Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness Music Video

Oh Lana, you've done it again.

It wasn't long ago that we were presented with the 7 minute mini-movie video for National Anthem from the long-haired beauty, and she's already bestowed upon us the visual for album favourite Summertime Sadness.  Lana has played various versions of the same role in her videos, from doomed runaway, to damsel in distress and of course first lady, and in the video for Summertime Sadness Lana is serving us sensual yet suicidal chic.

The motif of death has been glaringly obvious throughout the whole album campaign, in both the videos and the songs themselves (shocking stuff from an album called 'Born To Die') and Summertime Sadness doesn't do much to change things up.  The video depicts a doomed relationship between Lana and her stunning guest star Jamie King, and is effectively compiled of four minutes worth of footage featuring the breathtaking couple either having fun or, y'know, plummeting from great heights to their death.  The whole video calls to mind her beautiful 'doomed prom queen/Carrie' photoshoot from earlier in the year and much like the character she portrayed then, her performance in this video is hauntingly beautiful.  


It may not be uplifting, but it's a perfect marriage of song and visual, as the single itself talks of a love that may be great, but isn't going anywhere and has to hit a wall (or in the video's case, a hard ground).  It's full of silhouettes, stunning scenery and smoky transitions.  Make no mistake, the video is a work of art and is without a doubt the most effective video she has released.  Now if I could just get one video from her that doesn't have such a literal interpretation of the 'Born To Die' mantra.

4.5/5

My one complaint is that out of the six music videos released from the album, four have featured her now trademark cut and paste, heavily filtered style.  It may be pretty to look at, but it's starting to grate a bit and so I'm praying that when she's writing her treatment for the Dark Paradise video, she approaches it from a Born To Die/Blue Jeans angle as opposed to this National Anthem/Summertime Sadness style that she has since perfected. 

Lana Del Rey - National Anthem Music Video

Well this more than makes up for the looped trailer from yesterday.

Lana Del Rey has always been an artist who pays just as much attention to the visual aspect of her artistry as she does to the music and it pays off in the music video for 'National Anthem'.  While there really isn't much of a storyline to the video, other than Lana and A$AP Rocky as JFK and Jackie O thoroughly enjoying their time as the heads of State, it manages to capture the oddly celebratory and melancholy feel of the song itself.  It reminded me of her early cut and paste visuals for Video Games and the original Blue Jeans video, although National Anthem has a much clearer narrative to follow (and of course looks much more expensive).  There is also a sense of dread that creeps up throughout the video, but that's probably because anyone who knows the story of JFK knows that as soon as these two get in that convertible, things are not going to end well.  


Still, it's her most interesting video to date and I for one am relieved she's released a video where her lover ends up dead instead of her.  The final two minutes of the video, in which Lana talks of her love for this man who is "torn between being a good person and missing out on all of the opportunities that life could offer a man as magnificent as him" could have easily come across as pretentious but instead seems heartfelt.  When it comes from a singer who wears her heart on her sleeve as obviously as Lana does, this closing monologue is more captivating than eye-roll inducing.  In my honest opinion the video didn't need to be this long, but the opening and closing chapters are intriguing enough that I won't be skipping them anytime I watch the video.

National Anthem started out as a much more upbeat affair (never forget), and if it had stayed that way this video would never have worked.  This video really shows how grand this song was always supposed to be and the album version is as perfect as it could get.  All hail Lana Del Slay.

5/5

Azealia Banks - Liquorice Music Video

Do you feel lucky, kunt?

It's almost strange to think that Azealia Banks has achieved her level of popularity all off the back of one, admittedly amazing, song and video (and a series of twitter arguments with just about everyone and their mother).  Well now she's finally released a second full length video for the second single off her 1991 EP 'Liquorice'.

Featuring a series of flawless outfits, weaves that solidify her Yung Rapunzel moniker and a few less than subtle phallic moments featuring ice lollies and hotdogs, the video for 'Liquorice' has provided Azealia fans (and haters) with even more proof that when it comes to visuals she really can do no wrong.  The whole thing is like an even more intimidating Naomi Campbell after she's been exiled to the wild, wild West for attacking one too many assistants.  Azealia really does look beautiful.  I am so ready for the Fantasea mixtape, Broke With Expensive Taste and her show in Manchester later this year.

Sky Ferreira - Red Lips

Oh Sky Ferreira, what have you done?

Ever since I first heard 'One' back in 2010 I've been a huge fan of yours.  Follow up single 'Obsession' may not have been quite as intriguing but it was still a pretty great pop song and your first EP As If! has been on repeat on my iPod for over a year.  So after showing that you really are very skilled in the electro pop field, you've thrown it out the window and presented your fans with 'Red Lips'. 


This song is pretty much the antithesis of Sky's previous releases, in that it's extremely unoriginal and in fact, it's kind of boring.  It effectively doubles as a forgotten album track from Garbage (unsurprising as Shirley Manson helped co-write the song) or even The Pretty Reckless.  This is the first instance of Sky's slightly bored sounding vocals not working in her favour, and it's also the first time she's sounded uncomfortable on a song (this may have something to do with the video though, as Sky looks as comfortable as... well as comfortable as you'd expect someone in their underwear, smeared in lipstick and being accosted by a hairy tarantula to look).

I can't help but wonder if this song would seem more exciting if Sky hadn't excelled so much in her previous musical releases.  It's difficult for me to get behind a song like 'Red Lips' when I know she's capable of a song like 'Sex Yeah' or 'Haters Anonymous'.  Either way I'm pleased that this isn't the official first single from Wild At Heart as I'm certain Sky has better music to offer.  I've always seen her as someone who'll rise to the top of her game regardless of what genre of music she puts her hand to, 'Red Lips' is just an unfortunate misstep.  Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to listen to '99 Tears' on repeat and pray to the music gods that there will be at least one Bloodshy & Avant song on her debut album.


2.5/5

Kylie 'Timebomb'

Say what you want about Kylie Minogue but she certainly knows how to treat her fans.  While news of yet another greatest hits album (especially one missing the beautiful single 'The One') may not be enough to excite her die hard fans, a brand new single and video certainly is.


It's not uncommon for artists to record any old song to accompany their compilation albums (I'm looking at you Christina), but Kylie has avoided such a fate not once but twice.  Firstly with the beautiful 'I Believe In You', a song which is now recognised as one of the best of her career, and now with 'Timebomb'.  While it's not as striking as the former song, 'Timebomb' is still a resounding success as it manages to marry a thoroughly modern sound with the best parts of her hit and miss album 'X'.  Lyrically it's nothing spectacular but the song is extremely catchy (that 'woop' refrain in the chorus is going to be stuck in your head all day after your first listen) and should have no problem attaining chart success for the Australian pop queen.

But really the best thing about the song (and it's video) is just how effortless it all seems.  With a simple song about dancing and a video with no real storyline or arresting visuals, Kylie has still managed to create one of the more exciting pop songs of the year thus far.  It really is no surprise that she's celebrating her 25th anniversary of being at the forefront of pop music, and 'Timebomb' should remind everyone why (not that anyone should need reminding).


4.5/5