Arctic Monkeys - Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?

October 22, 2013 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Suggested on 28th August 2013, by an anonymous commenter, I thought it was about time I reviewed this. Thank you for the request, whoever you are. This is a band who have never appeared on my blog thus far; there's a first time for everything right? Arctic Monkeys are a four piece indie rock band consisting of Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders. They have released five studio albums, all of which have topped the UK chart over the years, as well as two number one singles which are "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" and "When The Sun Goes Down". This is their most recent single. "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" was written by Alex Turner. The song is their first top ten UK charting single since "Fluorescent Adolescent" got to number five in 2007. It's obvious what the song is about, and radio surprisingly picked this song up and played it often, hence the high charting position, yet I don't quite get it. I've never been a fan of the Arctic Monkeys, yet I can't dispute that they have done well for themselves, especially with the five consecutive number one albums. I just don't see the interest in their music. However I'm not really into indie that much. The music video relates well to the song, and actually contains all four members of the band who are having a drink at the pub. Wasted, Alex Turner (the frontman), texts this girl called Stephanie (played by Lamie Stewart) and gets no reply. He walks the street seeing explicit hallucinations of the general street people around at that time. But the key portrayal is that he is thinking about Stephanie, and so the hallucinations involve her, including riding a motorcycle naked, as well as having sex with a kebab owner. The images continue this perverse imaginations, that I can't quite repeat, even for this blog, I really don't want to put my mind through a second viewing of this video. It is obvious what the ending would be, instead of appearing on Stephanie's doorstep, instead he is knocking on the wrong door. While on the opposite side of the street, Stephanie sees her 17 missed text messages all of which she ignores as she continues to head towards whatever room she planned on going to, leaving two people asleep on the couch. After those explicit hallucinations, what's to say she isn't as filthy as those images? Overall a song that is catchy to an extent, thanks to constant radio play, but one that does not appeal to me. The music video relates perfectly and I find no fault with it whatsoever. Fair enough I may not want to watch it ever again, but that isn't because it's a bad music video, it's because I do not want to see the content shown in it a second time, yet they have made it link with the song. So you can imagine where this rating is going...

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Conor Maynard - R U Crazy

October 21, 2013 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Waking up with this song stuck in one's head, was not what I thought today would bring. But as I trundled down the stairs ready to watch the music channels, I was hoping this video would get played; that is what happened, and I haven't stopped singing to it in my head all day.

Conor Maynard, was born two months before me, and I still can't get over the fact that he's nearly 21. He's highest charting single is his debut "Can't Say No" which got to number two here in the UK. He was tipped as the UK's answer to Justin Bieber, and even though there is a few years between them, he'll never shake that from himself. This song reminds me of Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend". Yet with some big differences...

"R U Crazy" was written by Conor Maynard, Timothy McKenzie, Ashton Foster and Ray Djan. The second songwriter being the real name to singer Labrinth. The song sounds very personal to Conor Maynard as it's about a girl who wants him back, now that he is a household name. The start is good, and people believe it should have been a complete swing version, but I don't think it would've been quite so catchy. As the song progresses, we find out his falsettos aren't strong at all (reminds me of Justin Timberlake's falsettos, in his early years), but unlike Timberlake, Conor Maynard can't pull it off. And as the track ends, the producers mess around with his voice, making the track less enjoyable, and more experimental. I love the song, but they shouldn't have messed with it as much as they have done.

The music video relates well with the song, including a performance piece at the start and a narrative that starts and ends just the way we expect it to.

The performance piece at the start is quite misleading, unless Conor Maynard were to take the swing road, however that seems very unlikely. Then the narrative gradually appears with him wearing that horrible green jumper. This is an artist who people are meant to look up to and follow fashion wise, yet that jumper does nothing for him at all.

The video continues with the expected narrative, but with a surprise with him lying on top of her during a bedroom scene. I usually forget he is nearly 21, and seeing that every time just surprises me.

Overall, a strong song that doesn't need all the theatrics that has been put in; this is what stopped it from reaching the top spot of the UK chart, in my opinion. The music video has everything I want and more, the theatrical ending with the vases smashing, and although he never gives her his middle finger as the song says, there is a clear narrative, which adds to the song completely. Only problem I have is that hideous jumper. This video makes me aware that he's nearly 21, he needs the world to keep knowing that, or he'll be stuck with the 'UK's version of Justin Bieber' label.

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New Release: Lorde - Royals

October 21, 2013 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

So last week was a disaster, my promise of posting a review every day of the week, failed. And even though I did plan on catching it up. I failed to find the motivation to do it. But this week, I will not be defeated and I shall review every day. And our new release for this week is currently sitting at the top spot of the UK iTunes Chart. This is Lorde, with "Royals".

Lorde, real name Ella Yelich-O'Connor, is an aspiring new artist who shows a lot of promise in her vocals, especially since she's only 16. But will she become a one hit wonder, or will she stand the test of time? We shall see, but I fear for the former. Lorde is from New Zealand, and this is her debut single, which has pummelled her into international fame, gaining the top spot in America. She has released two consecutive singles which are "Tennis Court" and "Team", the former has already charted at 197 on the UK chart. The singles have charted well in her home country but internationally they have faired much worse than her first single. Is she a one-trick pony? I think so, but I sure hope she can prove me wrong.

"Royals" was written by Ella Yelich-O'Connor and Joel Little. The song is simple but very catchy, and I can understand why it is an international hit. There were a few inspirations for the song, one of which was seeing a picture in the 'National Geographic' magazine. I just hope this isn't going to be her only hit, internationally; she has much more to give to this world.

There is, apparently, two versions of this video. The normal one and the US version. I am reviewing the US version, since that is the one that appears on the music channels here in the UK. There isn't much difference apart from more visuals of Lorde in the US version.

The music video has a performance piece and a narrative piece (if you can call it that). The performance adds nothing to this video. It feels like she's very relaxed when performing, including forgetting to lip-sync her words during some of the scenes. This is highly noticeable at the very start. Which makes me question, whether she is really into this music, and is it really her? Or maybe she just loves hearing herself sing.

The narrative side is all in slow-motion, or most of it anyway. With cut-scenes showing that they box, like to swim, and shave each other's hair, or their own, in some cases. They like to meet up and socialise. This depicts some natural teenage life, although we are missing a lot.

I feel this is quite incomplete. Is there any scenes that got cut out completely? Or did they just not have the time to include them? The song is catchy, and I think people will be singing and playing it until the song is forgotten about. But the music video adds nothing to the song whatsoever. This is one video that makes me question what the point was in making it. Which then questions as a whole, why make music videos in the first place? So you can all guess where this rating is going... The only good thing I can drag out of this is being able to identify Lorde and it relates to the song ever so slightly. There is worst videos in this world.

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The Other Tribe - My Girl

October 14, 2013 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

The Other Tribe will become my Artist of the Month in the next few days, they have released two music videos that are really catchy and really great to watch. There are five band members who are James Hill, Miles Metric, Ollie White, Alex Oldroyd and Max Cleary. I am a bit of a fan of theirs, as you probably guessed; if it weren't for Aiden Grimshaw I doubt I would've stumbled across them. Their first single got a great reception and "Skirts" charted at number 36 on the UK Chart, unfortunately "My Girl" failed to follow suit, although it did receive much publicity from various showbiz sites. But clearly didn't strum up enough promotion for it. It just isn't as great as "Skirts", but I still love it nonetheless

The music video is full of narrative with interspersed performance pieces. It's the possibility of a perfect music video right? And guess what I can't find a fault with it, it relates to the song, it has a great storyline and is something I could watch again and again.

The performance snap shots are really just that; leaving us unclear on their vibes on performing, but what we do get out of it is their love for their music and eagerness to have fun up there. They're energetic from what we can see but does it extend to the audience? I reckon so, and I bet they would be good at a live performance, however these scenes don't really demonstrate that.

The narrative is all about a couple. The girl has some sort of magical powers making her unique. I think the song announces that she's good in bed, hence the whole nakedness in the song as well as certain scenes. The girl has a serious problem though and uses her power regularly to get what she wants. Eventually it looks like it is all going to finally topple on top of her, karma coming round?

But yet she lets her boyfriend take the fall for it. This is so unfair however could this lead on to a sequel? As she still has her powers and she is free to explore them however she wants, watch out world.

Overall an okay song, but the band has released better songs, and a music video that relates and blends well with the song and the meaning behind it, although more ties could have been added. This band needs another hit song, and an album to follow would just fill me with glee. This is a band to watch, hence why they will become my Artist of the Month.

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New Release: Lawson - Juliet

October 14, 2013 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

I thought it was about time I started this thing up again. Reasons for not continuing was because I had started a job, which took up most of my time, as well as starting uni once again recently. But I am back, and I'm hoping I will be able to continue this on and on for much longer.

Lawson are a four piece pop rock band consisting of Adam Pitts, Andy Brown, Joel Peat and Ryan Fletcher. This is their sixth single to date. "When She Was Mine", "Taking Over Me", "Standing In The Dark" and "Brokenhearted" of which has hit the top 10 of the UK chart, and this single looks like it will be following in their footsteps. "Juliet" is extremely catchy and has been air-played a lot, if it doesn't chart high this Sunday I'll be extremely surprised. This band seems to be going strong. They're only going to get better and better.

The music video is performance based with a narrative to follow, with a surprised ending. But what is more of a shocker is that they nabbed Kelly Brook for the video, if the song was bad, just the appearance of Kelly Brook would make this song a hit, yet this is such a great hit nonetheless and if it doesn't chart high this Sunday, something is wrong.

I like the narrative, with Kelly Brook finding the richest guy, getting him drunk and then taking all his money, or the equivalent of. And we presume she is Juliet, who the boys are singing about, especially as she goes from one of the band members to the next in an extremely flirty manner, but with this twist ending, it completes the video perfectly.

The performance side is full of energy, they clearly love being on a stage and giving people the music they want to make. I think they would be great to see live, and are a great band to get the fans going.

Overall a great song that would've charted high no matter what the video was like. But this amazing video definitely helps the song, especially since Kelly Brook is in it too. I have no issues whatsoever with this video, and it relates with the song, what more could we possibly ask for? You can probably guess the rating if you haven't seen it already. But here it is anyhow...

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