We’re tired. We just got really real with the title on this one. We surf through hundreds of submissions a day – and look through another bunch of other, unsubmitted, work via the internet. We know what’s out, what’s new, and what’s captivating us.
So today, we’re sharing our favorite new videos of December. And we’re encouraging you to bookmark this page and come back, as we will add to the list throughout the month.
We are literally preparing the content to play on your projector while simulating a fancy New Year’s party in your basement this year.
It’s ok. Same. But in my 3rd floor walkup with the cats.
R&B singer-songwriter Emanuel has released the visual for his chilling song, “Black Woman”. This visual proves to be both thought-provoking and chilling. Singing the praises of black women, it was created to celebrate and honor what they contribute to this world. It does so by showcasing the beauty of many different black women living their lives. This makes for an incredibly captivating and beautiful video that tells the stories of these different women simply through visuals. As the lyrics send shivers down your spine, each part of the visual manages to capture the feeling that the song strives to instill in each viewer. He is telling the world that black women should be admired and are worthy of more respect than they receive. In a way, it is almost like an apology that they are not treated with more respect. Emanuel notes:
Black Woman’ is about reconciliation and also a celebration—celebrating how strong our women are and how they hold us up. People might think this song was written as a response to the moment right now but it’s saying the exact same thing it was saying when it was written a year ago—‘I see you, I recognize you, I appreciate you and I love you.
Eddy Lee Ryder has released her brand-new music video for her awe-inspiring song, “Vultures”. With a visual that flashes between color and black and white, Ryder compares her lover to a vulture, presumably as a metaphor for somebody who takes so much without giving a lot in return. The video seems to represent the very end of a relationship, perhaps the moment she has come to the realization that she was not fulfilled the way she should be. Because the video takes place almost entirely in the car, one may infer that this symbolizes an attempt to move away from a relationship that is harming her. Also significant is a broken-down car that leaves her stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. This seemingly suggests that she isn’t able to leave the relationship like she once thought. This inability to leave illustrates the struggles of toxic romance in a rather poignant way.
We got to speak with Ryder briefly leading up to the new release.
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What was your first musical memory, or the first album you remember listening to?
When I was growing up, I only loved new, mainstream pop music. I remember being pretty obsessed with The Coors song, “Leave Me Breathless,” specifically that yodel. On the way to a day of skiing with my dad, I made him listen to that song for about two hours straight. Finally, he was like, “This is the last time, then my old people music.” He put on “Solsberry Hill” by Peter Gabriel. That song hit me like a ton of bricks… and I was hooked on classic rock from that moment.
What, specifically, inspired “Vultures”?
I wrote the first line about four or five years before I actually finished the song, so I knew I had the mood down before I figured out what the rest of the lyrics would eventually be. Around the start of the #MeToo movement, I was involved with a guy I thought wouldn’t treat me the way other men in the past had. As the story goes, he ended up treating me worse. He was slowly taking from me, and I felt picked apart. Once I realized that, I wrote the song in about ten minutes.
The colors used in the video are gorgeous. Where did the concept for the video come from?
The concept of the music video was loosely based on The Birds. I wanted a very 1960s Hitchcockian mood. I wanted to be stalked by these vultures, which represent men in my life that I’ve known who have torn pieces of me away, little by little, the way that vultures do. The color palette was referential of vintage Hitchcock, and glitches that happen throughout are meant to segway from color to black and white to represent what’s being taken away by the vultures.
Any fun anecdotes from set?
We had one day to shoot this video due to time constraints, so it had to be done very fast. Because of this, in the aerial shots, there was a body double for me. The body double was a tall, slender man in a wig who offered up his car for the video. But probably the highlight of our stay, we were filming in California, and I booked a beautiful AirBnB that was reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. When we got there, the Lyft driver dropped us off at the wrong place, so we had to lug our luggage–costumes and bags–up an incredible hill until we found the right place. That should have been the first sign of something ominous.
But when my stylist (and good friend) and I got there, we saw a puddle of blood splatter by the pool. We started calling my then-manager, who had supposedly checked in before us, but he wasn’t picking up. We both huddled in a corner in case there was a murderer on the loose for a long time, afraid to actually go in. We were prepared to cancel the shoot because we were convinced my then-manager had died. We called the police, and saw helicopters overhead. Turns out, my then-manager just left his phone charging in a different room, and was fine, so we figured we’d just ignore the blood splatters and check-in. In the meantime, the director and producer who we had yet to meet were well aware of the possible murder story that was unfolding; and I don’t think there is a better way to meet new people!
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I have a lot of new music in the pipeline. I’ve been writing nonstop, and I have been developing a concept album. If you like “Vultures,” I think you’ll be really excited for what’s to come!
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Ryder channels the experience of reflecting on a former relationship into a beautiful and heartbreaking visual with “Vultures”. Check out the official premiere below.
Listen. Music is great and all that, but we are between seasons on a ton of our favorite shows, other key series are being pushed for COVID-safe filming, and big companies can’t decide if they are going to release their new blockbusters to theaters or directly to streaming.
All this to say, we’re lacking unique visual stimulation. (Or, at least the kind that doesn’t entirely turn your brain to mush.) So, let’s keep ourselves entertained – and educated – a bit more and hang out with some awesome new videos released this month!
New videos added regularly until October, so check back for more!
Kacy Hill released her new album Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again on July 10th, and we’ve been wrapping ourselves in its loving embrace ever since. But the official music video for “Everybody’s Mother” dropped recently, and we’re absolutely floored by the beauty.
Beauty in the color palette — look at those gorgeous oranges and greens — and in the artist’s bone structure. But aside from that, beauty in her movement, her lyrics, her vocals. There is both a helplessness and a hopefulness in her eyes that is so relatable, so emotional, so vulnerable. And this sense of loneliness has been amplified in recent months for absolutely everyone. So, for the first time in Imperfect Fifth history, I’m going to let the delicate lyrics and vibrant video speak for themselves.
I’m staring at the ceiling no sleep
Thinking what I’d do if you forget me
I know I can be a lot, but I just wanna talk
I just wanna give you all I’ve got, I need distractions
I’d do anything, do anything for a reaction
I’m everybody’s mother and nobody’s baby
been giving too much to feel lonely lately
And I think that I care more than you do, maybe
I’m everybody’s mother and nobody’s baby
Maybe I’m afraid of what’s next
Maybe I’m afraid of success
Am I even making sense?
I’m just asking for a friend
I wanna say it really doesn’t matter, but it’s deeper
The hours everyday move way too slow until I need them
I’m everybody’s mother and nobody’s baby
been giving too much to feel lonely lately
And I think that I care more than you do, maybe
I’m everybody’s mother and nobody’s baby
Every morning, news headlines basically present us with nightmares. Every day, just another nightmare. Wake up, a nightmare. Go to bed, probably also a nightmare. Not cool. So, we took it upon ourselves to give you better visuals to get you through your day. Below, find incredible new video releases from an array of talented artists. And don’t just take our word for it, discover your new favorite by pressing “PLAY.”
Electronic duo DivineAstronaut released their new single and music video for “Voices”. This is the group’s second track off their debut album, Made Not In Berlin, set to release sometime in 2020. Inspired by artists such as Radiohead and Bjork combined with the absence of electronic acts, the duo came to fruition in August 2019. Their music is downtempo, alternative electronica with trip-hop and industrial elements weaved in. The track has a menacing feel with airy vocals and deep guitar riffs.
With toned-down colors, singer Livvy Holland walks around an ominous castle. The video was actually shot at Dracula’s Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania, capturing the haunting nature of the track and the mythology of Dracula. The duo tackles how haunting our own voices and inner demons can be. As Warm Audio Featured Artists, DivineAstronaut are partnering with the pro-audio manufacturer on the release of the track to give audiences a chance to win a Warm Audio WA-47JR microphone. The microphone is featured multiple times in the video and you can sign up here for your chance to win. Don’t forget to take a look at the “Voices” video now.
If you have been looking for a vocalist and a visual to help “carry [you] away,” then look no further than the new music video for Ajeet‘s “Dance of The Moon”. As the title of the song suggests, there is an ambiance taking place here, masterfully crafted by the world music artist you see before you. As you zen out to the incredibly alluring track, you can’t help but be fixated on her movement, inspired to move in ways you haven’t in perhaps a while. Plus, it is full of a gorgeous landscape that is a feast to so many eyes who haven’t seen more than the inside of their home for months on end.
Take a few minutes to escape into the magic. We promise it’s worth it.
Dedicated to COVID-19 front line workers who are helping others during the global pandemic, Pressing Strings released a video for “Brave.” Within the first 30 seconds, we are presented with a quote from Mr. Rogers that says, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Whether it is a nurse, grocery store worker or delivery drivers, these clips take you through the tough days they are facing and how they’re helping. The clips incorporated were sent in by essential workers and fans.
Although the song was written for frontman Jordan Sokel’s daughter, who is featured in the video, this video was put together to show the Maryland-based trio’s appreciation for those who are putting their lives at risk to help others. Towards the end of the video, photo submissions were turned into a portrait of a nurse with boxing gloves and wings, a final tribute to show how brave these workers are in this dark time. The single comes off the band’s latest album Settle In, which you can stream here.
