Puppets, powdered wigs, and poltergeists, oh my! This week’s best videos feature everything from Vampire Weekend in 18th-century garb and Ray-Bans to Massive Attack being haunted by ghosts that look like they just came out of the laundry. We also got to accompany Charlotte Gainsbourg on a gravity-defying walk through the woods, go clubbing with Jahcoozi, and groove to rhythms of Big Boi’s funky puppet band. After the jump, enjoy our random sampling of the best the week had to offer and let us know what you think of our picks in the comments.
1. Vampire Weekend — “Holiday”
Dressed in waistcoats, breeches, and wigs, Vampire Weekend enjoy some leisurely holiday cruising with the top down, hanging out on the beach and partying poolside. The stately gentlemen engage in general silliness, cartwheeling on the beach and making faces for the camera, with the exception of lead singer Ezra Koenig, who sings with hip indifference. Just in time for summer, the SoCal single adds some aristocratic elegance to those lazy summer days.
2. Big Boi — “Shutterbug”
Big Boi’s first single from his upcoming solo album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty is a funk-soul jam. In this unpredictable video, the rapper loses his head, shatters to pieces, and shows an affinity for Solo cups, but the real highlight is when the lights come up on his backing band to reveal… well, we won’t ruin the surprise for you.
3. Charlotte Gainsbourg — “Time of Assassins”
Gainsbourg goes for a nature walk in this beautifully shot video, showing off some Matrix-style moves on the way. While crossing over hill and dale, she performs some inhuman feats, walking at odd angles, floating down from a log, and jumping on trees. Acrobatics aside, the beauty of the forest and peacefulness underneath the canopy of trees compliments Gainsbourg’s whispering voice perfectly.
4. Massive Attack — “Psyche”
In an homage to horror films like The Exorcist, Massive Attack’s new video features a redheaded little girl who’s haunted by ghosts made of floating bed sheets. Lucky for her, these spirits are more interested in dancing and flying in circles than possessing anyone.
5. Jahcoozi — “Barefoot Dub”
In shades of sparkling gold and black, Jahcoozi’s dub dance hall tune distills your trippiest club experience into three and a half minutes… without all those sweaty people dancing too close to you.