SZA's watery rebirth, Ramona Lisa tripping out and Future, Pharrell and Pusha T moving that dope
Bok Bok – “Melba’s Call” (feat Kelela)
The Night Slugs label boss leaves it to Kelela to dominate the visuals on his sharp, funky cut which sees the singer return a favour after Bok Bok added beats to two tracks on her Cut 4 Me mixape last year. She's beamed into a studio to try and entice her already-departed lover into acting like less of a shit; with her abundant on-screen charisma, we pity that fool.
White Lung – “Drown With The Monster”
This straight-up, raw live video shows off the ferocious energy that White Lung throw down. The Vancouver trio are lead by singer (and writer) Mish Way, who performs as someone that could stare down any hell beast. “Drown With The Monster” is an anthem to reveling in the things that could destroy you, and the perfect introduction to White Lung – who just signed to Domino for their third LP.
Ramona Lisa – “Backwards & Upwards”
Caroline Polachek’s self-produced debut track as Ramona Lisa comes with this lyric video which is remarkable in its adherence to one, basic action – aerial 360 degree spinning in a cathedral, naturally. A digital video seems fitting for this MIDI-only project, and while the visual is restrained, Polachek’s voice and songwriting are more than enough to keep you hitting repeat.
SZA – “Babylon”
SZA trails her debut record Z on Top Dawg next month through this simple, enticing film which she co-directed with APLUZFILMS. The spine-tickling slow jam produced by DJ-DAHI is laced with further intrigue as SZA sheds her belongings and clothes, before wading deep into a lake.
Glass Animals – “Gooey”
A video for a track called “Gooey” was bound to be a little icky, but indie quartet Glass Animals' create a saliva-centric tale that's dealt a dark Gothic charm by Australian directors The Apiary. Bodily fluids become a magical elixir to be shared with glee in this weird and original video, with a quirkiness that delights rather than cloys.
Future – “Move That Dope” (feat Pharrell Williams and Pusha T)
Future’s huge new video is awash with the 80s, while possibly nodding to soon-to-be-remade early 90s classic Point Break in its use of Reagan masks. Rap's Tony Montana invites Pusha T and Pharrell to move green as loose camera movements boost Mike Will’s massive B-Boy-rapping beat. As slick as you’d expect.
Sohn – “Artifice”
Vienna's Sohn teams his most pop-leaning track to date with a video that finds him frozen amidst the unfurling devastation of a car crash. Director Thom Glunt makes the most of the Phantom camera’s extreme slowmotion capabilities through additional practical lighting and luminescent rain effects – the result is that “Artifice” becomes as mesmerising a watch as it is a listen.
Jungle – “Busy Earnin”
The last in a trilogy of “videos with people dancing in them” by Oliver Hadlee Pearch that have tracked Jungle’s steps from unknowns to XL-signed, big freaking deals in the indie world. With choreography and casting that feels oddly natural, even with the glares down the lens, the Adidas-clad crew dominate a desolate warehouse space. Good fun.
Hundred Waters – “Cavity”
The intricately-arranged, silkily unsettling new single by the Floridian foursome is brought to life by director Michael Langan’s profile of singer Nicole Miglis. The elegant rotating image alternates with a long creep over the glowing desert floor, with IRL and CGI interplaying as beautifully as the acoustic and electronic instruments do in the song.
Metronomy – “Love Letters”
Renowned cult film director and true music video maestro Michel Gondry returns to the medium with this endearing piece for the title track of Metronomy's newest album. During a single take we follow the jamming Devon band as their revolving set morphs into studios, forests and vehicles. Utterly delightful.