The 22 best music videos of 2017, chosen by the AP staff
There have been so many great music videos this year, as you can tell from our ridiculously long list! From Don Broco's horrifying wedding to Neck Deep's bright and flowery “In Bloom,” we've chosen the 22 best videos that have brought our favorite songs to life.
Read more: Our staff share their favorite tours of 2017
Boston Manor – “CU”
Pronounced “copper,” Boston Manor released their third single from Be Nothing with a trippy, effects driven video. Filmed at a barn converted to a loft in rural Pennsylvania, by the end of the video you're going to be wondering if you accidentally took a double dose of LSD. —Griffin Elliot
The All-American Rejects – “Sweat” / “Close Your Eyes”
Tyson Ritter spent the past few years on screens big and small, so it’s no surprise the frontman’s craft shines in the band’s first official singles since 2012’s Kids In The Street. Ritter tackles a dual role of Betsy and Robert in a short film that hooks you as it explores the complex sides of one person. —Rachel Campbell
Don Broco – “Pretty”
Don Broco pranked their fans into thinking that they were streaming their bassists’ wedding when they premiered this music video. It is set at a wedding, but what transpires is more screwed up than a Tarantino movie with serious Hannibal Lecter vibes. This violence-fuelled visualization is engineered to shock and entertain. —Chelsea Smile
Paramore – “Hard Times”
This video is just bloody good fun. After all the drama that’s followed Paramore around over the years, it’s nice to see Hayley, Taylor and Zac falling back in love with the band that started it all for them. Those jumpsuits are wicked, too. —Jake Richardson
Sir Sly – “High”
From a glowing brain to a translucent raincoat, “High” by Sir Sly is as confusing as 2017 itself. A perfect visualization of the radiant track, it’s graphic, it’s vivid and it has all necessary ingredients of a great music video. Yet, what makes “High” truly special is how it completely and gracefully changed Sir Sly’s previously austere and mysterious image. Marking an end to years of silence, “High” is how to properly transform a band’s personality in a way new and old fans can get behind. Props, Sir Sly—I didn’t see it coming. —Caitlyn Ralph
The Summer Set – “Jean Jacket”
Suspense, surprise twists, drama, action and romance combine in this thrilling cinematic creation with us still wishing “Jean Jacket” was a full movie. —Whitney Paxton
Coldfront – “Everything You Want Me To Be” / “So Typical”
The two videos Coldfront released to promote their debut full-length Float Around, out now on Equal Vision Records, are a very real look into the lives of these Canadian punks. Pizza filled romps around Toronto and basement jam sessions are wonderfully articulated through the lens of YEAH! Films. —Griffin Elliot
Motionless In White – “Necessary Evil”
MIW consistently go above and beyond with their music videos. Visual art is as important to this band as musical composition. The music video for “Necessary Evil” challenges the traditional concepts of sin and depravity as the band revel in a gothic party for the ages. —Taylor Markarian
Circa Survive – “Lustration”
Circa Survive’s “Lustration” is a beautiful music video that parallels two realms simultaneously: that of the real world and that of a Mother Nature type being. The Amulet’s album artwork is brought to life surrounded by gorgeous animated and colorful motion graphics that give warmth to the high-tension situation of birth in the wilderness. —Kaitlyn Ulrich
The Maine – “How Do You Feel?”
The Maine have been taking their albums’ aesthetics pretty seriously, and “How Do You Feel?” is proof of how well it works out. The contrast of the band playing in white suits against a background of red roses created the most beautiful music video they have released to date. How do I feel? After watching this video, pretty emotional. —Natasha Heinz
With Confidence – “Waterfall”
With Confidence’s newest video release, “Waterfall,” shatters the realm of “visually pleasing” and offers four minutes and 15 seconds of cinematic pleasure. In a world ruled by technology and fueled by the decay of genuine human interaction, “Waterfall” takes us on a stunningly, dramatic journey of love and loneliness. —Paige Owens
Knuckle Puck – “Gone”
Birthday party with Knuckle Puck? Where do I sign up? —Sara DeWeese
Pale Waves – “Television Romance”
Pale Waves and the 1975 are two of the biggest Brit indie pop dream acts, and after working with mentors Matty Healy and George Daniel on “There’s A Honey,” Pale Waves teamed up with the 1975 frontman Healy for directorial guidance on their stunning “Television Romance” music video. And let’s be real—the music video is just as beautiful as their friendship. —Maggie Dickman
PUP – “Old Wounds”
As if PUP's one-two punch of a S/T debut and follow-up in The Dream Is Over weren't impressive enough, every single one of the band's music videos have been thoughtfully executed for maximum awesomeness. PUP's interactive experience for “Old Wounds” just might take the cake, though. Choose your own rad adventure, bud. —Brian Leak
The Front Bottoms – “Raining”
Recorded using poignant, home video styling, this return from the Front Bottoms perfectly suits the subject matter of “Raining.” Following Mat Uychich in two alternate timelines, capturing the feeling mental health can, unfortunately, put you through, it's hard to not have an outpouring of emotion. Another perfect moment from the Front Bottoms. —Steven Loftin
PVRIS – “What's Wrong”
“What's Wrong” stands out as one of PVRIS' most visual and metaphorical concept pieces that we find ourselves watching again and again. —Whitney Paxton
Pierce The Veil – “Today I Saw The Whole World”
Pierce The Veil have become known for their story-based music videos that have a distinct motif, but “Today I Saw The Whole World” is a unique performance that instead showcases the band’s personality. Smashed disco balls, palm trees and exploding cars aside, the video’s trippy inverted filters add great psychedelic effects to an otherwise plain studio environment. —Kaitlyn Ulrich
Neck Deep – “In Bloom”
Neck Deep blew the scene away with the launch of “In Bloom” only days before the album release of The Peace and The Panic. Visually simple in story but beautiful in color, this video is pleasing to any eye. Pinks paired with sky blue and yellow paired with shades of purple, someone knew their color theory. Add in random objects like donuts, snails, ice cream cactus cone and “kill me plz,” you’ll wonder what you just watched but then happily watch it again. —Shelbey Surgent
IDKHBTFM – “Modern Day Cain”
P!ATD’s Dallon Weekes and Ryan Seaman’s ‘80s-inspired band, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, released their first music video back in August for the project. And it does not disappoint. “Modern Day Cain” features it all: a Speak & Spell, Superstar Showcase T-shirts and the Glitter Gals. If you haven’t seen it, please watch immediately, specifically for the Glitter Gals. —Kristine Cannon
SWMRS – “Drive North”
From Cole Becker impersonating Anthony Fantano to the ads that keep popping up (if you don't try to close them, are you even human?), SWMRS sum up everything we love and hate the most about YouTube in this video. —Natasha Heinz
In This Moment – “Oh Lord”
In This Moment are known for their big and mosaic music videos, but they took a different approach to “Oh Lord.” Despite being stripped down, it is visually stunning and downright captivating. —Stevie James
Halsey – “Now Or Never”
Halsey’s video for “Now Or Never” not only was co-directed by her, but offers a compelling narrative of a portion of Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. It matches the aesthetics of the album, and has cinema-level production. —Tyler McFadden
