Lunice throws some shapes, FKA twigs becomes an Egyptian goddess and Allie X goes on a trippy supermarket sweep
WOODKID – “THE GOLDEN AGE/EMBERS” (FEAT MAX RICHTER)
A digitally-rendered corpse forms and then decays on a slab in this cinematic video for the opening track of Woodkid’s new record. The French electronic artist self-directed the classy clip, which is a Deep South, family-focussed gothic twist on the sheen he delivered with his videos for Lana Del Rey (“Born To Die”) and Drake (“Take Care”).
IBEYI – “OYA”
XL’s newest signings are French-Cuban Diaz twins Ibeyi, and this monochrome CGI reinterpretation of a forest glade is a pretty sweet place to meet the experimental pop sirens. It’s a family affair with this duo – XL’s Jamie-James Medina directed the video, while label owner Richard Russell heads up production on this track as well as their forthcoming album.
LUNICE – “CAN’T WAIT TO”
Our favourite Montreal producer returns with this addictively intense, sub-swollen cut, whilst the video confirms Lunice hasn’t lost any dance skills since his competing days. Shot by LuckyMe Studio’s Peter Marsden, it also showcases Lunice’s slick, new live set up. We seriously can’t wait to catch this show in the flesh.
JESSIE WARE – “TOUGH LOVE”
The ever-alluring pop maven’s new video, directed by NYC director duo BRTHR, is almost, but not quite, romantic overload. They capture Ware sun-dappled and windswept in tailoring, as she sings the resigned lyrics between flashbacks from a failed romance. Be sure to watch till the end for the rose petal-drenched finale.
BLOOD ORANGE – “HIGH STREET” (FEAT SKEPTA)
Rising directing talent Lucy Luscombe takes us through London with Skepta and Dev Hynes for their collab – a new take on the contemplative track from last year’s Cupid Deluxe. Here, the duo’s performance at a bus garage is cut with portrait shots of local kids hanging out, while the swirling camera motion underscores the production’s melancholy bounce.
FKA TWIGS – “TWO WEEKS”
FKA twigs assumes her signature steely pose in a CGI temple, flanked by a crew of FKA twigs backing dancers, water-bearers and miscellaneous admirers. It’s the first official video taken from her forthcoming debut album LP1, after she created “tw-ache” in partnership with Dazed.
ALLIE X – “BITCH”
Feisty pop singer Allie X co-opts the supermarket for the most creative purpose since Chanel’s AW14 show. Here, Ms X adopts the persona of a prescription-med addled housewife , as director Jungle George – props for the name – layers archive telly and video game effects over her distorted trip around the aisles. You can download “Bitch” for free here.
LITTLE DRAGON – “PRETTY GIRLS”
You can win a beauty pageant even if you’re dead, or, you need to be soulless to win one, or, well, whatever the point is, Little Dragon should be commended for commissioning a handsomely shot, diverting few minutes of weirdness from Nabil. In fact, I actually quite want to see this movie.
SOFT AS SNOW – “HALO HEART”
The synth-loving epic Norwegian duo present a hyper-saturated, super-creepy face to beckon you into this vivid, glitching, kaleidoscopic trip of a video. It’s as weirdly relishable as their psych-out stadium pop is to listen to.
WIFE – “HEART IS A FAR LIGHT”
Tri Angle’s electronic-ambient-pop producer WIFE (aka James Kelly) highlights his record’s corporeal theme by appearing without many clothes in the video for the What’s Between track. Chiaroscuro lighting and VFX are used to manipulate the focal male torso in the haunting piece, the result of a collaboration between WIFE, photographer/director Fiona Garden and artist Ben Ashton.