BY: Alexis Eichelberger

The end of February gave us one of the best weeks in pop music so far in 2020. Three stunning music videos from three superstars dropped this week, and we’ve got them on replay. 

Lady Gaga’s “Stupid Love”

It’s been nearly four long years since Joanne, and Lady Gaga is finally back with the debut single from her sixth studio album. This is the first time Gaga has released both a single and its video on the same day, and she chose this one. “Stupid Love” is quintessential Gaga pop with a heavy dose of electronic sounds that call back to some of her best work during the early 2010s. The video, which was shot on an iPhone 11, has the appearance of an old school sci-fi film, with a dystopian landscape and zany costuming. Gaga, looking stunning in what looks like pink rave gear and a long pink wig, dances in the way only she can. 

Taylor Swift’s “The Man”

Taylor Swift calls out the patriarchy’s double standard in her smart and sassy single “The Man” from her latest album Lover. The music video portrays The Man (who turns out to be Swift in a startlingly good costume and makeup) manspreading on trains, throwing fits during a tennis match, and generally disrespecting the women around him. The Wolf of Wall Street type figure embodies all the behaviors society OK’s for men but condemns women for, and Swift’s directorial debut perfectly balances laughing at and criticizing the irony of the contradictions.

Harry Styles’ “Falling”

We were surprised to hear Harry Styles chose to create a music video for the most raw and emotional track on his phenomenal sophomore album Fine Line. But we also knew he wouldn’t disappoint. The “Falling” video shows a room slowly filling with water, and the weight of its artistic melancholy makes us hold our breath through the whole four minutes. It’s a beautiful visual portrayal of the breathless sadness of heartbreak, and Styles’ emotional performance makes it even more heart-wrenching.