Check out the 5 pop music clips that rocked the week

From emotional confessions to bold declarations of independence, pop music this week was full of melodrama and fun. And also in the contrasts: while a star celebrated being single, another dropped everything for an imaginary wedding. Check out below for 5 different clips that shaped the pop world this week.

Miley Cyrus seeks reconciliation with the past

In “Used to Be Young,” Miley Cyrus makes an emotional confession about her life in the spotlight. She previously hinted at the ballad’s tenor in a May 2023 profile in British Vogue. In the interview she cited the lines that became the refrain: “I know I was crazy / I know I was funny / You say I was wild / I say I was young.” She explained that her remarks came after a songwriter approached her with a “club standard” track, a theme that no longer reflected who she is in her 30s.

The song’s clean and simple video features Miley making her way down a dark path, before standing directly in front of the camera, wearing a Mickey Mouse T-shirt — in reference to her days on “Hanna Montana” on the Disney Channel. And as she sings the song, she gives an emotional, tearful rendition, ending up grinning from ear to ear at the end, seemingly accepting her past and remembering it fondly.

Detail: the release date coincides with 10 years of “Wrecking Ball”, the most controversial clip in which Miley appeared naked, and also with the anniversary of her famously disastrous performance with Robin Thicke at the VMAs. In the song’s lyrics, she reflects on this rebellious phase as follows: “It’s not worth crying / The things you can’t erase / Like tattoos and regrets.”

Selena Gomez celebrates freedom from singleness

In the danceable “Single Soon,” Selena Gomez makes it clear that she’s single and ready to have a good time. The video directed by Philip Andelman (“Billie Bossa Nova”) shows the artist enjoying the night away, emphasizing that she won’t spend another moment worrying about boyfriends—or ex-boyfriends. Instead, she will choose a sparkling minidress, go out with her friends and dance the night away toasting her freedom.

The song with irresistible retro-pop charm is produced by Benny Blanco and Cashmere Cat. Among Blanco’s notable works are the hits “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber, “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry and “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa, while Cashmere Cat is remembered for “Adore” with Ariana Grande and “Wolves” with Kanye West. “Single Soon” is the first track from Selena’s upcoming album, after making the album “Revelación” in Spanish, nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album in 2022.

SZA sleeps with Justin Bieber

The “Snooze” video garnered attention for the surprise appearance of Justin Bieber, as one of the men – and cars – that drive by SZA’s bed. Others caught up in the singer’s charm are actors Young Mazino from the ‘Treta’ series and Woody McClain from ‘Power Book II: Ghost’, as well as producer Benny Blanco. The scenes caused a stir on social media, with fans praising the chemistry between the performers.

Besides the steamy scenes with Bieber and others, the video also offers moments of humor and surrealism, including a scene where SZA performs a steamy dance for a robot. The video was directed by Bradley J. Calder, who had previously worked with the singer on ‘PSA’ and ‘Nobody Gets Me’. The song is part of his 2022 hit album, ‘SOS’.

Anitta closes the romantic trilogy in the favela

“Used to Be” concludes the “Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story” trilogy. The song was produced by DJ Gabriel do Borel and Márcio Arantes, in collaboration with Swede ILYA, and is about how love changed the singer’s life, turning her from piranha to faithful bride. The video tells this story with a narrative of romance and action, with the possibility of a kidnapping in the middle of a religious wedding in the community of Vila Cascatinha in West Rio de Janeiro.

In addition to the romantic side, Anitta unfolds in the clip to escape the jealous admirers of her love life, including kidnappers, to consummate her marriage with the boy who makes her happy. Musically, the track is the popiest of the entire trilogy, combining everything from funk tunes to electronic dance music.

Luísa Sonza faces anxiety after controversy

“Mostly I Feel Devastated” is a dive into Luísa Sonza’s subconscious, dealing with her anxiety crises. Directed by Diego Fraga, the video alternates images of the singer between a catatonic state and anxiety, in the middle of a dirty and messy environment, accompanied by a confessional text in which Luísa questions herself and vents about the pressures she has suffered in her career, with right to brief self-referential scenes from the controversial “Strawberry Field”. “Am I a con artist?” she wonders as she voices her unconscious about her, before concluding with a warning: “I’m about to go crazy.”

Even the music is meandering. What begins as a trap of sorts suffers a brutal break in rhythm as an orchestra invades the melody and the recording transforms into a rock ballad. The sound break still serves as a soundtrack for the performance of dark scenes, probably culled from other future clips, as the tracks from “Escândalo Íntimo” will form a visual album. Either way, just like in the previous clip, the result is a beating.

With a conceptual imprint, the release of the album “Escândalo Íntimo” is scheduled for August 29 and, according to Luísa, will reflect a journey inside her, representing a sort of self-analysis of her life. The first single, “Campos de Morango”, has already reached more than 4 million plays on Spotify.

Source: Terra

Earl

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.