Best Indie Rock Music Videos of All Time
Contents
- The Shins – “New Slang” (2001)
- Arcade Fire – “Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)” (2005)
- Modest Mouse – “Float On” (2004)
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Maps” (2003)
- The White Stripes – “Fell in Love with a Girl” (2002)
- LCD Soundsystem – “All My Friends” (2007)
- Grizzly Bear – “Two Weeks” (2009)
- Animal Collective – “My Girls” (2009)
- Vampire Weekend – “A-Punk” (2008)
- Beach House – “Zebra” (2010)
Check out our top picks for the best indie rock music videos of all time. From classic tracks to new hits, these videos represent the best of the genre.
The Shins – “New Slang” (2001)
“New Slang” is one of those perfect songs for a perfect moment, and the video by Trey Haley is just as perfect. It features the band performing on a sparsely decorated set with colorful lighting that makes them look like they’re in a dream. The video has a nostalgic feel to it, which perfectly suits the song.
Arcade Fire – “Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)” (2005)
Arcade Fire’s “Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)” might just be the best music video of all time. It tells the story of a young boy who runs away from home, only to find that the outside world is even more confusing and dangerous than he imagined. The video is directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, who also directed the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine.
Modest Mouse – “Float On” (2004)
As the lead single for their fourth studio album, Good News for People Who Love Bad News, “Float On” was an instant success for Modest Mouse. The laissez faire attitude of the lyrics, coupled with the catchy handclaps and bouncing bassline, made the song an indie rock radio staple. The video features a single continuous shot of frontman Isaac Brock walking through various settings including a department store, a wheat field, and a car wash. These disparate locations are linked together by a common theme of abandonment, which mirrors the message of the song itself.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Maps” (2003)
Forming in 2000, Yeah Yeah Yeahs released their debut album Fever to Tell in 2003. The record was met with critical acclaim, helping to propel the band to indie stardom. “Maps” was the second single from the album, and its music video is a perfect example of the early-2000s indie rock aesthetic.
Directed by Cameron Duddy (who would go on to win a Grammy for his work with Bruno Mars), the video features lead singer Karen O in a series of close-ups as she lip syncs the song’s emotive lyrics. The result is a simple but effective video that perfectly captures the intensity of the song.
The White Stripes – “Fell in Love with a Girl” (2002)
The White Stripes – “Fell in Love with a Girl” (2002)
With its playfully stop-motion animation, The White Stripes’ “Fell in Love with a Girl” video is as fun to watch as the song is to listen to. The video was directed by Jacquire King, who also worked on videos for Modest Mouse and Kings of Leon.
LCD Soundsystem – “All My Friends” (2007)
LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends” is a song about the intense friendships and bonds that are formed between people who nightlife and the club scene. The music video, which was directed by Tom Scharpling, is a perfect visual representation of that idea. The video features a number of people who are clearly friends (and some who are clearly more than friends), dancing and enjoying each other’s company in a variety of settings – from apartments to dance floors to Karaoke bars. The video also captures the slightly sadder side of these friendships, as it becomes clear that not all of these relationships will last forever. “All My Friends” is a beautiful and honest look at the complicated nature of friendships, and it’s one of the best indie rock music videos of all time.
Grizzly Bear – “Two Weeks” (2009)
Grizzly Bear’s “Two Weeks” is a beautiful and ethereal music video that matches the track’s haunting atmosphere. The video, directed by Terri Timely, features a series of stop-motion tableaus in which various animals are slowly transformed into objects. The result is a mesmerizing and otherworldly visual feast that perfectly complements the song’s dreamlike quality.
Animal Collective – “My Girls” (2009)
Animal Collective’s “My Girls” remains one of the best music videos of all time, let alone the best indie rock video. The Brooklyn band teamed up with director Danny Perez for the surreal clip, which features the band members in strange animal masks as they frolic through fields and woods. The result is both eerie and dreamlike, and it perfectly complements the song’s hazy, poppy sound.
Vampire Weekend – “A-Punk” (2008)
“A-Punk” was the second single released from Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut album, and it propelled the band to indie rock stardom. The video, directed by Toben Seymour, is a simple performance clip that perfectly captures the band’sinfectious energy.
Beach House – “Zebra” (2010)
This music video is a perfect example of Beach House’s ethereal sound and aesthetic. “Zebra” was directed by Ether (formerly of the band This Will Destroy You), and it features time-lapse footage of the band performing in front of a live audience, interspersed with footage of different animals in their natural habitats. The whole thing has a dreamlike quality that is fitting for Beach House’s music.
