P!nk - There You Go

August 27, 2015 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

How have I not seen this video before today? To be fair I only just about remember P!nk's debut single. This video is amazing! What a great ending, I'm so glad I chose this as my revisit.

This is P!nk's, Alecia Moore's, debut single. She was previously in a girl band called Choice, however they disbanded and P!nk got a solo career. This song is a surprise, who would've thought P!nk was firstly an R&B singer? Written by Alecia Moore, Kandi Burruss and Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, it hit number six here in the UK. Considering the songs out at the time, Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills", TLC's "No Scrubs" and Mýa "Case of the Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do)", this sound was very popular in the early 00's and I do miss this sound, maybe it will return, like all good music does, in the future.

This video is awesome. I like her skater side, makes me think of Avril Lavigne's debut single "Complicated", and they also brought back the skaters in "Raise Your Glass", which was a nice tribute to her past.

The narrative was something interesting to say the least. I loved the ending as I wasn't expeciting it at all. The whole scene with the bike is pretty reminiscent of Britney Spears' "Toxic", but then again motorbikes are featured in this way a lot, whether it's in a music video or not.

I can't help but laugh at the phone, back then the flip phone was popular, and it soon came back around again, but the size of the screen is laughable considering the size of our screens now and what they can do.

P!nk, even back then, proved how great of a performer she is, she sang and danced her way through the song, and she commands us to watch her and give her our full attention. She just looks powerful.

Overall great song, with a brilliant music video. I just don't understand the topless scene, although Rihanna also did it in "Umbrella", and Miley Cyrus, most recently, did it in "Wrecking Ball", so I guess it's nothing to be surprised at.

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One Direction - Drag Me Down

August 26, 2015 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

This has to be my favourite One Direction song thus far. I did like "What Makes You Beautiful", but their voices in this song are so powerful and emotional, this is exactly what I've been waiting for from these guys. A memorable video to boot too, although it only links in with the drag me down part of the song, since they're in a spaceship and creating a force against gravity. Maybe they're off to see Britney in "Oops!... I Did It Again" or maybe they're after Ariana Grande in "Break Free".

One Direction hit headlines recently as they announce they're splitting up, however it's only for a year, before they return as a band again. So can we get this straight, just like many other bands do, they're going on hiatus, they are not splitting up completely... So can we all stop using the words One Direction Are Splitting Up, because they really aren't. They deserve this break, and they will get back together after a year.

They are now a four-piece band consisting of Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson. Recently, Zayn Malik left the band to pursue a solo career, however if this is the outcome with him not being in the band, then they're better off without him. Sorry Zayn fans, but every time I saw Zayn, I always thought of the day he cried at bootcamp on The X Factor, not a good look at all. They came third on the seventh series of The X Factor, behind Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson. Other notable stars from that year includes, Cher Lloyd, Mary Byrne, Katie Waissel, Paije Richardson, Aiden Grimshaw, Belle Amie and Storm Lee. The song was written by Julian Bunetta, Jamie Scott and John Ryan.

Directed by Ben & Gabe Turner, the video is set at NASA, and features One Direction as astronauts, I have to admit, this has not been done before, and the idea that a spaceship defies gravity and there for even gravity can't drag them down is a great link.

Their performance piece looks good, purely because of the setting and the camera angles as well as the way the cameras are used. However, it works exactly the way you expect, as it makes you want to go and see them live. I saw them live at The X Factor Tour, but they have a lot more energy now than back then, and you can see it in their music videos.

Overall a video that doesn't disappoints, but doesn't give us the wow factor. However the song makes up for that entirely as the song is so heartfelt and emotional, even though they didn't write the song personally, you know they've connected with the song and they mean what they're singing.

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P!nk - Who Knew

August 25, 2015 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Now this is the P!nk I adored. I loved all her albums, however her most recent "The Truth About Love" put me completely off P!nk, I still love her old songs, but "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)", "Try", "Just Give Me A Reason" and "True Love" had me removing her songs from my iTunes, and the only times I hear P!nk now is on the radio or through YouTube. It's mind blowing how one album can change your whole listening habits.

A funfair video with a narrative and performance piece, what is not to like about this video though?

P!nk, real name Alecia Moore, has had none stop success and I used to be a fan of her right up to her most recent album. I hope that she returns to her old sound, or at least something better than her previous album. "Who Knew" was written by P!nk, Max Martin and Dr. Luke. A perfect song writing team, and no wonder this was a hit. The song is about a friend P!nk lost to drugs when she was just 14. This song is so powerful and her emotion in the song comes across. The song came to my attention this week as it was played on the radio, and it just explained my life as I'm back to single life, another week and a half relationship gone by. If it's meant to be, he'll come back to me. If not, someone else will surely come into my life.

The video does the song's meaning justice. A lot is compacted in this short three and a half minutes, it's surprising it all fitted in.

The narrative is emotional. A couple is clearly in a new relationship, yet the funfair shots suggests they've been together much longer. The girl is clearly more into the guy, than what he is into her. Although he is secretly injecting drugs into himself without her knowing. She finds him in a drugged state at the end, and she walks away from the relationship. (If anyone know the actors names, please comment below).

Let's be honest, if we all had the chance to, we'd go and see P!nk live. We all know that she is an amazing performer. And her passion in the words she sings are clear during the video footage. She has a presence that we'll all love to see on a stage in front of us.

The video is perfect in every way, with a developed storyline and a good performance piece. It contains a funfair and has good subliminal messages. This is the P!nk we all miss, the one we'd like to see return.

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Chart Mondays: Jess Glynne - Don't Be So Hard On Yourself

August 24, 2015 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Jess Glynne shows us that we shouldn't be hard on ourselves and that we should fight for what we want because we can achieve anything if we set our minds to it. Uplifting and inspirational, this should've amazed us, yet it falls flat like so many others.

I have decided to start the week off with Chart Mondays. Every Monday I shall review a video in the UK top 10, usually it will be the current number one, however this isn't always possible due to it already been reviewed or it doesn't have a video.

Jess Glynne scored her fifth number one with this song, no longer helping Clean Bandit get awesome hits, Jess Glynne has took the UK by storm. She is tied with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini with the most UK number ones for a solo British female, however Jess Glynne has done it within 18 months compared to Cheryl's five years. Jess Glynne will be around for a long time, and I expect more number ones will follow.

Written by Jess Glynne, Wayne Hector and TMS. The song inspires us all, with it's disco theme, Jess Glynne tells us to never give up. The catchy song is so good it's no surprise it got to number one, her vocal range is amazing to listen to, and this song fits perfectly with her previous released singles. I Cry When I Laugh album is one to listen to, for sure.

Declan Whitebloom was the director, and considering his previous videos: Taylor Swift's "Mean", "We Are Never Getting Back Together" and Pixie Lott's "What Do You Take Me For?". Its surprising that this one isn't as memorable as the others he has directed.

I like the narrative side, what with the drummer practising over and over and his father encouraging him and eventually he is good enough to be included.

Yet the performance side totally lets this video down. I would never be interested in seeing Jess Glynne live. Don't get me wrong, her voice is phenomenal, and since she's had five number ones already, she clearly is one of the UK's best female acts, however it looks like she is just singing the song in this video. Where is her performance? Where is her passion? Her feeling? Does she even mean anything she is actually singing?

What's next for Jess Glynne? Another number one, surely. Or will Cheryl Fernandez-Versini fight back? Has Jess Glynne relaxed? In this video she seems complacent. Will she be able to keep her chart reign? I guess we'll have to wait and see. As for the video it fails to excite me like I was expecting it to.

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Little Mix - Black Magic

August 23, 2015 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Back with one of the catchiest songs of the summer, Little Mix continues their success here in the UK. Like many girl groups before them, they inspire girls to prove that no matter who you are, you can get the guy, you can look good, and that you should never let anyone put you down because you're beautiful inside and out. The perfect video, to a perfect uplifting song, that definitely sticks in my brain nearly everyday.

Little Mix are still the only group to win The X Factor, thanks to the help of Tulisa. They consist of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall. Black Magic was written by Edvard Forre Erfjord, Henrik Michelsen, Ed Drewett and Camille Purcell. This is their first single from their new album, Get Weird, which is out in November. They have been the most successful from the eighth series of The X Factor, however other well known stars include: Marcus Collins, Amelia Lily, Misha B, Janet Devlin, Kitty Brucknell, Frankie Cocozza, Johnny Robinson and 2 Shoes.

Directed by Director X, this music video is one we will never forget. Something new and different for this foursome. Narrative based, with the band as central characters. It is exactly what I wanted and more from these girls.

It instantly reminds me of Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, mixed with films The Craft, Clueless and Mean Girls along with tv series like Charmed and Switch. Director X has really combined all these into one.

The video stars Mikey Grand as the guy that Little Mix find cute, and Stefanie Michova as the mean girl. What this video should give is strength to teenage girls, and girl power is definitely something Little Mix supports, and yet they do make us all envy since there isn't a day that goes by when we all just wish we had magical powers to sort out our lives.

Uplifting and magical, there is not much wrong with this video. Although I do understand that, style wise, they aren't good role models, what with what they are wearing, but come on it is 2015 now, and we all have to admit they look good in what they're wearing, there's worse problems to worry about, this just shows that a geeky girl can be turned sexy.

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Silentó - Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)

August 22, 2015 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

First we had the hump thanks to Rizzle Kicks' song "Mama Do The Hump", next we had the gangnam style dance thanks to PSY's song "Gangnam Style". Now we have the whip, the nae nae, the stanky leg, the break your legs, the bop, the yule, the superman and the duff, however we already had all these dance moves, Silentó has just put them all together into a full dance, I am so disappointed.

Silentó, real name Ricky Hawk, is an American rapper. This is his debut single. At only 17, he has already made a name for himself with this single, managing to chart in various countries around the world, including charting at number three in the US Billboard. It is currently climbing the UK chart, and I wouldn't be surprised if it hit the top 10.

This video looks good to start off with, however the budget was clearly blown on the extras in the background, from cheerleaders to old ladies, from dancers and dance crews to celebrity singers who include Lil Scrappy and Rich White Ladies. This could've been so much better.

These dance moves aren't Silentó's own, which makes me sad. We Are Toonz created the whip and the nae nae, the latter was made popular in their music video for "Drop That NaeNae". The stanky leg is from GS Boyz's song "Stanky Legg", break your legs is just known along with the bop. The yule and the superman is from Soulja Boy's "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" which everyone is aware of and the duff is also just known apparently.

Overall a music video that is all about dancing and watching Silentó dancing, which relates to the song since he asks us to watch him do all the dance moves. I do feel a little cheated that the moves aren't his own, nor are they original either. However he's only 17, and he does dance well, and this song is catchy and there wasn't much they could've done with this video. It reminds me a bit of Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)".

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New Release: Rachel Platten - Fight Song

August 21, 2015 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Rachel Platten is one hell of a fighter, she is an inspiration to us all, she tells us that we should always go after our dreams and we will get to where we want to be. The video proves this perfectly and it is her fight song, and this is one girl who won't be disappearing without a good brawl.

I struggled choosing a video today, purely because JoJo has released a tringle of singles, three singles in one, yet there's no music videos for them, and although they are amazing, and you should so go and buy them, I'm unable to review them until there's a video. So instead I chose Rachel Platten's Fight Song which is being played often on the radio, and will probably chart extremely well this week.

Rachel Platten has released two albums, one in 2003 and one in 2011, none of which made much of an impact, yet her songs have featured in some tv series. Now after a lot of hard work, she's proven she can make it. This song was written by Dave Bassett and Rachel Platten, the song encouraged her to believe in herself and it incites us all to do the same, it's uplifting and inspirational, I just believe every word as it is not only what I need to hear myself, but because she means every word she sings.

The music video was directed by James Lees. It directly links in with what Rachel Platten is singing, and that is exactly what I expected.

A lot of artists gig before coming well known, and it is a common story that only a few people will turn up to their first few gigs, and that is definitely shown at the start, along with the pain Rachel Platten is feeling at not quite making it in the music industry.

Then she just goes for it, hops in the car and sees where it leads. Slightly similar to Tim Berg's "Seek Bromance" This is a little unexpected as she's out having fun and doing what she wants, however letting it all go and starting afresh doesn't always work out for people, as we know from other videos. Could they have possibly shown that hard work gets you where you want in life?

Overall a great song, a well linked music video, and definitely something inspirational and memorable. I wish Rachel Platten the best on this week's chart, I bet it's going to do well.

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Beyoncé Featuring Sean Paul - Baby Boy

August 08, 2015 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

I've woken up with this song in my head everyday for about two weeks now, maybe longer. It's so weird how a catchy song can do that to you. The music video is sultry and sexy and fits perfectly. The reason this song is in my head is because I have been dating a guy, and we recently decided to be in a relationship and we put it on FaceBook too.. I don't stop thinking about him, and Beyoncé's lyric "I think about you all the time, I see you in my dreams" repeats itself in my head often.

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter was in a girl group called Destiny's Child best known for their song "Survivor". However Beyoncé's is known for herself, with four UK number ones under her belt, this is one pop star who will never disappear from the chart. She is powerful and strong and influential to a lot of people. Sean Paul, real name Sean Paul Henriques, has had a shifty placement on the UK chart. He has never had a solo number one, and only managed to get to number one on featured songs. Maybe he'll score his first solo number one soon.

As I mentioned above this music video is sultry and sexy. Which links in with the song perfectly.

Beyoncé shines out throughout, and shows her incredible dancing as well. Scenic and beautiful. Definitely a perfect performance piece.

Sean Paul has a good active role in this too. Desirable and comfortable, he looks like he's in his element for this music video, and it's definitely good to see that.

Overall a great song with a great music video, it's a shame it didn't reach number one in the UK. But since the Black Eyed Peas' song "Where Is The Love?" was at number one at the time, it is understandable that this song never topped the UK charts. The music video works well, and I just have to give it this rating.

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New Release: Only The Young - I Do

August 07, 2015 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Critic Jonni is back! Kicking it off with this awesome New Release... Which is now on Fridays, thanks to New Music Fridays. Which has not only changed the day of the UK music chart, but has also changed my entire blog. This also means that Revisit Sundays are no longer a thing, and instead revisits are done on Thursdays. So are we ready for the weekend?

Well Only The Young are with their release. This music video is not at all a surprise, it's cheerful and generic. A typical ex-X Factor first music video, and doesn't make me interested in watching it again, although I give it kudos for relating to the song.

Only The Young are a four piece band consisting of Mikey Bromley, Parisa Tarjomani, Betsy-Blue English and Charlie George. They were on the 11th series of The X Factor, which was won by Ben Haenow with Fleur East and Andrea Faustini coming second and third respectively. Stereo Kicks came in fifth place and released one single before breaking up. Jake Quickenden has an independent release coming up soon after finishing ninth. Only The Young came seventh overall, and I hope their career continues past this debut single.

The song is so catchy, it gets stuck in my head after first listen. Yet I feel it hasn't got the spark that first interested me in this band. The big question is whether it will chart or not. I hope it does as I can see this band going a lot further than this one single, but a quick glance at the iTunes chart reveals that this single hasn't hit the top 40 yet. However there's still time. I haven't heard it on the radio either, and radio play is very important when it comes to the chart. Fingers crossed for these guys.

The music video relates to the song well. And I love the black and white photo shoot scenes, it gives the music video something new and interests the viewer. I have to admit, I don't like Charlie's hair curled, though, it doesn't suit him.

Other good parts is that two people get married in a fake wedding, and Betsy-Blue and Parisa do heart hands in the photo scenes.

Overall a good music video with a very catchy song, which I hope charts next Friday. Yet a typical first music video from an ex-X Factor group, and I hope their follow-up music video is more personal and exciting.

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