The Pretty Reckless- Messed Up World Music Video Analysis

The Pretty Reckless is an American rock band. The video for Messed Up World is performance based with a strong message.

 

Sex & love and guns, light a cigarette

 

The video links to the lyrics by illustrating these main themes, emphasising what the song is about. The use of water guns as opposed to real guns stops this aspect from being too serious. Cigarettes are not concentrated on either, with Momsen only smoking once in a long shot. This creates a  focus on the sexual aspect of the song, as the naked women are repeatedly shown.  










All their cash and cars platinum silver and gold

 

The lyrics are also exemplified in this shot with the expensive car. As the man is driving, it is suggested that he owns it, while the women sitting in the back suggest a link between money and women.

Jamming Jesus down my throat
No I don't want to be saved

Momsen emphasises this lyric by grasping her neck as she sings the word “throat”.  

 

The music is also linked to the visuals in the video. Solo instrumental sections are emphasised by showing the band playing instruments. Momsen’s tambourine exaggerates the beat and sets the pace of the video to match that of the song. Furthermore the video is edited to set the pace, with short takes to reflect and amplify the fast pace.

 

 

Milky Chance- Stolen Dance Music Video Analysis

"It's less of a story than a feeling. The feeling in the song refers to a certain moment I wanted to hold on to. It's the sentiment you experience when you miss somebody you really like and just can't spend time with that person. You're sad the other person isn't there, but you're also happy for the beautiful moments you've spent together." - Clemens Rehbein


Milky Chance is an alternative pop/folk/rock duo from Kassel, Germany. Stolen Dance is a ‘folkronica’, incorporating elements of both folk music and electronica; the song features both acoustic instruments and computer generated sound.

While the video is narrative-based, there is very few links to the lyrics. However metaphors, such as “coldest winter for me”, are visually expressed. For example, while this lyric is being sung we see a high angle shot of leafless trees. While the setting is bright, it is clearly winter and the sky is fairly grey. This visually suits the song, as both are calm and relaxed.

Furthermore, the lyrics describe being “stoned in paradise”. This is reflected in the beautiful setting, which is quite idyllic. The editing links to this lyric also, with the split screen and use of reverse. These give the video a quirky feel and echo the theme of being high. Furthermore the idiosyncrasy of the video reflects Milky Chance’s image of being an alternative band.

The video is cleverly cut to the beat, emphasising the hand claps in the song. For example at the start the windscreen wipers seem to swipe in time to them. Furthermore, flickers in the screen also keep in time to the beat created by these claps.

Here, the video has been edited so that after spinning clockwise slightly, the wind turbines reverse for a second before continuing normally. Not only does this make the turbines seemingly ‘dance’ to the beat, but as the camera is panning, the image is distorted and the trees almost look as though they are moving.  

 

A handheld camera has been used at many points in the video. This gives the illusion of a viewpoint, and so the viewer feels as though they are there. This creates immediacy between the viewer and the band.  Additionally, the slight jerkiness of the camera gives a carefree, unprofessional feel. This helps Milky Chance to come across as ‘normal’, identifiable people.

Like most narrative-based music videos, Stolen Dance features Clemens performing the song live. This suggests he is very talented, as opposed to using technology such as auto tune.

In some parts the video has been edited to look as though it has been shot by an old camera. This is quite stylish and fits with the band’s image as it gives the video a raw feel. Furthermore, while the video doesn’t have any obvious intertextual references, these features reflect old fashioned films, giving an interesting look.

 

The video is quite similar to Milky Chance's video Down By The River, as both are very quirky and unusual. This promotes their brand by giving them a laidback, alternative image, which reflects their style of music.

 

Concept-based Music Videos

Concept-based videos are artistic, generally centred around a certain concept or theme. They may feature the artist, but not always. They are often very unique.

For instance

Here it Goes Again- OK Go

Ways To Go- Grouplove

I Got U- Duke Dumont

 

 

Narrative-based Music Videos

Narrative-based music videos tell a story, using the artist and/or actors. They can be linked to the lyrics of the song, however this is not always the case. They usually also contain performance elements.

The following videos are narrative based

Stan- Eminem ft. Dido

She Will Be Loved- Maroon 5

You Belong With Me- Taylor Swift

Performance-based Music Videos

Performance-based music videos involve the artist or band performing throughout the majority, if not all of the video. They typically consist of closer shot types and intimate camerawork and centre on the artist, lead singer or entire band.

Some examples include

 

Five Colours in Her Hair- McFly

 Budapest- George Ezra

Problem- Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea