In this week’s top music video picks, we take a journey through 1970s horror films, police riots, and cup-flipping talents. From hip hop to electronic and indie rock, and featuring artists like Ghostface Killah and Anna Kendrick, see which music videos are becoming viral.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (featuring Ray Dalton): “Can’t Hold Us”
Now, this is an epic music video. Seattle’s rap and producer duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis debuted a high-budget video for their “Can’t Hold Us” track this week, taking fans on a expedition across the world. The seven-minute clip—shot in New Zealand and Seattle—reveals Macklemore taking a wolf-led sleigh ride through vast, snow-covered forests to an thumping dance party on a Pirates of the Caribbean-style ship on the high seas. All the scenes are united by a black and white version of the American flag with the album title,The Heist, emblazoned on it, as it makes its way through each landscape.
Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge: “Rise of the Ghostface Killah”
Fans of retro Italian giallo flick Suspiria will take joy in Ghostface Killah’s latest video for “Rise of the Ghostface Killah.” Reminiscent of director Dario Argento’s brightly-colored palette and his use of horror and cultish creepiness, the video plays well into the rapper’s concept album, entitled Twelve Reasons to Die. NPR reported the album is the “creation myth of a black superhero set in 1960s Italy, which looks a lot like 1990s Scorsese.”
Psy: “Gentleman”
Korean pop supernova, Psy, might just be the only person besides the Biebster who can get a new music video to surpass the number of YouTube views on 2012’s anthem, “Gangnam Style.” Now with over 100 million views in just a few days, Psy’s follow-up, “Gentleman,” features new dance moves, high-end couture, and a variety of cheeky pranks. It’s certainly no “Gangnam Style,” but it might just grow on us.
Calvin Harris (featuring Ellie Goulding): “I Need Your Love”
They’ve got us fooled! Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding play a convincing couple in their latest collaboration for electronic pop hit, “I Need Your Love.” The video follows the twosome on their romantic tryst, from canoodling in bed to riding carefree in a convertible.
Azealia Banks: “Yung Rapunxel”
This video might be nightmare fuel, but it’s hard to look away because it’s haunting and beautiful. Azealia Banks presents a surrealist video for impassioned song “Yung Rapunxel”—where her eyes are replaced with mouths and an owl flies out of her forehead. Things take a darker turn with the spliced scenes surrounding riot police, as Azealia smashes a bottle over an officer’s head (see 1:56).
Basement Jaxx: “Back 2 the Wild”
This is a great week for psychedelic and bizarre videos, and Basement Jaxx is a prime example of that theme. The British dance music veterans take viewers on a wild trip—seemingly LSD-induced—through spastic and vibrant nature backdrops with guest appearances by wild animals and bearded ladies.
Anna Kendrick: “Cups (When I’m Gone)”
If you couldn’t get enough of Anna Kendrick’s cup-flipping talent in 2012 hit Pitch Perfect, your prayers have been answered. The film’s director, Jason Moore created a full music video for the actress as she plays a diner cook who takes a break from her banal biscuit-making job to sing the viral hit and provide some well-timed hand-clapping. It’s aca-awesome!
