Editor's Note: For our end of the year wrap up, we asked a few filmmakers to compile their own top music video lists. This list was compiled by director Allie Avital Tsypin.
2014 was huge! A truly exciting time for the medium. The fact that Sia's "Chandelier", (which references the kind of experimental dance and theater I grew up with) could exist on such a mainstream commercial level is pretty bonkers. In a medium that's defined by it's inherent rules and limitations, it's all the more impressive when a four minute video truly stirs you and is a satisfying, self-contained work of art.
This year there were some real gems: thoughtful, visually stunning works by directors who are committed to adding unique, genre-bending content into this bizarre industry of ours, and make me feel inspired and excited to be among them.
Here are my personal faves in no particular order. Enjoy and happy new year to IMvDB and the rest of you!
Ten Walls - "Walking With Elephants"
This video made my eyeballs fall out of my head. It's so gorgeous and it actually exists in an inexplicable realm.
Lykke Li - "Gunshot"
Fleur and Manu are brave and have great taste. What I love about this video (and most of Fleur and Manu's work) is how deeply cohesive and convincing the mythology of this world is. So ballsy, moody, and singular.
Paolo Nutini - "One Day"
Odesza feat. Zyra - "Say My Name"
Ian Pons Jewell. The beautiful precision of his narratives, the elegant surrealism, the imagery that sits with you long after. This guy has inspired me to think about storytelling in a new way.
Paolo Nutini - "Iron Sky"
This one hit me pretty hard. Maybe partially because it appealed to the Russian in me, I don't know..(it was filmed in Ukraine, but whatever). It hits this excruciating peak early on and then forces you to stay there, in this prolonged state of enjoyable discomfort. Ahhhh..
Arca - "Thievery"
Jesse Kanda is living the dream. His ability to blend the slick with the abject and the grotesque is pretty masterful.
Lapsley - "Falling Short"
Someone just showed me this video a few days ago, but it really stood out. Love the simplicity and elegance. I love videos that give you space to breathe.
Hawk House - "Chill Pill (Experiment 2)"
So chill. The symmetries are so satisfying.
FKA Twigs - "Two Weeks"
I remember the morning this dropped. I was in LA and I was sleeping on someone's floor on a mattress and I stayed on that mattress for an extra hour just watching this over and over. So good.
Flying Lotus feat. Kendrick Lamar - "Never Catch Me"
This video is just perfect, that's all.
