Arguably the music video medium is at its most advanced form than ever.
So far, 2015 has given us a bounty of great clips from artists both big and small. The year’s not over just yet, but in honor of the art that’s graced us, here are the five best videos from 2015 to date. Enjoy.
Kendrick Lamar: “For Free? (Interlude)”
Each of the visuals Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly has delivered so far could have made this list, but we’re passing “King Kunta” and “Alright” for the newest visual accompaniment — the jazz interlude “For Free”. Simply put, this Looney Toons style clip is the funniest music video of the year. It’s so odd while staying true to the song’s message and showcasing Lamar’s jazz collaborators, it just feels perfect.
Lord Huron: “Fool for Love”
At this point indie folk rockers Lord Huron have shown they’re well adept at creating new worlds, in video and music, and this clip for “Fool for Love” does just that. In it, we’re transported to an exciting episode set inside a 1950s roadhouse bar where greasers and bikers go head to head. The aesthetic is overall so dialed, it leaves one wishing for a full length movie.
Nicki Minaj feat. Beyonce: “Feeling Myself” (only available on TIDAL)
Nicki Minaj and Beyonce’s “Feeling Myself” video is a TIDAL exclusive, meaning those who aren’t subscribers to the digital streaming service likely haven’t even seen it yet. Trust this, though: This video alone is probably worth the subscription fee. It’s not just typical fare that the leading ladies of hip-hop and R&B look sexy in their swim suits, partying around the Coachella Music Festival. Rather, it’s a fun and empowering ode to strong women who couldn’t look cooler chilling in a kiddie pool, mean mugging by classic cars and shoving hamburgers in their faces.
FKA Twigs - Glass & Patron
FKA Twigs has had no shortage of awesome visuals over her quick ascent in the past three years, but her self-directed “Glass & Patron” is by far the most impressive. From the eerie setup to bizarre choreography, it’s at once beautiful and unnerving and totally stunning. As we await her new EP, Melissa, that should be out soon, we’re also anxiously awaiting to see what new video elements it brings with it.
Courtney Barnett: “Pedestrian at Best”
Aussie rocker Courtney Barnett has been a breakout act over this past year, garnering love from fans and critics across the globe. But put her in clown makeup and no body really cares. In her clip for “Pedestrian at Best,” Barnett tries to earn some respect at a local amusement park but just comes up depressed. It doesn’t matter if she was the “Clown of the Year – 2013,” instead she lives up the chorus line, “Put me on a pedestal, I’ll only disappoint you.”
