Mis-Teeq - Scandalous


Scandalous - Mis-Teeq |

I've had this song stuck in my head all day, so I thought it would be as good as any to review today. This song is practically embedded in UK history and will always end up being played at a party or two; there's just no escaping this song within a year, and you can so see why because this song is still addicting to this day - that's for sure. The song is their biggest hit since it went international, charting at number two in the UK and number 33 in the US. They since parted ways a year or so after the release of this song. Watch Mis-Teeq act sexy in a secret nightclub as a guy stumbles upon it as he runs away through the city streets with some on-point choreography in this music video for "Scandalous".

Mis-Teeq were a three-piece British girl group. They consisted of Alesha Dixon, Su-Elise Nash, and Sabrina Washington; they had a number of hits as a group and released two albums, a US album, and a greatest hits album. They parted ways in 2005 due to their record label declaring bankruptcy, leaving the girls unsure of what path to go down, and so they decided to focus on their solo careers. Alesha Dixon has done the best, she's a household name from being a judge on Britain's Got Talent to winning Strictly Come Dancing; her music career went amazingly after the split, but lately, she hasn't managed to pull in the same chart numbers. Su-Elise Nash was said to be working on an album, after the group split, she provided vocals for Lethal Bizzle's "Going Out Tonight", and has made a variety of television appearances. As for Sabrina Washington, she appeared on the third series of Celebrity Scissorhands, which she won; she next appeared on the ninth series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! where she came in sixth place; as for her music career, she released a couple of singles and launched her own record label in 2012. Reunion rumours are ripe every single year, but it doesn't look like it will happen. This song was used as the theme of the film Catwoman. It was written by Su-Elise Nash, Alesha Dixon, Sabrina Washington, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, and Rustan Hallgeir.

Directed by Jake Nava, this music video definitely brings out the "Scandalous" side of the song, although we need more raunchiness for a song with a title such as this. They need more sass, more fire, more confidence.

It's an addicting piece of music, so I'm glad a nightclub is involved; however, the opening scenes which shows a man running through the urban streets, turning security cameras around and being chased by a dog on a leash, suggests there was a narrative to this that was stripped away.

He ends up in the club and decides to show the girls his body-popping and break dancing. It takes this song to the streets, where this sort of music originated from before it became popular and chart-worthy. In comparison, the girls' choreography is basic and repetitive, there's nothing outstanding with the sequence they pull off, and there's also no momentum to it, the girls just aren't into the dance steps as much as they should be, which makes it come off forced. The street dancing should've taken more of a spotlight.

Overall, this music video is way too basic and uninteresting. I was expecting something scandalous, maybe a bit shocking, but definitely something sexy. Although Mis-Teeq are wearing sultry clothes, there are no male counterparts to throw this into a whole scandalous affair, and the dancing just leaves a lot to be desired - the song totally made me expect a lot more from this visual.
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GALA - Freed From Desire


Freed from Desire - GALA |

The bar that I work at on Saturdays keep playing this awesome tune, and I just HAD to review its music video, even though I kind of wish I had never seen this visual because it really isn't the best. The song is beyond catchy though, one of those songs people will remix time and again as the years go by, once again making it a hit track. Then there's this music video, this was not what I was expecting at all. I was hoping for something more high quality than this, although most club classics tend to be low-budget music videos. Watch GALA run away from a bunch of men in this music video for the undeniably catchy track "Freed From Desire".

GALA, full name Gala Rizzatto, literally hit the international music scene with this song, as well as its follow-ups. However, as with many great club classic artists, they never manage to stick around and soon lost their chart hits when they release more songs. This has happened often and it is still happening today, disappointingly. I guess everyone just can't be superstars. This was the first single from her debut album "Come Into My Life", the second overall following debut single "Everyone Has Inside". I am surprised to find out that she is the daughter of Salvador Dalí and Gala Dalí. She's released two more albums since, and I'm definitely intrigued at her latest releases, especially "Start It Over", which was the most-recent, dropped in 2015. This song was released way back in 1997 and was written by Gala Rizzatto, Maurizio Molella, and Filippo Andrea Carmeni.

This music video has a performance piece and one hell of a dodgy narrative that is so difficult to keep up with; all of which is filtered in this vintage filter that just makes this look even older. There's just nothing here.

The performance is energetic, I'll give GALA that, but she repeats her actions and at times pulls scary faces which certainly doesn't convey the song, nor does it relate.

As for the narrative, I am not sure what is going on. The guys seem to be all over her and then chasing her down. One seems to be her love-interest as they are riding in the car together, but she can also be seen running away from him and his friends in a mad chase. He seems to offer her a diamond necklace which we've seen close-ups of previously, yet she gives it him back.

Overall, this music video is confusing overall. There's nothing clear going on and just feels like a complete mess. The performance could've been good if she had loosened up a bit more, instead GALA looks like she doesn't know what she's doing - which could actually be what's going on.
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Cedric Gervais & Howard Jones - Things Can Only Get Better


Things Can Only Get Better - Cedric Gervais & Howard Jones

Once again, I'm letting my iTunes randomiser pick the music video I review today. This one got stuck in my head from the minute I heard it today, and lacking any idea of what music video to review, I thought, why not? Especially since I am completely behind on my blog and I seriously need to catch up! This music video is entertaining and the song is such an inspiration to me as things really can only get better! Watch JJ navigate through his day as he gets fired and follows a hot girl into a rave before restarting his day again in this music video for Cedric Gervais & Howard Jones' song "Things Can Only Get Better".

Cedric Gervais is probably best known for remixing Lana Del Rey's "Summertime Sadness". He's one of the top DJs in the world, hailing from France. He has had a number of hits, most of which are remixes or newer versions of popular tracks. He's certainly one of these DJs who come back around and around when it comes to the charts. This song speaks to me on an emotional level. It is a collaboration with Howard Jones, who is a recognisable face in the UK music industry, radio, and on TV. I didn't realise, though, that he was a singer and I am shocked to find out how many amazing hits he has released - I only know him for his TV appearances. He sang the original to this song, which has the exact same title and has a classic new wave style to it, which is expected since it was originally released in 1985. This version was released in 2013 and deserved to be a hit, but it wasn't; whereas the original hit number six in the UK and number five in the US, amongst other chart positions. It was written by Howard Jones.

Directed by Nicholas Cambata, this music video is set in the 1980's but there isn't an old filter to the visual and therefore making it difficult to comprehend that it's set in the 80's. It's a full narrative, with Cedric Gervais making a background appearance.

JJ is our main character and he wakes up to find out that he's been fired by his boss, Sonny. He doesn't seem all that bothered though, and gets up, gets changed, and walks down the street in time to this music as if he has this addicting song in his head. He meets various people on the street before spotting Michelle across the road and following her into this underground club where Cedric Gervais is performing.

This is where we get transported into JJ's point of view and watch the events inside the club unfold as if we are him. Towards the end of this scene, we see a woman blow him a kiss before we return to his bedroom to start a brand new day - or so we thought. It turns out that the day is the same day, repeated. He dons the same clothes and meets the same people on the street, doing the exact same thing. However, what's different this time around, is that Michelle isn't standing on the corner.

Still, JJ decides to see if the underground club is still there, so he follows the same path as the day before. I expected it not to be there, but it is, and once again the club event unfolds. Only this time, when he wakes up, Sonny has called him up and told him that he's getting a double promotion. It's true, things can only get better.

Overall, this music video is well thought out and extremely interesting. However, it doesn't make an awful lot of sense, although it does suggest that things do eventually come your way. It also suggests that clubbing and partying gives you promotions - if only that would happen to me. The song still speaks to me since I only have a Saturday job and have hardly any income at the moment, but I'm determined to change that - things can only get better for me and you and everyone else.
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Chart Mondays: Mabel Featuring Kojo Funds - Finders Keepers


Finders Keepers (feat. Kojo Funds) - Mabel |

I am still behind on my blog, and it's all CelebMix's fault for being slow, it's Fergie's fault for dropping a new music video each day, and recently, it's INNA's fault for dropping a new promotional single a day. Regardless, I'm determined to catch up on my blog, eventually - I will catch up, I promise. So, here is another Chart Mondays, backdated to 20 November 2017, where Camila Cabello is still at number one with "Havana" featuring Young Thug - she's still at the top spot right now - so it opens the top ten to my review, and Mabel has been inside for some time, and is at number ten on this day, about to drop out fully. Watch Mabel and Kojo Funds dance in a low-light club as they perform their collaborative song "Finders Keepers".

Mabel, full name Mabel McVey, is a Swedish singer who was born in Spain, and currently lives in the UK. She is the daughter of Neneh Cherry and Cameron McVey. She has released mixtapes, EPs, and various singles, clearly leading up to an album, eventually. This song is her only hit to date, although I reckon she'll have another one as the years go by. She's confident, sassy, and clearly in love with her music and we get all that from this clip alone. I definitely suggest you keep an eye on Mabel as she builds up her career. The song features Kojo Funds, who is an emerging rapper from London. He's definitely creating his own waves in the industry, collaborating with some of the best artists. I reckon we'll be hearing from him a lot more in the future. The song was written by Mabel McVey, Jordan D. Reid, Marlon Roudette, Errol Bellot, and Steven Marsden.

Directed by Savanah Leaf, this music video is a pure performance visual that contains a lot of dancing. It has a current grime feel to it, and the club sure emulates that in every way.

There really isn't a lot going on in the visual. Mabel brings it when she's singing the song, but she looks like she's more interested in clubbing and dancing with the dancers and Kojo Funds, rather than actually sending the song out to the viewers in the visual.

The dancing is freestyle throughout with no choreography whatsoever, it's not impressive and doesn't bring anything to the table. It's all relaxed and just comes off simple. I feel some clips are repeated, and there's just nothing to this. Kojo Funds adds great energy at the start of the video, but it's just not enough.
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New Release: Luis Fonsi & Demi Lovato - Échame La Culpa


Échame La Culpa - Luis Fonsi & Demi Lovato |

This hot new collaboration was released on the 17 November 2017, and therefore is acting as my New Release for this backdated date. It's quite the team-up, one we all can't help but love, especially since Latin music is extremely popular right now. The song is dead catchy with ex-summer vibes displayed throughout; however, it feels like they've transformed the track into a eurodance anthem and it just feels like it's trying that little bit too hard; regardless it is fire! Watch Luis Fonsi and Demi Lovato come together in this fired-up dance music video which sees them perform together for the song "Échame La Culpa".

Luis Fonsi, real name Luis López-Cepero, is from Puerto Rico and is best known for his worldwide hit "Despacito" which was a collaboration with Daddy Yankee, and was later remixed with vocals from Justin Bieber. It blew up all around the world, grabbing many number ones in various countries. It has certainly launched Luis Fonsi as an international artist, one we're all keeping our eyes on. He has been in music since the late 90's which is truly remarkable and shows that perseverance really does lead to international fame. In comparison, Demi Lovato has certainly not been in music for as long, but she is one of the rising female artists in the world, one we're all aware of and constantly listening to, so this duet was definitely the perfect collab. It just feels like it's been released a little too late, Latin music always brings the summer sunshine, but it's now winter, and this doesn't have the winter-feel to it. In English "Échame La Culpa" means "Put The Blame On Me". It was written by Luis Fonsi, Alejandro Rengifo, Mauricio Rengifo, and Andrés Torres.

Directed by Carlos R. Perez, the music video has a lot of Latin vibes to it, working well with Spanglish song. Demi Lovato's clipped Spanish isn't so bad but after a few plays, you realise she's not fluent in Spanish at all - which we already knew.

This is more of a performance piece more than anything. Luis Fonsi and Demi Lovato start off with intercut scenes, she's in a bedroom, lying on a bed, whilst he's in an alleyway, walking down some stairs - he looks hot in those trousers whilst she looks hot throughout the entire visual. They talk on the phone, saying "Hey", before hitting the club where they dance the night away.

Their performance pieces are on fire, and you can expect an entertaining show with both these amazing artists on stage at a gig. Luis Fonsi brings it a little more than what Demi Lovato does, and he manages to get more video time. The elevator sure is a main visual that we presume takes us to the club, although we're not sure how Demi Lovato gets there.

Overall this music video would've worked a lot better if there had been a narrative or we had at least seen how Demi Lovato went from the bedroom to the club. She seems awkward in her dancing at the venue whilst everyone else bats out brilliant choreography. She does bring it to the performance piece, though. As for Luis Fonsi, he practically saves the whole video from completely falling apart.
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New Release: Kryan, Fabyan, Yoandri & Micke Moreno - Eres Tu


Eres Tu - Kryan, Fabyan, Yoandri & Micke Moreno |

Once again, I wrote up an article about this for CelebMix, but of course, I was going to cover this on my own blog. I am a fan of Micke Moreno since he collaborated with Antonia on the track "El Amor", and he has incredible vocals that he has shown as being an artist on Global Records Latin; so, I can't wait to see what the future brings him. This has really cemented Global Records Latin and displays the calibre of artists on their label. This catchy song will certainly gain momentum for the label and the boys. Watch Kryan, Fabyan, Yoandri, and Micke Moreno come together in this music video that easily shows off the capabilities of each artist for their Latin single "Eres Tu".

Kryan is known for his time on La Voz Teens, where he was a semi-finalist. This is his first official release and is sure the great big step that he needed. I expect him to release more music under this label, along with the other three guys in this collaboration. Fabyan, full name Fabyan Sanchez, is known for his time on La Banda (the show that gave us CNCO). He came sixth in the show's second season, missing out on being in the five-piece group Mix5. He recently released his debut single under Global Records Latin, titled "Sin Ti". Then there's Yoandri, full name Yoandri Cabrera, he is also from La Banda, only from Season One, where he came sixth, missing out on being in five-piece boy band CNCO. After the show, he self-released three singles that have gained a lot of streams, this signing could certainly allow him to go global. And, lastly, we have Micke Moreno, who has already kick-started his career on Global Records with "El Amor", which features the incredible singer Antonia. His vocals are stunning on this single and I can't wait to see what the future brings him. This song was written by Melo Cardenas Brian Andres, Fabyan Dariel Sanchez Lopez, Yoandri Cabrera, Micke Alejandro Moreno, and Alexandru Cotoi.

Directed by Khaled Mokhtar, this music video tells a short story whilst allowing all four guys to shine in profile performance pieces. Engaging from start to finish with a few surprising and unplanned scenes, this visual definitely brings the Latin vibes.

Filmed in Bucharest, the boys declared that the area reminds them of home and that the scenes definitely bring the Latin American vibe, which is certainly the intention. The boys mentioned about there always being a grandmotherly figure in their home neighbourhoods and whilst on set they came across this old woman who was more than happy to be involved in the music video - talk about a great coincidence.

The boys are walking around when they spot some women on a balcony and they flirt for some time before setting off to a club to dance the night away. The boys each have a solo performance piece that truly allows each of them to shine whilst being surrounded by the women.

Overall, this definitely has a typical Latin music video vibe to it. It allows Global Records Latin to put their stamp into this music genre, and it truly works. Each of the guys will, no doubt, start their incredible music careers under this record label and I certainly look forward to following their every step.
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