FRINGE MUSIC FIXs selections for the weeks most exceptional music videos include themes of science, recovery, idiosyncratic dancing, lovestruck fangirls, self-aware biting pop commentary, and, of course, cats. So many cats. Well also take a moment to highlight a video that snuck past our radar late last week thats truly as unforgettable as they come.
French electropop artist Annabelle Guilhem recruits London-based director Cristian Straub for her spectacular music video for Velour Modulars "Forward." The video was shot in Iceland, and presents us with an array of surreal shots and scenarios that are as seemingly random as they are calculated. The science of nature seems to be the common thread throughout the loose narrative which includes goats, blank dice games, heavily camouflaged balloon snipers and human recovery. This is Velour Modulars first music video, and based on the quality, I cant help but feel very excited for whats to come.
The video for Blood Oranges "Time Will Tell" is exactly the kind of video weve come to expect from Dev Hynes. Like his last music video outing for his excellent track "Chamakay," this one features Hynes sporting his trademark thrift shop style clothing, performing his trademark brand of heartbreaking RnB alt-pop and topping it all off with his trademark one of a kind dance moves. The video is part live performance and part music video. It was shot in one single take by director Alan Del Rio Ortiz and is filmed in an almost entirely white room with Hynes also wearing all white.
In Phoenixs music video for "Chlorform," we witness an audience of enamoured women evidently impassioned with love for Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars and his bandmates as they perform in concert. Giving the video more profundity is the fact that it was directed by Thomas Mars actual wife and renowned film director, Sofia Coppola (Lost In Translation). I can only assume that the spouse of a rockstar often contemplates the adoring fans of their significant other, if only as a passing thought. Its unclear if issues of jealousy or insecurity are something the couple might struggle with, or simply an idea that Coppola had for an interesting video. In any case, the beautifully shot black and white video captures the emotive faces of people emoting their love for music. Coppolas lense is a compassionate and sympathetic one, and does not seem to suggest Coppola holds any resentment for these ladies, though there is the possibility that she may be taking a gentle poke at the silliness of falling head over heels for celebrities. I like to think that she feels a common bond with fans in their shared adoration of her husband. What can I say? Im a romantic at heart.
Lily Allen has always been one of the more opinionated pop stars and has always found clever ways of presenting her thoughts via her work. On her new track and Chris Sweeney directed video for "Hard Out Here," she takes a particularly forward approach in sarcastically pointing out the absurdity in the expectations society has in regards to the appearance and overtly sexual attitudes of female pop artists. Looking vibrant, healthy and beautiful after just giving birth to two children, Lilys execution of the track is a relentlessly tongue in cheek stab at all that is bad and good about the music industry and pop music. Theres even a brilliant swipe at the video for Robin Thickes "Blurred Lines" with a particularly explicit, and very funny phrase in balloon form. As an aside, the video has spawned much controversy, but not in regards to the issues its set out to address. Instead, people have made accusations of racism, as the video features numerous black female dancers twerking and gyrating. As British radio personality, Jameela Jamil, points out in her fantastic blog post responding to said controversy, the video features 4 black girls, and 3 white ones, not including Lily. All of the girls act promiscuous. I feel this is the most significant argument towards the issue. Theres no race debate here, but possibly another one suggesting the most effective way to poke fun or critique the exploitation of women is to, in fact, exploit women.
The Mrzyk & Moriceaus directed video for Midnight Juggernauts "Systematic" is a sight to behold, and a very cuddly sight at that. The monochromatic video features a handful of cats shot in a multitude of scenes using an array of sometimes hilarious special effects. Like Mrzyk & Moriceaus other remarkable music videos, "Systematic" is an unforgettable visual feast that will please fans of surrealism and kitty cats alike.
Honourable Mentions
Charli XCX - SuperLove (Yeasayer Remix)
David Bowie - Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy)
From Last Week
Had I have seen the absolutely NSFW and maniacally awesome music video for Jackson and His Computer Bands "G.I. Jane (Fill Me Up)" when it was released last week, it would have certainly made my top 5 and ensured Mrzyk & Moriceau the top spot on my list for two weeks in a row. This exceptionally well animated video immediately reminded me of the duos equally stylish and sexual 2010 video for Sébastien Telliers "The Look." That one featured a rear view of an attractive woman walking as the lineart and contours of the video and her body shifted and morphed in creative ways. "G.I. Jane (Fill Me Up)" sees yet another female as its focal point, but this time recruits a supporting cast of many penises, and a woman whos had just about enough of peni ruling the world. While the video is seemingly an example of female empowerment, it also takes a similar approach to that of Lily Allens "Hard Out Here," in that, while it does empower women, it also objectifies its female antagonist through sexuality. This video also reminded me just how much animation can make a difference when it comes to censorship. A live action version of the same visual imagery used here would have lasted mere moments on YouTube before being pulled. In the past weeks, weve certainly learned one thing, Mrzyk & Moriceau are the masters of pussy & cock.
