Beth Ray Writes

There are so many great music videos being released at the moment and I am HERE. FOR. IT. I bloody love a good music video with easter eggs, a to be continued, celebrity cameos etc etc so let’s get into these gems that have been on my radar the past few weeks.

Ariana Grande – The Boy Is Mine
Ariana has teamed up once again with Christian Breslauer (he directed her previous two music videos, We Can’t Be Friends and Yes, &, from the album Eternal Sunshine) for her new single ‘the boy is mine’ and it’s a fun one. First of all we have breaking news from our news anchors Brandy and Monica, yes THE Brandy and Monica who sang “The Boy Is Mine” in 1998 ( a different song from Ariana but of the same name) which was a really fun cameo to have spotted. Then we have Penn Badgley acting as the love interest and mayor of the town.
I won’t ruin the plot line but I love a music video when we have celebrity cameos, a funny storyline and it feels like you’ve watched a scene from a movie. Please can we have more music videos like this!

RAYE- Genesis.
Next up we have the new 7 minutes long single from RAYE and once again she leaves me in awe of her artistic genius. She has had a vision and she is letting it shine out both musically and visually. Directed by both RAYE and Otis Dominique (They directed Escapism and Flip a Switch) this is a music video wanting to convey the deep messages of the song and its emotions and I could watch it again and again and find out more from it. I love a 7 minute single, I suppose the one we all know and love is Queens ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (5:55 so basically a 6 minute song) but another favourite of mine is Green Day’s ‘Jesus of Surburbia’ (a 9 minutes long piece of ART and I will happily debate it with whoever asks) so I’m glad RAYE is bringing a ‘lengthy’ single back into fashion. The song is separated into three parts and the music video reflects this too, so it keeps you locked in with so much going on and such different visuals throughout. I’m disappointed for RAYE this came in at 22 on the singles chart, but i’m hoping it’ll slowly climb up as more people hear the single and appreciate it for being a daring and bold new chapter for the singer who isn’t afraid to go in the musical direction she’s worked so hard for. Make sure to give it a listen!

Blossoms- Gary
A music video featuring Rick Astley and Everton manager Sean Dyche, with a song based on a real life news story about a missing gorilla statue named Gary, is what the Stockport band Blossoms have served up as their latest single. It is an absolute DREAM of a music video. When we’re surrounded by bleak news stories and an upcoming general election this track and music video has created the joy we’ve all been needing. It’s fun, it’s silly but it’s also a great way to promote their new upcoming album of the same name which is released on their very own record label ODD SK. I am super excited for the brand new album if we’re getting more tracks like this (and hopefully more fun music videos too please).

Anyway happy weekend everyone, it goes without saying I think these three tracks are great additions to your spotify playlists and most importantly all of these artists are keeping the art of the music video alive and making them fun, interesting and a great distraction from the world even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Beth x