1. Gorillaz – “Clint Eastwood” (2001)

Arguably the most iconic animated music project of the 21st century, Gorillaz is a concept born from Blur’s Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. Their groundbreaking 2001 hit, Clint Eastwood, was not a track but a statement of animation’s redefining capability in the face of music video predictability. Colorful in its animation, Clint Eastwood exposed audiences to the imaginary world of animated band Gorillaz, with members as part of pop culture as much as their real-life equivalents.

This animated video features the band’s virtual members: 2D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel, interacting with the environment in ways that mirror the genre-bending nature of their sound. The animation is eclectic and drawn from a mix of comic books, cartoons, and surrealist imagery. It became an outstanding success due to its unique aesthetic and witty narrative; this no doubt helped to cement Gorillaz as a force to be reckoned with in both music and animation.

2. Coldplay – “Strawberry Swing” (2009)

Coldplay’s Strawberry Swing is a perfect example of how animation can transform a song into a vivid, dreamlike world. The video, directed by Shynola, follows a chalk-drawn character who swings through a floating, fantastical world made up of surreal landscapes, including a giant, smiling sun and flowing rivers. The animation style brings out a childlike sense of wonder, merging elements of stop-motion with hand-drawn illustrations to bring the song’s nostalgic and uplifting themes to life.

The song itself is soft and optimistic, while the animation works with that perfectly, conjuring an otherworldly atmosphere that further lifts the emotion in the song. Strawberry Swing stands as one of Coldplay’s most visually distinctive works, highlighting the potential for animation to create memorable visual experiences that enhance the music.

3. The Chemical Brothers – “Go!” (2015)

In 2015, The Chemical Brothers unleashed Go!, a high-energy song matched by an audacious and striking animated video. By directors Dom & Nic, the clip features a weird, surreal sequence where a woman’s eyes morph into delirious and relentless shapes and patterns growing in intensity with the track’s beats. The experimental nature of the animation makes for a perfect fit to the song’s driving, electronic energy, creating a hypnotic visual experience in abstract and compelling ways.

It is one good example of how animation can actually push the limits on music video productions, giving this relentless tempo song an intensely visual interpretation. Animation here is further used to build tension and excitement, easing viewers into the music with its striking and kinetic visuals.

4. Jamie XX – “Loud Places” (2015)

The song by Jamie XX, Loud Places, could be representative of the genre blend, and the attached animation clip whisks the viewer away on an edge with this animation clip by the director Simon Halsall. The different colors and shapes in the animation flow and increase with time according to the music, which is a perfect fusion of sight and sound. The minimum yet hypnotic visuals work like a visual accompaniment with the atmospheric and introspective sound of the song.

But this is not an animation to accompany the track; this is a full-fledged extension of it. It takes the meditative qualities of the song and adds a whole layer of depth and dimension, using striking geometric visuals to reflect the pulsing beats and rhythmic flow of the track.

5. Björk – “The Gate” (2017)

Icelandic artist Björk has been in for quite a while now as one who seamlessly melds cutting-edge visuals along with her experimental music. In The Gate off her album Utopia, Björk works with animation again for an enchanting, futuristic world. The Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones-directed video features a surreal animated landscape where Björk morphs into various forms, from organic to mechanical. The animation is key in bringing out the themes of love and rebirth, as depicted in the song, through its use of bright colors and complex designs to mirror the emotional and sonic journey of the track.

The animation deployed by Björk in The Gate does represent a technology-nature-human experience jammed together and shows the strength of animation in creating a world both alien and deeply personal. Dramatic visuals and the haunting vocals of Björk leave an imprint on one’s mind as one catches the glimpse of a utopian world shaped through human and technological forces.

6. Tame Impala – “The Less I Know the Better” (2015)

Tame Impala are an Australian band, but they have influence oozing into the UK. This song definitely needs to be included as it has been directed by CANADA. Visually rich, the surreal animation sees heartbreak and emotional turmoil follow on from the bitter breakup of a high school romance. The animation is colorful, full of fantastic elements: anthropomorphized animals, psychedelic imagery greets the eye, all contributing to the surreal dreamlike quality of the song.

The animation in the song is a perfect complement to its melancholic yet groovy feel, presenting a visual journey that matches the deep introspection in the lyrics. The fusion of animation with psych-rock music makes for a visually and sonically immersive experience-one that is a standout in contemporary animated music videos.

7. A-Ha – “Take On Me” (1985) (Though Technically 20th Century, Its Legacy Continued Into the 21st Century)

Although A-Ha’s Take On Me is technically a product of the 20th century, its trailblazing use of animation has had an enduring influence on the 21st century. This pioneering music video combined pencil-sketch animation with live-action footage in a way that was well and truly ahead of its time in terms of visual narrative.

Decades later, one can see the influence it had on many 21st-century music videos. Merging animation and real-life sequences allowed future experiments in animated music videos, thus being a foundational moment for the genre.

Animation has become an important medium where British musicians of the 21st century are able to expand their creative endeavors. The aforementioned music animation clips showcase diversity and ingenuity in the genre, showing how it increases emotional engagement between the music and the visuals. From the virtual band of Gorillaz up to the surreal landscapes in Björk’s The Gate, the following animated music videos are way more than just a complement to the visuals; they become an intrinsic part of telling stories and conveying artistic values across within the song itself. As the technology of animation keeps developing, it will be interesting to see how artists both in the UK and elsewhere keep pushing the boundaries of this very particular art form.

The post The Best Music Animation Clips of the 21st Century appeared first on EMC UK.

In 1961, they crossed paths at a New York City folk event. Her charisma and brilliance drew Dylan in right away. His early work revolved around topics of political activism and literature that Suze introduced him to.

An Instant Classic First Meeting

Attending a folk concert at Riverside Church, Suze crossed paths with Dylan. She was the most mesmerizing human being he had ever laid eyes on, he said. They hit it off right away and soon became inseparable.

The Album Cover for “Freewheelin'”

The picture of Suze and Dylan holding hands is one of the most famous in music history. Their connection was encapsulated in Bob Dylan‘s cover of “The Freewheelin’” song. Suze went on to say that the session was chilly but unforgettable.

Inspiration for Enduring Melodies

A few of Dylan’s most iconic early songs were influenced by Suze. Reflecting their relationship and emotional challenges, songs like “Don’t Think Twice,” “It’s All Right,” and “Boots of Spanish Leather” were written.

Chapter on Italy

Suze departed for Italy to pursue art studies in 1962. Her leaving broke Dylan’s heart. While apart, he wrote some of his most moving and sorrowful songs.

The Final Chapter

Years of emotional ups and downs led to the termination of their partnership in 1964. Their relationship couldn’t have weathered the storm of fame and their own unique personalities.

Impact on Politics

Suze was instrumental in raising Dylan‘s consciousness of social issues. She was his entry point into the anti-nuclear and civil rights movements. Dylan was influenced by her political beliefs when he wrote songs.

After Dylan, Suze

Following their split, Suze persisted in pursuing her artistic endeavors. She taught at Parsons School of Design and gained fame for her distinctive book graphics. She never let activism fade from her life.

A Poem about Love and Death

To commemorate the Sixties in Greenwich Village, Suze wrote and released a memoir titled A Freewheelin’ Time in 2008. The book was an honest recounting of her experiences in the bohemian art environment and her time spent with Dylan.

An Enduring Imprint

After a courageous fight with lung cancer, Suze departed this world on February 25, 2011. Although they broke up, Dylan wrote a moving biography about her impact on his life and work, Chronicles: Volume One.

An Entirely Unknown Biopic

Sylvie Russo replaced Suze as the protagonist in the 2024 biopic A Complete Unknown, per Dylan’s request. This choice paid homage to Suze’s long-standing desire for seclusion.

FAQs About Bob Dylan Girlfriend Suze

Q1: Who was Bob Dylan’s girlfriend Suze Rotolo?
A: Suze Rotolo was an artist, activist, and Bob Dylan’s girlfriend from 1961 to 1964.

Q2: What song did Bob Dylan write about Suze Rotolo?
A: Songs like Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right and Boots of Spanish Leather were inspired by Suze.

Q3: Why did Bob Dylan and Suze Rotolo break up?
A: Their relationship ended due to emotional strain, Dylan’s rising fame, and personal differences.

Q4: What is Suze Rotolo famous for?
A: Suze is best known for appearing on the cover of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan album.

Q5: Did Suze Rotolo write a book?
A: Yes, she wrote A Freewheelin’ Time: A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties.

The post How Bob Dylan’s Girlfriend Suze Rotolo Shaped His Music and Legacy appeared first on EMC UK.