Decided this week I'm going to focus on reviewing male singers, purely because I feel like I'm flooding my blog with female artists, and I need to switch it up a bit. This song and video has been talked about a lot over the last week or so, so I thought I might as well review it on here. The song is amazing and the music video is pretty sexy too! Watch Ansel Elgort topless and kissing someone, looking toned throughout this music video for "Thief" all before he leaves her all alone because he believes he isn't good enough.
Ansel Elgort is mostly known for his acting roles, especially in the Divergent series, as well as The Fault In Our Stars and Paper Towns. He has subtly focused on a musical career with a few releases under his belt as well as remixes. However, this song acts as his debut music video, and it is as hot as hell and has gained phenomenal promotion in the last few days. No wonder his name is on everyone's lips. The song was written by Ansel Elgort, Kyle Trewartha, Tom Norris, and Christopher J Baran.
Directed by Warren Elgort, the music video sees Ansel Elgort relaxed throughout, he clearly has no problem showing off his body, to which we totally love seeing.
There is both a performance side and a narrative side. Some people have described the whole thing cringe-worthy, and you can see where they are coming from; the dancing is totally freestyle during the performance piece, suggesting that even though he can move, he really needs guidance and choreography. Otherwise, the performance is on point, and he shows off his body during that part which is completely fine with us.
The storyline sees Ansel Elgort get it on with a woman in what could be a hotel room. They undress, he does a few push-ups in his boxers, she just lies sultrily on the bed. They do an upside-down kiss, a slight ode to spiderman obviously. The story gets sexier and sexier until we see Ansel Elgort clothing himself and leaving her in the bed.
Overall, this totally relates to the song, it's full-on sexy and hot, there are no other words to describe this. I would've preferred to have seen a choreographed sequence rather than his freelance 'cringe-worthy' dancing, yet he exudes confidence so totally pulls it off, along with his clothes. This is totally the right step in his musical career.
This was bound to appear on my blog soon, so why not now? Hello Troye Sivan, who is totally my top LGBT+ singer out at the moment, whilst Steve Grand works on his new album and, my newly found, Rayvon Owen is probably also working on new music. Regardless, Troye Sivan pretty much found me, and I will not stop being grateful for the imprint he is leaving online, for the world. I just wish there was someone like him to influence me when I was younger. Troye Sivan shows the troubles and tribulations people have gone through to get to this point for LGBT+ people, the "Heaven" video is more than just a tribute, it's defining.
Troye Sivan, real name Troye Sivan Mellet, the YouTuber turned singer who has hit the world by storm. His music has already touched millions with his songs and impacted many within the LGBT+ community with his stunning confident music videos. His debut album charted well globally, although his singles have done all right. It's a tough market to crack, but if there's anything about Troye Sivan, it's that he never gives up, and he totally believes that he is doing what he needs to do, and it is definitely paying off. This is his new single in collaboration with Betty Who, real name Jessica Newham. She is signed to RCA records and made her name because Spencer Stout uploaded his flash mob proposal to his boyfriend on YouTube with her song. Now she's collaborated with Troye Sivan, and what a song this is! It was written by Troye Sivan. Alexandra Robotham, Jack Antonoff, and Claire Boucher.
Directed by Luke Gilford, the black and white music video sees Troye Sivan in a sexy performance visual where he is embraced by an unfaced shirtless guy. They clearly care for one another; unfortunately, Troye Sivan is clothed throughout.
There are many monumental clips shown throughout including a scene of assassinated gay rights leader Harvey Milk, various gay pride parades and same-sex marriages.
What makes this video inspirational is that both artists are Australian, and the country has yet to pass the same-sex marriage bill. The video completely shows how far we have gone, but it still makes people think how much further we still have to go. It works completely, and it's totally relatable to the song. I do hate black and white music videos. though I can understand it suggests the past with the footage used, but I would've liked to have seen Troye Sivan's performance and cuddling in colour - and topless.
After looking over all the new releases this week, I could only come across two songs that have music videos, this one and Stormzy's "Big For Your Boots", I'm not a fan of either artist, but I have reviewed Stormzy before, whereas this is the first time London Grammar have appeared on my blog, so I might as well switch it up a bit. This song is their second single from their upcoming new album. London Grammar shows off scenic beauty and beautiful starry night skies in overlays during a performance piece of "Big Picture", this music video is glittery, space-like and quite artsy.
London Grammar are a three-piece British indie-pop group consisting of Dominic 'Dot' Major, Hannah Reid, and Dan Rothman. They've done well for themselves after the release of their debut album. They haven't quite had a hit single, yet, although "Strong" has been their highest charting single globally so far. This new album could bring an interesting direction for the group as they continue to go from strength to strength. This song was written by the group themselves.
Directed by Sophie Müller, this video focuses more on scenic beauties, of space and the stars, of mountains, and of glitter. The striking overlays really capture the essence of the song and completely shows the band off brilliantly during their performance piece.
The group shines throughout as they perform the song, it's clear that they have a major stage presence and Hannah Reid's voice totally captures the audience. This is one group that will knock it out of the stadium if you were to go to their concert.
There isn't much else for me to comment on. It's been edited well, with the overlays transitioning effectively and they transparently contrast with the performance visual of the video. It works well and is definitely relatable to the song. No narrative, but shadows are used intricately. It's good but not entirely addictively engaging.
Missy Elliott hasn't been a part of my blog much, so I thought: why not do an old music video of hers for my Thursday Revisit... And so, here we are, with this awesome song that is still catchy today. I recently reviewed an Indiginis Re-Work of this song for Outlet Magazine, which has totally changed the song completely. This is why I like Thursday Revisits because here is an epic music video from back in the day that is still complete fire. Missy Elliott brings it completely for this "Get Ur Freak On" music video, with Timberland in the background and an on-point dance troupe. It's time to get ur freak on!
Missy Elliott, real name Melissa Elliott, was at the height of her career when this song came out. It became one of her biggest hits and became current a second time in the UK when it was used for a promotional campaign television advertisement. She went on to have even bigger and more successful singles and has collaborated with some of the biggest artists in the industry. She is at the top when it comes to female rappers. This song hit number four on the UK chart. It was written by Melissa Elliott and Tim Mosley.
The track starts off with a guy saying this, in Japanese: "Kore kara minna de mechakucha odotte. Sawagou, sawagou." Translated into English, it means: "Everyone start dancing together wildly now. Let's make some noise, let's make some noise." There are other languages used throughout.
The music video itself was directed by Dave Meyers, who has nailed the whole visual in memorable ways. It's a pure performance piece from Missy Elliott, that completely works with the song.
This is one of her most iconic music videos. This is not because of the dance troupe, with their epic choreography that they perfect throughout this video, even Missy Elliott gets involved. It's technically brilliant, and although it looks simple, I assure you it isn't. What makes this iconic is the editing.
This video was released in 2001, so it just shows how ahead of the game the editing team were. They made Missy Elliott's head extend out from her body in a snake-like neck lurch. What is grossly-awesome, though, is that Missy Elliott spits at one of the dancers, and we follow the spit with the camera and watch the dancer gobble it up and swallow her spit. It is also in line with the lyrics of the song.
The ending of the video switches the song up even more, it wasn't enough that Timberland is just chilling there behind Missy Elliott, she just has to prove her rapping skills at the end, and she is fierce. If there's one track you want to see Missy Elliott perform live, it's this one; and if there's a rap music video that is dated but still completely amazing, it's this one!
For anyone who knows me, this was an obvious choice for my next music video review on my blog. I previously wrote up about the music video for CelebMix. As well as the teaser video from yesterday. Inna dropped this music video today, and it's filled with summer sounds and gorgeous visuals that excite me for summer. The song will be a part of her fifth studio album which is expected to be released this year, possibly during the summer. Once again, Inna is stylishly sexy in her new music video, walking the streets of Mexico and soaking up the sun's summer rays in "Gimme Gimme".
Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, has been teasing this new song for a few months now. She is set to release her fifth studio album, that will include previous songs "Heaven" and "Say It With Your Body". Having seen her perform in Ireland two months ago, I know that the amazing stage presence she shows in her music videos are just as amazing at her concerts. She is my favourite artist in the world, and she is continuing to bring it with every song and music video that she releases. This song was written by Inna, David Ciente, Marcel Botezan, Sebastian Alexandru Barac, Breyan Isaac, and Vasile Elena Luminita.
The music video was directed by Khaled Mokhtar. It takes place in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico; where Inna, back in October, fell in love with the beauty of the place and it's architecture. The video is visually beautiful, it's no surprise she chose this place for the music video.
There are many different scenes that see Inna performing her song. The main one is where she is relaxing against a Volkswagon Beetle, as well as when she is performing in front of brightly coloured front doors to houses.
Other actresses appear, one with balloons, another with a topless guy (who totally reminds us of Alexandra Stan - just slightly), and a few others here and there. Extras are also shown who are clearly Mexicans.
This whole summer feel of the music video is making me wish it was summer again. It's neatly packaged with some brilliant shots in the whole video. The ending sees Inna let loose and have a party with her friends. Inna is looking as gorgeous as always, and this video totally works, although it's a shame there wasn't a romantic element in the visual.
Okay, another music video picked from my iTunes random player. The song got stuck in my head and I wasn't sure what music video to pick to review, so I decided upon this one. It seems like it's a part of a much bigger story and it's not easy to understand fully; however it's clear that Nils Van Zandt has gone to look for Lynn Larouge after she texted him, but he seems to not be able to find her. The "to be continued..." at the end suggests that a much bigger storyline could be around the corner. Nils Van Zandt can be seen searching for Lynn Larouge, whilst Rashaun Will (Stress Dollaz) helps him out in the search, during the whole video sequence for "In Need Of Love".
Nils Van Zandt has clearly been going for some time. He has really established himself as a DJ and producer. He's one a few people have heard of but hasn't quite hit the popularity he clearly deserves. He's remixed for some of the biggest artists, and his own music is finally getting heard. He's one to keep watching, he's been trying for a long time, he just needs that international hit, that will push him into a much bigger success. Featured on this track is Lynn Larouge, who is mostly known for this song, although she has set out for a solo career, and Rashaun Will, who was previously known as Stress Dollaz upon the release of this song. He has had the biggest career to date, and he will keep pushing it and making it, that much is clear. As a collective, this works amazingly.
The music video doesn't have a lot going on, it follows a narrative that shows Nils Van Zandt looking for love.
Lynn Larouge teases him from the start by telling him that she "needs love" and he soon gets on a boat in search for her.
He ends up on a beach and takes a photo which he then sends to her. This photo makes her smile, so whether this was the love she was thinking of, who knows. The video ends with a: "To be continued..." sign.
Overall, it's more of a performance piece that totally shows off Lynn Larouge and Rashaun Will. The former is sexy in a hotel room, whereas the other is out and about rapping to the song on top of buildings. Nils Van Zandt is clearly involved in his character, searching for the love Lynn Larouge is after. It's a clever connection to the song, but it just doesn't work the way we want it to.
Of all the days to drop the music video to the number one single on the UK Chart, Ed Sheeran had to choose today just so he could claim my Chart Mondays blog post. Well, I don't think he actually knows about my blog, but can we pretend that it is all about me for a second and just decide this is the whole reason he released it today? No? Okay... Well Ed Sheeran is currently at number one on the UK Singles Chart with this song, and so therefore claims my Chart Mondays review. Watch Ed Sheeran fall in love as he trains to become a boxer, only for her to leave him to battle a sumo wrestler all by himself, in the "Shape Of You" music video.
Ed Sheeran is someone who fought to get to where he is now, and I can't deny how much of an inspiration he is to everyone around the world. That is why I listen to his music, why I buy his music, why I support him, because I am fighting for my dreams just like he was once upon a time. He has broken records around the world by debuting at number one and number two at the same time in many countries, including the UK. This is the one that hit number one in most countries. The song was written by Ed Sheeran, Steve Mac, and Johnny McDaid.
Directed by Jason Koenig, the video also stars Jennie Pegouskie and Yama. The former, acts as Ed Sheeran's love interest, totally making me jealous because it's totally convincing and that is literally what I've been missing in my life. The latter is the sumo wrestler who beats up Ed Sheeran.
This has a full narrative, with Ed Sheeran training up to be a boxer. He catches the eye of Jennie Pegouskie who helps him train up. They spend time outside of the gym, clearly this is the start of a relationship.
The relationship is clearly very loving, the sort that we all want in life. They manage to portray a loving relationship perfectly, one that makes us all jealous. Then our hearts break for Ed Sheeran as she leaves him, and he turns his anger into training, which then leads up to him fighting Yama - the sumo wrestler.
It all builds up to an ending that sees Ed Sheeran defeated, catching the eye of Jennie Pegouskie again, who decides to fight Yama after Ed Sheeran is over and done with. It all then disappears, as if it were some sort of dream or mirage. Ed Sheeran is stuck in his blow-up sumo wrestlers costume.
It's totally relatable, completely lovable, and works with the song. Talk about hitting every emotion possible with this music video, to what will quickly become an iconic Ed Sheeran song. He totally smashes this out, and it completely works.
Thank you, iTunes, for this random pick. It came from a compilation album on my iTunes and according to my Last.fm profile, I already love this track, so why not see if there was a music video. That was my thinking, so after a quick YouTube search, here it is appearing on my blog. The video explains the music clearly, following DJs as they go about their lives having fun and playing to a mass group of people in this "Turn Off The Light" music video.
Reepublic were a five-piece DJ group, who have clearly gone their separate ways, since they haven't released anything new since 2013. They consisted of French DJs: Antoine Clamaran, Michael Canitrot, Tristan Garner, Gregori Klosman - known as Klosman, and Sebastien Benett. Now parted ways, they still leave quite the impact in their wake, especially since all three of them songs have had success, none more than this one though, with the others following just behind. This group could've been big, but apart, they have the chance of success and some have already made giant leaps onto those paths.
There isn't an awful lot to this music video, we literally watch the five-piece work and going about their lives.
We watch them travel, we watch them do their thing in creating a track. The dodgems look like great fun, and makes me think of pride all over again. We watch them have fun and relax before gearing up for their gig.
The club is set up and ready to go, it's the sort of place I'd love to go to, to be fair. As DJs they totally unleash the track and have fun up on the stage.
The video doesn't relate entirely to the song, and the featured star doesn't get supported in the visual, and is probably forgotten during the song, although she clearly provided the vocals. There's just not enough here. The song makes me wish summer would come sooner.
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.
