Top 10 Music Videos Of March 2017

Directed by Albert Birney, this naturalistic video doesn’t shy away from the song’s central message. At first, it seems like “Ran” may stick to a gimmick, with vocalist Samuel T. Herring escaping his confined studio setting for a jog through Baltimore. But as the video progresses and day becomes night, it becomes more of an expressionistic production, complete with a burning tree and impassioned close-ups. All in all, it’s an effective music video about confronting personal demons and looking inward to find happiness, closure or just a sense of inner peace.

Colorful and certainly a bit retro, this lively video features a true baddie of 80s cinema. On paper, the casting of “Rocky IV” actor Dolph Lundgren may seem strange, but it makes sense within the inspirational narrative. By straying entirely from a traditional boxing setting, Matt Eastin’s transcendental visuals allow for a mystical feel, balancing drama with a little bit of camp. On the flipside, not everybody will immediately recognize the cinematic homage, but it’s not about Ivan Drago, it’s about the message. In that regard, “Believer” packs a punch.

Directed by Daps and the Migos crew, this video is loaded with pure bravado. Using slow-motion shots and a gritty setting, “What the Price” establishes a specific feel right off the bat. But despite the relaxed vibe, the action picks up through some highly stylized barroom fight scenes. It’s theatrical, but the narrative feels plausible, too, which further proves why Migos has become so relevant in pop culture. Like most of their videos, they perform within a unique setting, all the while selling their artistry and individual personas.

As a celebration of friendship, this dreamy production oozes good vibes from beginning to end. With that being said, director Alasdair McLellan mixes in some monochromatic images to contrast the more colorful shots, thus offering a more potent representation of The xx’s native London. So, while the performance visuals convey an 80s New Wave aesthetic, the supporting images most definitely feel timely and relevant. As a result, “Say Something Loving” becomes a mash-up of feelings and colors; an emotive video production to match the emotive lyrical content.

Shot with 16-millimeter film, this music video is fundamentally old school. But as Lorde embarks on a nighttime excursion through Los Angeles, director Grant Singer provides a youthful feel, bolstered by the dim color palette and urban setting. There’s a touch of rebellion to be found, and as the director intended, there’s a timeless quality as well. In other words, there’s no pop cultural references to connect “Green Light” with a specific year. Just as the song has anthemic qualities, the imagery feels equally iconic, whether Lorde is dancing in the street, hanging out a window or reflecting atop a car.

Taking a cue from Adult Swim’s “Too Many Cooks”, gonzo-rapper Danny Brown has enlisted the directing help of actor Jonah Hill for his new sitcom-inspired music video. While on the surface “Ain’t It Funny” might seem like the hottest new network TV program, there’s certainly nothing to laugh at here, other than maybe “This F***ing Kid” in his breakout role as “Kid”. As Brown’s substance abuse is detailed heavily throughout the lyrics, the video also attempts to highlight the troubles of not being taken seriously when talking about one’s inner demons.

Directed by Warren Fu, this music video does away with cutting edge special effects in favor of offering up some starry 80s vibes and universal themes. In that regard, “I Feel It Coming” targets fanboys and fangirls of all ages, as the starboy and his stargirl navigate through a distant land in search of love. It’s a feel-good music video that relies on a specific formula, but it’s the nostalgic aspect that makes it so commercially viable, too. Of course, there’s also the final twist; yet another nod to the past and a departure from the usual music video trends.

For this stripped-down production, Bruno Mars does what he does best: he performs. But to add a little extra flair, he and co-director Jonathan Lia sprinkle in some animation to complement the lyrics and Bruno’s slick moves. There’s no smoke and mirrors, just a talented performer who can do it all. So, while some pop stars try extra hard to be relatable, this music video showcases Bruno’s charisma and charm, and what a pop star can accomplish with a little creativity and natural talent.

“Humble” is exactly the kind of drop hip hop heads and Kendrick fans were all hoping for. Directed by Dave Myers and The Little Homies, the video is full of cinematic fish-eye visuals and heavy Christian imagery, while Kendrick delivers his humbling message over a sparse, 2000’s era beat courtesy of Mike Will Made It. Taking the centre seat at the Last Supper, Kendrick is surrounded by imitations of familiar faces in the rap community who could do themselves a favor by sitting down and listening to what King Kendrick has to say. It’s a stunning return to form, and a timeless video from hip-hop’s savior.

For this surrealistic production, the Gorillaz take us to...the “Sunken Place.” Directed by Jamie Hewlett, “Saturnz Barz” features plenty of perplexing visuals, such as nude space drifters and talking pizza, but it’s the vision and attention to detail that makes it one of a kind. In fact, it’s the type of music video that requires multiple viewings, as the dream narrative can be explored on numerous fronts, not to mention the subtext of the highly imaginative visuals. At its core, “Saturnz Barz” is a horror story, but the video evolves into a blend of genres, and it's just what we were hoping for from everyone's favorite virtual band.