Radiohead analysis

Radiohead’s video, ‘No Surprises’, fits very well with the genre of music that they make. Their music is a combination of many other genres of music and can’t be clearly defined, regarded as alternative. Their video for this song is very unique like their music, it is unconventional and unlike most videos.

The video is shot in one consistent take. The video its self, uses lighting in a very stunning way in this video. The lead singers head is framed intensely, and it doesn’t move away from him. His head is also inside a glass bowl. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that he is some sort of warehouse or industrial space, as the lights from the room around him are reflected on the glass. These lights are slowly turned on creating a green and blue shade on the face. As more are turned on, his face begins to light up, and he becomes visible. I find the lighting in this stunning, as his face changes, and the reflection from the glass illuminates the image further.

The lyrics of the song are then projected onto the glass, but appear backwards. Then water rises up the glass and soon reaches the point where the singer is under the water. The lyrics and song continues but the singer is submerged under water. He stays under water for a long time, and what I love is you soon find you’re self-desperate for the water to lower so he can breathe, creating tension in a music video. The water then rushes out and he continues singing the song.

There are many reasons why I love this music video. I love the lighting, creating a very atmospheric, intense mood. Also I find the way the lights flicker and glow upon the glass, looks stunning.

Further more I love the way the shot stays consistently on the mans face, also framed intensely in a close up. In addition to this the way the water, distorts the face I really like, changing the lighting slightly, and there isn’t any trickery. The camera doesn’t break away from his submerged face. Holding onto the tension. I find it clever how; water is regarded often as calming and therapeutic, as is the song, very slow and relaxing, creating a connection with the water.

Most of all the way the video breaks so many conventions and sets its self aside so strongly. Having using one take, being submerged under the water and not singing, but the lyrics continues to role over the glass. It also is very in keeping with the genre of music, and unique style of music and a very unique video