Putting on something to watch while eating has become the norm these days — who doesn’t enjoy tuning in to something interesting and entertaining while enjoying their meal? But do you ever struggle to even get started on your lunch or snack without having to find the “perfect” video to watch on your phone, tablet, or laptop?
The internet can be quite overwhelming, especially with thousands of hours of content that are perfectly curated for you and waiting to be discovered at the same time. Finding the next binge-worthy video may be slowly eating up your time. Lo and behold, video essays are another form of entertainment that merges information, opinion, and entertainment all at once.
Billboard Philippines has compiled a list of interesting music-related video essays and commentaries that range from fandom-focused topics like an introspection of the rise of BINI and breaking down Kendrick Lamar‘s influence in creating a culture, to niche topics like how album sequencing has become a lost art and the mystery behind the Disney Channel theme song.
The Lost Art of Album Sequencing — Nathan Zed
Nathan Zed‘s mix of insightful commentary and personal reflections about music, culture, and media reflects how passionate and thought-provoking his videos can be. For one, The Lost Art of Album Sequencing is just one of many niche topics that focus on something we consume but, more often than not, don’t pay attention to, unless you’re a music geek.
This video explores how arranging tracks on an album plays a vital role in shaping the experience of the listener. Back then, albums were created with meticulous care and input to provide cohesive storytelling from start to finish. However, it unfortunately became a lost art, so to speak, with albums nowadays (though not all) often being a mix of hit singles sprinkled with filler tracks, with no clear-cut focus on storytelling and flow. But when you revisit a favorite album, especially after watching this video, you might find yourself experiencing it in a whole new way.
How The Beatles Changed Album Covers — Nerdwriter1
In another introspective look at everything surrounding the artist and the music, How The Beatles Changed Album Covers sees Nerdwriter1, a video essayist tackling art and culture, explore the innovative impact of The Beatles through the cover art of their albums. The video highlights how their creative decisions over the years not only reflected their evolving sound, album by album, but also helped redefine the role and artistic direction of album covers in the industry.
From the ever-iconic cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to the groundbreakingly minimalistic design of their self-titled album, commonly known as The White Album, more than the music, the band truly pushed the boundaries of what is expected from the first piece of art we see before listening to an album.
How the Rise of BINI is reshaping Asian POP — Sisne POP!
Although Filipino content creators are often tied to food and daily life vlogging, there are a handful of YouTube channels dedicated to fandom topics and video essays. Sisne POP! is a channel that discusses Filipino pop culture and introduces it to an international audience. Of course, when we talk about pop culture today, we definitely don’t want to leave out BINI.
How the Rise of BINI is reshaping Asian POP delves into the journey of The Nation’s Girl Group and the significant impact they made on the Asian pop music landscape. The video highlights how they have carved their own path in blending Filipino authenticity and modern pop aesthetics, which sets them apart from the rest. From the hard-nosed training to the challenges they faced through the years, the video is an interesting look into how BINI has elevated the P-pop music industry that can be enjoyed by BLOOMs, casual fans, and music lovers alike.
The Marvel Symphonic Universe — Every Frame A Painting
Are you a sucker for film scores that stand the test of time? Films like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Batman have iconic theme songs that are forever embedded in film history. But what if the blockbuster franchise juggernaut, despite its success at the box office and in pop culture, hasn’t quite succeeded in the realm of music? Well, this video may be a decade old, and a lot can happen over that span. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite its enormous success, has lacked in the music department, often featuring scores that have little to no emotional impact, as they tend to be safe and generic.
With the exception of the Avengers theme or “Portals” from Avengers: Endgame, it may take a while before you remember an impactful score or theme that has truly made an impression. The video essay channel, Every Frame A Painting, argues that formulaic scoring tends to hinder originality and creativity, comparing how Marvel’s approach to film scores could have been handled differently. Take it as you will, but with an amazing score from Son Lux for Thunderbolts*, maybe Marvel is leaning toward showcasing more artistry rather than the formulaic.
How Fleetwood Mac Makes A Song — Nerdwriter1
More than just listening to an album, it’s always interesting to study and learn about an artist or band’s creative process in creating something that is often described as one of the greatest albums of all time. In this case, Rumours, the seminal album by Fleetwood Mac, is the focus of a video by Nerdwriter1.
How Fleetwood Mac Makes A Song dives into the band’s approach to songwriting and how their collaborative style allowed each member to bring their personal struggles, emotions, and influences into the mix. Specifically for Rumours, the video explores how they were able to blend pop sound with raw, unfiltered emotion. Despite the chaos and turmoil in their personal lives, Fleetwood Mac managed to turn it into something iconic, creating an album that would outlast the conflicts and misunderstandings that shaped it.
Kendrick Lamar: Deconstructing a Culture of Trauma — Quality Culture
Kendrick Lamar is no doubt one of the most influential and thought-provoking artists and rappers of his generation. With his ability to focus on storytelling and social commentary through his music, he stands out from the norm in the world of hip-hop. The pop culture video essay channel, Quality Culture, explores how Lamar uses his music to reflect and challenge the trauma experienced by Black communities.
Kendrick Lamar: Deconstructing a Culture of Trauma delves into themes of violence and personal struggle often reflected in the rapper’s body of work, notably in his albums like good kid, m.A.A.d city and DAMN.. From the deep social commentary to how he deconstructs trauma as a tool for healing. Although there are a handful of channels and creators who have focused on Lamar’s artistry, including a video from Nathan Zed, Quality Culture looks more into themes of trauma, violence, and resilience that reflect his influential music.
Disney Channel’s Theme: A History Mystery — Defunctland
If you have 90 minutes to spare, this might just pique your interest. If you grew up with the Disney Channel, there’s no doubt you’ve heard the iconic four-note jingle that plays during bumpers. So why not watch a part-documentary, part-detective story in the form of Disney Channel’s Theme: A History Mystery?
True crime documentaries get into the nitty-gritty of the mystery, and taking that kind of approach and finding the origins of the theme is something to be mesmerized by. Kevin Perjurer of Defunctland unravels the mystery behind who composed the catchy tune that defined a generation’s childhood. Through detailed research, rigorous interviews, and archival digging, the video becomes a nostalgia trip that has also uncovered truths about media making a big impact.