Mogwai> Travel Is Dangerous
Much like Monkmus' previous pieces for Badly Drawn Boy, Death Cab For Cutie and Kid Koala, "Travel Is Dangerous" is more about his drawings' textures and impressions than the rudimentary manner with which they're animated. But despite the Toronto-based illustrator's unhurried style, there's lots here to suggest he's becoming more comfortable with the video format. Boasting rich colors, tight internal rhythms and a suitably apocalyptic storyline, this is not just a handy little step forward from Monkmus' previous output - it's probably his best realized promo yet. [Record label: Pias; Prodco: Hornet Inc] MP

Northern Lite> Cocaine
More a postmodern video mashup than a conventionally made promo, "Cocaine" is an expertly re-appropriated collage of scenes from Arnold Fanck's landmark 1936 ski picture, Der Weisse Rausch. Re-edited by German prodco 18 Oktober, this version sees Fanck's skiers serving as a lovely visual representation of the song's accelerated builds and icy slowdowns. There is also, of course, the matter of the song's title, which is not so subtly alluded to by the plumes of fresh snow swirling around in every other shot; regardless of whether you're watching for the high or low reading, it's hard to argue with the hypnotic final result. [Record label: 1st Decade Records; Prodco: 18 Oktober] MP

Psapp > HI
With its clockwork percussions and Tinkertoy melodies, the latest track from London duo Psapp (pronounced 'sap') conjures up a whole world of video possibilities. Fortunately, in constructing an elaborate bedroom set out of paper, plastic and other electronic bits and bobs, a whole world is exactly what London trio Trunk delivers here. A cutesy fable told in stop motion, "Hi" shows a cavalcade of transistors, circuitboards, staplers and coffee stains coming out after dark for a quick, spirited dance around the bedroom. Clever, well-animated and perfectly suited to the song. [Record label: Domino Records; Prodco: Trunk] MP