Re #2, if tilt-shift/fake-miniature/narrow-DOF shots didn't look so charming, I'd be as tired of them as I am of autotune abuse and bullet time. As it is, I'll be done with the effect before 2010.
Yes, that MGMT track is Ear Worm Deluxe. Been stuck in my head since several weeks before I'd bothered to investigate the name of it, on account of that catchy keyboard riff.
I really like the Faunts one for the same reason I liked the Crazy music video - it takes a familiar and unique static image form and translates it into animated human figures. Although I suspect Rorschach blots are more familiar than color blindness tests?
Actually, I prefer this format to the mix-tapes. Less content, easier to navigate etc.
I noticed about five years ago that the popularity of ringtones was changing music - producers were intentionally mixing to make the music recognizable on 15mm speakers. Now it's clear how much youtube is influencing music videos, where blurry images and crappy framerate shouldn't detract from the video itself.
Nice selection! I enjoyed listening to La Roux lately. And, Fol Chen was one nice discovery I made via SXSW 2009. In the same vein of surreal, The Atomica Project is also good: