SIGUR R"S> GOBBLEDIGOOK
Of-the-moment photographer Ryan McGinley's series I Know Where the Summer Goes follows lithe young nudes as they frolic through idyllic American landscapes and are full of sunny optimism and vivid color. With its non-sequitur sensibility, the work is a natural fit for Sigur Ros' energetic new single, "Gobbledigook". Inspired by McGinley, directed by Arni & Kinski and lushly shot by DP Christopher Doyle, the video captures the Icelandic band's affinity for nature and the song's tribal drum beat with equal parts beauty and naiveté. Despite McGinley's tendency for self-mythology, he truly is the Naked Norman Rockwell. [Prodco: a WHITELABEL product; Label: MCA Records] KR

CORNELIUS> OMSTART
Mystery, repetition and simplicity are the hallmarks of the frequent collaborations between ambient pop musician Cornelius and director Koichiro Tsujikawa (who is, incidentally, our cover artist this month). With its monochrome palette, "Omstart" is perhaps the most minimal showcase yet for the prolific director's skillful CG wizardry. In it, a flying drop of clay morphs into a series of surrealist sculptures and finally a four-legged creature with a duct-vent head and a chimney-like tail. Though the track is a little precious, Tsujikawa's abstract visuals are so strange and compelling, it's hard not to become entranced. [Prodco: Spoon; Label: Warner Music Japan] KR

JUSTICE> STRESS
After nicking an urgent string loop from the Saturday Night Fever score for electro monster "Stress", Justice has seemingly ripped its video's subject matter from a right-wing Parisian newspaper headline. Director Romain Gavras (son of Z director Costa Gavras) puts viewers in the shoes of a camera crew following a gang of black and Middle Eastern youths as they terrorize Paris' unsuspecting citizenry. Unflinchingly acted, relentlessly nihilistic, yet exhilarating, Gavras straddles the line between satire and provocation, presumably to inspire debate, but it's not clear to what end. [Prodco: Soixan7e Quin5e; Label: Ed Banger] KR