Robin Thicke - Blurred lines
This music video is good because although it is very simple, it is still interesting and makes you want to continue watching. They use props such as a chair and toy car and a sheep, this keeps the scene alive as there is only one location throughout, the performance is the main feature of the video that keeps it memorable. The video uses Voyeurism by including very good looking girls, we are interested in the relationship between the artist and the girls, the vibe is kept fun and sexy which makes it appealing to a wide audience. A lot of the video is freestyle dancing; it makes the watch very mellow and fun. There is one location used but the the use of props and camera angles are gripping and edgy and by using text on the screen such as '#HASHTAG' although this fits into the modern age of social media I think it makes it seem quite cliche and will not be using it in music video.
Lana Del Ray - Ride
The video is very fanatical and dreamy in surreal surrounding of dessert and mountains on a tire swing. The colourisation makes Lana almost angelic in her setting, the areas can be really realistic but the lighting and her white clothes make her glowing, she is also dressed casually but her natural look makes her even more beautiful as we are seeing the other side to the glamorous celebrity lifestyle that we see on social networking. When she speaks at the beginning it reminds me of 'Lady Gaga' in 'Born this way' as it creates a deep serious tone or meaning behind the music and immediately makes us feel in a trance. The natural lighting allows the sun to come through softly almost making you feel like you are there with her.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - Cant hold us
The location and mis en scene of this music video is really original, the idea of snow and wolf costumes is really unique and it is used in a comparison with a deserted area of sand, pyramids and camels. The introduction puts the video in a serious tone, but the later comparison of wild and crazy fun, this spontaneity keeps the audience on edge. This later emerges as they walk from one dramatic scene to the ordinary streets of America. With plenty more variety of location, costume and mood it creates a mass of variety and is fun to watch, the locations are not just of wide variety but they are extremely unique and this makes it so much more intriguing. Macklemore's performance is also very lively and energetic with keeps the mood positive.
Drake - Started from the bottom
I like this music video because the song has a narrative behind it and it is also comedic at the same time, the scene in the supermarket is hilarious and the target audience of young adults will love that the artist can incorporate humour, even though he is talking about how wealthy he has become, he is still willing to open up about his life before which makes him identifiable to the audience.Using lip syncing and free style movements to a narrative of him as a child, then the supermarket sketch are all very different however they all work well together as the contrast becomes exhilarating. The performance by the artist is very upbeat and is enthusiastic which also gives the audience energy. The situations we see in his 'new' life make us feel apart of the antics, he lets us inside the party scenes with his friends which brings the audience closer, we are intrigued with the unique and wealthy locations he takes us to such as villas and private Jets.
Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko - Stay
The song is very emotional for the singer 'Rihanna' which is evident with the performance and the lyrics. The main image of Rihanna in a bath is very interesting as it shows a vulnerable side of her that we are not used to seeing. As her life is in the public eye dramatically, the audience and her fans already feel like they know her, but the video gives us a better insight of her internally. Her vulnerability is also shown as she struggles to sing all the way through her song as she pauses in an emotional expression. Also the use of props and costume is very minimal, she doesn't wear make-up but this works as the viewers are attracted to things that are done/seen more privately.
Eminem - Cleanin' out my Closet
This video is very deep, as it matches to its emotional and honest lyrics. The story of the singers upbringing and the reincarnation of it with a young version of himself, this brings the audience closer to Eminem as they get to know more about the secrets of his past. The introduction is particularly interesting as they use a zoom technique towards an image of door, this is a great way of creating tension and excitement as it opens the wall between the audience and the artist, as he opens the door to his life with personal information. The coverage in the studio is very unique as we don't usually see this in videos, but it conveys a sense of realness to the audience. The artist also uses synaesthesia with shadows on the artist in time with the beat, its deeper meaning is the representation of colours, the shadows create darkness reflecting the seriousness of the lyrics.
Birdy - Skinny Love
The setting is very old fashioned and isolated, it has a peaceful and relaxing feel to it which matches the soul of the song, the whole scene is very authentic and immediately strikes an emotive chord, we want to get to know the artist more at the beginning, as she draws us in with her soft nature, showing minimal shots of her close up we cling on to every word she says. Birdy looks very angelic which is appealing to the audience, this is because she looks very natural and raw. The fact that she is playing the piano at the beginning makes her seem more in touch with the song and the words being played, as it is her own song we see it as being special to the singer which makes it become interesting to the audience, overall the mood is sad but magical.
Ed Sheeran - A Team
This video is reflective of a third person, although we do not makes a strong connection with the singer himself, the narrative behind the song is very meaningful which makes it so much more interesting.The use of realism which makes us feel like we are there as we watch her get on with her everyday life and reflect on the present. The use of the black ans white filter highlights the sadness of the video, at the beginning we establish that she has died and therefore looking back in time using the dark filter reflects the mood of the song. Her embrace of nature is endearing and the fact that she is beautiful draw us to her and we become slowly intrigued in her life.
Kendrick Lamar - Swimming Pools
An aspect of this video I really like is the reference to the title 'Swimming Pools' as he falls through the air into the water, it shows a vulnerability to him which most male rapper/R&B artists don't show which relates the the male 'ego'. The song title is displayed in a small format in white, it gives us a sense of emptiness until the interesting image appears. As Kendrick falls into the water the camera films it from multiple angles with a black background which makes the scene really effective. He uses multiple locations that work together to create an overall mood. When the artist is in an empty room we realise that there is deep meaning behind the lyrics, he glamourises alcohol by showing a club scene where everyone is in high spirits, however the overall mood is not positive.
M.I.A - Bad Girls
The video is set in Sri Lanka as M.I.A grew up there meaning the video is a lot more personal then the lyrics convey. The location brings up closer to the artist as it is a special place to her, It is also very scenic and the scenes are shot on wide landscape with beautiful view, along with a wild performance packed full of choreography, crazy props and colourful outfits, it also includes a dangerous car scene which intertwines with the a wild horse ride, and a fire fuelled desert. The day scenes mix with the night scene which uses interesting colourful lighting and blingy clothing, matching the lyrics 'Chain hits my chest'.
