Each week, FRINGE MUSIC FIX culls the latest music video releases, carefully selecting the most bizarre, provocative, and remarkable videos from across the world.
Sit back, relax, and open your minds eye; things are about to get interesting. The following are our selections for the week ending May 11th, 2014.
Flying Lotus unique and imaginative music video for Phantasm was directed by Markus Hofko and shot in the beautiful New Zealand desert. The video features two otherworldly creatures interacting with one another. The first entity being a woolly creature that travels on all fours, and the second a strange glowing incandescent being wrapped in dark bandages. With its saturated desert backdrop and sci-fi themed elements, the video may remind viewers of something out of the Star Wars universe. Though the video does not possess a significant narrative, its a visual feast for the eyes that serves well in complementing the chilled out electronic vibes of Phantasm."
Alternative R&B artist How To Dress Well has launched the first in a series of three music videos entitled the What Is The Heart? trilogy, which will serve to promote his forthcoming album of the same title. The videos will be spearheaded by creative director Luke Gilford, with this particular installment directed by Johannes Greve Muskat. The heartbreaking visual explores themes of love and loss through its compelling narrative, which features a young man enamored with the hospice nurse caring for his ill grandfather. The powerful performances and intriguing plot line will certainly engage audiences and is likely to result in the shedding of tears. Tom Krell, the man behind How To Dress Well, has a brief cameo in the video as a convenience store clerk.
Laurie Erskine, operating here under his Club Kuru moniker, recruits director Danny Sangra in this scenic music video which serves as an homage to the experimental film making style of Dario Argento. The video was shot in the incredibly amorous region of Trieste, Italy. At the request of Erskine, Sangras treatment alludes to both the Club Kuru name and an unusual disease from Papa New Guinea called Kuru." At its worst, "Kuru" can have detrimental effects on the neurological condition of its sufferer. The video stars Laurie Erskine himself and Icelandic model Sif Agustsdottir, seen here portraying a couple inhabiting a lavish ocean side home. While their domicile may appear to be paradise at first glance, we soon discover that the couple is undergoing some form of romantic misery. As the narrative unfolds, and the romance breaks down, so does the video itself, literally collapsing in a series of cleverly edited fast cuts that both give the sense of something coming apart as they do the process of memories being fragmented and distorted.
Youth is a fitting title for the new music video from 21-year-old emerging talent Ben Khan, and the equally youthful directing duo BRTHR, as it serves as concrete evidence that talent shows no limitations when it comes to age. The collaboration results in a fresh and stylish visual that draws influences from the horror/action cult films of the 80s & 90s. "Youth" centers around the life of its central character Kazi, a serial killer type portrayed by Jullien Herrera, at various stages of his life as he descends into madness and his homicidal lifestyle. BRTHR achieve a great feat in the unlikely union of a relatively upbeat track with a sinister visual rooted in dark subject matter. You've been warned, it would be a huge mistake to miss out on this video, or more precisely, you'd be foolish to miss this or any other future endeavours from both Ben Khan or BRTHR.
Sia and Daniel Askill impress with their incredible music video for Chandelier." The stunning and simple music video is a made exceptional through the employment of the mesmerizing choreography of Ryan Heffington and an unforgettable theatrical dance performance from charismatic 11-year-old Maddie Ziegler. You may recognize Maddie from the popular reality series, Dance Moms. The video features young Maddie sporting a Sia styled wig while executing the wildly imaginative number throughout a gloomy and run down apartment. Zieglers presentation is as technical as it is impassioned. From her athletic and rhythmic prowess to her animated and highly emotive facial expression, Maddie never ceases to inspire. As seen here, Its quite clear that if Maddie plays her cards right, she could be a huge star in both the world of dance or perhaps even in film or TV. It's also worth mentioning the outstanding camera work and cinematography employed in the video's pseudo single take type execution. The video for Chandelier is easily this weeks best music video, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it figure prominently within the top tier of not only my own, but of most of this years best music video lists.
