My favourite music videos of 2023.

Unbeknownst to the readers of this blog… for my end of year article I’ve decided to write a short article on my favourite music videos of the year. Avoiding my usual discussion on the impact of a certain album, I’ve thought it would be rather dull to end the year on the same note. 

Soooooooo

End of year article on all my favourite music videos of the year.

It’s important to talk about the impact that visual media has for the translation of an artist’s musical imagination. It recently became a popular topic of discourse again, the ‘lost’ art of the music video; let’s see what I believe. Personally, I think that music videos are integral to a musical experience, visuals are a mode of language within itself. Music videos play with the listeners reception, a music video can change how you listen to a song, symbolising completely different things to what you heard; moulding new meanings for your next listen. 

I think that music videos are also a playground for an artist to really take their songs to new heights, there’s only so much one sense can do for your intake of a song. Listening to music shouldn’t be a limited experience, music videos allow this sensation to roam unexplored parts of your mind, accessing new reactions from you as a listener. It’s always a very delightful experience to have a music video change you in ways, art is made to leave a mark. For me, I love it when a music video is the only reason I listen to a song, it’s contradictory; the artist wants you to hear their art, you only want to see it.

I’ve only chosen five music videos for this article but I’ll list the rest of the music videos I think everyone should watch at the end of the article.

Troye Sivan: One of your girls

There’s no other artist that’s quite understood the importance of music video this year than your favourite queer pop star. Troye sivan. Releasing three music videos from his new album that have been executed as well as they have been received. A popstar simply cannot just release music; and Troye BANKED on this. My favourite video that he’s released this year is ‘One of your girls’, a perfectly sultry, sensual and sexy video. A visual with layers of pop history, gaining inspiration from Britney to Kylie Minogue for this music video. Troye truly did his homework and used this knowledge to create a fresh classic.

Kelela: Contact

Wouldn’t be me without a Kelela mention somewhere. A music video that mirrors the act of getting ready to go out. Featuring an artist that mainly makes music you can definitely dance to. She’s brilliant. I love this music video. There’s so much beauty in everyday acts, embracing the sexiness in what it means to be a girl getting ready. Kelela invites us into her bedroom, it’s a flirtatious take on voyeurism.

Björk ft Rosalia: Oral

Surrealism is in.. haven’t you heard. A collaboration of two female artists that are cult favourites. Nothing less than absurd was expected from this duo yet they still managed to surprise me. A music video that was a treat for me this year I’d say. Also with a greater cause; in Björk fashion of course.

As stated in British Vogue: Björk took to Instagram to share a statement explaining the reason for releasing this track from the vaults now: all of the profits from the track will go towards combatting open net-pen fish farming in her home country of Iceland, where industrial fish farming is threatening the country’s native salmon population, as well as damaging the country’s seas, fjords and plant life. An essential new entry in both artists’ canons – and for an essential cause.

Tinashe: Needs
A music video that’s vibrant and loud. Covered in colours from the outfits to the groceries, Tinashe toys with the lyrics of her song to allude with visual metaphors. Tinashe doesn’t shy from serious choreography, bringing in a crew to dance around a supermarket with her. This music video is refreshing and energetic, Tinashe brings back what it means to have a lively aura!

Jungle: Back on 74

Probably the most popular music video of the year. Totally fair. A music video that’s really an ode to moving art, the dancers truly embody their roles with real theatrics. A personification of an art gallery with choreography that encourages interaction.

My bonus favourite music videos of the year:

Young Nudy ft 21 Savage: Peaches and Eggplants

I HAD to include this. Real Atlanta fashion; girls, guns and gangs. Literally what else could you expect. SEX SELLS…

Rather a music film but nonetheless many videos in one:

MIKE: Burning Desire

MIKE is honestly such a talent and this year he’s truly come into his artistry with effortless steeze. Burning Desire is fantastical, spiritually fulfilling and more… Some may call MIKE a ‘hometown hero’ but this visual shows he’s worthy of becoming an international household name.

Extra list of mine and some of my friends favourite music videos of the year:

In NO particular order,

• SORRY NOT SORRY- Tyler the creator
• Helmet- Steve Lacy
• Bug like an angel- Mitski
• 2024- Playboi Carti
• White Crocs- Jordan Ward
• Kill Bill – SZA
• Snooze- SZA
• Rush- Troye Sivan
• Got me started- Troye Sivan
• Super Shy – New Jeans 
• omg!- New Jeans
• Nice to meet you- PinkPantheress ft Central Cee
• BAEFRIEND- Bib Sama
• Exes – Tate McRae
• Greedy – Tate McRae
• Sprinter- Dave ft Central Cee
• JACKIE BROWN – Brent Faiyaz
• On my Mama- Victoria Monèt
• Dua Lipa- Houdini
• Bar Italia- Nurse!
• Lakz- SRT
• Fighting my demons- Ken Carson
• Glue song- Beabadoobee
• The way things go-Beabadoobee