The Top 10 Music Videos of 2023

Compared to previous years, I was attracted to less complex, more aesthetic music videos this year. Part of that might have to do with a lack of good story-driven videos, but it also might have to do with me appreciating videos that aide, rather than overtake the video. Anyway, here is the list, in my opinion.

Honorable Mentions

Taemin - Guilty

Ninety One - Synabim

10. Olivia Rodrigo - Bad Idea Right?

Bad Idea Right? might be the most extravagant Olivia Rodrigo MV so far, seeing her go through more and more ridiculous situations trying to go to her ex's home. The MV's stop at 1:10 when she says "stop" gets bonus points.

9. NewJeans - OMG

OMG's music video was likely the peak of HYBE's cinematic ambitions so far, with a meta concept on the relation between K-Pop idols and their fans, parasocial relationships, and a bizarre sense of humor. It doesn't all land, but it succeeds more than fails.

8. Jeon Somi - Fast Forward

Fast Forward's MV is really just an excuse for Somi to wear increasingly extravagant outfits and dance in increasingly extravagant sets with more and more background dancers, but it does the concept quite well. The merger of pink and black colors provide an almost futuristic neon feel.

7. NewJeans - Super Shy

Super Shy might not have had the best plot for a NewJeans MV this year, nor the most fun editing. However, the easy-on-the-eyes color pallette and the aerobics-esque choreography busking was destined to go viral on TikTok.

6. Ali Sethi, Shae Gill, Abdullah Siddiqui & Maanu - Left Right

At first glance, Left Right just sees the four singers standing and singing in front of a set. On second glance, well, it still is exactly that. However, it showcases the importance of aesthetics, capturing the feel and look of early 20th-century Indian Renaissance literature

5. (G)I-DLE - I Do

With I Do, (G)I-DLE and 88Rising sought to answer the question, what if E.T. looked like a twenty-something Korean idol and has romantic chemistry with the twenty-something dude who found her? Cheesy and unoriginal? Sure. But it is fun and nostalgic.

4. George Clanton - I Been Young

This year, there was a trend amongst fans and commenters to humorously pretend a new songs was released years ago due to its retro soundscape, but George Clanton took that to the extreme on I Been Young. The MV is designed to look exactly like a performance video from the early '90s, as even told by an announcer.

3. IVE - I Am

Grand, regal, chique, and sophisticated. These are the first four words that come to mind when thinking of IVE's music video for I Am. It is dramatic and big, but never comes off as too cheesy to be enjoyable. Part of that might be the edited transitions, which give the video a sense of constant motion.

2. Jungle - Back On 74

Part of the reason Back On 74 was such a surprise hit was its addictive music video. I love a one-shot dance video, and that is what the dancers working with Jungle provided here. The slow build in the intensity of moves is fantastic, culminating in the instantly iconic segment beginning at 1:58.

1. XG - TGIF

TGIF relishes in its endless extravagance and camp, and part of that comes down to its MV. From the fruitiger aero CGI and visuals to the Y2K outfits, the song knows its aesthetic stylings from minute one. The key reason it takes the top spot, however, is the killer editing. There is a shot-a-second approach, with each shot transitioning seamlessly to the next.