Finland brought a bit of rock back to the Eurovision Song Contest again in 2014. Finland is renowned for their rock contributions to the Eurovision Song Contest, after all, Lordi did win with "Hard Rock Hallelujah" for Finland back in 2006. Softengine managed to get 72 points, placing Finland 11th in the Grand Final, just missing out on the top ten, but as I've said time and time again, 2014 was a competitive year. A pure performance based music video for "Something Better" from Softengine, showing the energy they have on stage.
Softengine were a five piece rock band at the time of this music video, consisting of Topi Latukka, Ossi Mäkelä, Henri Oskár, Tuomo Alarinta and Eero Keskinen. The band is currently a four-piece rock band, as Eero Keskinen left the group to follow his career as a lighting technician. As a four-piece, they have gone on to release an EP and some new singles; apparently, album number two is just around the corner. This song was well received at Eurovision 2014. It was written by Topi Latukka and Henri Oskár. The band competed in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2014, the national selection for Finland's entrant into the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, and they easily won.
The music video is a pure performance piece. I don't usually have a problem with these sorts of videos, as long as they're good, but Softengine fails to excite the viewers. Considering they would perform on the Eurovision stage, a pure performance-based video isn't exactly great promotion for the song.
There's not an awful lot to say about this video. The band seem quite static as the camera spins around them. The low angles fail to capture the audience in, and doesn't make for a pleasant viewing.
There's nothing else I can comment on. This video doesn't draw the audience in and they performed so much better on the Grand Final and the Semi-Final than they did in this music video. It's just not engaging enough.
Ever since this song was announced as their next single, we've been waiting for a music video, and it's been such a long wait. But the Olympics have finished and here's the video, and it was definitely worth that long wait! A total relief after waiting so long for Major Lazer's "Cold Water" and being disappointed; but Fifth Harmony has made us completely forget about "Cold Water" and totally smashed this video! Fifth Harmony appear in a post-apocalyptic world and attempts to save everyone, whilst performing this strong and empowering track. "That's My Girl" is a true sign of girl power!
Fifth Harmony is one of the biggest girl groups in the entire world at the moment. Formed on The X Factor (US), and much like One Direction, they came third in their season; they have become world renowned. They consist of Normani Kordei, Lauren Jauregui, Dinah Jane Hansen, Camila Cabello and Ally Brooke. They're currently on their 7/27 world tour, promoting their second album. This single is their third single overall, and may be their last from the said album. Girl power and totally empowering, this song is beyond strong. It was written by Tinashe Kachingwe, Alexander Kronlund and Lukas Loules.
Now this music video is FIRE! The director is Hannah Lux Davies; so, of course, it was going to be FIRE! This is one of the best Fifth Harmony music videos I have seen.
Interpreting the lyrics into a whole difference imagination, this music video goes a lot further than we initially thought it would. The song itself is about independence and being strong, encouraging their fans to be determined and do what they want because they can do it and they certainly don't need a man beside them.
So how this song turned into a post-apocalyptic video, about strength and caring, I do not know, but let's be honest this is completely amazing, especially with everything going on in Syria at the moment.
The girls wave white flags in the air in a brilliant dance sequence that they nail, before saving the survivors and rescuing them. They then dance with red flags in amazing choreography, they're totally in-sync throughout.
The girls are perfect throughout. Their performance vibes are totally off the radar, if you've ben lucky enough to see them live like I have, then you'll know how amazing they are, just like they are in this video.
Overall this video has it all, a relatable strong narrative all infused amongst various performance pieces that contain amazing choreography which is performed flawlessly. These girls are already one of the biggest girl groups in the whole world, but this song and video just enforces that even more!
Finally, it's released and it's still in the top ten. Currently at number one is The Chainsmokers and Halsey with "Closer" which doesn't have a music video as of yet, so it's opened the top ten of the UK chart for my Chart Mondays review, and this time I've chosen this former number one. Four women dance in different serene locations along to "Cold Water", unfortunately, Major Lazer, Justin Bieber and MØ do not appear.
Major Lazer are an electronic trio consisting of Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire. Originally founded by Diplo and Switch, the latter left in 2011. Now Major Lazer is one of the biggest names in the electronic genre. Having worked with a number of prolific stars, there is no stopping this trio. Featured is the unstoppable Justin Bieber, who's new music got the world turning into fans. He dominated the UK chart, and he did it once again with his collaborations. As for MØ, real name Karen Marie Ørsted, she's been trying to make an impact on the world for a while, but with the help of Major Lazer, she's managed to come into her own. This song was Major Lazers' first and currently only number one, but I'm pretty sure it won't be their last. It was written by Ed Sheeran, Benjamin Levin, Karen Marie Ørsted, Thomas Pentz, Justin Bieber, Jamie Scott, Philip Meckseper and Henry Allen.
Directed by Matt Baron; the video features four dancers who are Helen Gedlu, Jaylene Mendoza, Sara Bivens and Andranita Smith-Shannon. This is a music video we have been waiting months for and this is the outcome? Like, really?
There is nothing to this video, I don't see how it's relatable in any way, the choreography is interesting, and yet doesn't interpret the song the way we hoped it would.
The dancers dance, but there's nothing special about the moves they are doing, the camera fails to draw in close enough to watch them properly, and occasionally the camera angle doesn't do the dancers justice.
Lighting effects are intricate and yet fails to engage the audience. This is not what we were expecting at all, especially when we've been waiting months for this, it totally doesn't make up for the wait.
This music video could be paired with any song and it wouldn't make much of a difference. The song is infectious, but the music video leaves a lot to be desired and although the setting is beautiful, there's nothing to this video.
According to the Official Charts Company, this song was released this week, and so I watched the music video on Friday, prepared to write up a review of the video. Later I find out it was actually released 9 September according to Amazon and iTunes. Instead, I reviewed the VAMPS feat. Chris Motionless "Inside Of Me", and thought I'd review this over the weekend. Ady Suleiman brings a reggae ballad to groove along to as you see his amazing relaxed performance in this "Wait For You" music video. He is definitely one to watch.
Ady Suleiman is a new guy on the scene, he is putting a whole new spin on reggae music, making it popular and interesting again. He's track "Running Away" was well received, and he's only becoming more and more popular. This song is his follow-up single, we hope a full album is within reach. This track is a perfect song to listen to in the car, gentle and honest, it's flooded with emotion.
Directed by Calmatic it is a pure performance piece showing Ady Suleiman's energetic performance vibes, which is so relaxed it makes me want to go to see him live.
This reggae ballad looks like it's reacted well amongst the extras. The audience are clearly loving the song and it's so groovy and catchy you can't help but like it.
The video itself has a filter over it to make it look quite old, definitely respecting the good times when reggae was extremely popular, yet transpiring it into today's era. Ady Suleiman is certainly making it popular all over again.
There's not a lot else to say about this, but it does make Ady Suleiman look genuine and caring, which he no doubt is in real life. The video shows what he is like live, and as a performance piece, it shows him in a good light.
This video was chosen thanks to YouTube suggestions, sometimes I use it for ideas when I can't think of a video. This time, I used it because I feel like I'm filling up my blog with female singers and I need some more variety. Now I've found Rayvon Owen, and he is my new gay male singer fix. Whilst Steve Grand is away, hopefully working on album number two; and Troye Sivan is doing his own thing, I needed someone new to fixate on... Well here's Rayvon Owen. This music video is known as Rayvon Owen's official coming out story telling the world that he's gay. He watches Shane Bitney Crone from afar before taking a risk and making a move. Confident people always get what they want and therefore it should always be rewarded in my book.
Rayvon Owen came to prominence in the 14th season of American Idol. He managed to get to the final and finished fourth overall. The music video acts as his official announcement that he's gay. He has had an all right career since American Idol, but clearly, this video has helped to promote him as an artist, and hopefully it's the start of some great things to come because that voice is beautiful.
Directed by Justin Clough, the video features actor Shane Bitney Crone as his love interest as well as actress Halle Huff as the best friend. It is both a narrative and performance music video and is definitely the complete package.
The narrative is interesting, a lot of shots of Shane Bitney Crone and Halle Huff, at times it's more focused on her than anyone else, which is slightly misleading. Yet, when watched again, she's obviously the best friend and they are clearly talking about Rayvon Owen.
I love the slight nod that Halle Huff does to Rayvon Owen towards the end, it's definitely something you would expect a best friend to do, and my friends have certainly done it for me a few times. However, Rayvon Owen has a lot of confidence. he goes after Shane Bitney Crone. This doesn't happen to me, my best friends try to usher someone over but I have to be the confident one.
The performance side is amazing, this guy has perfect energy. He would be amazing to see live, that is for sure.
As for whether he needed a coming out video, in a day and age where it shouldn't be a problem.... That is open to interpretation. Personally, I think people in the public eye have a duty to become gay icons, someone others can look up to. As Rayvon Owen said: "You’d be surprised at the amount of times I tried to pray the gay away from me or tried to tell God to take this away from me. No kid should have to do what I did and pray to not be who they are. That’s why I think it’s important even in 2016 to say this." The fact that kids can look up to him and have the confidence to come out and be proud of who they are is amazing. I didn't have anyone to look up to when I was younger, and every gay guy on TV, in music, or elsewhere were slated by my friends and family. Having someone to look up to and encourage people to be happy with who they are is genuinely a needed thing in society.
Overall, this video has everything, including a sensual gay kiss at the end which is so great to see. Such a happy ending in this gay music video, which is usually difficult to find. Rayvon Owen and Shane Bitney Crone are now officially a couple and they definitely look cute together.
Do not confuse this rock band with the popular British pop/rock group The Vamps, they are totally different! Something new and something different for my blog, as I have recently been filling it up with a lot of pop music, it's time for a bit of a rock review. This rock group come from Japan and are doing phenomenally great over there, In this video for "Inside Of Me", the VAMPS perform while motorcyclists run rings around them before everyone drops dead.
The VAMPS are a Japanese rock duo consisting of Hyde and K.A.Z. The former is the singer of the group and has even gone after a solo career, where he has released four solo albums so far. As for the latter, he is known for his work with bands Oblivion Dust and Speed Beaver as well as the VAMPS. They are a formidable talent in Japan, but international success is on the horizon for these two, especially with the collaboration of the frontman of Motionless In White. Featured star is Chris Motionless, as I've already stated, he is a part of the band Motionless In White, who are a gothic metalcore band from America. They have released three albums, with a fourth expected to drop in January 2017. The frontman was busy with the Warped Tour to appear in this music video, but just featuring on the track is promoting this duo. The VAMPS clearly have something going for them, especially as they are easily finding fans around the world, this song may not become the clear hit it deserves to be, but I expect a future hit may happen for this rock duo in the future.
This music video is a mainly a performance based music video with a subtle narrative throughout. Without the bikers, this would be good, but with them it's exceptional.
As a performance, the VAMPS smash it. Hyde's vocals are on form throughout and he takes the spotlight totally. He captures the audience in with his singing and his energy, but it isn't until we notice K.A.Z that something magical happens, as a duo they work amazingly together, and K.A.Z isn't just playing the guitar behind Hyde, he performs with it, and that is rare to find.
The bikers make this fast-paced song much more visual, It makes it more freaky and scarier, especially when they are circling the VAMPS, which is a scare tactic found in films and TV series. But I guess the VAMPS come out on top because these bikers messed with the wrong people.
A total high production and definitely relatable to the song. It's heart-racing in all the right ways, and the performance of the song is definitely exciting. This video works well with the song and has been produced and directed well. I think I've just found a new favourite rock duo.
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.
This is the second time these two have competed in the Eurovision Song Contest before, back in 2010. However, they did much better back then, than they did in 2014. Yet, as a collaborative effort, they work well together, and we can only hope that they continue to come together on some songs in the future. This act managed to score Romania 72 points, placing them 12th. In the video, Paula Seling and OVI play the piano in a flooded room, two dancers show their skills amongst the water, while Paula Seling hits that all important long note.
Paula Seling and OVI competed in the 2010 contest and came third with song "Playing With Fire", unfortunately this song didn't have quite the same reaction, but the 2014 contest was extremely competitive. Paula Seling is one of the biggest female Romanian singers, completely known in her own country, she has released a number of albums and singles. She has yet to crack the international market, although she is known among Eurovision fans, maybe she'll return again one year. OVI, real name Ovidiu Cernăuţeanu, is a Romanian-Norwegian singer-songwriter, producer and musician. He has had a successful career to date. His songs have been on-form and has managed to hit charts around the world. If he continues, he will definitely make a name for himself, if he hasn't done so already within his own country. To become the Romanian entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, they took part in Selecția Națională and won. This song was written by Ovi Jacobsen, Philip Halloun, Frida Amundsen and Beyond51. The song contains an extraordinary long note, which Paula Seling nails every time, not many singers could hold a note for that long.
Directed by Alex Ceauşu, the video doesn't have much to it. A complete performance piece with Paula Seling and OVI, both together and separately. As well as a dance sequence, performed in the same room which features dancers Judith State and Mircea Andrei Ghinea.
There is not much going on in the video, Paula Seling and OVI give out great performance vibes as they sing the song, but the dancers distract from their performance at times. However, when they're playing the piano, I lose interest and I focus on the dancers more.
The dance choreography is intricately amazing, although some sequences look slightly messy as if they didn't fully finish the sequence, or we're missing some choreography. It could be all in the way it was edited, because it's undeniable how great Judith State and Mircea Andrei Ghinea are.
As for the setting, I don't really get why it changes from a flooded room into a spring seasonal room. It's as if they were hoping it to be the big miracle reveal and it just fails to amaze us or interest us. It distracts the viewers more than anything.
Overall, there doesn't seem to be any link in with the song, and the choreography may be brilliant but doesn't reflect the meaning behind the song. Paula Seling and OVI performed this much better live on the stage than they did in the music video. Although as a whole, it's not too bad. This song was my favourite that year; I voted many times for them to win,
If someone had told me a year ago that Imagine Dragons would be teaming up with a bunch of rappers including Lil Wayne and fellow rock band X Ambassadors, I would've laughed in that person's face. This collaborative effort mixes indie and rock with extremely current rap and some old skool rap too, and it works so well! It was part of the Suicide Squad soundtrack, hence why there are clips of the film shown throughout. A big collaborative effort for this video set in Belle Reve. Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa and Imagine Dragons are in the DC prison with Logic, Ty Dollar $ign and X Ambassadors for "Sucker For Pain".
Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Carter Jr., is one of the biggest prolific rappers in the world, having had many hits he has really made a name for himself. But I never thought he'll ever collaborate with an indie rock band! Imagine Dragons have come a long way since they hit the music scene back in 2012. They currently consist of Dan Reynolds, Daniel Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman and Will Wells. The group have been doing well for themselves and will definitely continue to bat out hit after hit. Wiz Khalifa, real name Cameron Thomaz, needs no introduction since he is one of the biggest current rappers about at the moment and he will continue to impact the music industry in a big way. This song features Logic, real name Sir Robert Hall II, is fairly new on the scene, especially in the UK, with this song being the only one to chart over here, and yet his rap is so on point in this song that he definitely stands out. I'd keep my eye on Logic, he is bound to have a hit solo single in the future. Ty Dollar $ign is fairly new in the UK public eye, real name Tyrone Griffin Jr., he is mostly known for his collaboration with Fifth Harmony on "Work For Home", as well as featuring on Nick Jonas' "Bacon". He is definitely coming into his own as a rapper and people just want to work with him, and we can't blame them. X Ambassadors is another rock band and completes this collaboration. They consist of Sam Harris, Casey Harris, Noah Feldshuh and Adam Levin. They have had limited success so far and have collaborated with some prolific stars. This won't be the last we've heard from them. This isn't something we would expect, yet it works so well, especially as part of the soundtrack to Suicide Squad which also includes twenty one pilots' "Heathens". This song was written by Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., Cameron Tomaz, Sir Robert Hall II, Tyrone Griffin Jr., Ben McKee, Dan Platzman, Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Sam Harris and Alexander Grant.
Since the song is part of the Suicide Squad soundtrack, we totally expected to have scenes from the film intercut throughout and that is exactly what we got. Not only that, but it's set in Belle Reve, the DC prison. The concept can also be seen in twenty one pilots' "Heathens".
Linking in well, the artists are all performing in various contained cells. A full performance piece throughout that really showcases each of the singers, although the bands themselves aren't highlighted that well.
Logic completely dominates in the visual clip and in the song, his rap is on fire throughout as everything else fades away. As a complete package, the song works and it is catchy. The visual video is great and each act has something to give to the video.
On the other hand, there isn't a lot going on in the video, there's not enough to comment on, and at the same time, it's difficult to watch as there just is too many singers in this video. It's like they're all competing to have the most visual time, although as soon as Logic turns up, he completely wins us over.
Martin Garrix is back in the top ten everybody, finally! Since the number one spot is held by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey with "Closer", which currently does not have a music video, it has opened the top ten up for my Chart Mondays special. Just inside the top ten is this song, a collaboration between Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha. It's unsurprising to see it up in the charts since it is infectiously catchy. Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix watch a storm attack their pool before diving off the boards caressing one another amongst the water and the fish all "In The Name Of Love".
Martin Garrix, real name Martijn Garritsen, is mostly known for his number one hit "Animals", his follow-up singles didn't do so well and he soon disappeared. Now he's back with another hit song, filled with synths and raging beats that we can't get enough of, which is complemented by a wonderful female vocal, this song is fire! Bebe Rexha, real name Bleta Rexha, is a star in the making, slowly but surely working her way up in the music industry and the global charts, she's hitting out the bangers at the minute and featuring on all the important songs. A fighter makes her way to the top, keep your eyes on Bebe Rexha, because with a vocal range like this, she'll make it to the top. This song was written by Martijn Garritsen, Matthew Radosevich, Ruth Anne Cunningham, Stephen Philibin, Ilsey Juber, Bebe Rexha and Yael Nahar.
This is visually amazing, a stunning video throughout. It is completely well edited and definitely brilliant to watch.
The whole thing is mainly a performance piece of Bebe Rexha, with Martin Garrix appearing quite static throughout. As the storm rolls in, the amazing editors make the water splash in time with the musical synths, whilst the storm also rages in time with the music.
Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix just stand there watching the storm rip away what should be gentle scenery, before jumping in and becoming one with the storm, all in the name of love.
The whole concept is beautiful and intricate, but there's just something missing, it isn't as engaging as it should be, and they don't quite manage to portray love towards one another, they seem like friends rather than anything more. There's not a lot else to comment on, apart from seeing fish in the pool, which is a unique twist.
