Circa Survive performance gets broken apart into vector maps that pulsate like soundwaves for a 3-D effect that's not all that dissimilar to the Radiohead "House Of Cards" video, except this one was made with the help of an Xbox Kinect camera and RGB-D software, instead of frickin' lasers. --> watch "Sharp Practice"
This isn't the first time that T.I. gets cinematic in an ode to Atlanta — that would be the Chris Robinson feature ATL — but there's a gritty realness that drives this minimovie from director Clifton Bell. And as the "to be continued" hints, there's a sequel is already in the works. --> watch "Trap Back Jumpin"
Best music video ever to hinge on a fatal case of leprosy caused by an Armadillo bite? Yes. But this surreal video from Norwegian grup Heyerdahl matches sadness with a Napolean Dynamite lunacy that strikes just the right, wonderfully dissonant chord. --> watch "Mirage" (via MTVU)
Promises is beyond chockfull of ideas and memorable images, with a different cheesy/retro broadcast snippet appearing nearly every second. --> watch "Promises"
The Presets "Promises" (Modular)Special Problems, director
Hmmm. Hype Williams directing a video for Bryan Ferry sounds like a genius idea...
HARRYS, directors: "When we heard the track it became clear that Chaz [Bundick, Toro Y Moi] was embodying a character. There is lots of hyperbole in this song, and we wanted to carry that into the video and create an aesthetic that exaggerated a certain lifestyle. It takes a lot from 90's rap videos but also shares some stylistic elements more in line with European art house films from the 70's and 80's. We chose to shoot it on 35mm film with anamorphic lenses because the video had to look like a real movie. Big ups to Hype Williams and Bryan Ferry." --> watch "So Many Details"
Alicia Keys lets her spirit wander off the video set to compose herself, all the while delivering a performance that settles the power dyanamic between her and the fictional wannabe-controlling director. --> watch "Brand New Me"
Having spent many years cultivating a flawless public image, it's doubtful that we'll ever see Taylor Swift going as deep off the edge as Rihanna or Lana Del Rey, but "I Knew You Were Trouble" is certainly a step in that direction. The action starts with a wistful spoken intro before getting stick-in-your-cranium catchy, but the imaging is rough and tumble throughout.
How do you make videos for two different songs called "Radioactive" while making sure there's zero chance they're even remotely similar? Simple. While Syndrome goes goes all space-age for Rita Ora's "Radioactive," the Imagine Dragons song of the same name gets downright spacey: Lou Diamond Phillips, a cuddlier version of cock fighting, and a majestically powerful pink teddy bear all play key roles in this purposefully bizarre tale about the underdog coming out on top.
Directing/Design team Syndrome get galactic with Rita Ora in a stylish sci-fi clip that smoothly blends the organic with the digital, just like the cyborg twist that climaxes Act III. --> watch "Radioactive"
There's a bit of a "Shock The Monkey" vibe as a shaman magically creates tribal paintings and Goldfields crank out an exquisitely catchy new wave jam in this sharp b&w clip from director Stephen Schuster. --> watch "Dark Again" (via MTU.com)
This might sound weird, but this feels a bit like a combination of the Radiohead videos "Street Spirit" and "Lotus Flower," but within the context of an old-time soulful traveling salvation show where people really get moved by the spirit. C'mon, get happy.--> watch "Happy"
Director Michael Maxxis cranks up another fun video for Hollerado, this time getting so trippy/silly that you'd swear these hot-air balloons were filled with nitrous oxide. So, go get happy. --> watch "Pick Me Up"
Ever wonder what a priest does during his off-hours? Probably not what goes down in this video tale of a good man who's up to very bad things once he removes his clerical collar. Or, maybe he's just Episcopalian. (I kid) --> watch "Sail To The Sun"
WAVVES "Sail To The Sun"BLACK // DOCTOR (Chris Black + MISTERDOCTOR), director | EWING, producer | Evan Scott, DP | Terry Huynh, editor
