All Is Full of Love: 3 Music Videos That Envision An Erotic Future

Androids, virtual reality, robots, futuristic sexuality—rock on!

Music videos really hit it big with the launch of MTV in 1981. But did you know that many give credit to Joe Stern and Edward B. Marks, who used a magic lantern show with a live orchestra to boost sales for their little ditty “The Little Lost Child” in 1894?

These days, with all kinds of improvements available, musicians routinely create mini feature films rivaling, or even surpassing, big-screen productions.

It’s natural that more than a few artists have visually and musically used the medium to showcase possible futures for humanity—and done a bit of speculating on where sex, love, and technology might lead.

Here are three examples of music videos that combine mesmerizing special effects, musings on the sexuality of tomorrow, and some really catchy tunes.

“So to Speak” by DJ? Acucrack, Jason Novak and Jamie Duffy. Directed by Steven L. Wagner (2009). Video mildly NSFW.

When DJ? Acucrack, the Chicago-based duo of Jason Novak and Jamie Duffy, created their single “So to Speak” (in their album Sorted) it was like they’d weaponized an earworm. With vocals by Toni Halliday of Curve, it’s almost impossible to get their tune of out your head—at least not without surgical help. Luckily, “So to Speak” is a beautiful affliction of rhythm, melody, and lyrics—so while it stays lodged in your head, at least most people will smile through it.

Their video, directed by Steven Wagner—using a wide range of techniques, including CGI, live actors, and miniatures—is a tribute to android angst. Desiring the freedom to be with the dominatrix model she desires, a sexbot breaks free—for better or worse—from her pre-programmed fate.

The production is especially lovely for its perfect mating of song and visuals, making it as unforgettable as DJ? Acucrack’s melody.

“I Got U” by Duke Dumont (Blasé Boys Club). Directed by Rémy Cayuela (starring Kylee Tan) (2014).

A perfect example of listenable—and danceable—house music, “I Got U” by Duke Dumont (of Blasé Boys Club), with Jax Jones, is catchy without being too infectious. With rolling, smooth tones, it’s the perfect thing to listen to while driving down a quiet freeway at night, gently bobbing your head with the beats.

Its video companion is a virtual reality vacation with Kylee Tan: visually sweet, luscious, and sexy as all get-out. Through his headgear, we are treated to a tropical wonderland of bright sun, pristine beaches, fruity drinks, vibrant nightlife (for some odd reason, firing a handgun), and an erotic interlude with a sensual beauty. Can you change “sexy as all get-out” to something out? I’m not familiar with the slang “get-out”

What makes the video so refreshing is its lack of cynicism: Kylee has a sincerely fun time in his virtual reality paradise—especially with its sexual component—without escaping a dystopic world or suffering through a traumatic glitch at the end. Like the music, it’s fun, vibrant, playful, and sensuous.

“All Is Full of Love” by Björk. Directed by Chris Cunningham (starring Björk) (1999).

This is it: there’s really nothing else that perfectly captures the idea of musically looking at sex in the future.

Björk, who herself so often looks like she’s travelled back from 2525, wrote “All Is Full of Love” as a celebration of love, spring, and in appreciation of Norse mythology, especially (and somewhat confusingly) the myth of Ragnarök.

The song is essential Björk: equally sensual and hypnotic—drifting, haunting, but also with a tickling eroticism.

The video is a staggering achievement of models and CGI. In a testament to his skill, it’s hard to tell what’s “real” about the robotic Björk and her android partner and what’s a computer image.

Adding to the perfect dance of technological sensuality is the use of the robotic arms—and the less-than-subtle, but still visually effective, creamy lubricants they use in assembling the two artificial lovers.

Do you have a favorite futuristic sex music video? Share it with us in the comments!

Image source: Every Björk video.