ACL 2020 - The Year’s 10 Best Music Videos

A Closer Listen

From heartbreaking stories to contagious dance to animation and wild FX, we’ve got a cornucopia of video styles to share this year.  Either we have an especially strong selection of music videos, or we appreciated them more because we really needed them.  Two of the directors return to our feature, while eight are featured for the first time.

The music video industry is alive and well.  Many music videos serve as promos for albums; but a select few transcend their sources to operate as standalone works of art.  In these instances, the contributions of directors, animators and actors is just as important as those of the musical composers.  And now, A Closer Listen presents The 10 Best Music Videos of 2020!

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR Blest are the Hearts that Bend ~ Palace Directors:  Luke Seomore & Joseph Bull Director of Photography:  David Procter Casting Director:  Kharmel Cochrane Art Director:  Mark Couzens Editor:  Dennis Mabry Grade:  Steffan Perry Post Producer:  Chris Anthony 2nd AC:  Norbert Varjasi Executive Producer:  Adam Dolman

The pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement collide in this powerful video, anchored by a riveting performance from Daniel Ward as a paramedic walking home from work.  Blessed are the Hearts that Bend is the perfect name for the artist ~ one would be forgiven for thinking that was the title of the track.  The music tugs at the heartstrings while the visuals rip us in two.

All other music videos are presented in recommended viewing order.

Max Richter ~ All Human Beings Director:  Yulia Mahr

The video was released in the middle of the George Floyd marches, a time of social unrest across the United States that spread to the rest of the world.  The LP Voices is based on readings from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Eleanor Roosevelt is the song’s first speaker.  In a time of fracture, Richter and Mahr remind us of our connected nature.

Koki Nakano ~ Bloomer Director:  Benjamin Seroussi Dancer: Mariko Kakizaki

The first of three videos this year to include dancing, “Bloomer” is so good we reviewed the video when we reviewed the album.  Kakizaki has incredible control over every muscle in her body, as the lighting highlights the shadow and light of this incredible location.

Hania Rani ~ F Major Directed by Neels Castillon Dancers — Mellina Boubetra, Janina Sarantšina, Fanny Sage Cinematography — Éric Blanckaert

One pianist, one piano, three dancers and one long shot on a cold and beautiful day in Iceland ~ this video catches quicksilver in a camera.  Watching these dancers makes one wish one had been there despite the cold.  They exude joy while running, twirling and flirting with the encroaching shore.  All the while, Rani plays the ivories as if she were the wind herself.

Rone ~ Room With a View Directed by (LA)HORDE Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer & Arthur Harel Featuring the dancers of the Ballet National de Marseille

Now multiply the dancers and move them inside, where they begin to grow increasingly agitated.  Provide a sci-fi solution that violates every rule of social distancing, and you have the fascinating “Room With a View.”  Either it’s a special effect, or the woman in the green stockings has the most unbreakable limbs we’ve ever seen.  COVID or no, the dance must go on.

Max Cooper ~ SWARM Directed By – The McGloughlin Brothers Music and Sound Design By – Max Cooper Animation / Camera / Edit By – The McGloughlin Brothers Fluid Art By – Roman Hill, Thomas Blanchard & Oilhack Drone Photography By – Colm Hogan Special Thanks to Léa Morel, Paul Mignot, Brendan Canty & Greenlight Films

Max Cooper has become a perennial guest on our video countdown, and so have the McGloughlin Brothers, who scored three appearances on last year’s chart.  “SWARM” makes astonishing use of aerial imagery, pairing it precisely with the music to create an astounding blend.  We’d expect no less from this teaming of talents!

ford. ~ Fruit&Sun Director:  Man Mantis

The most recent of the videos on this year’s list, Fruit&Sun snuck in after becoming a Vimeo Staff Pick in November.  The crisp line drawings dissolve and recover, and there’s certainly a lot of fruit and sun on display, drenching the viewer in a warm, happy vibe.  This is exactly the sort of respite we need; can we bring back summer?

Max Cooper ~ Spike Director:  Yoshi Sodeoka Another Max Cooper video!  Our readers should be used to this by now, as the artist continues to draw top-of-the-line talent to his music.  We’ve seen animated droplets and paint before, but not this much paint and not this many droplets!  Mesmerizing, and all on beat, another triumph.

Laurence Pike ~ Nero Director:  Clemens Habicht

Pike and Habicht return to this year’s video chart after debuting last year with “Drum Chant.”  This spiritual successor is just as bright and engaging, a visual treat that follows every beat of the drum and pairs it with a synesthetic color.  “Nero” is three minutes of percussive, hand-tapping fun, like watching just the happy parts of “Whiplash.”

Bronson ~ Keep Moving Director and VFX – StyleWar Executive Producer – Elizabeth Doonan Editor – Noah Herzog Online and Grade – The Mill LA Production Company – SMUGGLER Directors Rep – OB Management

Finally we come to the wildest video on this year’s list, featuring some camera tricks we’ve never seen before.  There’s even a nod to Hipgnosis’ cover art for Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here.  The corporate world is killer!  Congratulations to all the artists who made this year’s list!

Richard Allen