You may not know the name Hannah Lux Davis but if you’re a pop music fan, you have almost certainly seen her work. The acclaimed director is responsible for some of this decade’s biggest music videos, and her star-studded resume includes artists like Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Demi Lovato, and more. Davis is known for creating pristine landscapes for her clients to play in, using rich color palettes, slick fashion, and flawless lighting. She is the go-to for artists who embrace the polished, fantasy world of commercial pop, and her videos never disappoint. Here are a few of my favorites from her filmography:
Davis got her start making videos in the hip hop world, but “Bang Bang” was the video that put her on the radar of every main pop girl in Hollywood. This visual is a non-stop barrage of high-octane, candy-coated, pop imagery. There is a steamy, summer dance party with Jessie J in the streets of New York. There is a neon-lit Ariana Grande prancing around in a high-rise apartment. And queen diva Nicki Minaj is found on the rooftop helicopter pad with the city lights beaming in the backdrop. It’s a simple concept, but through her flawless execution, Davis makes the three superstars look unforgettable.
I have to say: Demi Lovato’s “Cool For The Summer” might be the hottest music video I’ve ever seen. It’s not even that the content was particularly sexual, at least not by pop standards, but Davis really shines a spotlight on what makes Demi so intriguing. There are moments where the singer looks like a total sex-bomb, strutting through a darkened alleyway in a strappy body suit. And then there are moments where they are just vibing with their posse, enjoying the nightlife, and embodying the freedom of young adulthood. Not to mention, the song is the first big hint that Demi gave regarding their sexual identity – something which many people wrote off as queer-baiting, but by now we all know it was very authentic. Either way, another slam dunk by Hannah Lux Davis.
I was honestly shocked to learn that Hannah Lux Davis directed this video, because it is so different from a lot of her other work. Unlike the bright, candy-colored worlds that she creates for Ariana and Demi, Davis went dark and moody on this one. Even the editing and effects are intentionally messy, which is fitting for Kiiara – an experimental pop artist with a lot of rough edges. The biker-club styling and the underground location are the perfect complements to the brooding vibe of the song, and the way Davis plays with shadows in this video adds yet another layer of mystery. I remember when I first saw it, I thought, “Who in the world is this badass chick?” And I think that is exactly what the director was trying to achieve.
I have to apologize in advance for the amount of Ariana on this list, but she and Davis are just a dream team, having collaborated on 11 of the singer’s music videos, as well as her fragrance commercials and tour visuals. “Side To Side” was such a huge moment in their working relationships, because it really got the world talking. The spin class choreo. The locker room vibes. The steamy sauna with Nicki Minaj. It was one of the sexiest, campiest pop culture moments of 2016, and it was flawlessly executed by the best of the best, Hannah Lux Davis.
At the time that “High Horse” was released as the third single on Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour, the singer was still considered a mostly-country artist. However, this song was certainly the most pop-leaning track on the project, so it makes perfect sense that Hannah Lux Davis would be enlisted for the video. I love how they recreate the retro look of an office place in the 60s, complete with chauvinistic male managers and bombshell secretaries. It’s a perfect setting for a disco-infused song that takes a swing at the know-it-alls of the world.
You can’t talk about Ariana and Hannah’s working relationship without bringing up “Thank U Next.” This music video had such a great concept, faithfully reenacting scenes from classic 2000s films like Mean Girls, Bring It On, and Legally Blonde. It featured a slew of cameos that included film stars, Ariana’s friends, and even her dog Toulouse. Plus, it was all shot in the crisp, highly saturated style that sets Davis apart. I loved seeing Davis and Grande’s fun side, and it really showed how strong their creative partnership has become.
If you’ve followed this blog long enough, you know that I’m a huge fan of pop superstar Charli XCX. Her recent release CRASH is the last of five albums in her contract with Atlantic Records, and the star wanted to go out with a bang. She jokingly called this her sell-out era, and made a point of following the label’s guidance to a tee to create her most commercial pop record yet. Of course, to cosplay as a “main pop girl,” Charli needed a Hannah Lux Davis music video, and boy did Davis deliver. The gothic costuming, the red accents, the huge hair, the choreography: It is a stunning visual accomplishment in its own right, but it also underscores the project’s greater narrative of “selling your soul” for commercial success. The “Good Ones” video is the perfect marriage of art and pop, all in less than three minutes.
Pop Apologist 