With the VMA’s right around the corner, some of our favorite artists are really bringing it with artistic, entertaining and unexpected music videos this week. Check out some of our newly-released favorites from Florence and the Machine, Shakey Graves and Father John Misty:
Shakey Graves – “Kids These Days”
As promised, Shakey Graves released the video for his track, “Kids These Days,” from new record, “Can’t Wake Up,” earlier today! Last week, during his interview with KGSR’s Andy Langer in the Dell Music Lounge, the Austin-born rocker told us the video would feature Graves and his band members reliving their childhood dreams and taking on the idea that “in the act of growing up, or as time goes by, no one really knows what’s going on.” The video fully lives up to that promise, with an impressive visual take on the punky song we already loved – particularly outstanding is Shakey Graves’ hair living its best life. We love a good ‘fro.
The video, at first glance, is simply an amusing look into life as a rock star – tour buses, parties, girls – but when you look closer it’s a daring exploration of identity, and the “costumes” we all wear – literal and figurative – from Shakey in his old trademark cowboy hat and overalls playing guitar around a campfire, to gazing into a mirror as his various identities flash before him, to the entire band dressed head to toe in full 80’s hair-band attire. Closing with a starry sky and a crackling campfire as the guitar plays us out, it’s clear Shakey set out to make us feel something with this video – and that he did. Hats off to Austin’s own Shakey Graves for the lighthearted and insightful new video. We’ll be playing it on repeat all day. Watch it below:
Father John Misty – “God’s Favorite Customer”
Next up is indie artist Father John Misty, with a new video for the title track from his latest album, “God’s Favorite Customer.” The video itself is rather simple – a disheveled and seemingly intoxicated FJM stumbles down the streets of NYC, singing weary lyrics like “Speak to me, won’t you speak, sweet angel? Don’t you remember me? I was God’s favorite customer.” He casually steals a bouquet of roses from a memorial, urges listeners to “beware the man who has everything,” and then possibly takes off flying? We’re gonna go ahead and let y’all interpret this one for yourselves. Watch the video below:
Florence and the Machine – “Big God”
Finally, one of our all-time favorites made a badass return today with an artful, avant-garde video for “Big God,” from the band’s new album “High as Hope,” set to be released next week. The video opens with Florence in a big black space, wearing a silky nude robe, surrounded by women in colorful cloaks, standing on water. Yes, water – we told you it was badass. Then, the choreography begins, which takes full advantage of the floaty, colorful cloaks and splashing water. The women then take off their cloaks and carry out a strong, confident routine involving a fair share of ripped abs, hair flipping and possibly levitation. Need we say more? Check out the video here:
