The year is more than halfway over, and from the fun and catchy to the hood anthems, there’s been plenty to listen to. The music videos that accompany the songs are perhaps even more noteworthy. Here are some of the more interesting music videos put out this year to check out on a rainy summer day when you are cooped up inside:

“Heartbeat” by Childish Gambino
Childish Gambino’s second single off his debut album, “Camp,” is filled with nerdy yet hard verses infused with an electronic background. However, the theatrical interpretation of such a tune may not be as easy to decipher.

The video begins with Gambino getting into a nice car and picking up an attractive woman. He chauffeurs her to a convenience store, and she picks up Hot Cheetos for him. He munches on them as they drive away and after a while, he parks the car, gets in the back seat with his lady friend and the two make out vigorously. After they come up for air, the girl gets into the front seat and drives the car with Gambino still in the back seat. Finally, she stops the car and gets out, leaving Gambino all alone.

I’m thinking this could stand for the rise and fall of their relationship — the girl leaving the car is her leaving Gambino. But maybe this just means Gambino offers girls rides with benefits.

“HYFR” by Drake
Drake’s video for “HYFR (Hell Ya F*****g Right)” shows Drake recapturing his connection to the Jewish community with an over-the-top bar mitzvah. The festivities start off with an adorable home video of a young Aubrey doing the cat daddy, but things get a little crazy when bottles and yarmulkes start flying. DJ Khaled, Birdman and Trey Songz all make appearances, and Lil’ Wayne shows up wearing a panda ski mask.

“I Told You So” — Karmin
Karmin, the pop duo of Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan, grew to fame with their cover of Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now” on YouTube. So it is no wonder Heidemann wanted to show off her surprisingly impressive rap skills in the song, “I Told You So.”
A far cry from their usual upbeat tunes, the song has a heavy beat and aggressive delivery to go along with a very interesting video. Heidemann plays a patient in a mental hospital. The disheveled singer is flipping through pictures and ink blots in hopes of regaining her memory. Noonan plays the doctor. Halfway through, Heidemann goes off on a fast rap verse. With one final flashback, Heidemann discovers the murderer, who she’s been accused of being, is actually Noonan.

“National Anthem” by Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey is as awkward as she is pretty, but in her video for “National Anthem,” she channels her inner Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. It starts off with her dressed as Monroe, singing to John F. Kennedy, who is played by A$AP Rocky. The rest of the video shows A$AP Rocky and Del Rey, now as Jackie O, as they dirty dance, kiss and frolic around with their adorable children in the oval office.

Sadly, the video ends with JFK’s assassination and a beautiful monologue about her lost love. Who knew Del Rey was such a good storyteller?

Published on July 5, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Contact Ibet: ieinyang@syr.edu