“Love On Top,” Beyoncé Knowles

Despite the raunchiness suggested by its title, “Love On Top” is an upbeat throwback to the love songs of the ‘80s in the style of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul. This video has no gimmicks or optical stunts; it’s just Beyoncé doing what Beyoncé does best: singing, dancing–and changing wardrobes. With a handful of male back-up dancers, she shuffles through moves that would make the Temptations proud and Janelle Monáe jealous. Don’t worry–that little black leotard is there from start to finish. Though it may not have quite the bedazzling cache of that one video others, most notably Kanye West, have deemed “one of the best videos of all time,” “Love On Top” has a refreshing innocence that is sure to stick.

 

“Lonely Boy,” The Black Keys

“Lonely Boy” is the first single off The Black Keys’ seventh album “El Camino,” set to hit stands Dec. 6, and the video is just that: a lonely boy. He’s more of a man, but he sure is lonely and must have spent hours perfecting his dance moves to rival Carlton Banks [from “Fresh Prince”], Beyoncé and even that Flea Market Montgomery guy. The song itself resonates rough and raw in true Black Keys fashion, and if their sound isn’t enough to entice you, this part-dancing, part-miming man will ensure you can’t pull your eyes away from the screen. It’s like a glorious train wreck. Or a really good dancer at a club.

 

“Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye feat. Kimbra

The visual rendition of this Belgian-Australian troubadour’s frank post-breakup rant is simple in form and bewitching in spirit. Stop-motion animates the blank background and Gotye’s naked body to infuse a feeling of deep thought and meaningful abstraction to the mundane lyrics. I could probably discuss how the artistry attempts to emulate Kandinsky’s Bauhaus pieces, or how it embodies Schwitters’ “Merzbau,” but the truth is the video is just fun to look at, and Gotye and Kimbra’s voices captivate the listener in spite of somewhat trite and brassy lyrics.

 

“Sexy And I Know It,” LMFAO

LMFAO’s latest release from “Sorry For Party Rocking” is still pending fratstar status, but the lamé and animal print video is sure to usher this track into crowded dance floors and stuck-in-your-head success. The simple declaration of self-confidence in the song lends itself to a suspenseful plot of battling boy bands (literally and figuratively) who duke it out on the streets and speakeasies of Los Angeles. Think “Grease,” “The Outsiders,” “West-Side Story,” but with boom boxes and studs. Though LMFAO leave little to the imagination, I’ll leave the video to your future viewing pleasure. With guest appearances from Ron Jeremy and Wilmer Valderrama (Fez!), you will not want to miss “I’m Sexy And I Know It.” This is one (literally) ballsy music video.

 

“We Found Love,” Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

The sweet electro-house stylings of Scottish singer-songwriter-DJ Calvin Harris inject Rihanna’s reliable vocals with a frenetic energy yet untapped by the Barbadian pop princess. “We Found Love” plays like an episode of “Skins” complete with an epigram from English model Agyness Deyn, a dangerous liaison with boxer and model Dudley O’Shaughnessy and a whole lot of pills. The video has met criticism from all angles including an eviction from the original set for one of Rihanna’s signature moves–scantily clad prancing in an open field (see “Only Girl In The World”)–and comparisons between O’Shaughnessy and Chris Brown, insinuating the song and video’s autobiographical connotations. Yet, Rihanna and director Melina Matsoukas remain adamant that the video’s message is related to drug addiction and toxic relationships.