Best Music Videos of the Month (June 2015)

Director: E.VAX & Perfect Branch

Ratatat's return to the mainstream has been a reunion of sorts, bringing the band's fans back together with the bright layers of guitar that brought the Brooklyn duo fame. As the rollout for their Magnifique album continues, however, Ratatat is unveiling some hidden talents.

Chief among them is E.VAX's propensity for stop-motion animation: the guitarist drew over 4,000 sketches for "Abrasive," and they come together beautifully in an unbroken flow of characters. With all the digital animation flying around these days, it's good to see some timeless techniques executed to perfection.

Director: Smith & Follini

Nothing like a little stained glass to set the mood. Dutch duo Klyne enlisted two dancers to shadow one another in front of some ornate tawny windows, and just like that, the hard part was over. It's a beautiful image that complements Nick Klein's sparse production beautifully. Mimicry for the win.

Director: Mac Demarco

When Mac DeMarco releases a video, you can be sure of two things: lo-fi debauchery and Michael Jackson. Okay, maybe MJ is more of a subdued presence in Mac's previous work, but he's all over the video for "Another One." From Mac's hand-drawn T-shirt to his amazing, horrifying mask, this is a perfect embodiment of Mac Demarco's deadpan humor.

Director: Andrew Huang

The video for "Stonemilker" is like Björk's version of a confession cam: she just points the lens and lets some feelings out through song. The difference, however, is that Björk's confession has a 360-degree lens, which means she can move behind and all around her start point.

Most importantly, however, you as a viewer can control the section of the video you see. Bored of Björk's flowing yellow gown? Take in the beautiful, empty Icelandic vista with a few clicks to the right. This is a great use of interactive video technology, even if it might lack the production values of this month's other contenders.

Director: Andrew Hines

While Big Sean makes a living crafting turn-up anthems like “Dance (A$$)” and “IDFWU,” he’s proven time and time again that he’s fully capable of writing songs with emotional depth. From Finally Famous Vol. 3’s “Memories” to UKNOWBIGSEAN’s “Love Story,” Sean has always had a propensity to slip deeply personal songs about his childhood growing up in Detroit and his family in between more upbeat tracks.

“One Man Can Change the World,” an ode to the rapper’s late grandmother, continues this trend. Shot in black and white, the video intersperses cuts of Big Sean reciting his verses on top of a beaten up car with those of a young boy being guided away from the streets by his grandmother. Even without appearances from the song’s prominent features, the video holds your attention and leaves a lasting impression.

Director: JMSN

JMSN may be the best dancer in the goddamn world. He's got the boy-band-circa-1998 moves on lock, and a signature dance move (throwing those arms open like MJ) that left this cameraman with a permanent case of the shakes. The analog video technology pairs perfectly with JMSN's hippie Jesus vibes and tucked-in Canadian tuxedoes. It's funny, but the video for "'Bout It" is also no laughing matter. The passion is real, even if some shots (02:14, 03:30) might leave you on the floor gasping for breath.

Director: Kane Chattley

"50 Grand" follows a simple concept: some fool is walking through the neighborhood flashing too much jewelry, so he's pursued and eventually robbed by three young men. The video is edited to look like one massive tracking shot, with Devlin and Skepta taking turns mugging for the camera while the pursuit circles back around the block. There's something so smooth and natural about it, as if the cameraman just happened to stumble on two friends kicking flows in the park. Simple, clean, well-executed video.

Director: Adrien Peze & Albin Merle

Dream Koala's Earth.Home.Destroyed EP is as epic as its title would indicate. The producer builds big galactic spheres with synths and faraway drums, and the whole thing really comes together on the title track "Earth."

Vivid lyric imagery like "a thousand exploding suns" requires some awe-inspiring visuals for the video, and luckily production duo FABULOUS (Adrien Peze & Albin Merle) is up to the task, portraying the producer as the lone survivor of a destroyed Earth.

There are some beautiful interstellar shots that recall the final third of Kubrick's 2001, all color wheels and stardust. It's a stunning piece of video that lives up to the nearly impossible task of matching the track's drama.

Director: Andrew Donoho

Raury's companion piece to "God's Whisper" explores the temptations and trappings of the music industry—ironic when you think about all the people who claim he's an industry plant. But the fear seems real enough in the expertly done video for "Devil's Whisper." Raury's seemingly idyllic life is turned upside down as his friends and fans succumb to evil (signposted here as hollow, glowing eyes). The walls continue to close in and crumble until Raury finds himself pursued by hell's hounds through an open field. But don't worry, folks—it's only a movie.

Director: Grant Singer

For his thundering track “U Mad,” Vic Mensa wanted “create something iconic.” With Grant Singer, whose recent work includes The Weeknd’s “The Hills” and Travi$ Scott’s “Mamacita,” the Save Money rapper certainly picked an appropriate director.

“U Mad” is dark and undeniably striking. Bathed in red light and surrounded by a turned up, black-clad entourage (alluding to Kanye West’s fiery “All Day” performance), Mensa is alternately shown jumping about shirtless and in the tight confines of a straightjacket. When Kanye finally enters, the video takes a more pointed turn, as riot police begin storming the scene, violently clashing with Mensa's entourage as he spits his second verse. Director Grant Singer is killing it right now.