Lately, major music videos have come out from popular artists such as Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Adele, and more.  These new, highly anticipated releases from these artists have resulted largely in praise and excitement from fans.  

In the release of Meghan Trainor’s “Made You Look” music video, the singer promotes body positivity and renewed self-confidence.  “Made You Look” is the second track of her fifth studio album, Takin’ It Back, both released on Oct. 21.  In the music video, she celebrates her personal growth.  

“I wrote a self-love anthem for myself.  Even though you had a baby, went through it, and your body shows it, you’re still gorgeous” said Meghan Trainor to Rolling Stone.

In this colorful music video, she wears multiple statement outfits while leaning against a bright pink convertible and sitting at a press conference.  The video features cameos of other celebrities and famous influencers, such as Jojo Siwa, Scott Hoying, Chris Olsen, and her husband, Daryl Sabara.   

On the same day, Taylor Swift’s tenth studio album, Midnights, was released at midnight in addition to her “Anti-Hero” music video, released the next morning.  Her lead single is recognized by its catchy hook: “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”  Her video received a lot of praise from fans.  

“I love this music video.  A lot of people say that it’s weird and doesn’t make sense, but I think it’s a great depiction of having different thoughts and fears, put into a comedy that a lot of people can relate to and enjoy watching,” said freshman Aubrey Kollar.  

In the video, Swift is chased around her house by bedsheet ghosts, leading her to meet her doppelganger alter ego at the front door.  This alter ego is energetic and wears sparkly outfits, as the two partake in different activities in the house.  In one scene, the “alter-ego” points to a blackboard with the words “everyone will betray you” while the real Taylor Swift takes notes.  This video shows that just like many other young women, Swift feels the same insecurities and fears that we all do.  In one scene, she steps on a scale that displays the word “fat” as her alter ego shakes her head in disappointment.  This scene has caused some backlash, resulting in her editing it out of the music video.  

“While some people found the clip offensive and fatphobic, I personally felt that it embodied how she felt about herself at a certain point in her life, as it was publicly known that Taylor Swift had struggled with an eating disorder.  I feel like it was an important part of the music video, emphasizing the theme of the song and adding some controversy, which is part of what an anti-hero is,” said freshman Annie Krivin.   

The second video for the Midnights album, “Bejeweled,” came out on Oct. 25, and entertained fans with a shimmery, humorous Cinderella story.  In the video, Taylor Swift is a figure controlled by her evil stepsisters and stepmother.  Her “exile” and her stepsisters calling her a “snake” refers to her past songs.  Swift’s character ultimately goes to the ball covered in jewels, hence the name of the song.  

“That music video is not just a music video, it’s a movie.  I can sit and watch it over and over again.  There is no denying that Swift is a genius when it comes to these things,” said freshman Maggie Kresic.  

Adele’s video for her song “I Drink Wine” was released on Oct. 26, featuring colorful visuals to tell the story of love and heartbreak.  The singer is shown in a gold gown, drinking glasses of wine while floating down a river.  The music video features an insecure fisherman attempting to flirt with Adele, who is taken away by synchronized swimmers.  By the end, she finds true love, ditching her wine glass.  

After a long time coming, Rihanna has made a comeback with her new “Lift Me Up” video. It is set in an emotional tone for Marvel’s upcoming movie, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”  The song was written in collaboration with Ludwig Göransson and Ryan Coogler, the director of the original “Black Panther.”  It was written as a tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman, who died at age 43 following a battle with colon cancer.  The Marvel film will be released on Nov. 11.

“The visuals were nice to watch, and it looked pretty interesting.  I think it’s a really nice tribute,” said senior Michael Mercedes.  

The video for “Music For a Sushi Restaurant” was released by Harry Styles just in time for Halloween, as he is portrayed as a half-man, half-squid.  In the video, he appears to have been washed ashore and taken to a kitchen by a group of restaurant workers.  He watches frightfully as the other fish are being prepared as seafood and spontaneously begins to sing just before he joins the menu.  He becomes the main attraction of the restaurant for only a short time before his voice begins to waver and crack, leading to his dreaded return to the kitchen.  

“I think it connects to his music career—how one mistake can affect his entire image.  It’s very true for a lot of celebrities, who worry and have to overthink their actions,” said sophomore Kimberly Yeung. 

It is very exciting how many artists are able to make music videos again, post-pandemic, and many fans seem to be just as excited for these videos, as they are for tours and new albums.