20.
Billie Eilish:

Birds of a Feather

In the video for “Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish takes viewers into an office building, being calmly dragged by an invisible force as she sings through the track. Perhaps a visual commentary on the lingering effects of any sort of lost love.

Best Moment:
The understated tone of the video

Listen: Billie Eilish, Birds of a Feather

19.
Freddie Gibbs:

On The Set

The only song released before his album, “On The Set” takes viewers behind the scenes of a fictional movie as Freddie Gibbs strolls through the set, reminiscing on the rappers who have tragically met their fate too soon.

Best Moment:
The camera taking the viewer from set to set

Listen: Freddie Gibbs, On The Set

18.
James Blake:

Thrown Around

A now independent artist, James Blake throws shade at the algorithms and internet trends as he plays the role of an artist who has to lean into the system to for views. Ironically, the reason he becomes viral is not for anything he originally planned for.

Best Moment:
The ironic sentiment that carries throughout the whole video

Listen: James Blake, Thrown Around

17.
Porter Robinson:

Easier to Love You

A bittersweet animation, “Easier to Love You” follows a child in balloonland who is evacuated when the land burns down. Presumably the only survivor, she misses her family as she takes a helium tank to reminisce. A sweet track with visuals to capture the energy.

Best Moment:
The animation throughout the video

Listen: Porter Robinson, Easier to Love You

16.
Vampire Weekend:

Capricorn

Transporting into old school 80’s New York City, Vampire Weekend’s visuals for “Capricorn” evoke beautiful nostalgia. Both the song and video captures a warm yet slightly haunting tone of fleeting evanescence.

Best Moment:
The masked parade at night in NYC

Listen: Vampire Weekend, Capricorn

15.
Kendrick Lamar:

Squabble Up

An artful ode to The Root’s music video for “The Next Movement,” Kendrick’s rendition is full of modern culture references that are as fun to dissect as the song is. Kendrick continues to retain the most refined polish in everything he releases.

Best Moment:
Kendrick reading a book entitled “How to be More like Kendrick for Dummies”

Listen: Kendrick Lamar, Squabble Up

14.
Rex Orange County:

Finally

Filmed in a beautiful Japanese zen garden, Rex Orange County embraces this tranquil energy. “Finally” reflects the artist’s current place in life, serving as the final track to his new album “The Alexander Technique.”

Best Moment:
Shots of the Japanese zen garden

Listen: Rex Orange County, Finally

13.
MIKE (ft. Mark William Lewis):

Let's Have a Ball

The last track on MIKE’s opus “Burning Desire” from 2023, the video for “Let’s Have a Ball” matches the track’s somber energy. By the end of the video, MIKE and Mark William Lewis are passengers in a car with a mysterious cartoon taking the wheel.

Best Moment:
The shots in the car, driving around the UK

Listen: MIKE (ft. Mark William Lewis), Let's Have a Ball

12.
Navy Blue:

Low Threshold

A beautiful video directed by Ryosuke Tanzawa, the visuals for “Low Threshold” capture Navy’s gentle yet focused aura. The black and white shots of Navy emphasize his humanness, making for a very intimate experience.

Best Moment:
Tanzawa’s pictures alternating between shots of Navy

Listen: Navy Blue, Low Threshold

11.
Drake (ft. Sexyy Red & SZA):

Rich Baby Daddy

A creative video involving an alternate world in which Drake is a normal person (aka not the superstar he actually is), he carries an old video recorder that captures holiday moments before Sexyy Red enters into labor.

Best Moment:
Drake playing a normal person

Listen: Drake (ft. Sexyy Red & SZA), Rich Baby Daddy

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