragged behind a car is a metaphor. Based on what happens between the pop star and his break-up/make-up sex partner, it's clear that she's ready to make sure he goes down for the count.

PS: In a nice twist of pop legacy — I woudn't call it a coincindence since everyone involved is too smart not to realize this angle — Timberlake's co-star is Riley Keough aka Elvis Presley's granddaughter.