Watching the work of Toronto-based Crush is refreshing. They exercise a decidedly straightforward approach to motion graphics: no 3D (not even 2.5D), no crazy camera moves, no “one long shot” transitions. Just solid motion with an emphasis on concept and context-sensitive typography. That was true for their series of Gum Thief animations, and it’s true for their newest work, a music video for R.E.M.’s “Hollow Man.”
Crush seems to be channeling the aesthetics of the mid-90s in this one. Pixelated imagery, intentionally glitched-out transitions and window-based UI metaphors abound. (I suppose that’s appropriate for a band that I didn’t realize survived the last decade of the 20th century.) It all feels very earnest and sincere, like a heartbroken missive bashed out on an Amiga 500.