Sometimes the music is only half the story. Would Michael Jackson’s immortal pop ballad “Thriller” have been the runaway success it was at the dawn of MTV if not for the extended video filled with zombies, werewolves, and Vincent Price? Probably not. Though MTV’s clout has diminished significantly in subsequent decades, artists are still releasing videos at a stunning clip, sharing them on Youtube, Vevo, and pretty much every streaming service out there.
Videos not only offer another side of the person making the music, but also of the music itself, adding in context clues and visual cues that enrich the sonic material. They can also be fun, funny, weird, and shocking. Collected below are some of the most interesting and compelling videos released over the last week.
Future — “No Shame”
Directed by Director X, Future’s latest video for the song “No Shame,” which is included as part of the soundtrack he put together for the upcoming remake of the film Superfly, is a high-budget affair that not only features PartyNextDoor, but also Trevor Jackson of Black-ish and Jason Mitchell of Straight Outta Compton.
The 1975 — “Give Yourself A Try”
“Give Yourself A Try” is the first new music we’ve gotten from the 1975 in about two years. From the sight and sound of what the Manchester-based group has put together, their upcoming album A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, should stir up quite a bit of conversation. Frontman Matt Healy is in full-on glam mode here, donning an electric orange wig while preening in front of an array of mirrors. Peak rock star.
070 Shake – “Mirrors”
After adding one of the more compelling elements to Kanye West’s latest album Ye, on the song “Ghost Town,” 070 Shake is enjoying something of a breakout moment. Looking to coast off that shine, she debuted a new video this week for her song “Mirrors” which finds the G.O.O.D. Music talent cruising down the California coast in a vintage Mustang.
Gorillaz — “Humility”
It’s barely been a year since Gorillaz dropped their fifth album Humanz, but the Damon Alban-led band is eyeing a quick return in 2018 with a new record titled The Now Now. The first peek at that project is a decidedly upbeat track titled “Humility.” Special points for getting Tenacious D’s Jack Black to appear to strum an unplugged electric guitar without any strings.
Johnny Marr — “Walk Into The Sea”
Johnny Marr is one of the most compelling individuals to ever pick up and play a guitar. That’s not even an opinion, that’s clear, objective fact. For his new video for “Walk Into The Sea,” the former Smiths guitarist strikes the mysterious figure pose, gamely singing an strumming in a dark, blue-lit room backed by the rest of his band. It’s not a budget-killer of a video, but engrossing nonetheless.
