4. MS MR - Hurricane

Brooklyn based synth-pop duo MS MR created internet buzz with the release of a music video for their song Hurricane, setting the scene for the release of their first EP Candy Bar Creep Show earlier this year. 

The duo describes their music as "Tumblr glitch pop", taking inspiration from the alternative communities on Tumblr. The influence of Tumblr within Hurricane can be seen through the dark and dreamy lyrics, discussing topics such as human desire and the nature of the human mind. Both of these topics are explored by oneself when involved in a Tumblr community, due to the magnitude of various graphic, violent, sexual, and discriminatory content available. In parallel, the lyrics of the song portray a character clouded with illusions about reality, and left to question their morals as well as the morals of their society. The exploration of a young mind wandering through a new age in which they are faced with a deceiving reality about their personal identity and interactions with others is a topic many teenagers and young adults find easy to relate to. All of us at one point or another have found ourselves sucked into a virtual world of dreams and fantasies that are intangible and unattainable. Similar to the character of the song, many of us have questioned the humanity, and sanity within ourselves and our society, in an age where the world is literally, at our fingertips. Set to a fast-paced, rhythmic melody that carries an experimental, and youthful vibe, the song is modern, and though-provoking.

The influence of Tumblr is just as prominent in the music video for the song, as it is in the song itself. The video consists of thousands of images and GIF's taken from Tumblr, and set to play at high speed. Due to being an active member of the Tumblr community myself, I found this video interesting, due to it's dynamic nature. Each re-play of the video is a new story. You notice a new set of images, which you did not previously see. Also, it is exciting to notice images that are familiar to you. Each time I watch this video, I notice yet another image I have seen before, or even re-blogged, hidden within the electrifying mass of images in the video. Another reason this video is so innovative, is that it is thoughtful and meaningful, however vague enough to allow the viewer to judge for themselves the meaning of the images, and question their pace. Although the concept of the video is simple, it is extremely innovative and visually exciting. It allows the viewer to both take a mental, and visual trip, and forces one to be faced with the often impalpable reality of today's technological age.

3. Trust - Sulk (Piano version)

Toronto-based darkwave group TRUST has bloomed and transformed in 2012. After a rise to underground fame with the release of the duo's (Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski) first album TRST, Maya Postepski, the group's drummer and other half departed, turning the duo into Robert Alfons' solo project. 

Now known as Robert Alfons' alter ego, TRUST has come out with multiple videos this year to accompany the new album's tracks, however the piano version of Sulk directed by Toronto's young and talented Petra Collins tops the list. Although it is not formally a music video, but rather a video of an instrumental version of a track which already has a video, the beautiful rawness of the piano along with Robert's vocals in contrast with the muted and distorted image makes this video as prominent as its original. 

The video consists of Alfons performing an instrumental version of Sulk on the piano with a red curtain acting as a backdrop. A purple-blue light shines onto him, creating coloured reflections in the shiny black grand piano. The interest to the video is added with a kaleidoscope-like effect of the scene being morphed, melted, and cloned.

The format and concept of the video works in harmony with the lyrics of the song, which dwell into into sexual exploration, and a gloomy state of mind. Less direct, and difficult to decipher lyrics are a unifying element of TRUST's songs, leaving much to the listeners interpretation. The video seems to mimic the hectic mind of the listener who is trying to solidify the message within the blur of words. 

The video is seemingly made to be the journey of the listener: rolling back, unfocusing, and refocusing their eyes as they are soaking in the euphoric sound of the music. The complexity and haziness of the video brings enchantment and mystery to a simplistic and pure performance.