Totally not sure what to make of this one, couldn't decide what video to review, but since Matoma and Becky Hill are doing well on my blog with "False Alarm", I thought I might as well do this one. I love the concept of this video and yet it doesn't quite flow as well as we hope, plus it is extremely short, this is over before we know it. The Vamps take a trip around town, "All Night", whilst swapping the camera in an eerie Cloverfield-like music video, which also includes Matoma DJing.
The Vamps are a four-piece band consisting of Connor Ball, Tristan Evans, James McVey, and Brad Simpson. They are going from strength to strength, although it's been quite the rocky road, not quite getting a noticeable hit. All it will take is a number one, their debut single "Can We Dance" hit number two, as well as third single "Last Night"; but even with the help of Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato, and Pixie Lott on tracks "Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart)", "Somebody To You", and "Wild Heart" hasn't got them to the top. As for Matoma, real name Tom Lagergren, he totally made his name with Becky Hill on track "False Alarm". He's probably going to be a name we'll end up hearing a lot from if he keeps collaborating and keeps releasing. The song was written by Justin Franks, John Mitchell, Daniel Majic, and The Vamps.
Directed by Craig Moore, this video definitely takes inspiration from the Cloverfield movie, and yet switches it up with this massive camera transferring from one person to another. However, this three and a half minutes are way too short to fully enjoy.
The start is a clear product proposal for got2be by Schwarzkopf. Hair products, makeup, and fragrances always do well for product proposals in music videos. If these stars are using them, why not us?
We watch The Vamps disappear out into the city, planning on spending all night out. They pass the camera through touch, but it's clear from the start that continuity errors will make this video completely fail. Plenty of times a camera man is filming, who we never get to see. Disregarding this as well as the fact that sometimes we are watching from the wrong camera because they touched hands with someone else; this video is incredible.
The crossover to Matoma is clever but kind of lets the video down. I wanted more from Matoma, maybe have The Vamps actually there on stage, or maybe even get the audience involved and pass the camera to them. The Vamps do it with the dancer, the drifting car driver, and the basketball player; so why not Matoma's audience too?
There are too many scenes to comment on in this video, and yet it's way too short. It's quick snapshots of a fantastic music video, that is, unfortunately, full of continuity errors and failed viewership. This was released, just under a month ago. This means they have worked hard on this, and kudos totally go out to the editing team, but more time and effort to make this a solid flowing video would've made this perfect. Love this concept, though!
It's a Monday, and Little Mix is still at number one with "Shout Out To My Ex", which is amazingly catchy. This opens the top ten to my Chart Monday review. I've chosen this one because it was at number one for many weeks without a music video, but finally it has one just as it's dropping out of the top ten. Sexual tension between The Chainsmokers' Andrew Taggart and Halsey at a party is completely visible, as flashbacks of a past night where they slept together is reminisced over.
The Chainsmokers are a duo consisting of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall. They made their name known when they released "#SELFIE" but it wasn't until a few years later, through a reinvention of their music, that they once again hit fame, but this is clearly their best-selling single. I am hoping they will reinvent themselves once again, something we aren't expecting and it'll be even bigger than this was. Featured artist is Halsey, real name Ashley Frangipane, who has made quite the name for herself in the media, but has yet to have a hit song. Then again, this one is totally her best yet. This song was written by Andrew Taggart, Ashley Frangipane, Shaun Frank, Frederic Kennett, Isaac Slade, and Joe King. Highly compared to The Fray's "Over My Head (Cable Car)", the latter two songwriters were added for credit.
This music video was a long time coming, but it's here now, directed by Dano Cerny, it's a great concept. An elaborate performance piece situated in quite an awkward narrative.
Sexual tension is obvious between these two singers. As they lock eyes at a party, Andrew Taggart and Halsey remember what happened between them some other night in the past. This is where things get even more steamy.
They start making out in the middle of a different party, which is then taken back to a bedroom, where both artists are in a state of undress. They both look incredibly sexy. Full of sexual chemistry, with tantalising quirks that we all wish we were doing with another person in a bed instead of watching this video, which is totally making us jealous; or just me.
The ending sees Halsey walking out of the party, not being able to deal with her ex being at the same party as her; I know exactly how she feels. Yet, this is where our similarities end because Andrew Taggart follows her outside, and it's clear there's still an attraction between them. Some sort of unfinished business.
A fully fleshed narrative that everyone can relate to, with a sexy performance piece during a gorgeous bed scene. We've waited so long for this music video, yet it was so worth it especially since they have knocked it out of the park!
This dropped recently, and I just HAD to review it, especially after hearing it live at the Kiss Haunted House Party 2016. This full on party anthem was initially sung for the first time at the Kiss Haunted House Party 2016, where I captured the entire performance of the song. It was released the following day and then was performed on The X Factor, just last week. The song is her first solo effort since winning the contest, not counting the winner's single "Forever Young". Louisa Johnson goes out, it was only meant to be for an hour or two. A bar performance and a brawl all happen in this "So Good" music video.
Louisa Johnson won the twelfth series of The X Factor. She is known as the only winner never to hit the top two with her winning song; unfortunately, she got to number nine with "Forever Young". However, teaming up with Clean Bandit for song "Tears" was an amazing idea and once again pushed her into the limelight. This definitely helped to further her potential success. This song is completely catchy, it's party inspired but quite a slow ballad pop song that we can't get out of our heads! It was written by Steve Mac, Chelcee Grimes & Ed Drewett,
Directed by Emil Nava, a constant name we hear often in the directing of music videos. this was obviously going to be theatrical from the first few seconds.
Louisa Johnson performs in bed, clearly waking from a possible nap? Other scenes show her performing at an empty petrol station and a bar.
This bar is an important part of the music video. She steps onto the stage and sings the song. The bar is practically deserted apart from the drunken guys, one of who steps up to her and dances. This guy is shoved away by her crowd.
The girl group later go outside to beat up the men outside who are ranting at them. It would've been good if they had all cartwheeled forwards at the same time, but it's slightly out of sync. Louisa Johnson just stands in the middle and sings.
As a whole, it's an okay music video. It's clearly high-budgeted and has a similar feel to Alexandra Burke's "Bad Boys", yet it's trying to make Louisa Johnson way more classy. It incredibly theatrical, yet nothing to follow-up. The video does suit the song well, though.
Literally didn't know what to review today, so I let my iTunes pick by playing all my songs on random, this one came up and I was like, okay. I am slightly surprised I haven't reviewed this yet. It was released after the awesome collaboration with Miss Britney Spears on "Scream & Shout". It worked well. will.i.am becomes robotic whilst Justin Bieber is a hologram in a futuristic take during the music video of "#thatPOWER".
will.i.am is quickly becoming a household name, if he isn't already. Definitely one of the leaders in the music industry, his real name is William Adams. He has worked with some of the biggest stars, and his own band, the Black Eyed Peas, are embedded in history as one of the biggest groups. There is really no stopping will.i.am and I cannot wait to see where The Voice UK coach ends up. Collaborating on this track is Justin Bieber, another high-profile male artist, with various hits under his name just like will.i.am. Such a massive collaboration, it's no wonder this song did so well. It was written by William Adams, Damien Leroy, and Justin Bieber.
Directed by Ben Mor, and filmed in Japan, the video features will.i.am as a robotic dancer, Justin Bieber as a hologram and there are appearances from Japanese dance group World Order.
There is an alternative music video available to watch alongside this one through Shazam. This additional video has no audio; it is supposed to give you an alternative viewing experience by allowing you to view it alongside this one so you can notice the differences.
As a whole, it's an innovative idea, definitely futuristic, which makes it quite clever since the music video is futuristic.
The dancing is on point throughout, we expect nothing less from will.i.am. However, I find it very unfortunate that Justin Bieber wasn't there in person. The hologram makes him look dead or something, suggesting he never made it to the future. The dancing is occasionally out of sync, but it can be forgiven since they are subtle.
World Order are amazing in their scene. Defying dancing as we know it and managing to easily stun us throughout.
There's not a lot else to comment on. This is totally interesting from start to finish, and it feels like it's part of a bigger picture. There's just something missing, there should be a more expansive narrative. Nothing continues the video on, it's hard to understand what is going on.
Okay, so this was someone I didn't like on The X Factor, a joke act on the show, so to speak. Now he's this glorified drag queen, and I like him a little more. I kind of wish he had entered The X Factor as Sarah Lee, as I would've supported him all the way through The X Factor. However, is this just an attention-seeking alter-ego, especially when we have credible artists who are drag queens like RuPaul and Conchita Wurst. If he had released this song as Sarah Lee, and encouraged people to call him by that name when he's in drag, then fair enough, but personally, to me, this is an exposure ploy. Johnny Robinson, dressed as Sarah Lee, performs in this music video for "Deliver Me" whilst a guy plays the violin.
Johnny Robinson was a contestant during the eighth series of The X Factor. He came eighth overall. Various other artists from that year have gone on to have successful careers, whether that's in music, on the stage or in other ways. Regardless of what people said, the eighth series managed to create some artists that are highly talked about to this day. Johnny Robinson has previously released music, most notably a Christmas song in 2012. Now, as Sarah Lee but known as Johnny Robinson even when he's dressed in drag, he has released this single. It was written by Jon Marsh and Helena Marsh.
The music video is extremely basic, but I have to give kudos for Johnny Robinson; he looks stunning as Sarah Lee. It really shows what makeup and a wig can do! Sarah Lee looks fire!
It is mainly a performance piece, the thing is Sarah Lee isn't performing that well, Johny Robinson did much better on The X Factor stage, but in this music video, he seems more concerned about looking good for the camera rather than trying to give a good performance.
I don't quite understand the violin player, perhaps he's the love interest that Sarah Lee is singing to, but it just fails to flow.
At the end of the day, I think Johnny Robinson should continue to release music as Sarah Lee. I'm sure he would have a more successful career as a drag artist. However, they should release the music under Sarah Lee, rather than confusing the world by putting his actual name on the track.
This was obviously going to be a part of my Halloween Special. This music video is monumental, it's iconic, it's the one everyone still talks about today! My blog has been going for over five years, and it shocks even me that I have never reviewed this music video, actually I don't think I've ever watched it from start to finish before today. But now, it's time to redeem my blog by making sure this gets reviewed, and what better way than being a part of my Halloween Special? Michael Jackson turns into a werewolf and a zombie in this "Thriller" music video, but is it all just in her head?
Michael Jackson, what am I meant to say about THE Michael Jackson? He's a total legend, everyone knows who he is and he definitely shaped music as it is today. Surprisingly, this song didn't chart as well in the UK as it did everywhere else as well as his other singles. It got to number 10 in the UK and has yet to peak higher than that, regardless of the multiple entries in the UK chart. The song will forever appear on Halloween playlists and is always the first song people think of regarding Halloween. "Thriller" was written by Rod Temperton. It was originally called "Starlight", but through many transformations, it became the title it is now.
Michael Jackson had a vision for this music video, having seen 'An American Werewolf In London', he wanted the director of the movie to be the director of his music video. John Landis agreed. The love interest is played by actress Ola Ray.
We watch as a car runs out of fuel, Michael Jackson and Ola Ray start to walk home. He asks her to be his girl and gives her a ring to make it official. That's when he admits that he's not like other guys; he next transforms into a werewolf and chases after the girl.
The scene changes to modern-day with Michael Jackson and Ola Ray in the cinema, watching the previous scene. She leaves the cinema because she's not enjoying it. Michael Jackson follows her out and starts to sing the opening verse, whilst dancing around her.
They walk past a graveyard; this is when Vincent Price's vocal part kicks in and we watch skeletons rise from their graves, almost like zombies. They catch up with Michael Jackson and Ola Ray circling them.
This is where Michael Jackson turns into a zombie and the iconic dance scene begins. This is completely flawless from start to finish. The choreography really focuses on the storyline and makes it relatable. Everyone is in sync and it's more than perfect.
Ola Ray runs into a house and shuts the door but that doesn't stop the zombies from coming in and chasing her. Zombie Michael Jackson closes in. But the next moment, he's back to normal and there are no zombies. Ola Ray calms down and gets off the couch, allowing Michael Jackson to take her into his arms. What she doesn't see is Michael Jackson looking back at the camera and his eyes gleam yellow. He surely isn't like other guys.
The ending was recreated for Britney Spears' epic video for "I Wanna Go". The iconic dance scene has been covered plenty of times. This video as a whole has got it all, and it is definitely one of the best music videos ever made. It's got a great narrative, a brilliant performance piece, and an eerie ending that you can't help but love!
My Halloween Special isn't all about the new Halloween songs, old ones have to totally be included as well. Although I am more of a fan of the more recent version of this song by Beatfreakz, which is also called "Somebody's Watching Me", there is just something more haunting about the original. The song features Michael Jackson singing the chorus, with Jermaine Jackson provides backing vocals. Rockwell arrives home thinking that "Somebody's Watching Me" inside his house. He envisions items and people, turning it into a very paranoid music video.
Rockwell, real name Kennedy Gordy, is the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy. He had a short-lived career in the 80's, releasing three albums and ten singles. This debut single is his biggest hit, possibly because of the featured vocals of Michael Jackson as well as the backing vocals from Jermaine Jackson. The song hit the UK charts at number six, but Beatfreakz did better by hitting number three in the UK. In the US, Rockwell hit number two with this song. But got to the top spot in Spain and Belgium. The song was written by Rockwell.
The music video is low-budget and directed by Francis Delia. It's a complete narrative with a short performance piece embedded within.
Rockwell arrives home to discover his house has become haunted. He envisions various things, from his dog being a mutant pig, to someone watching him in the shower. It's relatable from start to finish.
The star is really not having the best time in his house. Even the people on the TV come up to the screen and watch him. There's also this freakish butler who appears in the background of the thumbnail. He also envisions himself buried in the graveyard, as well as various other spooky things.
This is inspired by the film 'Psycho', but the visions is reminiscent of 'The Dead Zone'. The haunted house theme is a classic Halloween storyline that always manages to scare. Michael Jackson, unfortunately, doesn't appear in the music video, regardless of the fact that he provides the vocals for the chorus, neither does Jermaine Jackson.
The ending of the video leaves it on quite the cliff-hanger, maybe his visions were all leading up to this point. It's a great low-budget music video that has everything we could possibly need. The singing in the shower performance piece isn't so engaging and feels a little too fake and Rockwell is totally not comfortable being filmed in the shower.
My Eurovision Special continues regardless of the fact that I'm in the middle of a Halloween Special. I've been lucky recently with my New Release and Chart Mondays slightly relating to my Halloween Special, but this music video isn't haunting or scary whatsoever. So this looks totally out of place on my blog, although the thumbnail looks quite mysterious. The Common Linnets represented The Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. They came second with 238 points. For a country song to be in the Eurovision alone is an amazing feat, but for it to do this well is amazing! The Common Linnets walk around the woods and the beach in this black and white music video for "Calm After The Storm".
The Common Linnets are a four piece country band that have had a major line-up change since the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. They consisted of Ilse DeLange, Waylon (Willem Bijkerk), JB Meijers, and Matthew Crosby with the addition of Rob Crosby. Nowadays, Waylon and Rob Crosby have left the group and Waylon has been replaced with Jake Etheridge. The band was chosen through internal selection to represent the Netherlands. They went on to release a self-titled album which did well internationally, as well as re-releasing it with additional tracks. The song did amazingly globally, and at times even charted better than the winner of Eurovision 2014. The song was written by Ilse DeLange, JB Meijers, Rob Crosby, Matthew Crosby, and Jake Etheridge.
The music video is completely shot in black and white. We watch as Ilse DeLange and Waylon walk through the forest, in what looks like a barn, and along the beach.
As the song plays you can feel the emotions they have for each other flow between them.
There isn't an awful lot going on in the music video, a lot of suggestive relationship content, but it's more of a visual piece, a lot of close-ups but no performance or narrative. Shadows play an important role, but they're not developed enough. Not memorable, not relatable, and not engaging at all.
Literally ecstatic when this was released, not only because Bronnie is an amazing singer, but because I've been planning this Halloween Special, for my blog, for years now and I'm so happy to be including Bronnie within. My plan was to make this video kickstart this Special, but I have been behind on my blog since I went to Kiss Haunted House Party 2016. Now, I'm all caught up and ready to review the music video to my favourite 2016 Halloween song! Bronnie sends out gothic vibes with this haunting music video for "Scared Much". Including many Halloween-related objects whilst she performs in a forest; this can't become anymore spookier.
This haunting music video relates well with the song. At times there are exact translations of the songs lyrics which work well as visuals. It is a pure performance piece.
Bronnie is completely energetic throughout the video, not at all bothered that her head is floating above her body. She pulls off the floating head makeup trick perfectly. Her bright pink hair contrasts brilliantly.
The forest is entrancing, she manages to portray her love for this song as she heads towards the camera. Her stage presence is infectious, totally captivating and fully energetic throughout the video. This is exactly how she reacts on stage.
Other scenes include her dressing table that has a tonne of Halloween objects on, including a haunting mirror which allows us to see Bronnie get ready. Tarot cards, a crystal ball, candles and skulls complete the haunting visuals in this video. There is also a freakish ouija board!
Overall, this video has got it all going on; spooky, thrilling, haunting, what more could we want from Bronnie? The song was recorded at Edge Recording Studio. The video relates well with the song, with some great visual translations.
A bit of Rihanna's "Disturbia" for us all! It fits in nicely for my Halloween Special! This was possibly the turning point that put me off Rihanna. I didn't like the direction she was going down with this song and her subsequent songs never matched up to the love I had and still have for "Don't Stop The Music". Besides this entire music video freaked me out back in 2008. Rihanna is pretty much possessed in this "Disturbia" music video. Freakish dancing, disturbing themes and it still chilling to this day.
Rihanna, real name Robyn Fenty, is a worldwide global superstar. Everyone practically knows who she is and at least one of her songs. She's iconic and has really built a name for herself. She's at a point in her career, much like Beyoncé, where she can create the music she wants to and it'll still be a hit, regardless of whether it's likeable or not. She's worked her way up to this level and she isn't coming down from it whatsoever. This song was released on a reissue of her 'Good Girl Gone Bad' album, titled 'Reloaded'. The song hit number three in the UK but became another number one hit single in the US for Rihanna. It was written by Brian Kennedy, Chris Brown, Robert Allen, and Andre Merritt.
Directed by Anthony Mandler and Rihanna, the music video is extremely haunting, it freaks me out. It makes me think Rihanna is possessed by something.
The whole concept is intriguing with various scenes depicting the same idea. If anything, it really proves Rihanna's acting ability, because she pulls this off perfectly.
There are many scenes that will take me ages to comment on, although there is something freaky about the blonde wig and the contact lenses she is wearing when she is behind the bars. I also love the chamber where she's tied up via handcuffs; the way she struggles to get out is full of panic.
The spider scene is spine-chilling, I don't like spiders all that much, but those are tarantulas. I don't know how Rihanna kept her cool. Well, she was possessed.
The dance scene is flawless; great, relatable choreography that is totally on point throughout. The only problem I had was that not enough of the dance sequence was shown.
This music video is jam-packed full of everything. It's so disturbing, it works effortlessly and as much as it freaks me out and as much as I don't like it, the music video is relatable, brilliant and total perfection.
