BRB about to dust off my ‘San Andreas’ CD…

In a time where Aussie music is coming out by the bucketload, it’s only natural that local artists would want to make visualisers and videos to accompany their work. However, we never realised just how much quality visualisers were coming through the local scene. Experimental, narrative-driven and utterly cinematic clips are now streaming out of the scene so quick you’d think we were in the glory days of Hollywood. You could quite literally have a movie marathon out of half the clips released this year (take our word for it).

So, to honour this influx of cinematic excellence, we decided to round up our favourites of this year for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Ocean Alley – ‘West Coast’

Northern Beaches rockers Ocean Alley upped the ante for their recent single ‘West Coast’, linking up with frequent collaborator, Jamieson Kerr, for a totally fresh take on what a music video could be. Thus, instead of amassing old tour footage like these sorts of videos tend to go, the pair take inspiration from the popular Grand Theft Auto games, utilising frontman Baden Donegal as the playable character for the audience.

Consequently, he manages to walk, run and jump (no mean feat) exactly like his video game counterparts, all the while performing out the western-reminiscent song out in its entirety. It’s one of the most creative videos of the year, and a personal favourite to say the least.

MAY-A – ‘Guilty Conscience’

Sydney indie-rock sensation well and truly stepped into her own with her sophomore EP Analysis Paralysis, exploring all matters of vulnerability, existentially and mental anguish through a mature lens. Naturally, the accompanying visuals followed suit, with the clip for ‘Guilty Conscience’ in particular being a highlight.

Utilising moody colour grades and cityscape set pieces that MAY-A makes her way through, we’re given a proper visual representation of the ‘Guilty Conscience’ the song is named after, with her effects to escape symbolic of her attempts to overcome mental hurdles. It’s another step forward in the ever-growing career of the indie starlet, and we don’t doubt that there’s plenty more on the way.

Genesis Owusu – ‘Survivor’

Genesis Owusu is continuing to reach dazzling heights with his artistry, and his latest album STRUGGLER is proof there’s no limits to his creative output. The accompanying video, particularly for single ‘Survivor’, is equally as eye-catching, following Owusu in a futuristic kingdom as he assumes his rightful place as ruler.

The video as a whole feels like something out of a darker, more badass Avengers film, with various cosmic set pieces infused with Owusu’s burning kingdom as he battles cosmic entities to stay alive. The costumes are totally on another level for this clip as well, finding an interesting midway between Dune, Mad Max and Star Wars in what’s a total love letter to the science fiction genre.

The Rions – ‘Minivan’

Northern Beaches band, The Rions, capture the spirit of mateship and the natural world in the clip for ‘Minivan’, as the four-piece document a road trip through the picturesque Aussie surrounds. Of course, they do pretty much every cool thing there is to do in the clip, swimming in waterfalls, jamming in open fields and tearing down the M1 without a care in the world.

Eventually, they make their way down to Sydney as they don their best suits, taking to a Darlinghurst rooftop to perform a live rendition of the track as they’re backed by the Sydney skyline. It’s a clip that makes you feel like you’re well and truly part of the band and are a part of their escapades, a sentiment shared by the sonics that make up the ‘Minivan’ single.

Iluka – ‘Haunted One’

Los Angeles-via-Sydney songwriter ILUKA embraces the edgy and grittier part of her sound on ‘Haunted One’, the indie and folk songstress pulling from the depths of her being for a rollercoaster of emotions. And in what’s a sweet addition, the accompanying video its perfectly fitting for the sonic departure of the ‘Get Free’ singer.

Filmed in one take, the clip centres on a lone Iluka as she was down an empty road, singing the song out in its entirety as she performs to the camera (and what we can only assume is one very lucky Los Angeles neighbourhood). It’s a refreshing technical achievement from the DIY muso, and enhances the moodiness of the single to a delicious degree.