Animated music videos: release roundup

We’re continuing our recap series by celebrating a range of animated music videos released in the past year.

Diamond Shake – Heard It All Before
Kodiak Arcade – Something Real
Belmont – Bowser’s Castle
Puppy – Angel
Carson Hoy – Night Drive
Martin Callingham – Bedding In
Simon Bromide – The Waiting Room
Cat Dowling – Animals
Darryl Kissick – Just A Dream

Diamond Shake – Heard It All Before

Can’t get enough of animated music videos? If so, check out Diamond Shake’s back catalogue. That’s because Diamond Shake’s alter-ego, Matt Hitchens, has spent two years releasing animated videos for each self-released album track. To do this, he collaborates with illustrator and animator Dominique Bloink.

Kodiak Arcade – Something Real

Meanwhile, Kodiak Arcade made every frame of the video using a revolutionary process combining human and AI collaboration.

“Essentially, I asked a computer to imagine specific things and this is the outcome.”

Belmont – Bowser’s Castle

Avid Super Mario fans would know that a song called Bowser’s Castle on a record called Bowser’s Mixtape would simply *have* to be accompanied by a retro computer game-style video. That’s not all as Belmont rounded out their EP with Avenged Sevenfold and Kid Laroi covers, plus a handful of acoustic tracks.

Puppy – Angel

Puppy also dropped an 8-bit videogame inspired music video. In fact, it marks a full-circle moment for the band because several of their early songs were featured in Guitar Hero.

Carson Hoy – Night Drive

Mark Gustov’s video for Night Drive by Carson Hoy is also compelling in the way it combines live-action and animation to depict the characters’ emotions and motivations.

Martin Callingham – Bedding In

This video for Bedding In by Martin Callingham features a spooky claymation animation that depicts the song’s sense of hushed melancholia.

Simon Bromide – The Waiting Room

Here is another superb claymation animation video, this time for The Waiting Room by Simon Bromide. For example, you can see the immense level of detail in this screenshot, right down to station names on the Departures board!

Cat Dowling – Animals

Next up, don’t miss the stunning flipbook-style animation for Cat Dowling’s track Animals. This artwork was drawn by Irish artist Marc Corrigan, who has also worked with Billy Bragg and Coldplay.

Darryl Kissick – Just A Dream

Before we go, check out Ft Langley’s video for Just A Dream which introduces us to a disenchanted robot. Foxwarren‘s bassist Darryl Kissick collaborated with his brother Avery Kissick as well as Andrea Hedlund, and Meghan Bowman to make the record.

Darling BOY – Tea Drinkers of The World

Go on then, let’s have one more retro game-inspired video for the road! In fact, Darling BOY AKA Alexander Gold is an interesting character himself. He once starred alongside Jonathan Rhys Meyers in a film about The Clash, he’s been Dolly Parton’s guest in Tennessee, and he’s been asked to join two of Carl Barat’s bands! He’s also been Musical Director of the West End hit All Or Nothing, and plays John Lennon in a cruise ship band!

Now that you’ve had your fill of animated music videos, check out musiccloseup.com for more music news and reviews!