best music videos 2015

The top 10 music videos from Toronto artists in 2015

Along with songs and albums, Toronto artists spent 2015 contributing a wealth of memorable music videos to the landscape. Although some would argue the age of the music video is long gone, Toronto-based artists were behind some of the most beautiful, amusing and internationally-celebrated videos this year - proving that the art of the music video is not all that lost.

Here are my picks for the top music videos from Toronto artists in 2015.

The Shade - Metric
The video for this Pagans from Vegas single alternates between shots of Toronto indie-rock staples Metric performing on a rooftop and a series of amazing images that, according to Haines in an interview with Rolling Stone, depict "humanity and nature caught in patterns and loops of beauty, destruction and decay."

Hotline Bling - Drake
In the year's most talked about and impersonated music video, hometown hip-hop hero Drake shimmied and cha-chaed his way up the charts and into our hearts with this undeniable earworm. For the endless memes, parodies and return of the chunky men's turtleneck - we're forever indebted.

Can't Feel My Face - The Weeknd
Whether dancing around pyrotechnics during live performances of this contemporary pop masterpiece, or literally becoming a ball of dancing fire as he does in this video - Abel Tesfaye obviously recognized that an explosive song deserves a fiery video.

The Gates - Young Empires
Toronto electro-rockers Young Empires blew back onto the scene this year with their long-awaited debut album, and several excellent videos to boost. While it was hard choosing just one, the stunning imagery that supports the LP's melodic title-track is a powerful statement on their unique artistic vision.

Lover Come Back - City and Colour
Although originally from St. Catherine's, now Toronto-based singer-songwriter Dallas Green couldn't be excluded after releasing this beautiful montage of a lone dancer performing through nature to the accompanying alt-country ballad.

Running With The Boys - Lights
Released very early this year, Lights managed to perfectly pair visuals of bike riding, girl bonding and summery fun with the pretty pop ode off her most recent album, Little Machines.

My Love - Majid Jordan (feat. Drake)
Definitely one of OVO's biggest artists to watch in 2016, producer/artist duo Majid Jordan did well when they linked up with their label head Drake for this hazy R&B cut and dimly lit, lady-filled video.

Wake Me Up When It's Over - Jazz Cartier
One of the strongest songs off rising Toronto hip-hop star Jazz Cartier's excellent Marauding in Paradise, "Wake Me Up When It's Over" gets video treatment in the form of a cryptic, rags-to-riches love story.

Talk To Me - Rainer + Grimm
A modern day spin on Bonnie and Clyde, the video for this Toronto DJ duo's first original single tells the enthralling story of a Las Vegas showgirl who ditches the strip for criminal escapades with her cab driver-turned-lover.

Quit The City - Grandtheft feat. Lowell
Although a dark depiction of sex workers, the Barcelona-shot video for this dreamy synth-pop collab between Toronto natives Lowell and DJ/producer Grandtheft is powerful in its rawness.

What did I miss? Add your picks for 2015's top music videos from Toronto artists in the comments.


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