The Weeknd returns this week with the official, non-lyrics, video for his latest single making the rounds, “Call Out My Name.” The video is a much more straight forward affair than his most recent videos have been but there are still those random elements present that could or could not have a deeper symbolic meaning that he loves so much. There’s not much more to say about the song itself at this point other than it’s phenomenal. “1942 Flows” was easily my favorite song off of Meek Mill‘s Wins & Losses, and the video was obviously shot before his unfortunate re-imprisonment but it has eerie premonitions of what was to come. One of the realest songs he’s ever put out, hopefully we can get the real life fresh out of jail visual soon. Not one to let anyone have the spotlight too long, especially Cardi B, Nicki Minaj has officially started her rollout to her forthcoming next album and now she’s released the official video for one of those two new singles she dropped. Shot entirely with an iPhone (I’m assuming) it’s a simple video that has her rapping along to the song and of course the prerequisite gratuitous ass shots. The video feels like the song itself, underwhelming and low budget. “Chun-li” is my favorite of the two singles but she’s gonna have to do a whole lot more to get me excited about her album.
Ne-Yo is a name I haven’t heard in a long time but he was once one of the best in pop/R&B. Well he’s back and building up to a new album with the single “Push Back.” The video is your typical dance video but what I’m surprised by is how much I like the song even though it’s treading the now well worn island vibes path. It manages to play in that lane without feeling like every other song before it. Up and coming singer, Niia teams up with rising singer Gallant for the extremely groove heavy “Constantly Dissatisfied.” They sound great together and the old school aesthetics of the video are a perfect match for the vibes. The ex-boy band star Zayn returns with another single and video, this time for “Let Me.” The song is actually really catchy and has some traditional R&B feels to it. He tries to lean into that bad boy persona for the video as the cliche crime underling falling for the boss’ girl, but let’s be honest this is about as believable as the tooth fairy.
Check out everything I rounded up below and let me know which ones were your favorites.
The Weeknd – Call Out My Name
Ne-Yo, Bebe Rexha, Stefflon Don – Push Back
Diplo – Color Blind (ft. Lil Xan)
ZAYN – Let Me
Niia – Constantly Dissatisfied (ft. Gallant)
Daniel Caesar & H.E.R. – Best Part, a Visual
Janelle Monáe – PYNK
Adrian Younge – Stranger By The Sea
Talib Kweli – All Of Us (ft. Jay Electronica & Yummy Bingham)
N.O.R.E. – Uno Más (ft. Pharrell Williams)
DJ ESCO – Xotic (ft. Future, Rich The Kid, Young Thug)
Ace Hood – Testify
Pell – Throwback (ft. Saba)
IAMSU! – The Bridge
Yo Gotti – Save It For Me
Young Dolph – Kush On The Yacht
Juicy J – Working For It
Meek Mill – 1942 Flows
Nicki Minaj – Chun-Li
What’d you think about this week’s videos? Which ones were your favorites? Did I miss any that I should check out? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to subscribe to stay up with all the new content.
