Horny bees, glitter to the face and cold-blooded murder all appear in this week’s roundup

Don’t tell me off – I’m purposely avoiding the biggest visual drop of the week, Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade, as my tiny mind hasn’t fully got to grips with it yet, and the fact that if it was included, it would probably take up all six spots. Instead, I’ve gone for the smaller chunks we usually deal in, but don’t worry, they’re still as premium as ever.

Check out six exceptional cuts from the fickle world of the pop video below, all picked out just for you by yours truly.

Charlie XCX - Vroom Vroom

Directed by Bradley & Pablo

Pop over-achiever Charli XCX announced the launch of her new imprint, Vroom Vroom Recordings, back in February along with the release of her Vroom Vroom EP. Now she’s shared an oil-slicked video for the title track that places her far, far away from her usually colourful productions.

The black and white-shot film, littered with members of the PC Music scene she’s now affiliated with, shows off Charli’s dance moves as she describes how much she’s into cars these days and struts around in a catsuit. The clip only flicks into neon-lit colour as XCX descends into a room of what look like a gaggle of Calvin Klein models. Charli is a star on the up and up, as far as I can see.

Rihanna - Needed Me

Directed by Harmony Korine

Needed Me is my favourite track from ANTI, and I’m glad it’s got such a carelessly gorgeous video to accompany it. It’s directed by Harmony Korine, the guy behind Spring Breakers, Gummo, and Kids, and he’s brought his brand of violent opulence to these visuals in the most gloriously fucked-up way, complementing Rihanna’s subtle vengefulness (“didn’t they tell you I was a savage? Fuck your white horse and a carriage”) perfectly. I could watch this all day.

A$AP Ferg - FLEM

Directed by Artru Group

I thought that Ferg might have been doing some subtle wordplay with the title of this song, but no, he’s just straight up got a cold, bless him. Rather than sounding Phoebe from the episode of Friends she gets a cold, however, A$AP Ferg sounds as good as ever, referencing Kanye’s tweet shout-out, and his third Coachella booking a row. Uplifting stuff from an artist who’s already dropped one of the biggest rap albums of the year so far.

Kali Uchis - Only Girl ft. Steve Lacy, Vince Staples

Directed by Kali Uchis

Kali lays it down simply for an inconsiderate lover in this video: The Uchis is not to be fucked with, even if you are silver-tongued Steve Lacy. The hapless Lacy searches a pink-hued and plush paradise high and low for Kali, but all he’s greeted by are pouting Uchis-a-likes. Vince Staples swings by in a convertible for a jarring verse backing up his fellow man, but Kali’s having none of it. Really, she’s far happier sipping her chardonnay on her chaise lounge. Hard to argue, really.

The Big Moon - Cupid

Directed by Louis Bhose

Fucking yes, I love watching people get hit in the face with stuff so this is right up my alley. Paint, glitter and other bits smack everyone’s bonce in this, and accidental paint monobrows, aggressively pelted juice cartons and abused stuffed animals abound. The song is viciously catchy too – a proper jangly indie-pop singalong track. So many boxes ticked.

Run the Jewels ft. Gangsta Boo

Directed by Ninian Doff

Gangsta Boo’s sex-positive verse on this track is one of the best things that happened in 2014, and now it’s got a video to accompany it featuring a bunch of bugs fucking flowers. I shit you not: Killa Mike is a filthy moth, El P’s a horny bee, and Boo’s represented by a sassy as fuck Venus Flytrap that settles down for a spliff when it’s all over. Mesmerising.

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