Textual Analysis of Music Videos

Track: Crystalised Artist: The xx

Features Genre characteristics

Relationship between lyrics and visuals

Observations Minimalist/Indie pop Dream pop Indietronica Youve got the face

Examples Vocals, drum machine, bass guitar, MIDI controller, electric guitar. Synchronisation of Oliver Sim saying the word face and a close mid-shot of his face displayed. Coherence of Oliver Sim saying closest and a close up of his face present. Whilst Romy and Oliver polytextualy sing 2 alternative verses at the same time, the camera shots quickly switch between the pair, in synch with the vocals. This corresponds with the single bright light, creating an initial weird vibe to the video Music is relatively cheerful. The projection becomes darker, shifting the mood. Base guitar rift; close up of bass guitar.

When youre the one that Ive kept closest

Polytextual verse starting Glaciers are melting to the sea (sun)

Relationship between music and visuals

Start of song a negative psychedelic guitar sound is prevalent.

Intro to the song the visuals (projection) start of as a cloudy sky. As the video goes on, lyrics become more meaningful and deep. When there is a main instrument prevalent, a close up of that instrument is shown. Are there close-ups of the artist and star image motifs? Close ups are used to introduce Jamie xx and the bassist.

This occurs during the intro, as they do not have vocal roles in the

Close ups are also used to introduce and reiterate which artist is vocally performing.

song. Close ups of Romy and Oliver are used at the start of each verse to reiterate which artist is vocally performing. The xx are wearing all black and have created a minimal and slick appearance, which is a common theme in all of their music videos. However The XX trademark logo does not appear in this video, as this video was created pre-XX branding era. The band spend most of the video looking slightly away from the camera, this creates an intimate feel, so engages the audience nevertheless. No sexual interpreted acts occur, more of an emotive performance. Pierre Curie did an experiment in the late 1800s that involved putting pressure on crystals. They found out that if you put enough pressure on certain crystals, an electric shock is made. A reference to the story of Icarus. Mainly a performance video, band stands in front of projector and play song. Slightly conceptual as the projector projects strange visuals to the background of the set, this is mainly to add effect to the performance.

Star image motifs:

Is there reference to the notion of looking/Voyeurism?

The notion of looking is not a present element.

Voyeurism is not present in this video. Are there intertextual references? Youve applied the pressure, to have me crystalized

Is the video Performance, Narrative or Concept based?

Things have gotten closer to the sun Mostly all performance, very slight concept, no narrative.

Overview
Crystalised was the first single released by The xx, from their selftitled 2009 album. It was initially released on the 25th November 2009, then again on the 11th October 2010. The xx are signed to the independent British record label Young Turks, who are behind the talents of now well-established acts such as SBTRKT, Jamie xx and Sampha. I interpret the meaning behind the song to be a back and forth representative battle of emotions between a male and a female (personified by Romy and Oliver) about starting a relationship with one another. I believe the first two stanzas best represent this. The man is realizing that he is feeling the pressure of his female love wanting more of him. She makes him think that he could bring her paradise if they were together. The female stanza has sexual hints but I believe it is more about the rapid pace of the development of their relationship that has brought them to this point. She isn't sure that she can continue on this fast and furious pace of love. It is predominantly a performance video, there may be an argument that there is a concept involved (the projected images), however ultimately the video shows a 4member band perform their song against a projection of unusual images. The directors of this video, Alex Flick and Masato Riesser conform and challenge the conventions of the genre in a number of ways. Firstly it is worth stating that The xx do not fit specifically in to one genre alone, so it is hard to analyse the conventions of a genre when they drift between the boundaries so frequently. But if I were to pin point most accurately a genre that would contain the xx, then it would be indie pop. The Crystalised video does conform to the more minimal conventions of this genre. It is predominantly performance and is a low budget, simple music video, (coherent with non mainstream Indie pop videos) which is directed effectively to really express the vibe and meaning of the song. However it could be argued that the video challenges the conventions too, as it slightly crosses in to a conceptual video, when looking at the strange images projected on to the band and the wall behind them. Musically this video conforms to the Indie pop genre with the use of instruments such as; the bass and electric guitar, the drum machine and vocals. These are trademark features in performance music videos within this genre.

1.

Setting: At this point in the video (00:02) the setting remains unrevealed, so remains a mystery to the audience.

Lighting: The screen is completely black and dark, apart from one bright and shiny light that submerges from below to create a mysterious atmosphere, which works well with the initial high-pitched synthesizer noise. Costume: At this point in the video (00:02) the costumes of any of the members of the band remain unrevealed, furthering on this minimal, mysterious feel to the video. Space: All that is apparent at this point in the video is that there is a black space, with a bright light shining towards the camera. Props: At this point in the video (00:02) the props are unrevealed, so remains a mystery to the audience. All that is apparent is a bright yellow light.

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Setting: It appears that the video is set in some kind of plain studio/room. The band is stood against the wall with a projection of a blue sky and grey clouds over them. Lighting: The lighting in this shot is very low key, with a projection of a blue sky and grey clouds over the band, standing against a wall. However there are glimmers of light and clearness shined on to the faces of the two main members of the band Romi (vocals and guitar) and Oliver (vocals and bass guitar), this immediately addresses to the audience that they are important in the video/band. Notice also how no light is shined on to Baria Qureshi on the far right, who is the most insignificant member of the band, and more recently left the band. Costume: The first thing to note about the costume of The xx is that they are all wearing black, this creates a minimal look and quite a dark mysterious aesthetic. Space: The band look like they are quite close together and the room doesnt feel to big, this creates an intimate feel between the audience and band. Props: The props can vaguely be recognized through the darkness as; Electric and bass guitars, and a synthesizer/drum pad

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Setting: The setting of each shot is the same throughout the video; it is set in some kind of plain studio/room. The band is stood against the wall with a projection of edgy images over them, with different types of shots taken from alternating angles and distances. Lighting: Low-key lighting mixed with a projection that creates areas of brightness across his face, this creates a mysterious look. Costume: Black turtle neck jumper, gold chain, earring and most likely a bit of make up. This is a star image motif of the appearance of The xx, they are almost always seen wearing all black clothing, dotted with gold or silver accessories, a turtle neck is also a common item of clothing. Space: First of all this shot is a close up, this creates little space in the shot between the vocalist and the camera creating intimacy, this is important as this is when the first lyric of the song is vocalized which immediately sets the tone of the song. Props: Due to this shot being a close up the only prop that can be seen is the top of o microphone.

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Setting: The setting of each shot is the same throughout the video; it is set in some kind of plain studio/room. The band is stood against the wall with a projection of edgy images over them, with different types of shots taken from alternating angles and distances. Lighting: The lighting continues to be low lit and dark which is a continuum throughout the video, this creates a mysterious and somber atmosphere. Costume: The focus in this shot is less on the costume of the xx and more on the actions of Jamie who is playing the drum pad. Space: Yet again a close up shot is used in order to visualise the performance of Jamie xx playing on the drum pad, which is syncronised to the beat of the song. Props: The drum pad is the only prop in shot and is used throughout this performance video for the purpose of performing the song.

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Setting: The setting of each shot is the same throughout the video; it is set in some kind of plain studio/room. The band is stood against the wall with a projection of edgy images over them, with different types of shots taken from alternating angles and distances. Lighting: The lighting in this picture isnt still low lit, however the most vibrant projection that is used in the video helps to brighten the background and enables the audience to get a better look at the band. Costume: They are wearing all black throughout the video; this is symbolic of the slow, alternative and somewhat dark style as a band. Space: A panning mid-shot is used in order to fit all band members on screen, again there is little spaced used to create an intimate feel. Props: Instruments that the band are playing: electric guitar, bass guitar, drum pad and microphone.

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Setting: The setting of each shot is the same throughout the video; it is set in some kind of plain studio/room. The band is stood against the wall with a projection of edgy images over them, with different types of shots taken from alternating angles and distances. Lighting: Low lit lighting is used to create an intimate and dark atmosphere as throughout. The projection offers glimmers of light to the frame; this links in with the lyrics Ill forgive and forget as this signifies a glimmer of hope. Costume: Romy is wearing all black throughout the video; this is symbolic of the slow, alternative and somewhat dark style as a band. Space: A close-up is used to create intimacy during Romys first line of the song, also the close-up shot pans from Oli to Romy in time with Romys verse starting to indicate the shift in the vocalist. Props: The top of a microphone can vaguely be seen.

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Setting: The setting of each shot is the same throughout the video; it is set in some kind of plain studio/room. The band is stood against the wall with a projection of edgy images over them, with different types of shots taken from alternating angles and distances. Lighting: As the music speeds up for the chorus a bright image is projected in to the background, however the actual lighting is still lowly lit. Costume: They are wearing all black throughout the video; this is symbolic of their slow, alternative and somewhat dark style as a band. Space: The space between them is still small, however a mid shot of the band. It is used to show them all speeding up that rate at which they play their instruments coherently to the melody of the song. It must be noted that although this increase in pace they still look distant and withdrawn which is cleverly used to tie in with the song. Props: Instruments that the band is playing: electric guitars, bass guitar, drum pad and microphone.

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Setting: The setting of each shot is the same throughout the video; it is set in some kind of plain studio/room. The band is stood against the wall with a projection of edgy images over them, with different types of shots taken from alternating angles and distances. Lighting: The lighting is the same as all shots in this video (low lit), however the image projection is a relatively bright blue. Blue connotes tranquilly and calmness in the song, which fits in with the steadily slowing pace of Romy and Olivers current Polytextual verse. Costume: All black; same as every shot throughout the video. Space: Similar close use of space is used to create emotive intimacy as throughout, a close up shot from the left and below ensures that Romy and Oli are both in the shot whilst singing a verse polytextualy. Props: Only a guitar strap can be seen over Olis shoulder in this shot.

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Setting: The setting of each shot is the same throughout the video; it is set in some kind of plain studio/room. The band is stood against the wall with a projection of edgy images over them, with different types of shots taken from alternating angles and distances. Lighting: The projection is an array of black and white fuzz, this signify the near end to the song as well as the fact that Romy and Oli have stopped playing their instruments. This fits in with the lyrics Go-oooooo Slow Costume: All black; same as every shot throughout the video. Space: A mid-shot is used here, which creates slightly more space between the camera and the band, which arguably signifies the near ending of the song. Props: Instruments that the band are playing: electric guitar, bass guitar, drum pad and microphone.

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Setting: The setting of each shot is the same throughout the video; it is set in some kind of plain studio/room. The band is stood against the wall with a projection of edgy images over them, with different types of shots taken from alternating angles and distances. Lighting: The projection and lighting descends from top to bottom and eventually blacks out as the song comes to an end. Red connotes love and danger, which could be symbolic of the relationship ending and being taken over by a black emptiness. Costume: All black; same as every shot throughout the video. Space: A mid-shot of the band is used to end the song and enables the audience to focus on the lighting effects that bring the song to a close. Props: Instruments that the band are playing: electric guitar, bass guitar, drum pad and microphone. Only the far right member of the band is playing the bass to bring the song to an end.