Music video analysis

 Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g. stage performance in
metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).
 There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented
with images. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
 There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of
the visual reflects that of the music. (either illustrative, amplifying,
contradicting).
 The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of
the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a
visual style).
 There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens,
mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
 The artist may develop motifs or iconography that recur across their work (a
visual style)
 There are often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music
videos etc).

‘Girls’ is a song made
by the English rock
band The 1975, from
Wilmslow, Cheshire. The
singers are Matthew
Healy, Adam Hann, Ross
MacDonald and George
Daniel. This song is
from the album ‘The
1975’ released in 2013.
The song impacted contemporary hit radio, which focuses on rock, pop or urban music for the top 40.
Mike Crossey was the producer of the song, Mike Spink was the engineer and Robin Schmidt was
mastering.
The single The 1975 released before ‘Girls’ was ‘Sex’ which was also released in 2013. That music
video was the first video which was in colour, as throughout, The 1975’s music videos have had the
signature monochrome theme. Rather than reverting back to monochrome, the band decided to
continue making music videos in colour.

With the indie genre, main genre conventions/ characteristics consist
of a main setting of a studio, etc, which The 1975 portray to
strengthen the ideology that they use cheaper alternatives for settings
unlike pop music videos. The whole band has a unique style, and
portrays the stereotype of an indie band having a style with
monochrome and simple looks. Props are used to make the music
video more realistic, and shows their skills as a band as well. The style
or colouring of the music video starts off black and white like the
regular videos that The 1975 produce. However, in this case, the video
subverts the stereotypes or conventions of a indie music video, and
makes the video more bright and bold. This may be confusing for the
Audience as it seems more like a pop music video, like the
band members said themselves at the beginning of the video.
It is thought that indie bands or artists stick with performance
rather than narrative. For this song it is true, as it gives the
audience a performance of the song as you get the band
members singing and performing throughout. For this video,
it does give off hidden meanings which go deeper, therefore
the video may have more of an effect on the audience. The
video may suggest the way girls act, how they’re confusing or
they show off too much.
This music video sticks to the cinematography with the use of
a variety of shots, angles and also movements as usual music
Videos. Using close ups makes the audience more involved with the video and
brings them closer to the artists which is important throughout music videos.
They also use a variety of shots to show the performance of the musicians and
the singers of the band, Matt Healy. This video does portray the characteristics
of indie music conventions, however, the bright colours of the video shows it
subverts the conventions.
The colour scheme throughout the music video is mainly monochrome like a
regular indie music video, but in some aspects of the video it is bright and bold
at the point when it is more narrative with the link of visuals and lyrics.

‘Eyes bright, uptight, just girls.’
‘What happened to just messing around?’
The visuals and lyrics work well here as the visual shows a girl with
‘Eyes bright’. This also signifies performance as she is looking
directly at the camera pointing to her eyes, showing that what the
band members are seeing, is true about girls.
The mise-en-scene has been taken into consideration, as with the
lyrics of ‘Eyes bright, uptight, just girls,’ she is wearing bright
clothing in front of a bright and bold studio. This may create an
ideology of girls changing things, as the band members are used
to black and white. The costume also shows the individuality of
the character as it is bright, and is a stereotype of a woman/ girl
cooking for the men.
The shot is a mid shot, showing the whole background and also
the key features of the woman/ girl. This fits the lyrics, as it
mentions bright, and the woman/ girl is dressed in bright clothes
and the background is bright too, tying the shot together.
The visuals and lyrics also work well here as it shows that the men
didn’t want anything to happen with the women/ girls through the
lyrics of ‘What happened to just messing around?’ The lyrics and
visuals work well as the band members show a facial expression
which suggests what the lyrics mean.
Throughout the song it portrays the bright world of ‘Girls’, and
through the mise-en-scene of outfits and the setting, it is still set
in the studio and includes bold furniture and the clothing of the
women/girls is bright and bold. However, for the men their clothes
consist of black and white with monochrome colours.
It creates an idea of them being trapped with the ‘Girls’, due to
their facial expressions of boredom. The lyrics connote that all
they wanted was a ‘one night stand’ however, they unfortunately
have to spend longer with them.
The girls are portrayed as being in their element, enjoying
spending time with the men, but the men are portrayed as
seeming bored.
In a way the music video gives off a narrative of being trapped by
girls.

‘God help me now.’
‘Just girls.’
The visuals and lyrics here, give off an ideology that the ‘Girls’
have ruined something or have done something bad. From what
the visuals portray it shows that there has been some sort of
crash in the background, and also shows the performance of the
musicians as well.
The lyrics and the visuals also connote that the lead singer, Matt
Healy, does want some help, as he isn’t playing this electric guitar
he is just stood there. It is obvious he wants help due to the
‘Girls’ as throughout the song women are portrayed as being
annoying, clingy, etc.
A mid shot is used so the audience feel closer to the artist, and in
this case it will intrigue the audience into think the lead singer is
asking them for help when they watch, as he is looking directly at
the camera.
Through this shot, it is a medium shot of flowers spelling out
‘GIRLS’. This shows bright and bold colours, showing the
change in the music video from past videos they have created,
which are dull with simple, monochrome colours.
Through the lyrics it says ‘Just girls,’ when this visual comes
on. But the visual portrays women/ girls as flowers, which
links with the patriarchal society of women/ girls known and
seen as delicate and petite. The way the visual is laid out and
the way the lyric is sung, it suggests that the band do in fact
believe that girls are just girls. This creates an ideology of
them thinking they aren’t that important in life, due to the
lack of attention they pay towards the girls, even when they
are all just in underwear or swimwear.

The music video is definitely a illustrative music video, as the song is about girls and the video features four girls.
Throughout the video there are a variety of close ups, mid shots and wide shots. The variety of shots or camera
movement which is used shows the relationship between both the band and the song. As the close ups of the band
shows their facial expressions through the lyrics they sing to give the audience a feel of what they just sang actually
means. The music video itself may be seen or recognised as an amplification music video which contains both narrative
and performance base, used with creative interpretation.
Close ups are used so then the audience will feel more involved and mentally close to the artist/ band members
throughout the video. The lyrics portray a performance-based music video, as they perform the song to the viewers.
However, in some cases, it may be seen as narrative-based, as it is as if they are producing a story line about ‘Girls’ who
are clingy and won’t leave them alone.
00:15
00:16
00:17 02:28
02:29
02:30
This shot is the 00;15 seconds. All
three of these shots fit perfectly with
the second beat of the drum. This
makes the video more effective as the
music and visuals are both in time
and flow smooth rather than being
confusing and rigid.
This shot is the 00:16 seconds of the music
videos. As shown in all three shots, it is just a
plain background to connote that they are
using a studio to film their video. I believe this
is effective as it makes the band members
stand out much more and gives the audience
something to focus on.
This shot is 00:17 seconds into the music
video. The costume and props which are
used portray the conventions of a regular
indie artist/ band. With the use of simple
instruments, like electric guitars and also
the use of monochrome, simple black
outfits, and without any bright or bold
colours to make it seem more pop than
indie.

Here again with 02:28, 02:29
and 02:30 it shows the cuts
being in time with the beat of
the second bang of the drum
throughout. This makes it more
effective and accurate. It also
ensures everything looks
smooth.
Through the range of close ups
which are used throughout the
song, mainly of the lead singer,
Matt Healy, to attract more of
the viewers and audience.
Throughout the music video
there are cuts of The 1975 band
and then the girls, who parody
what they have just done. This
proves it is not a narrative and
that it is more performance, but
also, the cuts are perfect in time
with the beat and they also fit
perfectly as all of them are in
the same place, the only change
is the girls or The 1975.
The tone and atmosphere of the
music and the video itself, fits
well. The choreography of the
whole video fits well as it stays in
time with the music throughout
the video, making the music
video seem accurate, effective
and consistent. Due to the
accuracy of the consistency
through editing, it shows the
people who edited the video are
experienced.
The use of the direct looking of
the band members and parody
band members, makes the video
more effective and works well
with the visuals and music.

Throughout the video of “Girls” by The 1975, there are a lot of close ups which portrays the demand of the
record label. The massive amount of close ups throughout the video are mainly of the lead singer of the
band, Matt Healy. This is used so then the viewers/ audience feel more closer to the lead singer/ band
members throughout the video. Close ups are used to show the artists/ band members emotions to portray
what the song they are singing could actually mean.
Through the amount of the close ups which are used of the main lead singer in The 1975, Matt Healy,
suggests that the bands record label want Matt to be the face of The 1975.
Throughout the music video though, he seems uninterested and moody. This allows the audience to visualise or
imagine what he is feeling through lyrics he is singing. On the second close up/ mid shot of him he sings ‘God
help me now’ suggesting his irritation of having to have a bright and bold music video. As at the beginning of the
song there is a dialogue of Matt, the lead singer saying ‘It feels like a really pop video, the whole scenario and its
not what we are about. It needs to be black and white for a start.’

Throughout the music video there are
parts with the notion of looking. The
notions of looking are known to be
portrayed through both the band members
and also the viewers watching the video.
The band members do look at the girls but in a way where they
do not care all that much. The drummer shows he doesn’t care
with the look he gives her when she climbs on top of him. The
audience see what is happening also, and voyeurism would
occur for either band members/ the parody band members of
the girls wearing a lack of clothing throughout the whole video.

Motifs throughout the band The 1975 are with mise-en-scene. Throughout all their videos
they usually wear a lack of bright colours and vary with more neutral colours to portray their
indie conventions.
Another motif/ style throughout their music videos is that they usually
incorporate their logo with the bright rectangle behind them.
The rectangle is also shown in ‘Girls’ where the drummer, George
Daniel, has it in front of him.

The Wombats are an English indie rock band formed in
Liverpool in 2003. The lead vocals is Matthew Murphy, he
also plays guitar and keyboard. The drummer is Dan Haggis,
he also plays the percussion, guitar, keyboard and backing
vocals. Lastly, there is Tord Overland Knudsen, who plays the
bass guitar, guitar, keyboard and backing vocals also.
Give me a Try released in 13th April 2015 and they started
recording in 2014 for their song. It was released in the album
Glitterbug, which was also released in 2015. The producer of
the song was Mark Crew and they are signed to the 14th
Floor Record in the UK and Bright Antenna in the US.

Indie genre music videos are usually low budget and the main setting
of the video is usually in the studio where they usually film, cities or
parks, etc. Through this music video the videos setting is in the city
and varies through clubs and also buses. The setting of the music
video is quite simple as it is easy to follow through the video. This
therefore enables the audience to understand the performance/
narrative of the music video without getting confused.
Mise-en-scene is an important factor through music videos,
especially indie music videos as it gives off the individuality of the
band or video, as indie music videos are unique which is usually with
colours of monochrome or neutral colours. Although, this music
video has more bright and bold mise-en-scene throughout, which
may suggest the rock indie side of the band. Costumes through this
video shows the comparison between each characters or actors in
the video, as it shows the different personalities for each narrative of
their story. Props are used, like phones and also the places they all
go too. The story line/ narrative is good as everything links well
throughout the video. A main genre convention is that most indie
genres use performance rather than narrative, however in this video
it is narrative based on the lives of each individual trying to find love.
The main reason for standard performance is that indie bands
cannot afford massive productions, but The Wombats use an
alternative as they film in restaurants, buses, houses etc. For this
case The Wombats may use this narrative to show their emotions.
Through indie music videos they are consistent with the same
cinematography with the camera movements, shots and angles and
they mainly always contain close ups and medium shots so then the
main focus is on the artist and to also show the aspect of the video.
Through this video though, there are no close ups or mid shots of
the band/ artist, it is on the characters throughout the video. The
editing throughout is effective as it is the main convention. The
colouring is usually monochrome or neutral colours, but for this
video it is mainly bright or royal colours. They also use lights, like
strobe lights which will be inspiration for us, as we are wanting to
use strobe lighting and torches etc.

Through the song ‘Give me a Try,’ it suggests that most visuals and
lyrics work well together, by the use of the narrative through the whole
song which stays consistent.
There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals here at this
point of the music video. What gets sung is ‘I don’t know why, this
apartment is always cold’ and this portrays the visuals which are
shown, as there is a man in his apartment alone. From doing this and
linking the lyrics with the visuals it suggests a narrative of someone
trying to date. From the mans facial expressions he is trying to seem
extremely happy to show his features. The way the music video is set
out, it shows that he is recording for a dating website.
Through this part of the music video it strengthens the
ideology that the video suggests people trying to date or do
a video for a dating website. The lyrics in which are sung are
‘Just give me a try,’ which includes the song title. A close up
is used on the peoples face to show their emotion and we
see them miming the song lyrics which the lead singer is
singing.

This part is effective, because throughout the whole
song it is trying to make people give others a try at
dating. Here the lyrics which are sung are ‘Just give
me a try, been kind of hoping you might.’ At this
point the boy who is willing to give her a try, smiles.
Through the close up it is obvious he is willing to, as
the audience get to see his emotions clearly.

The first cuts occur at 0:08, 0:11, 0:16, 0:17. The cuts are on beat with the music throughout and
show different types of narratives throughout. At this point of the cuts, the music is
slow paced with a slow beat. The cuts
are slow as well, to be effective with the
beat of the music and to effect the
audience to understand that it is slow
paced during verses. The beat in the
background is consistent to be effective
through the change of shots with the
cuts. The cuts also change at the point
of the sound of a high key of a keyboard
through the music.
At this point of the video the beat becomes much faster and high
tempo. The music and the visuals here work really well, as the
strobe lights and regular lights are fast and effective and go in
time with the beat of the music throughout this narrative side of
someone’s story. Due to the in time beat and effectiveness of the
video, it portrays that the editing has been done really well and is
adequate throughout the video. The cuts are fast paced linking
particularly well with the beat of the music at the chorus.

There are a lack of close ups of the main
band, the only close ups which are used
are of the characters who are narrating
their individual stories of finding love
through social media.
Due to the lack of close ups of the artists/
band members, it signifies that the
characters may create motifs throughout
the video. The motifs may be the dating
site of them trying to find love.
The use of having close ups of the
characters being the main concept of the
video, may motivate and create motifs for
the audience or viewers, to give people a
try no matter what.
Plus the use of the close ups give the
audience an idea of what these individuals
are feeling about having to find love for
themselves.

The notion of looking is
used to show someone or
the audience/ viewers are
looking. This shows the
first part of one of the
characters, she is on a bus
and is looking at people
kissing. This may create an
ideology her being jealous
or wanting love like that, as
the song is based on love
and people wanting to find
love. After she notices that,
she goes on her phone and
looks at people to find her
love like the two people.
The notion of looking can
be shown here, especially
in a voyeuristic way. He is
an attractive male in some
peoples eyes as he is
shirtless and wearing tight
trousers. The notion of
looking would be based on
the audience/ viewers
watching the music video,
especially girls.
Here for both the girls, this would also result in the notion of
looking from the audience/ viewers. Firstly because the girl first is
wearing revealing clothing and is posing in various ways to make
herself seem extremely provocative.
The second girl has a close up of her face with her mouth open
blowing a bubble of gum. This may seduce males to watch the
video and gain more views through the exposure of males or
females being seductive.

Two Door Cinema Club is an Irish rock indie band from
Bangor in County Down. The band formed in 2007 and is
composed of three members, Alex Trimble, who does vocals,
rhythm guitar, beats and synths, Sam Halliday with lead
guitar and backing vocals and lastly, Kevin Baird with bass,
synths and backing vocals. The band's debut album, Tourist
History, was released on 1 March 2010 by French
independent record label Kitsune Music. In the United States,
where the band are signed to Glassnote Records, the album
was released on 27 April 2010. Tourist History was selected
for the Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year (2010)
the following year.

Indie genre music videos are usually low
budget and the main setting of the video is
usually in the studio where they usually film,
cities or parks, etc. This music video is also set
in a studio due to the plain white backgrounds
with extra props for some colour.
Mise-en-scene is an important factor through
music videos, especially indie music videos as
it gives off the individuality of the band or
video, as indie music videos are unique which
is usually with colours of monochrome or
neutral colours. Mise-en-scene through the
use of costumes, shows the band members in
suits looking smart and sophisticated and then
the dancers are wearing shorts and tight
clothing to compliment their figures.
Most indie music videos are more performance
than narrative, however, for this music video it
is both. It is both narrative and performance as
there is a narrative throughout which links
with the lyrics of the music video of the lead
singer wanting the girl. It is also performance
through the choreography of the dance routine
which the girls dance to.

Through this shot, this is the beginning of the
music video. The lyrics are ‘In a few weeks I will
get time, to realise it’s right before my eyes. And I
can take it, if its what I want to do.’ The lyrics and
visuals fit well here, as it suggests a narrative part
of the music video. It suggests the lead singer
wants this girl through the notion of looking.
Through this part of the music video, it shows the band members in the background, with the
girl the lead singer wants in a bath. The lyrics which are sung, ‘You don’t want to be alone’ for
the first part and the second part of the screenshots. The lyrics suggests that the girl doesn’t
want to be on her own, so he is wanting to be with her. However, the second shot she ends up
in a bath with a girl, which can create an ideology of herself and also may foreshadow that he
won’t be with her. Thus, reinforcing the narrative of the music video.

Through these shots, they all fit with the music and the visuals. The first and third
screenshot, refers to the dance of the dancers is in beat and time with the beat or tempo
of the song and is consistent. The second screenshot refers to the beat of the drums which
the girl is hitting which is in perfect time with the beat of the drum of the music, which
therefore shows the editing is good.
The fourth and fifth screenshot refers to the fast paced of editing. It is in time with the
beat of the music making it extremely effective throughout the shot of this due to its fast
pace. The editing on the last shot is effective, different and quirky with the use of a pitch
black background with a trippy part of the song in the middle 8. It is effective as it attracts
the audience, as the music video throughout is quite plain with some colours, but the
middle 8, adds a huge effect.

The demands of the record label will include a need for lots of close ups of the artist. In this
case there isn’t a lot of close ups of the lead singer. There are mainly a lot of wide shots
throughout the music video with the occasional close up of him or a mid shot of him and
the band members.
Due to the lack of close ups it may be seen as it is due to him not being extremely
attractive unlike other bands. The main close ups are of the girl he assumedly wants, as she
is rather pretty and would attract the audience to watch the video.

Through the notion of looking it can vary between
the audience/ viewers watching the music video or
the artists who are watching the women.
From the beginning of the video there is already a
notion of looking which is shown of the lead singer,
Alex Trimble staring at the girl he wants. The way
he looks at her through a close up at the beginning
when he first starts singing, shows his affection
towards her.
Through the audience/ viewers which suggest a
notion of looking, is due to the dancers wearing a
lack of clothes. However, not as little as The 1975
‘Girls’ parody band of the girls wearing just
underwear/ swimwear. In this video they are
revealing their body but they are wearing more
clothes. The only way the notion of looking would
occur here by the audience is due to them wearing
tight clothes.

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