I was just listening to "Only You", and realised I haven't reviewed this music video yet; although to be fair, I'm not so keen on this song "Don't Let Me Be Yours". Why did she not release a music video for "Only You"? - Now, that one is a tune. This song was released before "Only You", it wasn't a success at all, compared to her previous songs. The music video is all right, but the scenes with Zara Larsson has all sorts of lighting problems. Watch Zara Larsson perform to the camera while scenes of a woman racing driver are intercut throughout in this music video for "Don't Let Me Be Yours".
Zara Larsson is the Swedish sensation that went international thanks to a collaboration with MNEK that really sent her global with her solo work. She launched well, especially in the UK where her follow-up singles all did well, and we finally got a debut solo album, although she did previously release a debut album which was restricted to certain countries. We haven't heard anything new from her for a bit of a while, so I'm presuming she's working on new music and is prepared to blow us all away once again. This song was written by Zara Larsson, Steve McCutcheon, Johnny McDaid, and Edward Christopher Sheeran (Ed Sheeran).
Directed by Daniel Kaufman, this music video deserved to have been better. It may have the essentials for a great music video with a performance piece and a narrative piece, but it just doesn't work overall. It does have a sense of girl power throughout though.
The narration starts the video off, as we watch a woman head towards a smashed up car in the junkyard. She finds what she needs and takes it back to her racing car so she can compete. At the end, she wins a trophy, which makes the whole thing worthwhile and proves that anything is possible if you fight for it.
I have a total problem with lighting in the music video during Zara Larsson's performance piece. It's clear the person behind the camera didn't take in the sun and the background lighting, causing some really bright shots that swallow Zara Larsson up in light - at times we can't see her at all. Regardless she still brings energy, which we expect. It's clear this song means a lot to her, yet it doesn't work out the way we had hoped.
Overall, this music video isn't memorable at all. It barely relates to the song, apart from the fact that our main character isn't bothered about looking her best, and instead focused on making her dream come true - which isn't really what the song is about, since Zara Larsson sings about a guy who may not like her in the morning when she doesn't look perfect and he has sobered up. Her performance piece would be good if the sunlight didn't get in the way. She makes up for it at night with the burning car, though.
Well, I wasn't expecting this when I chose my New Release music video review; to be fair, I wasn't expecting there to be one for this song. You have no idea how happy I am that Zara Larsson actually appears in this featured music video, especially after the disastrous "Girls Like" by Tinie Tempah. Yet, here she is, with Clean Bandit, as it should always be when there is a featured star. This song isn't really my sort of song, although it is highly emotional, I just don't think it's either of the artists' best song, and I think they could've created something much better; regardless, this is what we've got. Watch Clean Bandit perform as part of an orchestra, whilst Zara Larsson fronts it with the vocals, all the while a heart-breaking gay narrative plays out in the LGBT+ pro "Symphony" music video.
Clean Bandit are a trio consisting of Grace Chatto, Jack Patterson, and Luke Patterson. They are one of the most defining British electronic music groups around at the moment, with a tonne of hits behind them. They made their name known, when they collaborated with Jess Glynne on the song "Rather Be", the rest is pure history. The group will continue to dominate charts around the world. This new collaboration is with Zara Larsson, the Swedish female sensation who has released her international debut album this week. She gained fame when she won the second season of Talang, the Swedish version of Got Talent, in 2008. She gained success in collaboration with MNEK on the song "Never Forget You", which then launched "Lush Life" into international success. This song will, no doubt, storm the charts globally again. It was written by Jack Patterson, Ina Wroldsen, Steve McCutcheon, and Ammar Malik.
Directed by Grace Chatto & Jack Patterson, this music video is engaging from start to finish, much like Clean Bandit's other music videos. They are including in every video that they create, and considerably consider everything and how to properly represent their song in a visual aspect. It's admiring how much thought they put into it. The conductor is played by actor Michael Akinsulire, whilst the love-interest and cyclist are played by actor Josias Bertrand.
There are two parts of this music video, a narrative and a performance. The performance shows Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson at the front of an orchestra with Michael Akinsulire acting as the conductor. He takes up a lead role in the story, therefore linking the performance and the narrative together.
The performance piece isn't all that impressive. There's only so much an orchestra can give, along with a conductor. You would think Zara Larsson would channel her amazing performance vibes, but they're just not there. Clean Bandit brings their usual energetic vibe, but they're definitely lacking something. Maybe performing with an orchestra overwhelmed the performance aspect as a whole.
Regardless, the pro-LGBT+ narrative definitely makes up for whatever is not there in the performance scenes. We watch a cyclist, played by Josias Bertrand, have a traffic accident, that clearly leads to him passing away. We then watch a very upset Michael Akinsulire, grieving for his boyfriend. We watch scenes of them two together as if Michael Akinsulire is reminiscing over the lovely moments the gay couple shared.
These scenes are lovely to watch and we see how Michael Akinsulire goes on to become a conductor, channelling the upsetting energy into his passion. The ending scene sees Josias Bertrand sitting in the audience, watching the orchestra.
What a lovely music video. Once again, Clean Bandit has smashed it out of the arena; another great music video and a perfect one to follow on from "Rockabye" which featured Sean Paul & Anne-Marie; yet didn't quite top it. This is completely emotional and heart-breaking and inspiring, but it's all down to the narrative. Just wish the performance was to my liking to give this a full rating, but I can't justify it so it'll have to settle just short. Great video nonetheless, though.
Another new music video in promotion of her newly released single, Zara Larsson is quickly becoming a full-on international Swedish star. Collaborating with Ty Dollar $ign, just shows how far in her career she is and we're still waiting on an album, but is she attempting to crack America before hand? Especially since she performed on Ellen the other day. Filled with sprinkles of glitter, Zara Larsson's "So Good" music video is a brilliant portrait performance piece with popular rapper Ty Dollar $ign.
Zara Larsson is a total household name in most of Europe; as for America, she's dipped in and out of their Billboard Hot 100 chart. Maybe this collaboration with Ty Dollar $ign will help her to become more well-known over there. Either way, her new album, her debut international album, will be released in March, with the same title as this song. She previously released an album back in 2014 in Scandinavia, but it didn't get released globally; as much as I need it in my life, along with all her other songs in the world - This is why I think they should also release that old album at the same time, because people will no doubt buy it as well. Ty Dollar $ign, real name Tyrone Griffin Jr., has become a rapper everyone wants to collaborate with. He has solidified himself as a popular American rapper and has totally launched quite a few successes. This song has done moderately well in many countries, but it totally hasn't lived up to the successes of her previous singles. It was written by Zara Larsson, Charles Otto Puth (Charlie Puth), Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Gamal Lewis (Lunchmoney Lewis), and Danny Schofield.
The glitter-filled music video was directed by Sarah McColgan. It is a pure performance visual, with a few dance sequences and choreography throughout. Unfortunately, Zara Larsson is missing her stage presence spark that we are used to seeing in her music videos.
We watch Zara Larsson sprinkle glitter on her face in the opening scene. Other scenes follow where she is looking sexy throughout, but there's not much movement or involvement. In the dance scenes, we see her just do the moves, but she doesn't pull them off like in the original "Lush Life" music video. There's just no feeling behind them.
It feels like she hasn't connected to the song at all. She's not bringing any substance to this as a whole.
Ty Dollar $ign brings it like he always does, but again the style of the music video just doesn't work and although the spotlight brings him out more, the emotionless vibe coming off Zara Larsson totally taints the video as a whole.
It's definitely a disappointing music video, one that I don't want to watch again, regardless of the fact that I'm a Zara Larsson fan. I'll be going back to watching her other music videos and leave this one be. I'm hoping she releases a new single in promotion of her album in March, hopefully it'll have a much better music video. The song itself isn't something that I would've thought Zara Larsson would record. It feels like it's going to be a stand-out track on the album for all the wrong reasons. It's certainly a new direction and one that hasn't worked out well in her favour, considering the chart positions.
One of the world's much-loved Swedish artists about at the moment is Zara Larsson. Now she's going for a global career and "Ain't My Fault" should be the start of that, she just needs to be careful, because she's at the point in her career where everything can just disappear in a few seconds. It's happened to many artists before her, hit songs are all okay as long as you continue to release one after the other after the other. This song faired well but it's a rocky ledge to be sitting on right now. Zara Larsson entertains in this sexed-up music video for "Ain't My Fault" that is completely polished it hurts. Choreography on point as well as her performance vibes. She's ready for global stardom!
Zara Larsson came to fame globally thanks to MNEK collaborating with her on track "Never Forget You". This launched her around the world, where her previous song "Lush Life" started to gain traction. Next, Tinie Tempah snapped her up for song: "Girls Like" and that was it, she was famous. David Guetta then grabbed a collab on song: "This One's For You", but it didn't do as well as her other songs globally, and now this one isn't proving the success they were hoping for. The reason being is her diversity. Zara Larsson is doing something no one else is doing in the music industry at the moment. Her songs are completely unique, and that is a risky business but one that will surely pay off. Let's be honest, her international album, which she is working on, will be perfection personified. With "Lush Life" and "Ain't My Fault" as lead singles; her album is what we need in our lives right now! This song was written by Uzoechi Emenike (MNEK), Zara Larsson and Markus Sepehrmanesh.
Directed by Emil Nava, the video is a pure performance piece with Zara Larsson really getting into this sexy role. It's definitely a side to her that we've never quite seen before. In her previous videos, it's been natural beauty, this one seems like she's trying too hard; however, she gives as good as she gets and really owns this style in some scenes.
In certain scenes she's relaxed and it works but in others, there's a complete disconnect. This is what loses the audience. On the other hand, her choreography is pulled off perfectly, although simple she's in time with her backing dancers and she's having fun.
There is a potential chance of a narrative as we see an ex-lover tied up and dangling from the ceiling. He soon disappears off-screen and is all but forgotten. Again, Zara Larsson hints at a narrative but doesn't give us one; this happened in "Lush Life".
There's not a lot to say about this, Zara Larsson struggles to adapt to this sexy version of herself. She seems awkward as if she doesn't really know how stunningly beautiful she really is. This video would've worked if she had more confidence; in parts she has it, but in others she's lost. It's a great song but there's just a distance in the music video that fails to keep the attention of the viewers.
Turns out that Zara Larsson can appear in a video to a song she is featured on, the disappointment on her last featured track, "Girls Like" by Tinie Tempah, left us all wondering when we'll be seeing her next, luckily we didn't have to wait long. David Guetta joins forces with Zara Larsson for this UEFA Euro 2016 football anthem, uniting the world as they watch in on the European Football Championship, apparently this one's for you.
David Guetta, real name Pierre David Guetta, is a French DJ, who is a world-wide renowned DJ, if you haven't heard of him then you've definitely lived under a rock, and if you haven't have heard any of his songs then you must've been on some remote island where music doesn't get played. He has won several awards and has had six UK number ones so far, and I believe another one could be right around the corner. Teaming up with current star Zara Larsson, who first hit international success by teaming up with MNEK on "Never Forget You", and has gone on to have a hit all by herself with "Lush Life". Now she's on everyone's radar, she needs to ride this success and bring out more music for us to buy or stream, otherwise she will disappear. This Swedish star was made for international success. This song was written by David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, Nick Van de Wall, Ester Dean and Thomas Troelsen.
The music video links football, music and dance in this collaborative effort to unite the world with a UEFA Euro song.
Slightly confusing why they are including the world in this music video since it's purely for the UEFA European Championships, and although the world may be looking in and watching, it wouldn't be happening vice-versa. This is more suited for the FIFA World Cup. Regardless, it's uniting us all in the spirit of football and music.
Zara Larsson is a vision of beauty, looking a little like Christina Aguilera, she not only shows off her vocal range in this song, but she proves she can appear in a video of a song in which she's featured in.
Overall a song that unites the world, released on behalf of the UEFA Euro 2016 Championship and a video brought to you by the 'official airline partner' of the said championship Turkish Airlines. Stylish and on form, both stars are stunning in the video, Zara Larsson shines throughout, and David Guetta shows his support for the game. Mixing football with music as well as dance with some scenes, it really is a joining of forces, confusing yet uniting.
Mike Posner is still at number one with "I Took A Pill In Ibiza", so I'm excited to choose a song in the top ten, and I'm so happy that this is in the top ten this week! Finally it has a video, although we're all completely disappointed Zara Larsson is not in it whatsoever, why tease it so much if it was apparently shot last minute? They could've included her one way or another, regardless of how busy she might've been. This totally ruined any chance of me enjoying this video, which totally makes it difficult to review. Full of grinding, twerking and confidence, this video relates to the song, but whereas the song is amazingly catchy, more thanks to Zara Larsson than Tinie Tempah, this video falls dead to the water.
Tinie Tempah, real name Patrick Okogwu, has made quite the name for himself, all of his solo songs have been hits, so it's undeniable that he will forever be in our charts. He has seven number ones under his belt, and I reckon he will be getting a lot more in the future. Featuring is new star Zara Larsson, who definitely won't be disappearing any time soon, although saying that... Not appearing in a music video with Tinie Tempah might not do her any favours. "Lush Life" is one of my favourite songs, and she has a killer voice on "Never Forget You". She shocks everyone with this, because it suits her perfectly, and yet... No sign of her in the video. The song is a hit, but maybe it would've performed better if the video had Zara Larsson in.
The video was shot in Cape Town, South Africa. Filmed whilst Tinie Tempah took a long stay over there. Clearly Zara Larsson didn't have time to fly over there and film it. It's saddening to think that she wasn't featured in the music video, especially since she makes this song, although Tinie Tempah's rapping is on point.
Tinie Tempah hosts a street party, and it's all fun and games. He performs well in this, although he doesn't do much, he looks relaxed, like he's at home in Cape Town.
The dancers can dance, that's undeniable, and yet they aren't given much choreography, just a few booty shakes, a bit of twerking and grinding. These dancers can do so much more, yet there there to look sexy.
Zara Larsson's verse is done quite cheap and nastily, although I love the idea behind the bathroom scene, as girls' chatter in bathrooms; the scene isn't shown as how I would imagine. It paints a bad picture both generally and culturally. And although they have someone who looks similar to Zara Larsson in the background, I feel that this not only erases her from the song and video entirely, but having other women lip-sync to her lyrics kills her off. This reminds me a lot of Ms. D in Wiley's "Heatwave", who never appeared in that video. Difference is Zara Larsson is a chart success with her own songs, you don't just not include her and expect people, to not only not notice, but also not want answers. Where is she?
Overall, Tinie Tempah does he's best to perform, but without Zara Larsson it was never going to work. The video relates well, although could've been so much more. With all the hype created about this video, it should've been a stunner, since the song is amazing. The song would get five stars from me, but since I'm purely basing the rating on the video, I have no choice but to give it this rating.
Zara Larsson is the person who sung with MNEK on that song called "Never Forget You". She is a big hit in Sweden, and to no surprise, I have become a fan of her music, thanks to this song, which is so catchy. She released this in June 2015, in Sweden, but the song got released this week on iTunes here in the UK, as well as other music download sites such as Amazon, HMV and 7digital, regardless to what iTunes release date suggests. Zara Larsson does her thing in front of a green screen, allowing the viewers to see her personality and relaxing performance.
Zara Larsson is only 18, and has already had number one singles around the world, we officially have a new star! Perfect voice with a perfect style and image, this girl is going to go far. Sweden is really pulling out the stops, winning Eurovision with worthy songs, hitting charts globally with their singers, they are seriously a country we have got to keep our eyes on, because they are making stars. Lush Life was written by Emanuel Fredrik Abrahamsson, Christoph Bauss, Iman Hullén, Markus Reza Sepehrmanesh, Linnea Anna Soedal and Fridolin Walcher. It has charted globally, hitting number one in Sweden, as well as the top 10 in Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Finland, Slovakia, Australia and the Czech Republic. This is a massive hit, and I hope will climb the UK charts, because it deserves to, but the music channels won't promote it that much as this video isn't as great as the song. Fingers crossed this climbs, but I doubt it will. I will be buying the song myself after I've posted this review.
Directed by Måns Nyman, the video fails to keep us engaged, there's no choreography and there is a lot of visual, yet not as creative as it could have been.
The reason why this video doesn't fall flat, totally, is because of Zara Larsson. She really does love this song, and it really shows. She performs to us, to the best of her ability, because she knows that this is all they've got for the video. She dances as if there were choreography made for her, enough to look like she made it up, but she pulls it off effortlessly, and it totally works, you go girl!
I hate the visuals behind her at times, as well as the black and white colourisation. We do not need it, it just ruins the music video, although, at times, it is paired with the song lyrics.
The most engaging part is the start, when she pulls her necklace off and flings it behind her. It signifies the end of a relationship, she's finally over it, and she now has a new crush. A potential start to a narrative that never comes.
Overall, it's a perfect song, definitely a worldwide hit, it just needs more radio play here in the UK, it worked for Shawn Mendes with "Stitches". As for the video, this is where Shawn Mendes' "Stitches" does well as the music channels are loving the video, this one isn't one people would go out of their way to watch over and over again. This doesn't quite fall flat, but the low-budget has totally made this awful, and the money spent wasn't well-spent at all, in my opinion, although Zara Larsson does her best to shine throughout.
Again Justin Bieber's still at number one, with "Sorry", which currently doesn't have a music video, and so Chart Mondays is open to any of the top 10. I have very little choice now that I've reviewed almost all the music videos in the top 10 singles chart. This one is currently at number seven, and I can totally see why it charted so high. MNEK is back, looking cool and calm as usual in a brilliant performance piece which showcases Zara Larsson perfectly, it's accompanied with a perfect narrative which definitely reminds me of The Gruffalo, sweet, innocent and isolated. A perfect peaceful endearing story line.
MNEK, real name Uzo Emenike, has been tackling the charts for a while, he is mostly known for his feature on Gorgon City's "Ready For Your Love", which got to number four in the UK. This single peaked at number five, which is still considered good. It is a collaboration with Zara Larsson, who is from Sweden and has had many hits over there. This is her first single to chart here in the UK, and my guess is that it won't be her last. Sweden is really coming a long way when it comes to music, and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot more Swedish artists appeared in our charts sometime soon. The song is written by Zara Larsson, MNEK and Astronomyy.
The music video was directed by Richard Paris Wilson. The narrative definitely reminds me of The Gruffalo story by Julia Donaldson. A young girl meets a creature she wants to spend time with, it is believed the creature is imaginary, and as she gets older she dreams and imagines being with him till the end of time. She never forgets him as she gets older and she continues to spend time with him as she continues to grow.
The performance side is on point. Zara Larsson definitely outshines MNEK. She is a new artist, and she is a vision when she sings. MNEK, however, manages to portray the song perfectly. Both would definitely be good to see live.
Overall, an amazing song sung perfectly by these two artists. The music video is a little on the weird side, but it's sweet, endearing and definitely relates to the song.