Cardi B, WAP feat. Megan Thee Stallion directed by Colin Tilley, Boy in the Castle
Everyone’s favourite stripper turned Grammy winner Cardi B does her bit for the free the nipple movement with her latest Vesuvian eruption of sexual energy in collaboration with everyone’s favorite judge from HBO’s must-watch show Legendary, Megan Thee Stallion. Oh, and Kylie Jenner turns up for the party because why not we haven’t seen her in a hot minute since lockdown.
Ashnikko, Cry Feat. Grimes directed by Mike Anderson
Hentai meets Fortnite meets an intergalactic ballet that may or may not be a metaphor for the big bang who knows we’re all living in the matrix now and it ends with what may or may not be a Chapman Brothers fused mannequin reference but definitely is a Bishop from Aliens reference.
Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer, Already directed by Beyoncé
No words. Queen Bey can do no wrong and multiplied by Ghanain multi-disciplinarian Shatta Wale and Major Lazor you can’t not like this or we will cancel you.
Kylie Minogue, Say Something directed by Sophie Muller, Prettybird UK
Somewhere in a warehouse down an alleyway off a backlot that borders on the periphery of Sydney harbour is a portrait of Kylie Minogue that ages year upon year while somehow the real life Kylie manages to shame us all with skin and hair and teeth and an uncracking pop vocal that defies all signs of aging. And for these reasons and countless more including golden space horses and glitter and a disco beat we, the LGBTQIA community, will stand by her side until the final sunrise. We salute you Kylie.
Billie Eilish, My Future directed by Andrew Onorato, Chop Studio
If ever there was evidence for reincarnation it’s Billie Eilish. With an insight and wisdom and clarity of expression that most of us can only dream of achieving the unstoppable Eilish has managed to prove that everything she does is capable of opening eyes and hearts and souls.
Taylor Swift, Cardigan directed by Taylor Swift, Superprime
Coming out of nowhere to drop the biggest album of her career, Folklore, by stealth, Taylor Swift continues to write her own rules in the wake of last year’s social media blowup with Scooter Braun and her fearless reclaiming of her own identity with Miss Americana on Netflix. Not necessarily our favourite track off the album (um, hello Illicit Affairs…), Cardigan still manages to showcase Swift balancing her musical and visual creativity, helming the video for the launch track and making us all question whether she’s singing about a friend, a lover or reconciling her current with her past self.
by Stephen Whelan
