Okay, when did this get released? And, how the hell did I manage to miss it? Like, seriously? I was totally obsessed with the song when it got released - I reviewed it for CelebMix - but this video was rolled out afterwards and I completely didn't see it. But now I have, and it's ready to be reviewed by me. This song is now currently stuck in my head because it is that awesome. Watch model Arizona Muse walk around Ibiza and goes clubbing, as models have a fun time behind the scenes with Martin Solveig in "Places" music video that doesn't show Ina Wroldsen.
Martin Solveig, real name Martin Picandet, is a French DJ who is one of the top DJs in the world. He comes in and out of the charts around the world and his catchy songs really show his ability to implant songs in people's heads. This one deserved to be a worldwide hit but comparison's to "How Deep Is Your Love" probably didn't help. The featured star, Ina Wroldsen, is super famous in the songwriting world and was even the uncredited vocalist on "How Deep Is Your Love", which probably explains the comparisons. Recently she's been building her own career in music; I have to admit, I am a fan, and she deserves worldwide credibility. With her amazing songwriting skills, I'm sure she'll become one of the biggest singer-songwriters globally pretty soon. The song was written by Ina Wroldsen and Martin Picandet.
The music video takes place in Ibiza and we watch model and actress Arizona Muse walk the streets as well as go to Martin Solveig's show at the end.
The opening shows models going live on their phones as they talk in their own language. Things get a little comedy out-of-control, but it's all just a bit of fun. Later we see them having a good time with Martin Solveig.
There are snippets of his "My House" party at Café Mambo and Pacha, showing his time in the White Isle totally reminding us that summer is never too far away.
Arizona Muse totally shines throughout this music video on her Balearic journey. She reminds me of Rachel Platten.
Overall, an alright music video showing off Ibiza. Martin Solveig has brought us another awesome song, and Ina Wroldsen is definitely one of the rising singer-songwriters to look out for... Someone this established in songwriting is bound to have some killer songs to be released in 2017. I literally cannot wait to see what the future holds for these two.
This is my revisit this week, although I found it extremely difficult to choose one of George Michael's old songs, mainly because there has been so many. I chose this one because I actually think this song is amazing, even if it is a cover version. This was definitely an iconic duet at the time, and it works so well. It's such a shame that George Michael has passed away, but his many hits will live on. Watch George Michael and Mary J. Blige perform in a club surrounded by doppelgängers, which version of themselves is actually them? This "As" music video is brilliant.
George Michael, real name Georgios Panayiotou, unfortunately, passed away on 25 December 2016. I reviewed "December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas)" as a tribute to him, but thought I might as well review another of his as I have the chance. He's recent releases have done all right, but haven't been as much as a success as his early career was. He didn't release quite as much or as often as he used to, which is why I never really got into his music, you could say he was before my time. The same goes for the person who he collaborates with on this track; Mary J. Blige has had a lengthy solid career and is another star who has proved herself within the music industry. Much like George Michael, her recent releases haven't faired so well, although she has released a lot of music recently, which is a contrast to George Michael. This song was originally a Stevie Wonder song and first appeared on his album "Songs In The Key Of Life". It only charted in the US. It was this collaboration that brought the song success worldwide. It was written by Stevie Wonder.
Directed by Big TV!, which consists of film directors Andy Delaney and Monty Whitebloom. The video is amazingly thought out and must've taken quite some time to edit and create.
It's a performance based music video with a running narrative throughout. The start sees George Michael walking into a club. When he finally gets there, we see many doppelgängers of himself. This is my kind of club, I'd so be chatting up myself throughout the night.
When Mary J. Blige comes in, there is also a lot of doubles of herself too. It's impossible to keep track of the original them as they all each take a part, even in the background.
It's a total clever music video, especially as the dancing kicks off and with them sitting down. It's one of those videos you're more than likely going to miss something, and so on second watch, you see something new. There's not enough going on, they could've made it a little more interesting and relatable to the song, yet, visually wise, this is amazing!
Inna graces my blog once again, purely because it was her birthday last Sunday and I thought I'd continue the celebrations on my blog. Not only that but I am seeing her in Dublin, Ireland on 3rd December, which I'm totally excited for. Revisit Thursdays are for videos that are five years and older, this is the only one of Inna's music video that meets that rule and hasn't been reviewed by me yet. I have not reviewed it before because I really don't like the music video, and feel it's more Bob Taylor's video, to be fair it is more his song than Inna's; however, in the UK it was promoted as an Inna song. Inna poses for a photo shoot on a boat, as the main music video for Bob Taylor's "Deja Vu" kicks off with flirtatious dancing and sexual intent.
Inna, real name Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu, turned 30 years old last Sunday. She is gearing up to release her fifth studio album. She made her name internationally with her debut single and its follow-ups. We are expecting a tropical exotic sound from her new album, but she's currently in America, which may influence new material for the album. This could be her best album to date. Featured on the track is Bob Taylor. It is originally his track but was promoted in the UK as him being the featured artist. He is a Romanian DJ who has had mild success. His real name is Bogdan Croitoru, and previously released music under Daddy Fizz. The song was written by Sebastian Barac, Radu Bolfea and Marcel Botezan. These three make up producing trio Play & Win.
The music video was originally filmed without Inna in it at all. This resulted in having to add a recorded clip of Inna segmented into the video purely because it was being marketed as an Inna song. Bob Taylor definitely takes centre stage throughout as he hosts this club party.
Inna's part is very minor. It was filmed at Nessebar, a resort on the black sea coast of Bulgaria. She adorns swimsuits as she poses for the camera on a yacht. There's very little performance presence from her because of the photo shoot, therefore not quite connecting with the audience.
The party, however, is in full swing. The dancers are in-sync and pulling out the choreography like it is nothing. On the other hand, the choreography isn't all that complex. There is much more emphasis on being sexy in the club. Sex definitely sells, but this video just doesn't cut it.
There seems to be a slight narrative but it is rarely brought to the forefront, due to the little amount of time, especially with the added cuts of Inna. Bob Taylor is DJing at the club, but it's nothing spectacular. The entire video feels like a shambles. It just doesn't work.
It's time to revisit Inna on a Thursday. It wasn't exactly my plan to do another Inna song, but I actually can't believe I haven't reviewed this music video yet, and since it's over five years old and is probably going to be a guarantee on the set list in Dublin, Ireland; I have to do this! This is one of Inna's biggest songs, next to "Hot", it gave her a second shot at international fame, but unfortunately, it didn't stick around. Inna is sexy and provocative in this music video for "Sun Is Up" as she poses for pictures and videos for her love interest, Tore Frisholm Jr, who is behind the camera.
Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, has had a lengthy career, she is one of the biggest female singers from Romania and in 2011 became the richest earning female singer in Romania and Eastern Europe. She's had many hits and worked with some of the world's biggest stars. Now, she's gearing up for the release of her fifth studio album, and there's no stopping her. Her versatility is inspiring, she has sung in a few different languages to show originality and to appeal to a wider audience. I can't wait to hear what she has in store for her new album release. This song was an international success, having charted all over the world. It was written by Sebastian Barac, Radu Bolfea and Marcel Botezan.
Directed by Alex Herron; shot in Marbella, Spain; it features the love interest, male actor and model Tore Frisholm Jr; this music video has it all.
This is a full performance piece, with Inna singing in a few different sets, from the stunning pool scene to the bedroom scene, Inna doesn't miss a step or a beat. She performs like she's on a stage, looking incredible throughout and giving high energy vibes even when she isn't moving much.
She is posing for video shots and photos with her on-screen love interest Tore Frisholm Jr, who acts as the photographer, capturing her every movement. I like how we have the makeup scene as if gearing her up for the photo shoot. The party scene at the end suggests that there was an afterparty, maybe leading on to the bedroom scene later on. There's a slight narrative but not by much.
Overall it's a slightly relatable piece, it's a club song and there is a party going on. The sun is up in the scenes as well. It's a great interpretation of the lyrics, but her music videos haven't advanced all that much. Many of them are very similar only difference being the scenes and the settings. Regardless, I am literally so excited to see her live in December in Ireland.
Still reeling from the party last night, this song was stuck in my head when I woke up this morning, and I had to review the music video. This is another dancefloor filler, that you can't help but sing-a-long to. It's undeniably catchy. I never knew who it was by until I looked it up, and I'm surprised this is another song that hasn't made an impact on the charts worldwide and is yet the song we hope to hear in a club. Beenie Man and Fambo are living it up in a club, clearly drinking rum and Redbull amongst other drinks in the video, and they're totally okay.
Beenie Man, real name Anthony Davis, is a Grammy-award winning Jamaican reggae singer. He is mostly known for his 2004 hit "Dude" that features Ms. Thing and Shawnna, which hit number seven in the UK. Yet, it's this song we want to hear on the dancefloor. At just ten years old, he released his first studio album back in 1983; he has gone on to release 19 more albums and has totally proven himself as a recording artist. This song is the first in a string of singles that aren't part of an album; it was released in 2010. Featured on the track is Fambo, real name Warren Williams, who is mostly known for this hit. He has been in and out of the music industry for a while but has definitely built his career for himself.
Directed by Janelle Dyer, the video is low quality and quite old-fashioned, and yet it's viewable.
The speech bubbles are a total distraction, they don't last long enough on the screen, so it's difficult to read them in time. They don't blend enough with the visual and are totally out of place. Although it may have seemed good on paper, it doesn't work at all and cheapens the whole video.
There's not much else to comment on. There's an amazing dance scene where dancers show off their skills in a circle of bystanders. More focus on this would've been great; instead, the video flits between the club and Beenie Man's performance piece.
The performance piece is filled with energetic vibes, but there's just not enough substance to his performance. He's very relaxed, he's totally made a name for himself and he knows he has. Arrogance comes from him easily but he works it well as he sings the song.
Overall, the video is nowhere near as great as the song is. It's not on the same level at all. It's dodgy, low quality and totally uninteresting. Beenie Man and Fambo do their best to draw the attention back to the video, but their performance pieces aren't enough to keep us engaged.
It's Thursday Revisit day, so, of course, I wasn't going to miss out on my chance to review an old Melanie C song... As soon as I saw this title amongst her discography I just had to sing the song and therefore had to review it. It may not be the power club ballad that I remember, but nowadays the remix is played rather than this original song. Melanie C acts weirdly and scarily in this music video, her dancing is definitely not on point, but "I Turn To You" will continue to be a tune!
Melanie C, full name Melanie Chisholm, has come a long way from her Spice Girls days. Leaving Sporty Spice far back in the past, she has built up quite the career for herself, and her latest albums prove her vocal ability and range. This song may be her most recent number one, all the way back in 2000, but when you're an ex-Spice Girl, you don't need another number one behind you, all you need is to release music you love, and that is exactly what Melanie C is doing now. This isn't her only UK number one, she managed to get to the top of the UK Charts with her previous single "Never Be The Same Again" which was a collaboration with Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. This song was written by Melanie Chisholm, Rick Nowels and Billy Steinberg.
This music video was directed by Cameron Casey and was set in Ibiza. She dances in a club as well as on top of a cliff face. That is really the whole video.
Not a lot to this performance-based video. Melanie C doesn't look all that comfortable dancing to her own song, with repetitive dance moves, it's clear she's unsure of what to do and how to perform this song.
Clearly, no dance choreography was given to her, so this is Melanie C freestyling. This is where the video fails as a whole because she isn't given any direction.
The club is quite freaky as if she's dancing above an alien spaceship. Some of the scenes are reminiscent of the Roswell TV series, so much so that the clips from the show could have easily appeared in this music video. But the song isn't a soundtrack song for Roswell; the song, in fact, appeared in the Bend It Like Beckham film.
Overall, there is a clear potential for a narrative that just doesn't follow through. Some clips look awkward and out of place, Melanie C doesn't look comfortable at all. It looks like a complete mess, however, it's edited well and the idea is thought out just not shown fully or followed through properly.
YouTube suggested this music video on the home page, so why not include Lindsay Lohan into my blog? She is working on new music material, according to an announcement which she made, but since she doesn't want to clash with her younger sister Ali Lohan, she can't confirm whether a third album will materialise. It was supposed to be released back in 2008, when most recent single "Bossy" was released, but work on that album ceased. Starting from scratch, we might see Lindsay Lohan make a great return to the music industry, or it might just not work out yet again. The paparazzi are once again at blame in this video, as Lindsay Lohan fights back against the media in this music video for debut single Rumours.
Lindsay Lohan is mostly known for her acting roles rather than her music. However her music career isn't as bad as you might think and it is certainly nothing to be snubbed about. She's hit charts around the world, including the UK with single "Over". Most recently, she collaborated with Duran Duran on "Danceophobia" for their 2015 album Paper Gods. Whether her comeback to music will make an impact, is something we may never find out about, but as long as she releases the music she wants, all will be fine. She currently owes her record label one more album, which is why she is recording new music. This song was her debut single and was written by Cory Rooney, Lindsay Lohan, Taryll Jackson and TJ Jackson. It feels like two Britney Spears songs combined together: "My Prerogative" and "Piece of Me".
As for the music video, it was directed by Jake Nava, and must definitely have been the inspiration for Miley Cyrus' "Fly On The Wall" and "Can't Be Tamed" as many scenes and features look and feel too similar.
It relates to the song as it revolves around the media's attention of Lindsay Lohan at the time. This has been done plenty of times, and it proves how much paparazzi was a problem back then for these stars, and to this day it still is a massive problem that isn't really dealt with, and I don't think it will be, which means singers will keep releasing these types of singles and music videos for years to come.
Lindsay Lohan looks completely stylish, as she avoids paparazzi in this video. She also gets with a very gorgeous guy, who happens to be her on-screen boyfriend. At the end there is photos of them kissing on a camera which she later drops out of the helicopter.
There's many different scenes, including Lindsay Lohan being trapped in a bird cage, I wonder who copied this later for their music video... Miley Cyrus' "Can't Be Tamed" anyone?
The dance scene has great choreography that is performed to perfection, Lindsay Lohan proves she's more than just an actress and she really can perform.
Overall, this music video deserves to be watched, it's more than what everyone first expected and it's not surprising since back then she was an amazing actress. Nowadays people are rating her badly because of her problems, yet I will forever support her like I did as a child. I hope Lindsay Lohan makes an astonishing comeback to the music industry, because I shall be backing her corner every step of the way.
Oh how this video brings back memories, I swear the music channels had it on repeat, so much so that I never stopped singing, dancing and watching "Don't Stop Movin'". If I had to pick a favourite song back when this was released, this was it, this was my jam! How embarrassing to think of that now, but I still know every lyric, every memory and every bit of this music video. S Club 7 dances in a club to "Don't Stop Movin'", with motion-blurring snapshots and a full choreography.
Still embarrassing to watch now, and what is with that choreography? S Club 7 consisted of seven singers who were: Bradley McIntosh, Jo O'Meara, Hannah Spearritt, Rachel Stevens, Paul Cattermole, Tina Barratt and Jon Lee. They had a tonne of success in the UK, but it soon fell as Paul Cattermole left the group. This song won them a few awards and hit number one in the UK. It was written by Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O'Meara, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole, Rachel Stevens, Sheppard Solomon, Simon Ellis and Tina Barrett. The verse of the song samples Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".
Directed by Andy Morahan, the video is set in a club, with the group taking over the dance floor as they show off their moves.
At the time this may have been current, but it is totally embarrassing to watch and definitely makes sense as to why I was such a confident child with my dancing. I had this group in my life, with their choreography on my screen, no wonder I was like that.
Taking Bradley McIntosh and Jo O'Meara into the main vocals, this really pushed the other members back. Nowadays a song like this would be separated between each of the group members, but since there is seven of them, this would be possible but pretty difficult. The music video definitely showcases Bradley McIntosh and Jo O'Meara more than the other members, which must have been quite disconcerting for the other S Club 7 singers.
There is very little else going on, the choreography is sort of in-sync, but not to an exact point, and when looked into detail it seems kind of flimsy. This is not as tight as we've seen previous dance choreography from these guys. Overall this could have been better, but it just isn't and looking back on it nowadays, it looks worse than what I thought it was.
As you can probably imagine, I literally cannot wait to see these live on 30 July. It's so close now, my childhood dreams will be coming true. This song is the sassy number that I loved. Booty Luv were releasing hit after hit after hit, unfortunately a second album never emerged, even though songs were released. This was their third single. Booty Luv attends an exclusive club, with their men. They add sassiness whilst on stage, as they watch their doppelgangers go after their boys. They soon see them off, don't mess with my man.
Booty Luv were created after the split of Big Brovaz. Consisting of Nadia Shepherd and Cherise Roberts, they covered some known songs and made them into club current hits, that slayed the dancefloors. This song is a cover of Lucy Pearl's song of the same name "Don't Mess With My Man". This version out-performed the original, chart wise. It was written by Raphael Saadiq, Dawn Robinson and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
This music video, has a narrative with a performance piece enrolled within. Set inside a club, the girls play doppelgangers in this relatable but tongue-in-cheek music video.
This is classy, sexy, stylish, and over the top but in such a good and exciting way.
The narrative, follows Booty Luv as they attend a club, where they end up performing this song, leaving their men to watch in the crowd.
Then their counter-parts sneak into the club, they are dressed as if they have money but can't really afford anything, they're totally cheap.
They create a normal havoc, we've all been there, wanting to get drunk, wanting to be in the spotlight dancing on the tables and wanting the hottest guys to fall for us. But they're always taken aren't they?
This seems to be the case, and the girls come off their stage and soon see their doppelgangers thrown out of the club. In the last scene, the younger Booty Luv are sitting outside of a take-away, on the side of the curb, eating away. Definitely bringing back memories.
Overall, this fast-paced music video is definitely impressive considering their previous two singles "Boogie 2nite" and "Shine". I remember watching it repeatedly on the music channels, as the narrative was comedic. Although this video is dated, it is probably one of their best music videos. I literally can't wait to hear this song live.
By far one of my favourite Inna tracks off her first album, I remember watching this over and over and over again on the music channels, back in 2011. After reviewing her most recent music video for her new single "Heaven" which I also reviewed for Outlet Magazine. I have jumped into Inna's back catalogue for my Thursday Revisit. The UK version of the video is cut by roughly a minute to focus on Inna's image and to get rid of the repeated scenes. Inna is sexed up in the middle of the club trying to win every place with her dancing and her heartthrob of a bartender, in this music video for 10 minutes.
Unfortunately, this song didn't chart in the UK, much to my disappointment, especially since it sounds like it would've been perfect for the UK market, after hits "Hot" and "Amazing". Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, hit it off well in the UK, at first, but it spiralled downhill after "Sun Is Up". However, she didn't stop, and made a market for herself in Eastern Europe, where she is apparently the richest recording artist over there. She has sung in many different languages, and is definitely becoming a massive international star. She has recently been announced as a coach on Vocea României Junior (The Voice of Romania Junior) season one. This was her third UK release, but her fifth single internationally. Featured are her producing trio Play & Win, they have helped many artists with their careers, especially Inna, but they have also made quite the name for themselves in the music industry, mainly as producers, but they have also become known as artists themselves. They consist of Marcel Botezan, Radu Bolfea and Sebastian Barac. This song was written by Play & Win.
The music video was directed by Paul Boyd and filmed in London. The opening shows her preparing backstage for a show, or in this case for going to a club. She wears different outfits and puts them up against herself.
The video continues, with her dancing in a club, with her backing dancers. The choreography is on point, and she works the dancefloor like she owns it.
She catches the eye of the bartender, and who can blame her, he's pretty cute. If anyone knows the actor's name, please tell. And asks him to dance with her. She continues to work the club with her perfect performance vibes.
In one scene we are invited into the bathroom, where Inna and her girls freshen up. Before going back on to the dancefloor. Eventually Inna entices the bartender onto the floor with her.
Cute, sexy, over-the-top, yet totally relatable and perfected. Inna looks and acts like a star. This song is perfectly aimed for the western world, but not much promotion went into it, and radio didn't really pick it up. Still one of my favourites, and the music video may not have much substance to it, but what it lacks it makes up for in relating to the song in every way.
Sam Callahan has done it again, he has released one banger of a song I can't stop playing over and over again. 'What is it you do to me?' High energy, amazing vocals, and the perfect path for him to go down. A past Artist Of The Month, is setting clubs alive with this song, and I'd definitely be requesting it in any club I'm in, and will definitely be playing it at any predrinks and house parties I host. 'I don't know what you do to me'. Sam Callahan is back stronger than ever, sexy upbeat tempo track that compliments his vocals, and a club style music video that accompanies the song effortlessly.
Sam Callahan is another one of The X Factor alumni, but that wasn't where I first came across him. He was promoted before The X Factor and appeared in both Attitude Magazine and Gay Times Magazine, it's where I spotted him over three years ago. He released "Runaway Train" and "Crazy" before entering for the competition. He got to the live shows, with his callafan army behind him. It gave him more exposure and many more fans. After a wayward dip in the rock world, he has turned his sights on dance/house music and this definitely suits him much more. After the release of "Bigger Things", I wondered what was next, and here is my new favourite song from him. I Love It When You was written by Sam Callahan, Warren Meyers, Jenna Donnelly and Matthew Meyers.
Directed by Harvey Lewis, I instantly prefer it over "Bigger Things". A mainly performance piece with a hidden narrative, Sam Callahan finally has perfect stage presence and portrays this song amazingly, he's heart is definitely into this one, and he's loving every minute of it.
Set in Talk Nightclub in Southend, the video has the same feel of the song, with edited scenes that are repeated at times, allowing for an upbeat video. It features Tiffany Theatre College and Vapour Creations (the latter provided the smoke table which holds the drinks in Sam Callahan's booth).
The narrative never quite forms, it works to an extent, but this girl is jumping from one guy to the next, which isn't exactly a rarity in clubs. The first guy she's talking to at the bar is presumable later found in the men's toilets with another girl. Then she comes across Sam Callahan, and after a few exchanges they head back to his booth, where he says something stupid and she pushes him away. Whatever you said Sam Callahan, never say it again!
There's a few people with scary masks on, suggesting alcohol is going to the clubbers heads. Allowing a distorted version of events which totally relates to the song
More clubbing enfolds, including a crowd surf, a champagne soaking (who wouldn't like to get Sam Callahan wet?) and plenty of dancing; with a cheeky UV kiss on his cheek, right at the end.
Overall, an amazingly catchy song that has been stuck in my head since it was released on SoundCloud. The music video finally got released, along with the pre-order of the radio edit. The video relates, it's energetic, has perfect performance vibes from Sam Callahan, and attempts at a narrative that leaves us wanting more. Sam Callahan has found his sound, he just needs promotion and success. I Love It When You is a banger, and it's going to be one of those uncharted treasures that should've been popular.
Will.I.Am is officially back, with an amazing song he will no doubt perform on The Voice UK tomorrow, hopefully with a special guest... Pia Mia. The song is catchy after a few plays, I don't know what it is about will.i.am, he just ends up releasing hits after hits after hits. Will.I.Am dances in this performance-based music video for Boys & Girls, he manages to really show Pia Mia up completely. Stylish, sexy, incredible dancing and perfect performance vibes, will.i.am wins me over with this song and video.
Will.I.Am, real name William Adams, is the lead band member in The Black Eyed Peas. He is currently a coach on The Voice UK, and has been for a total of five seasons, could he make it six as the show moves channels, from the BBC to ITV? Rumours suggest he might. The feature is Pia Mia, real name Pia Mia Perez, who had an amazing debut single release called "Do It Again", but her follow-up single "Touch" failed to get as popular. Personally, I thought this was the end of Pia Mia, but it seems will.i.am has come to her rescue, and here she is on his new single... However she comes across like she can't sing all that much, totally the wrong song for her, how could her and will.i.am get this so wrong? The song was written by William Adams, Charlotte Aitchison and Jef Martensis.
Directed by Spencer Creigh, the video is a pure performance piece, just like "Scream & Shout". Will.I.Am isn't just looking fresh, he actually looks quite hot! In comparison to "Scream & Shout", will.i.am has the spotlight on himself this time, and it is totally working for him.
I would literally go and watch him in concert right now, a solid performance piece from him. He is dancing in-sync with his dancers, with the highly complex choreography, that may look simple at first glance, but I assure you it's more complicated than you think, and it totally works.
Pia Mia... When she appeared I was expecting a Britney Spears starlight on her, just like Britney in the "Scream & Shout" video, but it didn't happen. Her vocals aren't on point, and her style doesn't scream star potential. She's pretty and looks good, but next to will.i.am, she fades into the background. Could this be the end of her short-lived career in the music industry? Her vocals are much better than this.
Overall, there isn't much to this performance-based music video, but there never is when it's performance-based. Apart from Pia Mia problems, everything is perfect, the performance, the dancing, the visuals, the music, the style. Will.I.Am has got everything right in this video, that I can't fault it whatsoever. I just wish Pia Mia's vocals were much better.
Katy B is my Thursday Revisit today. This was her debut single, that charted at number five here in the UK. Debut music videos are rarely anything special, and this one follows suit, or so we all thought. Katy B shows her performance vibes as Katy is On A Mission, although what mission it is I am not so sure, apart from giving the club-goers an amazing night out.
EXCITED! Katy B stormed the main stage at Birmingham Pride in 2014 - and now she's back for our 20th year as one of...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Tuesday, 5 April 2016
Katy B, real name Kathleen Brien, is on the verge of releasing a whole new album, that she will more than likely sing some songs from at Birmingham Pride 2016, which she is headlining. Honey is released at the end of April, and is currently being talked about a lot. Whether it will hit number one like her previous album is something we can't possibly foresee... But her singles from the album hasn't really helped to promote it. This was her debut single and was written by Katie Brien, Beni Adejumo and Geeneus.
Directed by Johny Mourgue, the video shows Katy B and her producer for the song, Benga, performing in a London nightclub, called Matter.
A pure performance based music video, with little snippets of a potential narrative, although it could easily be clips of a behind-the-scenes of the concert.
Katy B performs effortlessly, the song clearly means a lot to her and she really wants to show off on her first music video, and it really does pay off. Benga fades into the background, but since this isn't an official collaboration, it makes sense that he does. Although, Katy B swaps clothes at one point, so are we seeing two different performances put together?
The club-goers are clearly having an amazing time. there's scenes in the crowd, which gives the viewers the atmosphere the clubbers received. Other scenes include backstage at the concert; Katy B and Benga being in a car, as well as out of it; and studio time.
Overall, not too bad of a debut music video, we have definitely seen a lot worse than this before. This relates, it shows a close-to-perfect performance piece, as well as giving us a backstage pass... What more could we have asked for, apart from a narrative, yet that would've been much more difficult and would've, no doubt, cost more. A solid, performance-based music video.
I have to admit, I thought there was more to this video than first meet the eye, but let's be honest this is crazily weird, although definitely rinsing and repeating. Riton has been confirmed for Birmingham Pride 2016. This song is currently in the charts and has become his most successful song to date. Kah-Lo is sitting completely still as this video is rinsed and repeated just like the song suggests, with amazing beats in the background thanks to Riton.
RIGHT ON! HERE'S ANOTHER ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT!We're delighted to announce that Riton will on the Main Stage at...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Riton, real name Henry Smithson, has been attempting to hit the music industry with various different names and projects, finally he has released a hit song that charted well here in the UK. Riton is French slang for Henry, hence the name. He has worked with a number of acts and DJ's some of which spawned their own project. Now he's on to a winner with this song, he just needs to follow up with a successful second single. Kah-Lo is the feature. She's probably one of the ones to watch in the coming years, she won't hit it big straight away, but a few more features and she'll blow up the charts. She'll follow in the footsteps of Becky Hill, has a good voice, gets a few hits, but doesn't quite get the solo hits she deserves. Kah-Lo needs to ride this wave, and then take control of it, otherwise she will sink in this industry. This song is catchy for reasons I don't even know why, basic lyrics, a simple upbeat tempo, yet it easily gets stuck in my head.
Directed by Dan Streit and Dillon Moore, it reminds me of exactly what happens in a club. At the start, everyone is at the bar or in the smoking area, but as more and more alcohol is consumed, people become confident and end up on the dancefloor, then the dancing becomes quite wild towards the end of the night.
This is a simple rinse and repeat situation, at first glance we are watching the same scene over and over again, only the characters become more and more wild, apart from Kah-Lo who is very still to say the least.
It's surprising to see the big change. Compare the very first scene to the last one, and you have total different people in this music video. Yet you don't really realise as it gradually builds up, one girl even gets up on the pool table at the end.
The character change shows how alcohol and amazing music can make people confident. Confident people get the things they want out of life because they go for it. But being drunk doesn't make you confident, confidence comes from within, the only reason you get confident when you're drinking is because you start to not care about perspectives.
The video is great for analysing character and people, since it is a true representation of what happens in clubs, however it fails to interest the viewers watching, and it's mainly the song that makes everyone use the replay button. Rinse & Repeat the song all you want, it won't make the music video any better. Relatable to an extent, and technically great, but this just doesn't do anything for the viewers.
Mike Posner has done it, he has knocked Lukas Graham off the top spot with this amazingly catchy song. Whoever said you can't make a good comeback was wrong. Mike Posner's biggest hit used to be "Cooler Than Me", but guess he becomes the cool one since he has hit number one in the UK with this song and he has made it a global hit. Mike Posner doesn't appear in his music video, although the actor plays out his story, which is definitely stretching the truth, although it seems real enough, you can imagine this happening, but that massive head would knock a few people out in a club.
Mike Posner is only really known in the UK for his previous hit "Cooler Than Me", although his writing credits are substantial, and some may remember him featuring on the UK version of Cher Lloyd's "With Ur Love". Now he's back with another big hit, but will his follow-up singles follow in this one's footsteps or will they under perform again until he brings out another standalone hit? Time will tell as it always does. This song was written by Mike Posner, Martin Terefe and SeeB. The song came about after Mike Posner took a pill in Ibiza while at an Avicii concert.
The music video, directed by Jon Jon Augustavo. It's very scary, especially if you switched over halfway through on a music channel.
It kind of reminds me of the early 00's music videos when these sort of weird videos were all the range. I like the idea of the pill blowing his head up, although I wish they had used animation to literally blow his head up.
It sort of suggests that taking pills/drugs are a good thing. He becomes more confident, more drunk, more girls are interested hell he manages to pull and has sex in a toilet cubicle; there isn't enough emphasis of the ending and how drugs and pills are bad for you.
Pills and drugs are not good! NPS legal highs are to be banned in the UK in April. There's argues for and against them, and most don't know enough about them to make valid concrete opinions on them, whatever your feelings on them, they are there and you always have to be careful, as with anything you accept from a stranger.
Overall the video fails to show the risks of taking pills, and instead reflects on how much of a good time you could have by taking them. Behind the scenes you can tell that he isn't living the life, especially when he takes the pill, it doesn't change his life, it blows his head up and it's not as great as he thinks it is. It sticks to the story of the song and relates to it, although I do think it gives a slightly wrong message out to young people.
Craig David has made his return, and I'm currently keeping my eye on his new music as he has been spotted recording with Platnum, rumours state there's a collaboration to be released soon. I'm excited to see garage and bassline returning, and I'm sure Platnum and Craig David has made an amazing song. As stated before, Craig David has finally made a great chart comeback with this hit song, which peaked at number ten. The video is nothing special, Craig David proves why he should always be in the charts, he has made some great hits over the years and in this video he exudes confidence. Big Narstie proves himself and enlightens us to some of his music.
Craig David first hit the scene in 2000, with number one singles "Fill Me In" and "7 Days". His debut album also peaked at number one in the UK. Since then he has had many chart hits. He's last entrant into the top 40 was "Hot Stuff (Let's Dance)" as well as "6 of 1 Thing", after which the other singles wasn't quite hitting the charts well enough. After a much needed break, he returned to music with this collaboration, and it has placed him back in the charts and on everyone's radar. Big Narstie, real name Tyrone Lindo, has dipped in and out of the limelight, he's one of these names you know and yet you can't quite pinpoint why. The song was written by Craig David, Scott Wild and Tyrone Lindo.
The video isn't something I'd go out of my way to watch again, nothing surprising, nothing engaging, it's just a general music video that adds nothing to the song except showing off the artists' confidence. It was directed by Caroline Clayton.
Craig David is walking the streets in this music video, giving us the old garage vibes that we know and love. In the background we see youths, some are dancing freestyle, others are just having fun.
Next we enter a club where this song is going down with the ravers, much like it does when it comes on in the clubs I go to. Big Narstie appears and starts rapping about a sandwich, which he performs with ease.
Overall, a very catchy song that is bringing back bassline and garage anthems that deserve to be in the chart, and Craig David is definitely the trendsetter to do just that. The music video fails to engage and interest the audience, nothing new, nothing exciting and it's just an average normal music video.
My plan for New Release this week was Tinie Tempah feat. Zara Larsson with "Girls Like", unfortunately, the music video for that song has yet to be released, and a quick look at the New Releases this week have turned up similar stories. Miguel seems to be one of the only New Releases that has a music video out this week. He has been chart hungry for years now, and just when he gets into the limelight, it soon disappears again, and with songs like this, it isn't surprising. Miguel drops himself in water to relate to the song, whilst performing in a club where he's obviously intoxicated. Slow, misguided and twisted, this music video is wavy at best.
Miguel, full name Miguel Pimentel, is probably best known for featuring on Mariah Carey's song "#Beautiful" which is his biggest hit here in the UK, his other top songs failed to make the UK Top 40. A quick look on the iTunes top 1000 and this song is no where to be seen, and considering iTunes has promoted the single by putting it on their homepage under the Singles tab, it just goes to show that what Miguel really needs is a hit song. The song was written by Miguel Pimentel, which surprised me since his performance clips in the video fails to portray much passion towards the song.
This choppy video isn't exciting and interesting, although finding a house party behind a fridge door is pretty intricate.
I just feel like this was a rushed music video, the song is about making love to a girl all night, and instead it portrays him singing the song at a club and getting the crowd going as well as some scenes of him in some water.
He is also shirtless throughout, which would be great if he didn't clearly have this arrogant side to him. He thinks he's all that in this music video, and that just makes the song and it's accompanying music video less appealing than it would've normally been. I can't find much else to comment on, just that if Miguel is looking for a hit, he better do something about it soon.
Rihanna, Rihanna, Rihanna. Gone are the days when I was actually a fan of hers. Now, I wasn't expecting much from her for this music video, but she actually surprised me, because we get two music videos in one. So now I'm going to have to review two music videos... It's going to be a long night! Both videos are sexual, the first one is less so than the second. Rihanna twerks. grinds and booty shakes to her new song, most of the time all over Drake, who is clearly loving every second of it.
Rihanna, real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is a worldwide superstar, let's be honest, the chances of her career spiraling downwards and ending is never going to happen. Although as she gets older she might not bang out chart hit after chart hit, just look at Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Madonna; there are plenty more that are superstars but are suffering in the chart world. I used to love Rihanna when "Umbrella" came out, but it wasn't until "Don't Stop The Music" was released that I fell in love with her music for a couple of years, until she changed style and then I went totally off her. Still, "We Found Love" was the closest she came to making me like her all over again, but it didn't take off in my world. No song from her will beat "Don't Stop The Music", that's my Rihanna tune on any dancefloor! As for Drake, real name Aubrey Drake Graham, he has yet to have a solo number one in the UK, and isn't quite as popular here as he is in other countries. However he is a chart success for a rapper, considering not many do manage to chart consistently well in the UK. This song was written by Jahron Braithwaite, Matthew Samuels, Allen Ritter, Rupert Thomas, Aubrey Graham, Robyn Fenty and Monte Moir.
There isn't a lot to comment on either of these videos, I definitely prefer the first one over the other, but none of them surprises me, or actually makes me want to watch them a second time.
The Director X Music Video
The first music video is directed by Director X, who has been mentioned on my blog multiple times, his videos are usually intriguing and definitely high rated by me, but it annoys me to know that this music video is directed by him, I could deal with someone less known, but why this video Director X, just why?
The music video invites us into a club called The Real Jerk, and it excites me slightly, thinking this music video might be inspired by "Don't Stop The Music". Unfortunately, we are in a totally different club, where twerking and booty shaking is the norm.
Not a lot to comment on, apart from Rihanna dancing in front of a mirror, which I'm pretty sure we've all done often, no? Just me then. I am not a fan of what she is wearing, although I guess it could be a lot worse, and at least she totally works it.
A lot of grinding in this club too, especially against Drake, who is obviously loving every minute of it.
Not a whole lot to this music video, and Director X actually disappoints me, but I guess he didn't have much to go on, especially since the song is inspired by Jamaican songs, and it is a club song and so he manages to relate to the song. Many people will be twerking and grinding in clubs to this song.
The second music video is directed by Tim Erem. A director I am not aware of, as I haven't reviewed a music video from him, until now.
A solely performance piece in a narrative music video, Rihanna looks entirely uncomfortable, and can you blame her with what she is wearing? Going braless is nothing Rihanna hasn't done before in her music videos, she's been wearing even less in some of them, as well as being nude. Yet with this see through top, she might as well have done it totally topless as the top hides nothing, and although set in a home setting, she doesn't look happy at all.
Rihanna just dances little and sings the song, with no emotion, and no intention of performing like we all know she can. This is too exposed, too raw even for Rihanna, and it just fails completely. Drake doesn't help much either and the video doesn't flow quite as well.
I hope never to see this music video again, as it feels cheap, nasty and low budget. This isn't the Rihanna or the Drake that we know and this video shouldn't have been an option, let alone released.
Starting off my #FreeKesha and similar stories special this week, is Kesha, unsurprisingly. She has amassed a tonne of support on social networks around the globe after her injunction has been denied. She is obligated to record six more albums with a guy she claims sexually assaulted her, which Dr. Luke has denied. However, she wasn't looking for justice or punishment, all she asked for is to be released from her contract. We've all seen the photos of her being upset about the verdict, but Kesha is one brave woman, and she will overcome this. Kesha looks like she's having a great time in this music video, being daring and partying hard, it's her only UK solo number one, and I hope she makes a great come back in the next few years.
Ke$ha, real name Kesha Serbert, has got to be strong right now, it's upsetting to see anyone go through what she has gone through. Just looking at her success, three UK number ones, including this song, and many top ten hits. Kesha should be an international star, but with her being caught up in this legal battle, she hasn't been able to release any new music. Surprisingly, this is her biggest chart hit, whereas "TiK ToK" has sold more copies, it only peaked at number four. This song was written by Kesha Serbert, Joshua Coleman, Lukasz Gottwald (Dr. Luke), Jacob Kasher Hindlin (Ammo) and Benjamin Levin (Benny Blanco). The song is to inspire people to be themselves, Kesha hoped it would become a gay anthem.
Directed by Hype Williams, the video is self-appreciated and it's free, which is everything Kesha had hoped for after her trial. She gave us gays an anthem we can sing and shout, because We Are Who We Are, yet all we can give back to her is support through social networks and petitions. We're here for you Kesha, and you know it.
The music video plays on the fact that it's a party anthem, so Kesha attends the party, glammed up and sexy, she is ready to party like no one's watching, and that is all about being who you are, if Kesha wants to dance she can because she's free to do so, or was in this music video. She's not free of her contract, unfortunately.
Apparently famous faces appear in this, but none I can find personally and I can't find concrete references for them either.
I have to talk about the jump, this is pretty well known in this video. We all know Kesha is wacky, so maybe keep her away from the Tequila; jumping off a building isn't anything major for her, although obviously this didn't literally happen, and yet they've pulled it off well, making it look real.
Overall a great song that is empowering for the majority of LGBT+ people out there, as for the music video, it's a main performance piece, that has Kesha giving us great vibes and free emotions, it relates to the song and it looks like it'll never get old. However, I think a small narration would've helped this flow slightly better.
Almost six years old now, in the UK, and I cannot believe I haven't reviewed it until now. I have been a fan of Inna since this music video was released on the music channels and radio picked up the song. To date, this is Inna's highest charting single on the UK chart, although many of her most recent singles are worthy of that claim, however she is not promoted much, if at all, in the UK and so her music isn't widely popular here, not yet anyway. Inna looks fly and hot and sexy in this music video, with a passionate love story narrative infused.
Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, is one of the biggest artists to come out of Romania, if not the biggest, she holds the title as the richest Romanian and Eastern European artist as of the end of 2011, I presume this still stands. This is her debut single, that shot all across the globe, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart, I remember when and where I bought this single, surprisingly. I was in Wales on a family holiday, and as soon as it was released in HMV, I begged my dad to let me go inside and buy this one CD. I still have it today in my bedroom. It was written by Sebastian Barac, Radu Bolfea and Marcel Botezan. The title of the song is not listed in the lyrics, it was originally going to be called 'Fly', however they chose 'Hot' instead as it relates and describes a certain type of relationship.
There are actually two music videos for this song, which I only just found out today. I will be focusing on this one alone, and might review the other one in the future. This is the one I know and love, the other one is a complete mess, and I'll only ever review it if I need to.
This video is both performance and narrative. Inna is looking sexy and sultry, not giving too much away as she performs. The scenes are beautifully subtle and works well with her looks. We know she can perform better than this, however there's something simple and relaxed about this, as she floods the song with emotion.
The narrative follows a blonde girl in the backstage dressing room, getting ready. She receives a bunch of roses with a card that says in Romanian: 'Un admirator...' which means in English: 'An admirer...' We then see scenes of her doing her job as a stage dancer. We then are cut to a scene of her at home, arguing with her lover in front of her daughter. She walks out and the father comforts the child.
She receives another bouquet of roses, and the card reads, in Romanian: 'Un admirator care te adora...' which means in English: 'A fan who loves you...' A few scenes of her stage dancing and being with her friends are included and in the morning another fight ensues at home, where she inevitably packs her bags and leaves.
When she returns backstage there is another set of roses. This card says in Romania: 'In seara asta vreau sa ne cunoastem. Te astept ,dupa program ,in fatza clubului' which basically means in English: 'Tonight I want to meet you. I will wait after work', the end bit doesn't directly translate, I'm presuming it means outside the club, or round the back of the club, or somewhere specific in the club. When she goes to meet him, it turns out that the guy who we've seen clips of is actually her lover. He takes his sunglasses off and his ring (which doesn't make sense to me), and they hug and make up.
Overall a perfect video that can't be faulted, a perfect narrative that is totally related to the song. The performance piece could've been better, but Inna has released much worse performance pieces in her music videos, and yet a quick look at any of her live sessions proves that not only does she have an amazing voice, but she has a brilliant on-stage presence that is filled with performance vibes, this video slightly shows that, but the narrative is so thought out and special, it makes the video complete.
