Analysis of 4 contemporary music videos

I firstly need to choose a selection of music videos of the same genre that I feel are are current and appropriate, or oppose themes and ideas. I decided to focus my research on the abstract music videos. For the primary research of the project I analysed the following music videos and applied theory to them, also looking at technical aspects to back up any points I made. The videos listed are Ben Howard - Esmerelda (2012), Ben Howard - Oats in the Water (2012), Boards of Canada - Reach for the Dead (2013) and My Morning Jacket - Spring (2015).

Ben Howard - Esmerelda (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYUKsRL-YBM)

From the Burgh Island EP, released in November 2012, this music video conveys the theme of loneliness by mainly showing ocean waves at different angles, speeds and direction. Techniques are used to show this effectively, such as handheld camera and shallow depth of field. Despite a lack of human presence/actors, the visuals are linked with the song, as when increased in intensity, the waves become stronger and the video overall is given a faster pace.

Common aspects from different Ben Howard music videos are used frequently. These include title/headers, similar shot types, angles, depth of field, changing direction and black and white editing of the footage.

Ben Howard - Oats in the Water (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaH4W1rY9us)

Identical to the previous track (Esmerelda), this song is taken from the 2012 Burgh Island EP. Although this is not the official music video for the track, and is a fan made video, it is done professionally and features many great visual qualities. The 2 music videos are very similar in many aspects, featuring scenic locations, predominantly of the ocean/waves. This again, shows a very strong relationship between the song title and lyrics as the nature of the song is paired with a slow paced music video, until the song increases in pace and intensity, which is visually shown by jump cuts, and the ocean waves changing in direction via reverse, which signifies the harshness of the ocean and the build up of the song.

 Techniques such as handheld camera and shallow depth of field are also used to give the video meaning and look visually pleasing to the audience. The black and white editing of the footage also gives us a steady and leisurely tone, similar to the song's relaxing tone. This video comes after Esmerelda, in which the two videos share very similar visual and technical qualities, however this video features a wider range of shots, and faster, snappier jump cuts when the song increases in intensity.

Boards of Canada - Reach for the Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jTg-q6Drt0)

Directed by Neil King, this music video from Boards of Canada shows shots of scenic locations and abandoned buildings/houses. Set in the hazy imagery of the mid-west desert and its anonymous, bleak ghost-town, the locations give the impression that each of the places are buried in time, isolated with no human life existing there anymore. These places were at some point somebodies home, and the rest of us can only wonder who once lived there, and what kind of life that they lived before these places became derelict. Meanwhile, the ending appears seemingly bright and surreal, like an ascension into Heaven, and that nothing we build lasts forever, but the human spirit carries on.

Billboard referred to the video as "a precise fit" for "the tune's warm, sweeping sounds".

My Morning Jacket - Spring (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDjGnCvDOk4)

This video from My Morning Jacket is from their 2015 album The Waterfall. The music video is simple and abstract. It is based in one location, a waterfall, which works well in conjunction with the album title. The camera pans up and down repeatedly, whilst the colour balance has been altered. The video finishes with a red tint to the sky and clouds, seeming like a religious reference.The simple, colour-treated clips of waterfalls pouring out in slow motion give a relaxed tone.