Playlist: Niles Howard

What’s the best music video you’ve seen recently and why? 

I LOVE music videos, I watch them every day, and at any point, I have multiple tabs open collecting dust waiting for me to catch up. I actually make a playlist every year of my favourite videos. The interesting thing is at the end of each year, without fail, I’m sure the art form has peaked.  Fortunately, I'm always proven wrong. Here’s my shortlist for 2024: 

Ghen - Jane Doe, directed by Mike Cruz.

Some guys in their late 30s just partying midday on a weekday. Drinking, hitting the bong, eating fruit loops over a full sink. The way the video plays out makes me sympathise with them, and ultimately jealous of their laissez-faire attitude toward life. I also would be happy to blow off my responsibilities and backyard wrestle with my homies on a Tuesday afternoon.  

Bonny Light Horseman - I Know You Know, directed by Kimberly Stuckwisch and edited by Justin Hamilton.

I’ve known Kimberly for years and I'm always excited when she releases something new because I know it’s going to be something in camera and special. This video shot in the salt flats, which has been seemingly played out, but Kimberly takes advantage of the space in a beautiful new way and lets it tell a wonderful story about a life that could have been. PLEASE watch this video! 

Louis Culture - Babe, directed by Ella Ezeike and edited by Leon Carlton.

I’ve been following Ella Ezeike for a while now and I'm always impressed with her work. This is no exception. The discipline to keep a steady pace and trust that the visuals are enough to bring an energy that demands attention. These are the types of projects that get me excited as an editor. 

Honorable mentions: 

• Big Sean - Precision, The director Onda used every trick and then some, but somehow stays cohesive and never strays into gimmicky. 
• RM - LOST!, from Aube Perrie.
• Fred again.. - Places To Be, is simple but surprising. 
• Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us, it's always an event when Kendrick drops. 
• Porches - Itch, directed by Nick Harwood.

What’s the first music video you remember being impressed by? 

My dad’s a recording engineer and musician, so I grew up pretty close to music. We would watch VH1 together, and sometimes he’d come home from his part-time job at Circuit City with VHS compilations of music videos. Michael Jackson's were foundational for me, specifically Beat It. My introduction to Martin Scorsese. Going from black and white grit to full colour, MJ is transformed with curly hair, leather, and buckles. Damn. I thought he looked like such a badass when I was a kid and loved seeing the “bad guys” realise they picked on the wrong dude, lol. His music and those visuals. So exciting and inspiring. 

And what’s your all-time favourite music video? 

TLC - Creep, It’s perfect. 

I always watch this video when I get stuck on a project. Truly, any project. The pacing is so well-balanced and never takes itself too seriously. You think dutch angles are played out, you think you can’t look cool in pajamas, you think you should desaturate the colors because they're too loud and won't be taken seriously, how about you crank the saturation all the way. It plays with the format but respects the rules. I swear it gets better with every watch. I LOVE IT!  

What other directors/artists do you look to for inspiration? 

Omar Jones is probably the best doing it right now. He constantly pushes himself. And his output is unmatched, in my opinion. I don't know how that man sleeps with the highway of ideas seemingly running through his brain. 

What are you listening to at the moment? 

Mostly bopping around playlists and mixes, but when it comes to albums I’ve been loving Moses Sumney’s new EP Sophcore. Check out the video for Vintage, it’s a vibe, and I cut it. 

What’s your favourite bit of tech, whether for professional or personal use? 

I don't leave the house without my point-and-shoot around my neck.