MTV VMAs: The Underdogs
Ella Downing 27th August 2015
On Sunday the 30th of August the MTV Video Music Awards return, this year to be hosted by the outrageous Miley Cyrus. Most of the awards revolve around Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Beyonce and Mark Ronson but we decided to take a look at some of the underdogs. We've compiled a list of the nominees we'd like to see win and gain some well deserved recognition.
1. Video of the year - Kendrick Lamar: 'Alright'
Lamar’s gritty neo-noir-esque video for 'Alright' is up for several VMAs and it's obvious why. Stunning cinematography and art direction come together to showcase Lamar’s balance of candid rap with smooth back beats that lack the aggressive approach of some of his fellow rappers.
2. Best female video- Sia: 'Elastic Heart'
I’m still not sure if I ‘get’ Sia (or if anyone does) but 'Elastic Heart' was a song that inspite of myself I instictively liked. The video I liked even more. A grubby Shia LaBeouf writhing around isn't to everyone's tastes but clever animalistic choreography executed by extremely talented Maddie Ziegler juxtaposed with allusions to the inherent differences between men and women make Elastic Heart worthy of such an award.
3. Best rock video- Arctic Monkeys: “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”
A quintessentially monkeys- esque video with it's stark and minimal approach. I'd hardly call it a ‘rock’ video but compared to the competition it's more sex, drugs and rock and roll than ACDC.
4. Artist to Watch- George Ezra: 'Budapest'
With his soothing vocals and superb writing George Ezra has gone from strength to strength since releasing his debut album 'Wanted on Voyage'. Definately one of the top albums of the year for me and Budapest is the stand out track that kick started it all. I for one would love to see Ezra win a VMA for the engaging and somehow heartwarming video for Budapest.
5. Best Art Direction- The Chemical Brothers: “Go” (Michel Gondry)
With its clean lines, asymetric shapes and grey hues the video for ‘Go’ could be mistaken for a car advert. However It represents the bizarre and clever style of video the Chem Bros are known for and is a good match for the track as it lets the music do the talking.
5. Best Choreography- Chet Faker: “Gold” (Ryan Heffington)
Faker’s liquid vocals are perfectly complimented by the brilliant rollerblading in this video. Effortlessly cool as most of Faker’s work is, the dusky shoot is enigmatic, artistic and at times eerie. Plus the choreography and dancers ooze attraction without being overtly sexualised (I'm looking at you- 'Anaconda').
Best Cinematography- Alt-J: “Left Hand Free” (Mike Simpson)
Alt J’s 'Left Hand Free' video comes in two parts that both deliver a hearty dollop of summer nostalgia without being cliché, much like the song itself. The camerawork has been executed in such a way to create an engaging and artistic video without becoming some sort of pretentious oddity that many music videos are nowadays.
Best direction- Childish Gambino:“Sober” (Hiro Murai)
The video for 'Sober' is a perfect representation of Gambino as an artist; an eclectic mix of humour, weirdness and peculiarity with enough style to carry it all off. Gambino has an everyman quality that is perfectly represented in this simplistic yet very clever video.