Shallow focus black & white cinematography focuses on Tyler The Creator of the Odd Future rap crew as he eats a sickening bug, goes wide-eyed like he's possessed and then throws a noose around his neck. Good luck looking away. --> watch "Yonkers"
A relationship burns away through a dance, slowly coming apart with each repetition in this choreographed clip for minimalist electro act The XX. --> watch "Islands"
Releasing a music video shot during the Blizzard of '10 just as the Northeast starts to bathe in warm sunlight seems insane, but lots of the things that seem insane about Titus Andronicus are exactly what makes 'em so compelling. Director Claire Carre captures a snowy performance and some general rabble rousing that come across like a patriotic indie rock recreation of the American Revolution (or, to be more topical: Like a Tea Party, but with more facial hair and less raging against the wrong machine). --> watch "A More Perfect Union"
There's a whole lot of random going on here, but nothing that goes over the line (so to speak). Directing duo The Malloys set up Vampire Weekendin a futuro space-age tennis center — one that kind of reminds me of the racquetball court from the M/J Jackson "Scream" video" — where a girl decides to prove her worth against a steady stream of contenders. Randomness? Well, there's the Japanese intro title, Joe "one of the Bros."Jonas and actor Jake Gyllenhaal as opponents, RZA from the Wu-Tang as a judge, and Lil Jon as a coach who helps our champion get crunked up for victory.
Vampire Weekendreturn with their most manic blast of preppy punk, a scorching sort-of Mexican Oompah tune called "Cousins" to properly introduce the sophomore album, Contra. The Hammer & Tongs video team return to the fold — they directed the simply effective clip for "A Punk," which in many ways is a precursor to this new one.
It's Esther Williamsfor modern times. The camera is underwater with the horizon inverted, so it seems as if two water ballerinas are swimming up into the air. It's a tempting image, thus explaining why the fellas of Killersesque UK band Friendly Fires are so willing to "Jump In The Pool." --> watch "Jump In The Pool" via YouTune
