As usual, we take a look back and list our personal highlights of the past year. What records did we enjoy most, what songs in particular were on constant repeat (on our stereo and/or in our heads) and what videos have we gazed upon a million times (rough guess) throughout 2012?

Today we kick off our Best of 2012 series with the best videos of 2012. We care a lot about a visual accompaniment of a song: it’s the one thing (take note: remixes can’t) that can give a song a boost and make you “experience” in a more visual way. Sometimes videos are so great that we actually start liking the song more because we know the story behind it or just have something to visualize it with.

That being said - here are -in no particular order (but if you’d ask Lana Del Rey’s video for Ride would be our Number One)- our favorite Videos of 2012.

Lana Del Rey - Ride

     directed by Anthony Mandler

Fiona Apple - Every Single Night

     directed by Joseph Cahill

D E N A - Cash, Diamond Rings, Swimming Pools

     directed by Bontchev & Burchardi

Solange - Losing You

     directed by Melina Matsoukas

Mykki Blanco - Wavvy

     directed by Francesco Carrozzini

Bat For Lashes - Laura

     directed by Noel Paul

The Neighbourhood

     directed by Zack Sekuler & Daniel Iglesias Jr.

Frank Ocean - Pyramids

     directed by Nabil Elderkin

CFCF - Exercise #3 (Building)

     directed by Adam Beck

Darkside - A1

     directed by Ryan Staake (Pomp & Clout)

Antony and the Johnsons - Cut The World

     directed by Nabil Elderkin

M.I.A. - Bad Girls

     directed by Romain Gavras

Youth Lagoon - July

     directed by Tyler T. Williams

Grimes - Genesis

     directed by Grimes

Mykki Blanco - Haze.Boogie.Life

     directed by Danny Sangra

Eddi Front - Gigantic

     directed by Cristiana Miranda

Perfume Genius - Hood

     directed by Winston H. Case

How to Dress Well - & It Was U

     directed by Luke Gilford