High Five: Music Videos with a Special Kind of Synergy

Director at Iconoclast, Anna-Lisa Himma, picks out five incredible music videos that have resonated with her for a variety of reasons

Music videos are obviously a very dear medium to me, and I often feel a video becomes great not necessarily when the visuals are incredible or when it has a great concept, but instead when the music, the image of the artist and the visual create this special kind of synergy. The aesthetics and symbolism used in music videos can be an incredible commentary on our culture, and I guess that this could very well be what I am looking for...

Bjarki - 'I Wish I Was a Model'

Director: Thomas Harrington Rawle

I am a big fan of Thomas' work. I feel his work always carries a lot of references and nostalgia, and he just reframes these into his specific aesthetic world. The eerie imagery and the abstract story of human flesh goes well with the name of the song. Watch it here.

Pretty Sick - 'Human Condition'

Director: Frank Lebon

Post: Time Based Arts

Some heartwarming, nostalgic visual references and a whacky storyline combines well with this amazing song by Pretty Sick.

Joji - 'Glimpse of Us'

Production: Stink x Grin Machine

Director: Dan Streit

This was a very unexpected and original use of footage, and I have not seen something so brilliantly edited in a very long time.

MIA - 'Popular'

Production: Division

Director: Arnaud Bresson

Great work from Arnaud Bresson, working strong societal commentary and humour into a pop music video.

Arca - 'Electra Rex'

Director: Carlotta Guerrero x Arca

The concept of an established artist shooting something in the style of a high school showcase and having this incredibly simplistic approach was surprising and very refreshing. 

Genres: Music & Sound Design

Categories: Music video, Short Films and Music Videos