I haven't quite finished up my best of the year coverage. Music videos and games are the last topics I'm covering. That means Game of the Year is going up Monday. Today is all about the best music videos, which should never be confused with the best songs. The art of creating a video to best showcase music is a very different one than actually constructing and executing a song. These are great videos showcasing music rather than great songs in a visual medium. It's a big difference.
Alaska Thunderf*ck 5000, "Your Makeup Is Terrible" (NSFW)
Case in point, "Your Makeup Is Terrible" is a spoken word song over a dance beat meant to be a satire of dance music, songs by drag queens, and drag culture. It's also pulled from a challenge on RuPaul's Drag Race. The video is stunning to watch because of the quality of makeup and costuming on display. Come for the splendor of Alaska's bizarre drag aesthetic, stay for the surprise appearance of makeup guru Mathu Anderson and a very dark turn in the visuals of the video.
Player Piano featuring Eru Matsumoto, "Akira"
Guys, it's the Akira theme rearranged for piano, electric cello, hand percussion, and chant featuring cosplay inspired by the various gangs in the film. It's beautiful to watch and a dream come true for Akira fans. I've watched this more than any other video this year.
Aimee Mann, "I'm Cured"
This is a perfect blend of comedy song concept and execution. It's a love song from the perspective of a cold that doesn't want to leave its host. It's silly, strange, and doesn't overstay its welcome.
Team Unicorn, "All About that Base (No Rebels)"
Want to enjoy that Meghan Trainor song without supporting the us versus them body shaming mentality? Then take a gaze at Team Unicorn doing a pitch perfect Star Wars parody of that song and video. The song is reimagined as an anthem about Darth Vader rebuilding the Death Star and his campaign for galactic domination. It's cute and funny.
Sia, "Chandelier"
This video elevates a good pop song into an incredible piece of art. Sia's direction and Maddie Ziegler's dance performance marry very well.
Best? Sia's "Chandelier"
What were your favorite music videos last year?