Quarantine; it keeps us safe, but it’s not exactly the most enjoyable situation to be stuck in. Still, it’s a great time for the arts- as we’re all trapped in our houses, some have more inspiration than ever. Many musicians find themselves without the ability to professionally shoot an accompanying music video for their new releases, and are getting extremely creative. Here, I’ve included some of my favorite new videos that showcase how different artists are making the most out of this situation.
- “Fear of Being Alone” – Lennon Stella
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Vintage-looking lace slip dress, flashing lights, all the camera angles- you’d never guess that this video was shot in self-isolation. “Moved all [of] the furniture out [of] my living room, took everything off the walls, and made this video with my amazing friend Cece and my mom who dragged me across the floor for my glamour shot and then sat in the corner starting and stopping the projector,” Lennon Stella told fans in an Instagram post, “what a crazy time to be living in.. but honestly never been so proud of a music video. We made it happen with what we had and I love it a lot.” It combines security camera footage, blank walls, empty rooms, and one subject (Stella herself) to emanate the eerie sense of fear and nervousness described in the track.
- “Wildflower” – 5 Seconds of Summer
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“Wildflower” was filmed by combining green screen footage (said green screen was passed from house to house, after being disinfected each time of course). It’s bright, psychedelic, and cheery- which is welcome when it feels like the world is ending. Lead singer Luke Hemming’s dog, Petunia, even makes an appearance, so what more could you ask for, really?
- “Level of Concern” – Twenty One Pilots
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Social distancing at its finest, this video shows band members Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun creating the track via snail mail. After each records their part, they put the flash drive in their mailbox (shoutout to USPS)- it’s an interesting look into what the recording process is like at the moment. The lyrics themselves revolve around the pandemic and it’s a groovy, hopeful song stressing the importance of hope in uncertain times. We even get to see what their individual quarantines look like, guest-starring Joseph’s wife Jenna Joseph and their daughter, Rosie, as well as Dun’s fiancée Debby Ryan (yes, as in “Jessie”). What’s more, a portion of the song’s proceeds will be donated to Livenation’s charity, Crew Nation. Crew Nation was created to help out the incredibly hard-working crew members that make concerts happen.
- “Everybody Business” – Kehlani
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This self-dubbed “Quarantine Style” video starts with a clip of gossip about Kehlani- people saying her business is “everybody’s business.” The rest of the (self-directed) video shows Kehlani proving that sentiment very wrong. Shot in her backyard, it feels personal and vulnerable, which reflects the lyrics perfectly. Staring the camera down, Kehlani proves that the only person she belongs to is herself.
- “You Broke Me First” – Tate McRae
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Probably (actually, definitely) the least upbeat song on this list, but amazing nonetheless. Dark and stormy skies match the mood as McRae stares directly into the camera as if she’s talking to the ex this song is about. Surprise- it was shot on her phone, which was taped to the front of her mom’s car.
Music can be a form of escapism, and I hope this list can help you find some joy and hope (or, in the case of “You Broke Me First,” relatability) during this hard time. Feel free to make a playlist out of these videos and dance along with them when it all gets a little too much.