BEST OF 2022 – MUSIC VIDEOS: This short list I’ve put together encompasses not only just songs that were on constant repeat for me this year, but tracks that were accompanied by extraordinary music videos that complimented the overall listening experience. While there are so many incredible visuals I could have included in the rankings, this specific bunch made a mark in the industry and also left a lasting impression on me the most.
In no particular order, here they are! Enjoy, and feel free to comment at the end and share with me some of your faves – what did I miss out on in 2022?
“Highest Building” – Flume ft. Oklou ~ (featured on the album Palaces)
What makes it so great? Personally, I really favor any type of “motocross” styling or aesthetic, and this concept was very well executed by Flume and his team. Down to the “trademark” logos that appear throughout the video (which have been manipulated to fit the album storyline), I just really like the way this video was planned from an aesthetic perspective. It also includes the familiar partnership with artist Jonathan Zawada, creating a mixed media short that includes both live action and seamless 3-D animation.
What’s my favorite moment? The “Dirtcoin” cryptocurrency logo (why hasn’t that been made into a shirt yet?) and the bird shit that lands on the helmet at the end.
“Saoko” – Rosalía ~ (featured on the album Motomami)
What makes it so great? I wasn’t kidding when I said I like motorcycles (you won’t catch me on one, though)! But it’s simple – when you pair La Rosalía’s recurring chants of “yo me transformo” with a boisterous troup of motomamis (doing the craziest stunts ever), you’re bound to create magic. This video is so aggressive, but also extremely femme and fearless. I love it! This video just continued my appreciation for this really cohesive concept era for her, and she earned herself four, well-deserved Latin Grammys for this record.
What’s my favorite moment? If it’s not the chick doing the wheelie with the pink pigtails helmet – then it means I didn’t really watch this video.
“Hype Boy” – NewJeans ~ (featured on the album New Jeans)
What makes it so great? To start, this music video release was the most creative debut rollout I’ve ever seen an artist put out. The original drop included FOUR member-based music videos, with the storyline intertwining between them all and the scenes viewed from different perspectives. Then, 2 additional performance/choreography-focused videos were also uploaded. Watching 4 versions upon release literally drilled the song into my head, and that was a really smart decision which sky-rocketed NewJeans to superstardom in mere days.
What’s my favorite moment? I lost actual hair trying to pick my favorite video, and simply went with a performance version to make this easy on me! I think their styling is very age-appropriate and fresh, and their rollout was very 90’s, early 00’s inspired (which of course appeals to millennials like myself). It’s giving Lisa Frank, it’s giving AOL, it’s giving Bonne Belle. And the on-off “denim”-colored effect/filter is so cool! This routine literally took over my life and even encouraged me to take my first dance class.
“BTBT” – B.I and Soulja Boi ft. DeVita (featured on the album Love or Loved Pt.1)
What makes it so great? The choreography never stops throughout the entire length of the video, and B.I managed to learn this routine in a matter of days. That’s absolutely insane, but the hard work clearly paid off because this performance video does something extra for the track that the main video doesn’t necessarily convey. This version highlights the talented crew of dancers that frequently support B.I’s amazing stages, and something about that creates an element of simplicity that enhances the video. While the moves are incredibly intricate and precise, the fluidity of the camera work with the consistent motion makes this a stand-out video. I’m feeling the color palette of all the clothing, too. It’s matches the environment. You know what else is crazy? There’s also a motorcycle in this video, too.
What’s my favorite moment? Absolutely the opening isolations at the very start of the song – it immediately set the tone for me that it was going to be a fire performance. It was simple, but was aligned with the song’s percussion, which is something that is continuously highlighted very well within this choreography. I also like the pair at 2:41 that do that kick move during Soulja’s verse – the lighting behind them creates a really impactful lens flare in that moment.
“Arson” – J-Hope ~ (featured on the album Jack in the Box)
What makes it so great? Well, considering it being a release from the one and only J-Hope (of BTS), it was bound to have an astronomical budget, with nearly all of the effects being practical and the explosions perfectly timed to the music. Not to mention the 2 main scenes were done in one-shot, it took a lot of precision to make this work. Check out the behind the scenes here! Of course the zoomed in shot of his charred heart is in fact a special effect, but it may as well have been real because this video has everything. People on fire, vehicles on fire, he’s on fire – the song title “Arson” speaks for itself.
What’s my favorite moment? The whole thing! I like the tone of the video, which kind of has a really ashy, gloomy wash to it. Something about the opening shot of the house gives me throwback Marshall Mathers vibes, and it’s crazy that it only took about 30 seconds to completely burn to a pulp. This video’s concept carried much darker energy than fans expected, which was a far cry from the usual bright and cheerful “Sunshine Hobi” that claps like a seal when he laughs. Any time I hear this I freak out, and am SO glad the live experience at Lollapalooza included fire. Lots of fire.
There you have it! Those were the videos that could not be topped in my eyes, and hopefully you enjoyed watching them as much as I did! Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year! 💜 💜