FRINGE MUSIC FIX TV ventures to the furthest reaches of the alternative pop multi-verse in search of the most intriguing and imaginative multi-sensory accompaniments for its newest weekly feature, The AUDIOVISUAL ARRAY. We are thrilled to present to you our selections for the five best music videos released the week of May 9th to May 13th, 2022.

Rosie Carney "Tidal Wave" (Dir. Franklin & Marchetta)

Our first selection is the music video for Rosie Carney's "Tidal Wave". The visual is set to promote Anglo-Irish Indie Folk Songwriter's forthcoming sophomore release, "i wanna feel happy", due May 27th on Color Study. The video was created by UK-based director duo Franklin & Marchetta (Gabrielle Aplin's "Miss You 2 (Feat. Nina Nesbitt") and animator Alice Bloomfield (Biig Piig's "Switch"). It fuses live-action and animated sequences in a similar style to another of Bee Happy Media's previous productions, the music video to Biig Piig's "Roses and Gold", also animated by Alice. The emotional video explores abandonment issues and Rosie's reflections as she navigates the melancholy of loss juxtaposed with vibrant and dreamy animated sequences.

Allison Ponthier "Hardcore" (Dir. Isa Espinal)

Overcoming the impossible by persuading me to like a stop motion animated video, the playful Isa Espinal directed music for Texan Singer-Songwriter, Allison Ponthier's "Hardcore" completely won me over with an adorable Ponthier puppet in hardcore metal head attire celebrating a birthday party solo and its clever interpretation of the song's themes. When asked about the song's significance, Allison explained, "The idea for ‘Hardcore’ came from the sentiment that while being tough can be admirable, there is a ruthlessness to letting yourself be emotional and vulnerable, too,”. "Hardcore" is taken from Allison's forthcoming EP, "Shaking Hands With Elvis", which will be released June 10th on Interscope. The song was written and produced with the assistance of Ariel Rechtshaid (Vampire Weekend) and Nick Long.

Chappell Roan "My Kink Is Karma" (Dir. Hadley Hillel)

Once again proving she'll be one to watch through the next era of Emerging Electropop artists, Missouri-based Chappell Roan is rife with spite and vengeance in this devilish little number for "My King Is Karma". Directed by Hadley Hillel (Director of the acclaimed short film, Ernie) and co-starring Jimmy Elinski as Roan's ex-lover, the visual demonstrates both Chappell's knack for bold performance art and her penchant for writing an irresistibly infectious hook. The video works exceedingly well and was completely self-funded by Chappell herself.

Girl In Red "HORNYLOVESICKMESS" (Dir. Hunter Shafer)

Further developing her career behind the scenes writing for HBO's Euphoria, where she also stars as Jules Vaughn, Actress/Model Hunter Shafer makes her striking directorial debut with the music video for Norwegian Indie-Pop artist, girl in red. "Hornylovesickmess" is from girl in red's 2021's LP, "if i could make it go quiet", out now via world in red. When asked about collaborating with Hunter, Maria Ulven (girl in red) had the following to say, “Being able to make a video with Hunter for the album’s anniversary was so cool. We had so many ideas after the first time we hung out and it was cool to be with another creative in that way. it was also fun to be on set with her and get her vibe as a director.” The video stars girl in red on the road reflecting over a past relationship and how its demise was possibly of her own doing. After seeing the music video and the elaborately painted storyboards for "Hornylovesickmess", my biggest takeaway is that someone needs to hire Shafer to direct a feature film, like yesterday.

Phoebe Green "Lucky Me" (Dir. Piers Dennis)

The final selection on our list goes to Manchester-based Indie-Pop artist, Phoebe Green and their super colourful Piers Dennis (Self Esteem "(Girl) Crush") directed video for "Lucky Me". The track is from Phoebe's forthcoming full-length of the same title, "Lucky Me", which will be released on August 19th via Chess Club Records. Phoebe said of the single: "‘Lucky Me’ explores the idea of disguising self-destructive behavioural patterns due to a feeling of guilt for living a seemingly easy life. The song represents the common defence mechanism of invalidating and dismissing my emotions before anyone else can. I wanted ‘Lucky Me’ to be the title track of the album as this is very much a running theme throughout; analyzing and dissecting my experiences and emotions as opposed to feeling them, as they feel easier to digest that way. The title almost feels sarcastic and snarky depending on which way you look at it, and as I use humour to cope a lot of the time it does seem fitting. But I am actually extremely lucky to still be here so there is some sincerity in there somewhere." When asked about working with Piers on the visual, which sees Phoebe taking aim and hurling knives at none other than Phoebe, Green had the following to share: "Filming the video was one of the most exciting things I think I've ever done. Piers is an absolute dream to work with; our visions for the song and the way it was to be represented visually were so aligned, it evoked the same feelings and mental imagery in both of us which was so validating for me, as the song can be a bit tricky for me to explain. It was so cathartic to explore two sides of myself in the video - the jaw-clenched, guarded persona strapped to the wheel versus the snarling, teasing knife thrower. I’m so pleased with how it’s turned out, it portrays the sentiment of the song perfectly."