One of my top favourites from this year. It still shocks me to this day that it didn't get nearer to the top! I don't really know what happened during Eurovision 2015, but it wasn't as good as the previous years, and yet there were definitely some treasures that we still haven't got over; this is one of them. Aminata represented Latvia and scored 186, placing them sixth. This should've done much better. Aminata gets soaking wet during her performance and narrative music video for "Love Injected", sexily involved with her love interest, who also gets fired up.
Aminata, full name Aminata Savadogo, was definitely one of my favourites from this year, her unique vocals will make her an international star, if she continues to stay focused and fights to become a global singer. She previously entered Dziesma 2014, the Latvian national selection for Eurovision 2014; unfortunately, she came fifth with "I Can Breathe". It clearly wasn't meant to be, especially when she went on to win Supernova 2015 and became Latvian's representative to Eurovision 2015. Then in 2016 she wrote Justs' winning entry "Heartbeat", where he came eighth in Eurovision 2016. Now, she's competing in Golos (the Russian version of The Voice), where she's a part of, fellow Eurovision 2015 contestant, Polina Gagarina's team. This song was written by Aminata Savadogo and Kaspars Ansons.
Directed by Andžejs Gavrišs, the music video is gripping from start to finish. Aminata controls the viewers attention all the way through. She has so much potential that, in this video alone, she proves her star quality.
The performance side of this music video is completely powerful. Wow! She can easily grip an audience in a second. With her beautiful vocals and her stunning looks, Aminata is definitely someone who will go far.
The narrative part sees Aminata and a very sexy love interest, who is played by actor Martiņš Kapzems, completely soak themselves with the contents of a fuel can. We can presume they plan to burn themselves alive by pouring fuel all over them in a gorgeously sultry way.
Martiņš Kapzems can be seen lighting a match, which he brings to a cigarette, before they both free fall over the edge. The cigarette has previously been dropped after some erotic smoke scenes, lighting the floor.
However, they aren't committing suicide, they are honing a power. Martiņš Kapzems is pretty much similar to The Human Torch from the Fantastic Four, being able to control fire now that he has fuel all over him. Can he become any more hot? In more than one sense of that word.
Much like the song, this music video is strong and sexy. It's hot all over, and is so captivating that I can't stop watching it. The song is one that is worthy of being a winning song, and yet totally under performed. Aminata is going to be a big star, no doubt; I literally can't wait for what the future will bring for her.
If there's one newcomer to the table who has hit it off well globally, it's DNCE! They unleashed internationally with the globally successful song "Cake By The Ocean" which was followed up with the equally addictive "Toothbrush", yet this is the one song that launched their album, that said album is one of the best albums I have heard all year. DNCE get completely sexy in a strip-like type of a music video for "Body Moves", but what do we really expect?
DNCE are a four-piece band consisting of Joe Jonas, Cole Whittle, JinJoo Lee, and Jack Lawless. They kept this project a secret until they were ready to launch their debut single, and it definitely worked out well for them; especially with Joe Jonas being such a well-known figure in the music industry. The group recently released a self-titled debut album which is for sure one of the best albums I have listened to in a while, don't forget to check out my review for Outlet Magazine. This song hasn't done as well as their previous singles and isn't quite the chart success it clearly deserves to be, what with the extremely catchy hook. The song was written by Joe Jonas, Rami Yacoub, Albin Nedler, and Kristoffer Fogelmark.
The video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis, a name we keep on having to type out since she has certainly made herself known amongst the music video industry.
It's extremely sexy, with a main performance piece where DNCE are looking so hot. Full of energetic vibes, DNCE definitely know how to perform.
There are quite a few people reacting badly to this music video due to the provocative sexual theme, however just look at the lyrics and you'll realise that it is completely relatable to the song.
Joe Jonas is seen kissing model and actress Charlotte McKinney in the music video. All four band members have their own love interests, keeping it equal, regardless of the extra airtime that Joe Jonas gets since he is the frontman and lead vocalist.
Overall, it's a sexy relatable music video with a brilliantly underrated catchy song that we constantly have stuck in our heads.
Taking a look at the UK Top 10 reveals this song as the only one with a music video that I haven't reviewed. Clean Bandit is still at the top with "Rockabye" that features Sean Paul & Anne-Marie; they are totally fending off this climber, which has become an overnight sensation all thanks to the Mannequin Challenge, where this song is usually used as the backing track. Rae Sremmurd collaborates with Gucci Mane in this pure performance music video with literal lyric visualisations throughout.
Rae Sremmurd is an American duo consisting of Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi. They have really done a number with this song, with thanks to the Mannequin Challenge, this song has skyrocketed up the charts around the world, probably thanks to people attempting the Mannequin Challenge, no doubt. They have previously released a number of singles and two albums, all of which haven't impacted the charts as much as this song alone has. They have been more of a hit in the US over the past couple of years, but with international fame, the question on everyone's minds is if they can follow through with another hit. Featured on this track is Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis; he is a massive US rapper, who has released a number of albums, EPs, and singles. He has worked with some of the biggest stars, and had quite a few hits back in 2009. Once again, this is possibly his biggest hit to date too. This song was written by Khalif Brown, Aaquil Brown, Radric Davis, and Michael Williams. The latter produced the song and is better known as Mike Will Made It.
Directed by Motion Family, this music video is a collection of videos that have been combined to create this intricate music video.
It is mainly a performance-based music video with Rae Sremmurd mainly seen performing in various places and stages. They clearly have a lot of energy, enough that it can be felt by all the viewers. Gucci Mane also performs in this music video, giving just as much energy and totally performing well. If anything, these guys will be amazing live.
There are some great lyric visualisations throughout, especially the smoking. It's so intoxicating that it really makes us think we're there and someone is blowing smoke into our faces. Clearly Rae Sremmurd's parties are welcome to many different people, much like the song suggests.
There is no sign of a Mannequin Challenge anywhere in this music video, which totally makes us question why this song is chosen for the said challenge. Regardless, the music video is relatable and hazy in it's own right. It's very basic, with not enough going on.
Sometimes new music excites me, and this is one of those cases. Chosen from my emails that I get every so often, Robyn Paige completely stuns in this beautiful narration visual of a music video. She's definitely beautiful in this clip and for sure a looks like an artist. Robyn Paige plays the other woman in this emotionally beautiful music video for "Righteous".
Robyn Paige is definitely making her sound heard, having managed to gain 10,000 hits on this music video alone really shows that "Righteous" has got people talking, and it's no surprise when a beautiful voice comes from this stunningly gorgeous girl. The song is about being torn between the right thing and the wrong thing but being unable to resist the wrong thing. Robyn Paige's vocals easily display the emotion of the song and really manages to hit home with it. It is the official debut single from Robyn Paige, and follows on from her previous song "Say You Will". This song was written by Robyn Paige, Johnson Orchid, and Corazon Baguma.
This music video was directed by Olan Collardy, and features Robyn Paige as the other woman. It's quite loving throughout, and it's clear from the start that something is up when she doesn't even move from her position in the bed whilst he reaches for his phone.
It's a great visual narration, showing how their relationship has unfolded previously and how they built it. Until, three quarters of the way through, the entire music stops as we watch another girl strut her stuff across a car park and enters his car.
We learn that Michael has been cheating and that the someone else is Robyn Paige. The storyline reminds me of Britney Spears' "Perfume", although both visuals are totally different in their own right.
Overall, it's a great concept, with Robyn Paige giving some fire acting skills. The song is intricately beautiful, and has a relatable accompanying music video that easily engages the audience throughout.
For anyone who knows, I actually went on a mini holiday to Dublin to see Inna last weekend. This is the song that started off her set, although it was only part of the countdown and she never actually sung it live. As I'm doing catch-up blogs, today's blog would've been released on Saturday, the day she performed at The Wright Venue in Dublin, Ireland. The song is a grower, and I admit that I didn't like it, myself, at first; but now it's one of my favourite tracks, and I really wish it had been a global hit for her. Inna collaborated with Pitbull on this upbeat pop song titled "Good Time", where we can see her group follow messages on a screen with hashtags.
Inna, real name Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu, is my favourite female artist in the music industry; however, you should already know that she's my queen if you follow my blog as I never stop talking about her. She was completely amazing live and I so want to see her again. She also spotted me in the crowd and pointed to me twice, I have video evidence of that. This song didn't make quite the impact and people had hoped and although Pitbull is a massive name, it didn't really help. Pitbull, real name Armando Pérez, is definitely 'Mr World Wide' as he calls himself, he also has nicknames for various other stars, Inna is: 'International Sensation'. He has collaborated with so many stars and has had various hits, so much so that he's made his name globally known. This song gained popularity much later on from its release, when it featured on the adverts for US drama 'Young & Hungry' as well as in 'Pitch Perfect 2'. The song was written by Steve Mac, Ina Wroldsen, and Armando C. Pérez.
Directed by Barna Nemethi, the music video is completely simple and relaxed, and yet completely fun. It is getting comparisons to Katy Perry's "This Is How We Do", which was released much later than this one.
A coin is inserted into a slot, then computers go looking for Pitbull. He appears on the screen, ready to introduced the song with his rap, as Inna prepares for a dance sequence; the choreography of which is simplistic, yet fun.
The entire music video is fun, the dancers and models and Inna react to each hashtag, which requires them to do something or present something. These action varies from bubbles to her blonde hair, from a pyjama party to golf, from paintball to cheer leading.
A lot of scene changes and costume changes. Surprisingly, it's compact, attempting to include as many actions as possible in such a short video is quite admirable. The ending ends with the need to insert a coin again, much like turning this music video into a continuous loop. Have this video on repeat, and it'll never end.
Overall, it's a total explosion of fun. Inna looks as sexy as ever, and yet her most happiest as she performs all these different actions with her backing dancers and models. It's bright and colourful, and it definitely unleashes fun into the world. It's time to have a good time with Inna & Pitbull.
OMG, like what the hell is this? What have I just watched? This is literally beyond crazy! I definitely don't know what to make of this, as of yet; as for the song, it's just as bad although kind of catchy in it's own right. This is most certainly a new release that has gone under the radar, although it's definitely one people will probably not be listening to. Joe Goddard's music video for "Lose Your Love" is beyond weird and totally crazy, and yet it has a fun lilt to it that is quite inclusive.
Joe Goddard is mostly known for being a part of band Hot Chip. He is also a part of The 2 Bears, as well as Greco Roman. Releasing music solo isn't something new since his iTunes page suggests he has released a fair amount of music. He's a DJ mainly. This song is a remix of the original by The Emotions, titled "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love".
The music video is directed by Fred Rowson. It features actor Benjamin Murray acting as the main character Störm, a spirit guru.
This music video is totally out there. Störm starts it all off in the bathroom as he psyches himself up to teach his class.
Benjamin Murray explained that the video was so fun to make. The actors really let go, allowing invisible energy balls to pass between them and absorb inside their bodies. Various scenes show Störm losing control of his class as a new guy comes in.
We see the little love strike he has for a certain female student and his obvious affection leads to jealousy and rage. It consumes him to the point where he is no longer the teacher and that it is all just students reacting to the film that's being shown.
The ending is quite thought-provoking and still doesn't make sense. If anything, this music video is completely absurd and totally weird. I most certainly don't want to watch it again, and although people are finding it hilarious and fun, I just don't see what I get out of it by watching it. I did not get this at all.
It's Thursday Revisit time, and it's obvious I was going to do an Inna music video review due to the fact that I'm going to see her in Dublin, Ireland on SATURDAY! It's so close! After checking what music videos I have already reviewed, I found out that this is the only one left that is older than five years, and it's not a music video I like. I much prefer the original music video to "Hot", which I have previously reviewed. This alternative music video for Inna's "Hot" shows off some performance vibes whilst dancers enact choreography. It's very bright and slightly over the top in a low budget way.
Inna, real name Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu, made her name with this song. Although, it's the previous music video that was pushed out internationally. This one remained an online music video. She will be performing in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday 3rd December 2016, it's the first time I have ever had the chance to see her live, and I am so excited - if you can't tell - and she will most likely sing this song. I've been a fan of Inna's for six years, so this is a dream come true to see her live. For anyone who read my previous review of the original music video, they will know the success of this single, and how much I love this song and that video. "Hot" was written by Sebastian Barac, Radu Bolfea, and Marcel Botezan.
This not so great music video was directed by Florin Botea, who also did the original international music video to "Hot". Two music videos by the same director for this song. One is far superior than the other, so it's no surprise this was an online music video.
Mainly a performance-based music video; we see Inna performing her song, with her usual energy, although she is dressed way over the top. This looks like an eccentric side to Inna, the side that wasn't really her at all.
The dancers aren't anything special, they do the choreography but it's nothing amazing. The visuals fail to capture anything real, and it just comes off very fake.
The bright lights definitely doesn't help, and it's all way too much. It's no surprise that the original version was chosen to market Inna's debut single around the world, although I don't see why they ever released this music video, but I guess it would've been wasted material if they hadn't. The other version is way better and my star rating proves that.
This year of Eurovision brought the battle of the warriors, as Amber also released a song called "Warrior"; however, Nina Sublatti totally won by making it to the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, whereas Amber didn't make it. Nina Sublatti, for Georgia, came 11th with 51 points. Showing strong female warriors, this video shows girl power and strength in a great visual for Nina Sublatti's "Warrior".
Nina Sublatti, real name Nina Sulaberidze, won the national selection for Georgia in 2015 and therefore came to represent the country at Eurovision. She had previously released a few singles, as well as an album. After Eurovision, she released a few more singles that didn't chart so well. Then she went on to become a judge on the Georgian version of The X Factor. This song was written by Nina Sublatti and Thomas G:son.
The music video was directed by David Gogokhia. It features five models, portraying Tamar of Georgia, who is a Georgian National Hero who ruled Georgia as the first Queen Regnant. The models are Nina Potskhishvili, Mariam Sanogo, Keta Gavasheli, Lina Tsiklauri, and Dea Aptsiauri.
There isn't a lot to this very visual video that is completely filmed in black and white. There's not an awful lot of movement in the video, although there are two very cute huskies.
The performance piece is extremely static. Nina Sublatti was clearly told not to move much, and this does lead to quite a bland visual. However, I guess it's some sort of visual of strength.
Overall it's not that memorable, and definitely hasn't got a lot going on. I don't get why they chose it to be shown in black and white, and I also don't see why Nina Sublatti couldn't give a better visual in her performance piece. I feel there should've been more to this music video.
Another Inna music video I haven't reviewed and what better time to review it when I'm going to see her in Dublin, Ireland in a few days time. I literally can't believe it's this close. This was one of my favourite songs from her third album, and I used it as my ringtone on my phone for a while due to the amazing opening lyric. Inna proves she can dance in this performance-based music video for "In Your Eyes" that is extremely sexy and includes a visual of featured singer Yandel.
Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, is a Romanian female superstar, with a string of massive hits behind her. She's work with some of the biggest stars and has really made a name for herself. This song was the last single release from her third studio album "Party Never Ends". I sure hope she sings it at her Dublin gig in Ireland. The song features Yandel, real name Llandel Veguilla Malavé, who is from Puerto Rica. He has made his own name in Latin music, mostly as being part of a duo named Wisin & Yandel. This song was written by Steve Mac, Ina Wroldsen, and Llandel Veguilla.
Directed by Barna Némethi, this is another music video by Inna that doesn't have a lot to it. The video is another performance-based video, showing off her performance vibes. This definitely gets me excited to see her on Saturday, not going to lie; although not so keen on what she's wearing.
It's clear the team behind this music video went for sex appeal, in the hope that it will attract many male and the few female watchers to the video; especially since her top - do we even call it a top? It's just a piece of material wrapped around her - keeps moving. She almost falls out plenty of times. Yet, sex does sell and with a body like Inna's we can't really blame them.
The scenes give a chance to have a choreographed dance scene, but it's clear they never brought anyone in to do a segment, and so they look like unrehearsed dancers, who are freestyling and grooving to the song. Inna fully shows she can dance, which is something different for her, although if she were thrown a full choreography segment, it would have worked better.
As for Yandel, he comes off well, although his scene is intercut with scenes of Inna since she would appeal more to the audience viewing the video. As a whole, this could've looked a lot more professional, instead it just looks a little lost. There should've been a dance scene, but Inna still shows off her performance ability effortlessly.
Now before you all moan that I haven't tagged the featured artist, Kendrick Lamar, into this blog post, it's because this music video doesn't include his rap. Since Clean Bandit is still at the top of the UK Singles Chart in collaboration with Anne-Marie & Sean Paul with "Rockabye", it opens the top 10 for my Chart Mondays review. I chose this one because it's an extremely catchy song and the video is quirky and spoof funny. Maroon 5 dress as bugs, that humans are trying to catch and zap on a mobile app similar to Pokemon Go. Frontman Adam Levine falls for a woman in an orange costume who can fly in this video for "Don't Wanna Know".
Maroon 5 is a band we all know and love. They always have some of the best music videos and have really stood the test of time with their music and longevity. The band consists of Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, James Valentine, Matt Flynn, and PJ Morton. They've had various hits over the years, and this being in the UK Top 10 Singles Chart is another one to add to their collection. The song originally features a rap from Kendrick Lamar, real name Kendrick Duckworth. He is one of the biggest American rappers out at the moment, but surprisingly the song has omitted the rap from this music video. The song was written by Kendrick Lamar, Adam Levine, Benny Blanco, John Ryan, Jacob Kasher, Ammar Malik, Kurtis McKenzie, Jon Mills, and Alex Ben-Abdullah.
Directed by David Dobkin, the video is a comedic spoof of Pokemon Go. Whilst also relating to the song, it is definitely quirky. The video also has cameos from various stars including Sarah Silverman, Amanda Cerny, Shaquille O'Neal, Ed Helms, and Vince Vaughn.
The opening scenes show Adam Levine in his bug costume, which he wears throughout the video. He is missing his former lover, Sarah Silverman, who is displayed in a photograph. His costume is super cute, for sure.
The music kicks in as he drives around town, with clips of the other band members going about their day, all of which are dressed up in bright coloured bug-like costumes too.
Adam Levine's car comes to a stop at a crossing as he watches Ed Helms get chased by people with an app, which later zaps Ed Helms and he vanishes. Adam Levine gets out of his car and starts to run. At the same time, the other band members start to run. There are seven band members shown in the video, which means touring member Sam Farrar also appears in this video too.
Adam Levine manages to escape to a park, where he hides behind a tree until he comes across Amanda Cerny dressed as an orange. They get found by humans and she flies away, up into the air. This is where this narration ends and a new one picks up... Did Adam Levine get zapped? Or did he manage to run away? We may never know.
The new narration picks up with Adam Levine sunbathing in his bug costume beside his pool. A human jumps over the fence to try and zap him with the app, but Adam Levine zaps him right back; don't walk on a Pokemon's property or be prepared to be blown up!
The video continues with a party and the aftermath of the party. We watch as Adam Levine finally stumbles across the orange again, but she turns her back on him; how rude! At the end, we watch a café scene with Vince Vaughn as they chat about standing up for themselves.
The chopped up narrative is intercut with performance scenes, including a tour scene. Showing energy and their usual flare, Maroon 5 shine even when in their costumes. I like the director's comedic scene where he suggests the group should wear hats, but Adam Levine doesn't want to spoil his image, all the while dressed as a very cute animal!
Overall, this video is totally full and fun. They look exhausted being in those costumes. Adam Levine looks love lost which is totally good, but for the first time in a long time, the other band members manage to outshine the frontman. It's refreshing to see, but definitely not something I was expecting. The narrative is too separate for my liking, it doesn't quite flow and doesn't make complete sense. Yet, it's solid nonetheless.
