From the depths of winter's chilly bosom, we bid you a warm welcome! Since we're snowed in for a few weeks, let's watch some hot Unofficial Music Videos, the best of the bunch from February's cultural crop of adolescent tension. It should help pass the time till we're all too weak from hunger to eat each other.
You may have noticed that photo finishes are becoming de rigueur around these parts. True to form, we've got another tie for top honors this month, so we'll be sending out two Barclay Awards for Excellence in Video Arts. So much winning!
1. Producer: Avikbangalee
Artist: Disturbed
Song: "The Sounds of Silence"
Category: Vérité
I'm just going to come out and say it. This is the best rock video from Bangladesh I've ever seen. The Simon & Garfunkel chestnut evolves into a grand piano anthem with a glorious new worldview. Equal parts inspiring and visually compelling, this video shimmers like a neon painting.
1. Producer: Raegan Masterson
Artist: Joji
Song: "Slow Dancing in the Dark"
Category: Narrative
A somber, unsentimental romantic shrapnel grenade gets dropped at a kegger. Disappointment and confusion are the guests of honor at this party.
3. Producer: Jonny Young Trujillo
Artist: Zero 7
Song: "Pop Art Blue"
Category: Performance
Infatuation, missed opportunities, and the stuff of dreams: Jonny Young Trujillo sensitively captures the bittersweet fumble of freshmen in love.
4. Producer: Jackson Ross
Artist: Jose Gonzales
Song: "Dead Weight on Velveteen"
Category: Narrative
It's the daring drone shots that really elevate this production, lending needed perspective to a very down-to-earth story about a boy and girl who seem to strangely like each other. Or like each other strangely.
4. Producer: Juliette Films
Artist: Billie Eilish
Song: "You Should See Me In a Crown"
Category: Performance
In the game of life you don't have to play the cards you're dealt if the dealer's cheating. Leave the table and find another hobby. Allusions to abusive relationships are becoming a frequent UMV trope, which is good news for young artists in need of a canvas for a cathartic statement. You've got a phone haven't you? Access to a computer? Lights, camera, action, life.
