Okay, this song is now stuck in my head, thanks to Matt Crawford, since I've just watched his YouTube video on how he does his hair, and he just had to include this song... So I thought, why not review this video? Beyoncé is fire and she always will be. This song is one I don't like to like, but I actually can't help it. Watch Beyoncé become completely fierce as she dances her way through this music video titled "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)".
Beyoncé, full name Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, is someone I used to be a fan of, some of her songs are amazingly catchy, just like this one, but her music style has been very versatile, and although that is something to be incredibly proud about, she lost me as a fan in the process because some of her songs I didn't like. I think, maybe, I wasn't a big enough fan and so it didn't work out well. This song is one that gets stuck in my head after I've heard it, but I literally don't enjoy it when I hear it... I honestly believe this is the only song that makes me feel this way, in the whole entire world... Does that make it my guilty pleasure? Surely not... Anyhow, it was written by Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Thaddis Harrell, and Beyoncé Knowles.
The music video was directed by Jake Nava. It was inspired by a 1969 Bob Fosse routine entitled "Mexican Breakfast". The video went viral the previous summer when Unk's "Walk It Out" was dubbed over the original mix. Beyoncé wanted to create something similar.
It is completely in black and white, which isn't something I enjoy watching, which probably explains why I always flipped through the music channels whenever this one came on. I just don't see the appeal with it, unless it's set in the past.
The choreography is on point throughout, I seriously cannot deny how amazing Beyoncé is when she's nailing these moves. It may seem simple, but just like the UK ITV show "Dance Dance Dance" proved, it's not as easy as it looks.
There is so much fire and attitude in this music video that it isn't a surprise that Beyoncé nails this music video entirely. The choreography relates perfectly with the song, and although this music video is in black and white, and not my sort of thing, I have to give it credit, because it is fire. However, I knocked it down because it's not something I would happily watch.
If there's one female rapper who has made her name, made her money, and still is solidly killing it in the rap market, it's Missy Elliott, who else? Here's a whole new single from her and a collaboration of a song that has embedded itself in my head once again; this woman knocks it out of the park every single time. This is another huge single from her! Watch Missy Elliott totally own it with intricate and bizarre dancers, in this music video for her new single "I'm Better" which features Lamb.
Missy Elliott, real name Melissa Elliott, is prolific. She's at the top of her genre of music, no one can reach it, she's up there and she's made it. Yet, just like every top star in the music industry, she continues to make music, for herself and for her fans, and she completely bosses it nonstop. Featured on this track is Lamb, real name Cainon Lamb, who is a Grammy-nominated, American, record producer, composer, and songwriter. He has worked with Missy Elliott for many years, and finally, he made his rapping debut on this very track.
The music video was directed by Dave Meyers & Missy Elliott. There is a full-on choreography throughout that was decided by Sean Bankhead & Missy Elliott, and it totally works even if I have my slight doubts about it.
The choreography is on point, it is fire, and yet there is just slight little bits where dancers are out of time or not in the right position. As a whole it comes off that little bit messy... It's totally not polished to the standard I was hoping for and that totally knocks the whole video off.
Lamb adds something fresh to the video, and Missy Elliott's various styles and get ups totally brings some theatrical fashion sense to the video. I love the water feature, although, again it's not polished to perfection.
This video is lacking. I know how technical and amazing this could and should have been but, to me it just isn't up there. It's slightly disappointing, but regardless, this is high production, it has been edited well, and every intricate thing has been thought about. It's just a shame it wasn't polished and full fire, like it could've and should've been.
It's Thursday Revisit time, so I chose Antonia because I'm quickly becoming a fan of hers, and I need to listen to more of her music. She has released a lot of songs that could have been used for my Thursday Revisit but this one just jumped out at me, so I thought why not. And on first listen I totally loved it! Totally catchy with a typical bubble-gum pop twist, Antonia is totally stunning in this music video for "Shake It Mamma" that features dancers dressed up in Japanese wear, with wagasa umbrellas.
Antonia, real name Antonia Iacobescu, has definitely made me a fan of her. Her new music has been promoted well and I've totally been into "Get Up And Dance", as well as her new one "Dor de Tine". I was told about her years ago but had my doubts whether she'd be someone I'd be interested in, and I already had a major range of favourite artists, I didn't want any more; yet, now I just have way more than I need that adding Antonia to my favourite singers isn't a problem at all. This song is super catchy that it deserves to be heard more.
This is another pure performance piece from Antonia. It could be compared to Alexandra Stan's "Lollipop (Param Pam Pam)", I think it's mainly the bubble-popping and the pinkness of the whole video.
Antonia is looking as stunning as ever in this video, and she clearly enjoys singing this song.
The dance scene is interesting. It's clear the music video was aimed at the Japanese market, much like Alexandra Stan's song "Cherry Pop" and Avril Lavigne's "Hello Kitty". It works well and the dancers pull it off perfectly.
This just feels like there isn't enough going on. It's a fired-up song and Antonia totally rocks it, but it's just missing something, maybe a narrative. It's clear the video was shot a few years ago and it just doesn't feel complete.
In case you haven't noticed, I've been a bit obsessed with Romanian female artists, specifically the ones releasing on Global Records, and here is another one, called Runa. She's got some sweet tantalising vocals, the sort that are gorgeous to just listen to. It really works with this song. In the "Blestem" music video, watch Runa perform her song as cute as she sings it.
Runa, real name Miruna Manescu, is another Romanian female singer on the Global Records label. This is her debut single, and the name of the song translates into English as "Curse". She is part of the group Timebelle, who competed in the Switzerland national selection to Eurovision 2015, where they came second, first in the public vote... They released a self-titled EP, before entering for this year's national selection for Switzerland, again. They are in the top six and could be representing Switzerland in Kyiv, Ukraine for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. The song was written by Alexandru Ioan Pelin and Ovidiu Baciu.
Once again, Khaled Mokhtar has directed this music video. His music video styles are pretty similar and here's another performance piece, which is just as good as all the others he has directed.
Runa acts all cute in this music video as she moves about in her long coat. She does look sexy but doesn't pull it off as well as other artists we've seen; besides, her cuteness goes well with the song.
There is a male love-interest who can be seen every now and then in some clips. He's just as cute and they've done this music video very cleverly.
Overall, it's a great performance visual that totally works with the song. It feels quite similar to others we have seen directed by Khaled Mokhtar, but it's stunning nonetheless.
After writing about this for CelebMix, I just had to write it up for my blog, but I didn't want it to clash with the New Release of that week, so hence why I have waited a few extra days. It's actually taken me quite a while to get into Antonia, only because Inna was, and still is, my favourite Romanian female singer, and I've been worried about liking other female artists from Romania. Antonia dropped "Get Up And Dance" and I did exactly that and fell in love with her voice. This follow-up is just as catchy! Antonia is sultry, sexy and completely stunning in this "Dor de Tine" music video, whilst advertising Avon products.
Antonia, full name Antonia Iacobescu, has been going for a number of years, she reached international fame by featuring on Tom Boxer's single "Morena", she later had a hit of her own in Romania titled "Marabou". Now she's totally doing well for herself, releasing extremely catchy songs that just won't get out of my head! The song was written by Irina Rimes and Alex Cotoi.
The music video was directed by Khaled Mokhtar. it's extremely vivacious and totally goes with the song.
Within the whole performance visual, we see Antonia sing the song with so much passion and energy, all the while adding sassiness to the very sexy visual.
In a promotion with Avon products, their Advance Techniques Dry Shampoo can be seen in one clip, where she sprays it onto the hair of another person in the scene.
The song is sung in Romanian and kind of translates to being in love with someone and that someone not being there when she needs him. The music video is completely relatable with Antonia totally connecting with the song, expressing it perfectly. Although the visual gets tedious, with nothing new in it, and no narration whatsoever; it's still a complete packaged video that I could still watch again and again. The song is total fire!
Finally, a music video for this awesomely catchy track, that has been in the top 10 of the UK chart for quite some time now. The music video for the girls' second single from their "Glory Days" album was released just before midnight on Friday. It hasn't been followed up by a single release, as of yet; it currently has been charting from album track downloads alone. Watch the girls of Little Mix dance their way through a very colourful maze with various male dancers dancing flirtatiously around them in the "Touch" music video.
Little Mix are the biggest UK girl group around at the moment. They are still the only group to win The X Factor. They consist of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jade Thirlwall. They recently grabbed their first number one album with "Glory Days" and are currently set to go out on tour in promotion for the album. This definitely won't be their last single, although what they will choose next is anyone's guess. The song was written by Hanni Ibrahim, Patrick Patrikios, A.S. Govere, and Phil Plested.
The music video was directed by Director X and Parris Goebel. Think you recognise that latter name? Well, she's the one who choreographed most of Justin Bieber's "Purpose: The Movement" music videos. She has also choreographed for many other well-known stars; it's no wonder she is sought after in the music industry. I would go into who Director X is, but you all know his amazing back catalogue of music videos.
We are first shown a very colourful maze, an ideal place to get lost in. Someone, tell me where it is and I'll get lost in there, maybe make a really hot guy go in there as well... Oh wait, there's the hot dancers, guess I'll be sorted for men. Where is this maze?
The girls knock the choreography out perfectly. This isn't exactly something new for them, we've seen similar in "Move" and "Salute", but this is one of their most fired-up music videos. As much as I hate to compare them to Fifth Harmony, those girls have got this type of music video completely nailed, and they pull off what they're wearing easily... As for Little Mix it feels more experimental; like they're trying this route and direction but it's not what we're used to, and not what they're used to.
Dancing is pure fire throughout, we expect nothing less from the girls. Their outfits, however, is less sexy and more different; especially Perrie Edwards with her plastic corset-like costume, surely that wasn't comfortable to wear. Plus the knee-length boots must've made it tricky for the girls to dance in. The styling just looks like the director and girls got their wires crossed and it became a compromise. Whatever the reason for the styling, the girls bring it with a fierceness we haven't seen from them before.
This is not just a normal music video, it may go down in history as the day Little Mix transformed into sexy provocative women. It is completely fierce and could easily take them down a path that will bring more fired-up music videos. Totally relatable and the dancing is completely on point.
New to Global Records, Karmen surprised me and I'm happy to find another Global Records artist that I like... Soon enough I'll be a fan of all of them because they are coming out with some killer sounds. She previously released cover versions on Sprint Music Media Group as Carmen. Now she's ready to release her own songs under Global Records as Karmen. Watch Karmen dance around in this high-quality studio "You Got It" music video that is full on fire from start to finish.
Karmen, real name Carmen Simionescu, has been paving out her career in music for quite some time now. She has been brought up around music as her father is Adrian Minune, who is a famous Romanian manele singer. As previously stated, she started her career by releasing cover versions of songs, this led to signing with Sprint Music, who helped her to establish herself as Carmen. Now rocking a whole new name under a new record label, Global Records; Karmen is ready to set out for world domination. This is her debut single under name Karmen. It was written by Lucan Vlad Octavian, Achi, and Caliman Alexandru.
The music video is directed by Bogdan Daragiu, known as simply Daragiu. It's a pure performance piece that Karmen totally nails.
There is a full on dance choreography throughout. Karmen is a total centre point and smashed out the dancing as if it were nothing. She rolls well with the guys as well as the girls. She's the centre of the show and she is totally on point throughout.
The solo performance is sexy and stylish, Karmen knows exactly how to draw the eye of the camera and does well to draw attention, she does it with complete perfection.
Now she's on Global Records with Inna, Antonia, Lori, Alexandra Stan, Carla's Dreams, and many other international artists; Karmen is ready to be the next big name, we just hope you're ready too.
Finally, she has dropped a music video. This will act as Una Healy's official first single, even though it is her third promotional instant grat single from her debut studio album. What a way to kick off your musical career; a duet with no other than Nashville's Sam Palladio. This is quite the fit for the song, although I'm not so keen on the song itself... It deserves to be a little bit more catchy, and doesn't quite go anywhere. The music video sees Una Healy missing her man, who just happens to be Sam Palladio, as they wish they ask each other to "Stay My Love".
Una Healy made her name as one-fifth of girl group The Saturdays. They are, unfortunately, on a hiatus with no sights on getting back together anytime soon. All five girls are doing incredibly well for themselves, away from the group. For Una Healy, she will be the first of the five to release a debut album. Her style is very different from The Saturdays, and it's a completely new route. It's quite a soft country sound that takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you're used to her pop-dance songs in The Saturdays. Yet, I'm proud she's making the music she wants to. Sam Palladio featured on this track, he's mostly known for playing Gunnar Scott in the TV show, Nashville. Although he has been in many other things such as Humans. This song was written by Una Healy and Amy Wadge.
The music video was filmed in Nashville and shows Una Healy revisiting a place where she spent time with her on-screen love interest, who is played by Sam Palladio. It all has an Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroger feel to it, this video is definitely reminiscent of "Let Me Go".
The narrative is extremely intricate as Sam Palladio is almost a ghost. In his scenes, a cold filter is used suggesting that it is the past; whereas in Una Healy's visual it's all full of warmth, as she glances at pictures of Sam Palladio.
She ends up driving to a bench with a beautiful scenic landscape, she sits down on the bench and the video ends with them two together on the bench.
Halfway through the video, there is a performance piece and they completely shine throughout. Both artists are amazing singers and performers, really showcasing their love for this song. However, I'm not so keen on the song, it's not the sort of country I like, and it totally feels dated.
The video is an awesome concept, and I've only ever seen it similar in "Let Me Go" by Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger. However, both videos are completely different and although this one is lacking in comparison; stood all by itself and compared to the meaning behind this song, it deserves an equally high rating.
Struggled, once again, to find a new release with a music video, but came across this one and I just HAD to review it. This song hits me, there's a strong emotional connection and the gorgeous soulful voice is completely powerful over the amazing upbeat dance-like backing track that would totally be drawing me on to the dancefloor. Watch Rationale perform his song "Reciprocate" on many different stages, unleashing his killer sound out to his fans and the others in the audience.
Rationale has been going for a number of years, lending his vocals for Bastille and DJ Jakwob, before releasing his debut single in 2015, which he followed up with an EP. Now into 2017, he has released this song, and it is a killer track. It may not have gained momentum, but with his amount of fans and people recognising his potential in the music industry, Rationale will become one artist you can't wait to hear more from. In a world where new artists are emerging quickly and incredibly fast, Rationale will be on everyone's radars in no time at all. This song is one of those that will blow up, or become a lost treasure; either way, you need to listen to it.
The music video is extremely basic. It's a pure performance video that combines multiple visuals of Rationale performing on stage.
At times you get to see the crowd, usually with their phone torches in the air, waving in time to the beat. This shows that energy is being unleashed into the crowd, they are so lucky to have heard him live.
As for the staging shots. The camera is at a low angle, giving Rationale an empowering stance. It doesn't help him show what he's like on stage, because of the camera angle. It isn't great viewing, but regardless, Rationale puts his all in performing on stage and that really comes across.
Overall, this could be any other tour video, it doesn't add anything new; and, certainly, doesn't make the song any better. To be fair the song is amazing, and no matter what the video was, it would still be great to listen to. The rating is based on the video alone, but it's just like any other tour music video.
It's Thursday again, which means it's revisit time. I chose Stromae since this is his only song to have charted in the UK, and it is completely an international hit. I have to admit, I didn't recognise the song when I mentioned the title in yesterday's blog post of "Papaoutai"; but, as soon as I clicked play on this music video, I recognised it instantly. No wonder this was a worldwide hit. Watch Stromae go about his life in a split screen music video for "Alors on danse", starting in his office, to walking the streets, to being at a bar and concert.
Stromae, real name Paul Van Haver, made his name with this massive global smash of a single "Alors on danse". When translated to English, it means "So We Dance". The song is about going through life; that life is what you make of it and it's all the same regardless. It's a highly deep concept, and I don't see it working if it were in English. He went on to release some more awesome songs that did well in many different countries. I can totally see him releasing another incredible hit song. This one was written by Paul Haver.
The music video is difficult to follow, especially since it is split screen. Both visuals take place at the same time, but it's clear that a different camera shot is used in both.
There's a cycle narration going on, starting off with Stromae in his office, then he visits his child, but a woman slaps him across the face and suggests that he should leave. He comes into contact with a homeless guy, who steals his jacket from him. He then bumps into a friend who takes him to a bar and makes him drink some alcohol. He clearly isn't in the party mood but his friends don't notice and he is soon pulled onto a stage to perform his song. He passes out and is dragged back to his office by an unknown guy.
The story goes round in a full circle, although he doesn't exactly end up where he started since the homeless guy still has his jacket. It does represent the song in a brilliant way, and yet it is difficult to follow because of the split screen. Nonetheless, since the song and the music video work well together, I have to give it this rating.
