“Magic Chords” by Sharon Van Etten
Reviewed by Emma Hjortman
In Sharon Van Etten’s music video “Magic Chords,” we get to see the singer-songwriter clothed in the dress and bonnet of a 17th century Puritan and surrounded by naked, human corpses.
The song is from her album “Tramp,” which has been described as “A private conversation between singer and listener” by the music magazine Paste. This video, directed by Rick Alverson, adds a whole new depth to the song. Suddenly, you’re not only listening to her words, you feel them as well. It’s like a moving piece of art.
The video takes off by a small pond. Van Etten is reflected in the water as she walks around looking for something. What begins as any ordinary music video takes a dramatic turn when she suddenly falls down on her knees surrounded by piles of dead bodies.
The video continues in the same dejected style as she floats around in the water constantly surrounded by death and she keeps on searching for something that’s out of reach.
Throughout the video, looking into Van Etten’s somber eyes juxtaposed with the myriad naked corpses create a very ambiguous feeling. It’s hard to tell what’s really going on, but it is beautiful in an uncertain way.
Rating: 4 out of 5
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift
Reviewed by Madison Paglia
Taylor Swift’s enthusiastic performance in the music video for her new hit single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is refreshingly entertaining and convincing she will never ever be getting back with her ex-boyfriend.
The lead single from Swift’s fourth album “Red” reached the number one spot on the Hot 100 in a matter of weeks after its debut.
The video was shot in one long take by director Declan Whitbloom to give viewers the feeling that Swift is living in a real-life pop-up book full of vivid colors and dancing woodland creatures.
Perhaps living in a world like this would make leaving your ex as fun and exciting as she makes it look. Still, the lyrics to the song are honest and relatable for those who have gone through the infamous make-up break-up relationship.
She sings, “Huh, he calls me up and he’s like, ‘I still love you’ and I’m like, ‘I’m just, I mean this is exhausting, you know.’”
Although a lyric, it is an honest and realistic reenactment of a young girl going through a break-up. Because yes, nine times out of ten, break-ups can be summed up in one word: exhausting.
The unexplained dancing animals (played by her band) are a little confusing, but it did help to make Swift’s messy break-up seem like a celebration instead of something to be sad about. If only happy woodland creatures would pop up and start dancing every time a difficult break-up comes along, life would just be that much easier.
Whether or not you believe Swift in this cute, quirky video, there is no denying the amount of creative effort that was put into it. From the handmade scenery to the 18 takes it took to get the final product, there is no mystery behind the reason for the 22-year-old’s massive success in today’s music industry.
Her pop music performance in this video displays Swift’ spunky creativity that her fans love.
Rating: 5 out of 5
“This Kiss” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Reviewed by Josie Arvidsson
Carly Rae Jepsen’s new music video for her latest single “This Kiss” is a cliché. It’s a typical pop video in which people are happy and dance and exchange smiles in slow motion through the verse.
The video starts with Jepsen and her friends driving in a car and putting on make-up to look their best before entering a huge party. In the doorway her eyes meet with this guy who instantly wants her and chases her through the remaining two minutes of the video.
This is no regular party, though; inside the venue there are different rooms with different scene settings perfect for photo shoots. There is one with a safari theme, one with a Victorian-Marie Antoinette theme, an 80s-themed room, a balloon room and finally, a beach-themed room.
In the chorus Jepsen sings on a center stage with a dancing crowd around her. The “YOLO” feeling is almost palpable, which makes the video very mainstream and predictable. The video follows a formula, which every single big pop star has used before; Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, One Direction and all the other radio stars have all also created a utopian world in which everything can happen, dreams come true and everybody is happy in slow motion.
The man in pursuit and Jepsen finally meet and run away together to the beach room and jump in to the pool with their clothes on and start to make out. Finally, she got “This Kiss.”
Rating: 1.5 out of 5
