The Best Music Videos spark conversation, drive social media trends and start trends. In 2019, we saw some of our favorites. Here’s who we voted in for our Best of 2019.
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Best Music Videos: Lights Up – Harry Styles – Addie Whelan
After a quiet beginning of 2019, Harry Styles blew expectations out of the water with the first single out of his sophomore album cycle. “Lights Up,” a track that immediately sets the precedent for where Styles wants to be, also contains a music video that also set the tone for what was next. With more than 43 million views, the video hits right off the bat with colorful tones and a shirtless Styles, stumbling across the frame. Not only is the video racy, but a definite adult step for the singer out of his past album. Styles is depicted throughout the video with no definite love interest, which has sparked plenty of conversations on both social media and the media. “Lights Up” is quite literally like turning the lights up on Styles’ next album and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
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Sucker – Jonas Brothers – Sara Feigin
The Jonas Brothers came back into the music scene with a bang when they released the video for “Sucker.” Showing off their growth not only as musicians but also as people, the video featured their stunning wives and some crazy colorful costumes. At some points, the video seems to be showing off the brothers’ glow ups, but if you were married to Sophie Turner, I’m sure you’d show her off as well. The main stars of the videos are in fact the wives Jonas rather than the brothers Jonas, as Priyanka, Sophie and Danielle get to run around a mansion in beautiful gowns and throughout the whole video, it looks like they are having the time of their lives. One of our favorite parts of the video is when they’re all singing in bubble baths on the lawn of an English manor house.
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EARFQUAKE – Tyler The Creator – Quinn Beaupré
There is no denying Tyler, The Creator’s distinctiveness when it comes to music videos. 2011 saw Tyler eating cockroaches in the “Yonkers” music video, 2019 presents his alter ego, Igor, dressed in a baby-blue suit and white wig. Posing as a talk show, the video begins with a humorously-awkward introduction from actress Tracee Ellis Ross, reminiscent of Tyler’s days with the Loiter Squad. As the music starts, Tyler breaks out into an energetic dance, before passing out after setting the entire set on fire from a cigarette he discarded while performing. It’s quirky, confusing and encompasses the energy of “EARFQUAKE” perfectly.
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Lover – Taylor Swift – Maggie Montgomery
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift co-directed the “Lover” music video alongside Drew Kirsch. The video features Swift with a love interest, played by dancer Christian Owens, in a house within a snowglobe. The concept of the music video stems from lyrics from Swift’s album 1989 – “You two are dancing in a snow globe round and round”. The couple fight and makeup in the different rooms – each color-coded and representing the seven Taylor Swift albums. Part of what makes “Lover” such a hit are the elements of nostalgia and easter eggs. Swift alludes to her past eras as well as hinting towards other songs off of Lover – “Cruel Summer” and “Afterglow”.
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Rules – Doja Cat – Nicolita Bradley
Cat boss, Doja Cat is at it again with another insanely creative music video for her latest release, “Rules”. She noted that it’s her favorite video to date and that she created the treatment for it herself. It’s sexy, unique and unbelievably well shot. The single is from her recently announced album, Hot Pink.
Who do you think had the best music videos this year? Let us know in the comments below!
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