A few fantastic new music videos to ease you into the working week – starring Cee Lo’s life-affirming “fuck you”, Toro Y Moi’s Polanski-esque psychological thriller and Antony and the Johnsons’ black and white slow burner.
Cee Lo Green – “Fuck You”
Why is this the most instantly likable song you’ll hear all year? We could point to the transparency of Cee Lo’s lyrics which, while earnest in that cutesy heart on your sleeve way, never encroaches on over-sentimental whining or self righteous preaching. That’s what the f-bombs are for I guess. And the accusations of gold diggery. And the pitying of fools. It’s a total jaded ex-boy/girlfriend anthem in the making but refreshingly, for a song that’s ostensibly about cussin’ out the ones we used to love, the tone shifts towards the song’s end and reads more like a self loathing “fuck me”. Poor Cee Lo. Apparently an official film clip will be released soon but for now we have this simple (but effective) text-heavy rendering of the most famous two word diss in the English language.
Toro Y Moi – “Low Shoulder”
With its glistening new wave keys, squelchy beats and brain penetrating vocal lines “Low Shoulder” stands as one of the more accessible cuts from “Causer Of This” the debut longplayer from South Carolina native Chazwick Bundick aka Toro Y Moi. It’s typical fare from the Chillwave oeuvre which is to say it’s instantly recognizable in a vaguely nostalgic way but weird enough to reward repeat listens. The accompanying music video however, is anything but chill. In fact it’s a nightmarish crime scene waiting to happen. Creepy diner lady drugs nubile young patron then does unspeakable/ambiguous things to her that involve blood and disrobing. Or was it all a dream?
Antony And The Johnsons – “Thank You For Your Love”
“Thank You For Your Love” is the first single from Antony and the Johnsons’ forthcoming LP Swanlights and a perfect example of the sparse instrumentation and subdued arrangements afforded to bands with a strong, in this case earth shatteringly so, vocalist. The video is comprised of candid black and white footage, performance art clips and men applying lipstick like they were born to do.
