We may no longer consume music videos through MTV anymore, but the audiovisual legacy of that network’s revolution still lives on through YouTube and streaming. Music videos aren’t just for aesthetics, the best ones can add layers of visual meaning to help complement a musician’s artistic vision. Take a look at some of the most stunning music videos 2025 had to offer.
Picks by Hidzir Junaini (staff writer):
ARTMS - ‘Icarus (Cinematic Ver.)’
More short film than music video, ‘Icarus (Cinematic Ver.)’ finds ARTMS reimagining myth through a futuristic K-pop lens. Visually stunning and conceptually rich, it draws from Greek mythology while weaving in the group’s own story of rebirth and self-determination. Reviewers praised its layered symbolism and meticulous cinematography — every frame feels loaded with meaning. Neon light, feathers, and fractured reflections speak to the cost of flight and fame. It’s bold, haunting, and cinematic in every sense — the kind of visual statement that doesn’t just support a song but completely redefines it.
Doechii - ‘Denial Is a River’
Doechii turns heartbreak into performance art in ‘Denial Is a River’. Beginning as a parody of ’90s sitcoms before plunging into surreal introspection, the video explores the messy stages of grief and self-deception. Vibrant palettes and theatrical costume changes reflect emotional collapse beneath the humour. Critics hailed it for its audacity — bold, funny, tragic, and entirely hers. Each rewatch reveals new layers of metaphor and irony, transforming a breakup narrative into a full-blown act of self-reclamation. It’s not just a video — it’s Doechii’s psyche, broadcast in vivid colour and raw emotion.
Yves - ‘Ex Machina’
‘Ex Machina’ isn’t billed as a music video but a visual memo — and that distinction is key. Yves trades spectacle for symbolism, crafting a haunting meditation on love, control, and identity. What begins with a sterile, clinical gesture — a mouth swab — spirals into a hypnotic dance of influence between Yves and the black-dressed figure who becomes her mirror, muse, and manipulator. Their intimacy is both tender and disquieting: gestures echoed, outfits matched, boundaries blurred. When colour floods the final frames, it’s not liberation but repetition — Yves stepping into the same role she once resisted. Critics hailed ‘Ex Machina’ as conceptual K-pop at its boldest: unsettling, elegant, and deeply human. It’s less performance than provocation — a reflection that stares right back.
Ninajirachi - ‘Infohazard’
Glitchy, chaotic, and hypnotic, ‘Infohazard’ visualises Ninajirachi’s warped electronic soundworld with blistering clarity. The video overloads the senses — flashing screens, fragmented figures, and distorted reflections simulate the modern digital headspace. Directed by Aria Zarzycki, it mirrors the track’s hyperpop tension, where beauty and overload coexist. Critics described it as “a sensory panic attack that feels impossible to look away from.” ‘Infohazard’ isn’t just a music video — it’s a digital fever dream, pulsing with urgency and impossible to forget.
Picks by Sharvamaya Mohan (editorial intern):
Olivia Dean - ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’
Roll camera, action! Olivia Dean’s ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’ is the perfect love anthem that definitely feels like a warm cup of coffee on a cold night, and the music video that pairs along with it feels like the perfect movie to watch while sipping it. The track explores how people just need the push to fall in love with the person that seems to be the right fit for them and the music video flawlessly paints the picture that the track tells with its lyrics. It plays out like a retro romcom, following Olivia as she brings lovers together, giving them the push that they need, making it easy for them to fall in love. The visuals highlight the vintage charm and sweetness that the song exudes, making it an absolute treat for the eyes and the ears.
Finn Wolfhard - ‘Trailers After Dark’
‘Trailers After Dark’ by Finn Wolfhard is just one of those songs that’s perfect to play during a dark and gloomy rainy day. The raw vocals and slow, rough guitar strums create a comforting soundscape that feels almost familiar. According to Finn, the story behind the song is about a YouTube channel that uploaded movie trailers and reminiscing times when he stayed home when he was sick watching those trailers, even sharing moments with his mom as they watched the trailers together, “…Spending rainy days watching the trailer channel”. With the narrative being so closely tied to his personal experiences he grieves that part of his life that has passed. The music video captures the exact story as it follows Finn as he listens to ‘Trailers After Dark’ with his headphones on in his room. The walls come to life with memories of the pitter patter of rain hitting the windows and a silhouette of him playing the song as his memories stay trapped within the four walls that saw him curled up watching old movie trailers. The amazing visual effects that make it seem as if the rain droplets and shadows are pressing through the paint make the video incredibly interesting and eerily comforting in a way.
5 Seconds Of Summer - ‘NOT OK’
Liberty spikes, animal print and guyliner. The epitome of the new era of 5 Seconds Of Summer. Exploring a more electronic punk rock direction in their music with this new album. 'NOT OK' is no exception when it comes to catchy lyrics and haunting melodies that are bound to be stuck in your head long after the first listen. The music video is just as flamboyant and daring as this new musical direction that the quartet is exploring. The dynamic imagery of the video follows them as they do reckless things, matching up with the theme of the song that focuses on the dark side of mischief and havoc coming out while in a relationship with that special person. The rough and edgy vibe of the visuals comes through with their over-the-top outfits that feature shoulder pads and oversized outfits, taking the lead from the drama and flair from the iconic era of glam rock.
Picks by Aisyah Azlan (editorial intern):
XG - ‘Gala’
XG continues to raise the bar, but 'Gala' is on another level entirely. As someone who used to do VFX, I can’t even imagine the workload behind the effects, styling and overall production. Pair all that with the talented girls' voices, and you get a music video that defines the word “extra” in the best way.
pH-1 - ‘DRUGGED2THRILLS’
This one had me the moment I saw the 1:1 aspect ratio on YouTube. It’s almost the exact opposite of 'Gala': a single top-down shot, one room, and a variety of moods created through minimal elements. Maybe that's why it just hits.
KATSEYE - ‘Gabriela’
Okay telenovela, I see you! 'Gabriela' delivers the drama with clean transitions yet chaotic energy, making this MV stand out without trying too hard.
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