Top 10 Best Music Videos of September 2016

#10: “City Lights” The White Stripes

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This is the first single from this rock duo in five years, and their first music video since 2007, so expectations were high. Unveiled following the release of Jack White’s new album “Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016,” the video for “City Lights” features the cinematic touch of Michel Gondry, the French director and screenwriter known for the Academy award-winning “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” In the video, Gondry takes a single shot of a bathroom shower and cleverly brings the song’s lyrics to life through the bather’s simple drawings on the shower door. The child-like illustrations provide a heartwarming accompaniment to White’s humble country-folk stylings; one of many musical directions the rock star takes on the compilation album.   

#9: “Black Beatles” Rae Sremmurd feat. Gucci Mane

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Together, Swae Lee and Slim Jimmi are the Atlanta-based rap duo Rae Sremmurd, known for the 2014 platinum hits “No Flex Zone” and “No Type.” These singles helped the pair achieve fame and recognition, something that’s made visually clear in the video for “Black Beatles.” The Mike-Will-Made-It-produced track likens the young rappers to the original Beatles, comparing all the popularity, women and money that brings with it. In true Beatles-inspired fashion, the video shows Lee and Jimmi rocking out on stage with electric guitars and studded leather jackets, and even references Beatles history with an Abbey Road-style crossing and rooftop concert. The blend of modern hip-hop aesthetics and the homage to the Fab Four makes this video one of the most entertaining on our list.  

#8: “Cold Water” Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber & MØ

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This chart-topping smash hit was only available as a lyric video until September 2016, when an accompanying dance video was released on YouTube, providing us with all the sweet moves we need to rock out to this dancehall-style EDM track. The video showcases the acclaimed Major Lazer dance crew strutting their stuff in a variety of epic landscapes. From icy mountain ranges to barren desert, the dancers take us on a majestic journey across the world, concluding with an explosive routine around a massive fire pit. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to learn the choreography now…  

Nashville-based rockers Kings of Leon were back in a big way in September 2016, dropping two stunning videos in the same month. “Waste a Moment,” the lead single from their upcoming full-length album received a unique visual treatment: the video begins with three high-school cheerleaders sitting calmly under a tree. Strange events follow the girls, as the video plays out like a campy ‘80s horror flick. Whether it’s the nostalgic suburban setting, flaming strobe lights or the blindfolded Kings of Leon jam session, this video had some of the most unique visuals of the month.   

When news surfaced that this RnB crooner would be collaborating with house music pioneers Daft Punk, it turned a lot of heads. But when the music video dropped on September 28th, it had necks snapping in all directions. Conceived as a symbolic destruction of The Weeknd’s past musical identity, the Grant Singer-directed video takes us through a dimly lit Hollywood mansion, where the Beauty Behind the Madness-era Weeknd meets his demise at the hands of this new creative sensation; Starboy. While Daft Punk only makes a fleeting appearance, this video is jam-packed with bright neon, dashing leather outfits and neo-noir-style driving sequences. Long story short: don’t mess with the Starboy.   

#5: “High and Low” Empire of the Sun

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The Australian electronic duo Empire of the Sun have always been purveyors of stunning and dreamily futuristic visuals, so we were pretty stoked to get a music video for their single “High and Low” off their upcoming album “Two Vines.” Here, Empire sings about cosmic love as they navigate sky cities, sentient forests and frolic with oversized CGI-giraffes. Landing somewhere between Salvador Dali and Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, this video is as grand and captivating as the track itself, and definitely the most visually stunning entry on our list.   

#4: “Perfect Illusion” Lady Gaga

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Few artists generate as much hype as this constantly evolving pop mega-star. With her first solo LP since 2013 on the way, what better way to celebrate than with a dusty desert rager? Looking like the queen of her own personal Burning Man, Gaga sashays and commands her audience in this video while rocking some cut-off jean shorts and Lennon shades. After pulling up in a rugged Ford Bronco, it doesn’t take Gaga long to find collaborators Mark Ronson, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker and producer Bloodpop in the crowd, and the party just keeps on going from there.   

Yeezy has always had a unique flare for music videos, and the same can be said about his new video for The Life of Pablo’s “Fade.” Only this time, Kanye is nowhere to be seen. Instead, West directs a barely-clothed Teyana Taylor, a fellow Good Music signee and actress, as she does her best “Flashdance” impression. To call Taylor “fit” would be a serious understatement. Combine that with her skimpy outfit and the steamy shower scene and this video is not one that will “fade” from your memory anytime soon. “Fade” is easily the sexiest video on our list.   

#2: “The Greatest” Sia

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Australian born singer-songwriter Sia has made big waves with her music videos for “Elastic Heart” and “Chandelier”, both featuring 12-year-old dance phenom Maddie Ziegler as the protagonist. Well, Ziegler’s a little older now, but she’s back with Sia for “The Greatest.” The video opens with the hashtag #WeAreYourChildren, an homage to the 49 people who lost their lives in the tragic Orlando nightclub shooting earlier in 2016. As Ziegler’s character finds her way through a barren house, she’s joined by an ever-growing gang of dancers, culminating in a beautifully choreographed group dance routine that can really only be described through video. Seriously, go watch this one for yourself.   

#1: “Hold Up” Beyoncé

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Beyoncé dropped her visual album “Lemonade” earlier in 2016 to much critical acclaim. Following the insanely popular video for “Sorry,” “Hold up” became the second cut from the album to be released on its own, and within a month it had already gained roughly 30 million views on YouTube. Here, Queen B escapes a watery abyss of internal struggles to arrive on the streets of New Orleans, strutting about with plenty of Bohemian swagger. Wielding a baseball bat, B smashes car windows and wreaks havoc, as her lyrics speak to a desire to end the trend of “side chicks” in her life. Whether it’s the nostalgic 90s look she’s rocking, or the surreal direction of Jonas Akerlund, this music video is one for the ages. What else can you say but SLAY!   Do you agree with our list? Which music videos had you jumping off the couch this month? For more musical Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.