The CRT aesthetic: a brief history
The CRT aesthetic first rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during the heyday of MTV music videos. At that time, directors and editors were experimenting with new ways to make their videos stand out from the rest, and the CRT aesthetic was one way to do that. These early examples were often rough around the edges, with noticeable scanlines and imperfect colour correction. But despite (or perhaps because of) these imperfections, they had a raw energy that captured viewers' attention.
The resurgence of the CRT aesthetic
In the 2010s, we began to see a resurgence of the CRT aesthetic in music videos. This time around, directors were using digital tools to recreate the look of old-school video equipment—and they were doing it with much more precision than ever before. As a result, these videos had a polished look that still managed to feel vintage. This style quickly gained popularity with audiences, who were drawn to its retro sensibility.
Recreating the nostalgic look
Today, the CRT aesthetic is more popular than ever before. Thanks to affordable software like Adobe After Effects and Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve, almost anyone can create this retro look—and that's led to an explosion in its use across all genres of music. From pop songs to metal anthems, there's no shortage of examples of this style being used effectively. And as audiences continue to respond favourably to this aesthetic, we're likely to see even more CRT-style music videos in the years to come.
The CRT aesthetic is having a moment—and it's not hard to see why. With its retro sensibilities and eye-catching visuals, this style is perfect for today's social media-driven world. And as more directors and editors experiment with this aesthetic, we're sure to see even more amazing examples of it being used effectively in music videos.
