Critic Jonni

Love You Like That - Canaan Smith |

I've had quite the country music listening weekend this week, and my iTunes decided to play this song randomly from one of my many owned country compilation albums, and I'm so glad it did because it's one of those effortlessly catchy country songs that we'll never forget. On first watch of the music video it made me cry, I want someone to love me like that, someone who will make me pack up and leave for good without a care in the world; I think we all want a guy like that, right? Watch super hot country music artist Canaan Smith serenade a city girl in this music video for "Love You Like That", that inspires her to actually stick around.

Canaan Smith is a Nashville, Tennessee male country music artist, who has only recently came into prominence. This song is his biggest hit to date. In 2009, before he became a country singer, he took part in the 15th season of The Amazing Race, where he and his 'newly dating' girlfriend - Mika, came seventh. He broke up with Mika at the Elimnation Station and went on to marry Christy Hardesty. He went on to release a debut album in 2015. Canaan Smith is currently on his Back For More tour in the UK, but his already performed in my home city and I didn't even know. I'll have to try and catch him the next time he visits, because I need to hear this song live. I hope he is planning on releasing new music soon, and I'm sure a bigger hit than this one is prepared to be released in the future. This one was written by Canaan Smith, Brett Beavers, and Jim Beavers.

Directed by Marc Klasfeld, this music video shows Canaan Smith's loving marriage between him and Christy Hardesty. That's right, his real life wife plays the love interest in this music video; no wonder their passion for each other is astronomical - enough to make us all jealous.

A performance piece and a narrative combined together, this music video has it all. Canaan Smith is proving that a country boy can be so much more romantic than any pretty city boy.

It's clear that Cristy Hardesty is visiting him, and he shows her around, whilst spending intimate moments with each other. At the end, tears did fall from my eyes due to the overall sweetness of the cute ending; as if, she decides to put her car up for sale and stay with Canaan Smith. Although, we totally don't blame her, we would be doing the exact same.

As for the performance scene, Canaan Smith shows why he is worthy of being on a stage. He gives off perfect country energetic vibes, and it's clear this song is close to his heart. I'm excited for any new music he might release, but for the time being I shall explore his other songs and start to listen to him more.

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Yours If You Want It - Rascal Flatts |

Taking me back to the days when I used to work for a well-known fast food restaurant, the Rascal Flatts' new music video for their most-recently released single is a very loved-up cute visual. This is exactly what we needed to see to restore humanity's ideology on love. It's quite the flip to the song I've had stuck in my head all day, which was Cassadee Pope's "Piano", but since she never released a music video for it, I came across this other country song instead, and I honestly like the Rascal Flatts' a lot, so this was the next best thing. Watch the Rascal Flatts' perform in an American diner, while we watch a loving relationship visual play out in the "Yours If You Want It" music video.

The Rascal Flatts are a country trio consisting of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney. They are one of the biggest country music acts in America, who has had occasional success internationally, notably with "Bless The Broken Road", "What Hurts The Most" (a cover of Jo O'Meara's "What Hurts The Most", later covered by Cascada, also titled "What Hurts The Most"), and "Backwards". They need a massive international hit, but it's hard to send country music outside of America and Canada, it's not impossible, but it's just completely rare. If others can do it, then the Rascal Flatts can too, it's only a matter of a time. This song is completely lovely, but it's just that. It's the first cut from their new album titled "Back To Us", which sounds like the album we all cannot wait to hear. The song was written by Andrew Dorff and Jonathan Singleton.

This song and music video is in honour of country music songwriter Andrew Dorff, the co-writer of this song, who passed away last year. The song is full-on country, just the way we like it, allowing Andrew Dorff's legacy live on, as Jay DeMarcus stated in a Rolling Stone interview.

The video was directed by Billy Zabka and has two parts, a full-out narrative and an energetic performance piece. The narrative stars are actor Kevin Farley and actress Kristy Swanson. Kevin Farley plays a customer at an American diner, whereas Kristy Swanson plays a waitress in the said American diner. Both stars are well known from various films and TV shows, hence why you may recognise them.

The narrative unfolds seeing Kevin Farley asking Kristy Swanson out on a date after her shift. The story continues with some incredibly cute loved-up moments, some we'd love to have ourselves one day. We even see him propose to her. All before returning to the American diner, finding out that it was all a daydream.

Luckily, that isn't how the narrative completely ends. Kevin Farley's current girlfriend tells him to hurry up, and Kristy Swanson gives him her number, letting him know that she is actually interested in him. Could that so-called daydream have been a premonition of what is to come?

As for the Rascal Flatts' performance, it links in perfectly with the narrative, as the trio are acting as the part of the restaurant's staff. Gary LeVox, the vocalist and frontman, can be seen flipping burgers and singing the song under his breath. Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney also take part in the narrative as well, with individual slight scenes.

Their performance of the song, is completely energetic, as usual, with their constant positive vibes. Imagine seeing this trio live on stage - that would definitely be one night we would never forget. However, there is too much focus on the narrative and not enough showcasing the performance piece. There is much more that could've been done with this music video, and it's just missing that oomph, that special something that can be seen within most music videos.

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Symphony (feat. Zara Larsson) - Clean Bandit |

Well, I wasn't expecting this when I chose my New Release music video review; to be fair, I wasn't expecting there to be one for this song. You have no idea how happy I am that Zara Larsson actually appears in this featured music video, especially after the disastrous "Girls Like" by Tinie Tempah. Yet, here she is, with Clean Bandit, as it should always be when there is a featured star. This song isn't really my sort of song, although it is highly emotional, I just don't think it's either of the artists' best song, and I think they could've created something much better; regardless, this is what we've got. Watch Clean Bandit perform as part of an orchestra, whilst Zara Larsson fronts it with the vocals, all the while a heart-breaking gay narrative plays out in the LGBT+ pro "Symphony" music video.

Clean Bandit are a trio consisting of Grace Chatto, Jack Patterson, and Luke Patterson. They are one of the most defining British electronic music groups around at the moment, with a tonne of hits behind them. They made their name known, when they collaborated with Jess Glynne on the song "Rather Be", the rest is pure history. The group will continue to dominate charts around the world. This new collaboration is with Zara Larsson, the Swedish female sensation who has released her international debut album this week. She gained fame when she won the second season of Talang, the Swedish version of Got Talent, in 2008. She gained success in collaboration with MNEK on the song "Never Forget You", which then launched "Lush Life" into international success. This song will, no doubt, storm the charts globally again. It was written by Jack Patterson, Ina Wroldsen, Steve McCutcheon, and Ammar Malik.

Directed by Grace Chatto & Jack Patterson, this music video is engaging from start to finish, much like Clean Bandit's other music videos. They are including in every video that they create, and considerably consider everything and how to properly represent their song in a visual aspect. It's admiring how much thought they put into it. The conductor is played by actor Michael Akinsulire, whilst the love-interest and cyclist are played by actor Josias Bertrand.

There are two parts of this music video, a narrative and a performance. The performance shows Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson at the front of an orchestra with Michael Akinsulire acting as the conductor. He takes up a lead role in the story, therefore linking the performance and the narrative together.

The performance piece isn't all that impressive. There's only so much an orchestra can give, along with a conductor. You would think Zara Larsson would channel her amazing performance vibes, but they're just not there. Clean Bandit brings their usual energetic vibe, but they're definitely lacking something. Maybe performing with an orchestra overwhelmed the performance aspect as a whole.

Regardless, the pro-LGBT+ narrative definitely makes up for whatever is not there in the performance scenes. We watch a cyclist, played by Josias Bertrand, have a traffic accident, that clearly leads to him passing away. We then watch a very upset Michael Akinsulire, grieving for his boyfriend. We watch scenes of them two together as if Michael Akinsulire is reminiscing over the lovely moments the gay couple shared.

These scenes are lovely to watch and we see how Michael Akinsulire goes on to become a conductor, channelling the upsetting energy into his passion. The ending scene sees Josias Bertrand sitting in the audience, watching the orchestra.

What a lovely music video. Once again, Clean Bandit has smashed it out of the arena; another great music video and a perfect one to follow on from "Rockabye" which featured Sean Paul & Anne-Marie; yet didn't quite top it. This is completely emotional and heart-breaking and inspiring, but it's all down to the narrative. Just wish the performance was to my liking to give this a full rating, but I can't justify it so it'll have to settle just short. Great video nonetheless, though.

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Fail In Love - Sharon Doorson |

Again, I have a lot of music video reviews to catch up on, so bare with me for the next few days. This was my Thursday Revisit, and I was interested in Sharon Doorson's earlier releases and it just shows how far she has come in the last few years, from her debut single to her most-recent newly released song "Golden Trophy". Watch Sharon Doorson be all sexy in this typical music video for a club song "Fail In Love". Her performance is still complete fire throughout, she brings it!

Sharon Doorson first came into prominence in The Voice of Holland, where she was eliminated during the semi-finals. She was also a part of girl group Raffish, alongside Eva Simons. She recently released "Golden Trophy" which steps away from the dance upbeat tracks that she released earlier in her career. She's charted internationally here and there, and I'm sure she's on the verge of her big breakthrough, all she needs is a popular hit song.

This music video is a pure performance visual that has Sharon Doorson acting completely sexy throughout.

The problem with these sorts of videos is that they've been done a thousand times over; not just that but Sharon Doorson doesn't exactly look comfortable in the scenes, apart from the last one. She brings total fire in the last scene where she's wearing a futuristic metallic costume. She struts down the walkway and completely brings it.

Overall the video is just your average club-song music video, we've seen it so many times. It's unoriginal. However, Sharon Doorson has this performing quality to her which is only found in some of the biggest stars, she can work a music video, and she definitely brought it when she needed to.

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Feel My Love (feat. Radu & Ivana) - White Lynx |

Since I've reviewed Global Records' project G Girls with "Milk & Honey", I thought I'd review another one of their artists, and this one has been waiting for me to review for a little while, so why not? This music video is one that resonates deeply and really pulls at the emotional heart strings. I was so caught up in the narrative that I actually forgot to listen to the song, so it was a good excuse to watch it a second time. Watch this cute love story unfold between two people who speak sign language, their love for each other is dream-like in this "Feel My Love" music video by White Lynx feat. Radu & Ivana.

White Lynx, real name Andrei Prodan, is a new producer on the scene and this is his debut single and it's total fire. If you're going to start on an incredible career, then a first single like this one is a great start. Radu, full name Radu Farclane, features on the track, and he is fairly new on Global Records too, having previously released two singles. Then there's Ivana, full name Ivana Farc, who has had mild success especially with her latest single "Wanna Be One". This collaboration for Global Records is brilliant and really showcases all three artists, even if they don't appear in the music video. This song was written by Claudiu Taut and White Lynx.

Directed by Sergiu Margaian and Tiberius Margaian, the music video stars two people who we presume are deaf due to the opening scene. These two lovers are played by actress Oana Carmaciu and actor Tudor Andronic.

The opening scene hits home even before this amazing song kicks in. The two lovers are talking to one another through sign language. She's a little down because she can't hear him say the words "I Love You", but he says that it doesn't matter because she can feel it. This scene just makes my heart melt, it's so cute and well thought-out; I want that love with someone, I want to feel that sort of love with someone.

The visual continues as we see the ups and downs of their relationship, from the extremely cute moments to the arguments, from the adventures they go on, to the passion and the emotions they feel for each other.

As the video comes to the end, we see him go down on one knee. Our instant reaction is that he's going to propose, but how wrong were we? It's way better than proposing... He's got her a hearing aid so she can hear him say "I Love You". This scene literally brought a small tear to my eye, talk about ticking every box she wants in a man.

Such an adorable visual, that deserves nothing less than the rating I'm giving it. Even though there isn't a performance side to this music video, the narrative just blasts other music videos out of the water, and this feels so real and is a great relatable story to the song. What more could we possibly have wanted? This is incredible.

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Milk & Honey - G Girls |

The G Girls are back, with a slight change in the line-up yet still completely awesome nonetheless, this is their newly released single "Milk & Honey". It's a banging tune that should be an international hit, much like many of the other songs that are released on the Global Records label. This just proves how amazing the artists on the Global Records label are and you so need to discover all the songs from these girls. We do miss Alexandra Stan in this line-up, but G Girls is a project consisting of girls from Global Records, so line-up changes are allowed since they aren't a full-on girl group as they all have solo careers; if a third single comes along, who knows if the line-up will change again. Watch Inna, Antonia, Lori, and Lariss come together for G Girls' new single "Milk & Honey", as they all compete for the attention of a photographer.

G Girls is a project from Global Records that consists of female singers from the Global Records label. This is a slightly new line-up, with the G Girls consisting of Inna, Antonia, Lori, and Lariss (actual names: Elena Apostoleanu, Antonia Iacobescu, Loredana Ciobotaru, and Larisa Borza). The latter has replaced Alexandra Stan from the original line-up when they dropped their debut single "Call The Police". Lariss fuels Lori's RnB vibe, which adds a whole new flavour to this track. Imagine if G Girls ever released an album, that would just be pure versatile, yet still with the G Girls stamp. Maybe Global Records should just release a compilation album, now that is something we need. Anyhow, I previously wrote an article about this for CelebMix, and then later an article for Outlet Magazine, make sure you check them out by clicking the links. According to the composer notes attached to the iTunes digital download, the song was written by Sebastian Barac, Marcel Botezan, Isaac Breyan, Larisa Borza, David Ciente, and Elena Apostoleanu.

Directed by Ionut Trandafir, with Khaled Mokhtar acting as Director of Photography, this music video is more relaxed than their debut "Call The Police". This has a nice relatable setting and isn't as high-end as the other one was before.

There is one main love-interest, I don't know the actor's name, but he plays the photographer in the music video. In various settings, he plays different roles depending on which G Girl he is with. With Inna he's a fashion designer, measuring her up. With Antonia, he's a hair stylist. With Lariss, he's a beekeeper, giving her honey whenever she wants it. And with Lori, he's a teacher or a tutor. Throughout we see snapshots of the girls together posing for their pictures to be taken.

The video is completely fun from start to finish. The girls are teasing throughout, all the while having a great time on set - they clearly enjoyed the photo shoot, even if there is a lot of shadow at the forefront of the visual, obscuring our view.

The only problem is that there's no milk in this video, although Inna's costume is a milky white, and maybe the love-interest is a milkman when he's not taking photos, maybe there is an underlining message of what they want with their honey. Who knows? Regardless the song is fire and the girls are fierce throughout. It's a brilliant performance piece with a lot of happy energetic vibes and a spirit of fun.

Buy on iTunes

Let's be honest, we knew this was going to happen last Monday, as we saw; Ed Sheeran was dominating the iTunes and Spotify charts. It's not a surprise at all that his songs from his album charted in the UK, but what it was a surprise to see his entire album, including the bonus tracks on the deluxe version, chart inside the UK top 20.

Ed Sheeran's Facebook Cover Picture

Even if I changed my Chart Mondays to include the UK top 20 Singles Chart, I still wouldn't have a music video to review this week, since I've done "Shape of You" and "Castle On The Hill" by Ed Sheeran, and the other songs inside the top 20 either doesn't have a music video, or I've already reviewed it.

This is why I hate streaming at the moment, it's literally messed up the UK Singles Chart, and subsequently messed up my Chart Mondays review. Last year, Drake's "One Dance" dominated the charts and was never uploaded to YouTube which led to everyone listening to the song on Spotify or other similar streaming sites, therefore allowing him to stay at number one for 15 weeks. It's not even his best song, just saying.

So how has streaming done this? Well, someone decided that 100 streams are equal to a sale, they've changed that for 2017 to 150 streams, yet it's still affecting the chart majorly. However, one person can only contribute 70 streams a week towards the chart so it would take one person over two weeks of listening to the same song to contribute a sale, yet it clearly mounts up and affects the charts majorly.

Just take a look at the top 10 for the past few months, it's rare that there was a new entry, and on the occasion that there was, they stayed in the top 20 for far too long. The top ten rarely changes nowadays and the chart just isn't exciting.

The problem is due to Spotify playlists, people just listen to the UK top 40 over and over again; not only that but people create playlists that other people play, those playlists have many songs from the top 40 in them. It's not the same as someone going on to iTunes and parting with their money to download a song.

In America, they also count YouTube plays, could this be something the UK needs to do switch up the chart? We definitely need to change how the chart is recorded, and we need people to care about it again. It needs to be current and interesting; otherwise, it might as well be dead especially since someone like Ed Sheeran can dominate it, and other new rising stars can't get a look in edgeways.

Here is the current UK Top 20 Singles Chart:

1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
2) Ed Sheeran - Galway Girl
3) Ed Sheeran - Castle On The Hill
4) Ed Sheeran - Perfect
5) Ed Sheeran - New Man
6) Ed Sheeran - Happier
7) The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This
8) Ed Sheeran - Dive
9) Ed Sheeran - Supermarket Flowers
10) Ed Sheeran - What Do I Know
11) Ed Sheeran - How Would You Feel (Paean)
12) Ed Sheeran - Barcelona
13) Ed Sheeran - Nancy Mulligan
14) Ed Sheeran - Eraser
15) Ed Sheeran - Hearts Don't Break Around Here
16) Rag'n'Bone Man - Human
17) Katy Perry feat. Skip Marley - Chained To The Rhythm
18) Ed Sheeran - Bibia Be Ye Ye
19) Ed Sheeran - Save Myself
20) Stormzy - Big For Your Boots

Flowers - Sweet Female Attitude |

I'm still obsessed with this song after Leanne Brown from Sweet Female Attitude sang it on the LRV stage at Staffordshire University, this was totally my jam from way back when. But, hearing her sing it live blew my mind, she's got some amazing soulful power in her voice, Leanne Brown can truly sing, and I'm totally excited to see what she has got planned with Platnum. Don't forget to check out my gig review on CelebMix. Watch Sweet Female Attitude bring it in this music video for their debut single "Flowers", which was an instant hit. Adding club vibes and a party lifestyle, it's not a bad video.

Sweet Female Attitude were a duo consisting of Leanne Brown and Catherine Cassidy. Now Leanne Brown is fronting the name all by herself, and she is doing it justice, because she knocked it out of the venue last Friday, and don't even get me started on when she collaborated with Platnum on a cover of Jade's "Don't Walk Away", she was pure fire! I am totally a new fan of Leanne Brown. The future definitely seems exciting for her and Platnum. This song was written by Mike Powell and Martin Green. It charted at number two in the UK and is totally considered a garage classic. It was the Sunship Remix Edit that totally launched the success of this song.

The music video, directed by Pete Nilson and Ryan Davids, takes place in a club with the duo performing the song on a set of stairs. Throughout the music video, there are visual clips of flowers, cutting up the video nicely, although it can be considered a bit of a distraction.

There are some great scenes from the girls, with Leanne Brown bringing fire every time she performs the song in the clip. She just has this quality about her, like star-presence. Whatever it is, she's got it and she stands out throughout.

There's not a lot to this music video, but considering it was 2000, and clearly wasn't a big budgeted music video, they did really well with what they had. It totally unleashes a club vibe to the audience watching and it's just a shame that Sweet Female Attitude didn't have more success after the release of this song.

Buy on iTunes

Do It Different - Platnum |

After seeing Platnum perform for the second time in my life, on Friday, I just had to revisit their previous songs and watch their music videos. They have announced a new single and there will be a music video, which totally excites me, check out my gig review on CelebMix for all the details. They are now going as a duo, collaborating with Leanne Brown from Sweet Female Attitude, and they were totally incredible. They have not released an album yet, although they were planning on releasing an album called "Lost In The Music", as the description of this music video indicates. The song is actually called "Do It Different" and it's total fire just like all their other songs. Watch Platnum totally switch it up and "Do It Different" in this music video, set on a very gorgeous sandy beach, bringing it completely. Just like they did Friday night at their gig.

Platnum used to be a three-piece group consisting of Aaron Evers, Michelle McKenna, and Mina Poli. The latter has left the group, but Aaron and Michelle has continued on as a two-piece, completely bringing the garage vibe, which we totally love in their recent song "Just For Me". They have major plans coming up in the next few months or so, and we all can't wait to see what the future will bring for them. Their new single was showcased at their gig on Friday, in collaboration with Leanne Brown from Sweet Female Attitude, and it sounded amazing. The future is exciting for Aaron Evers, Michelle McKenna, and Leanne Brown. This song should've been a hit, it's one I love playing at any predrink party.

This music video opens with comets falling to Earth and hitting the beach, then Platnum comes on screen, questioning what has just happened. Fire is around them everywhere, but they don't care because they're doing it differently.

They make it look like they came down on the island with the comets; especially when the natives of the island start to surround them. Platnum are natural performers, really giving it their all in every single scene, so much so that the central narrative is pushed to the background. It's totally clever and Platnum oozes personality and fire in this video.

The scenes later change to night time, where we see the natives perform fire tricks, but none are impressive as the energetic vibes come from this group. They deserve to be on stages up and down the country, they deserve to at least have an album out, one I'll no doubt play on repeat for hours every day.

If anything, this music video proves that Platnum are a group that should have success, and apart from their two amazing first singles: the feature on H2O's "What's It Gonna Be" and their own single "Love Shy (Thinking About You)"; for whatever reason their follow-ups just didn't have the impact that they should've done. These follow-ups are lost hits, ones people are still discovering today and completely loving. Platnum are still going, and are ready for a comeback like no other.

Buy on iTunes

Golden Trophy - Sharon Doorson |

I was looking around for a New Release music video to review this week, and I'm so glad I stumbled across Sharon Doorson's "Golden Trophy", she's got some killer vocals and a heart-filled-passion in this song that I can't believe I've never reviewed any of her songs on my blog before. I'm totally captivated by this song and it's interesting music video, so much so that I've been watching it over and over again. Watch Sharon Doorson give an emphatic performance whilst sitting at the piano during the music video of "Golden Trophy" as athletic men circle around her looking back on their achievements.

Sharon Doorson is a dutch singer-songwriter. She made a name for herself when she competed in The Voice of Holland, where all four coaches turned during her audition. She was later eliminated during the semi-finals. Before The Voice of Holland, she was in a girl group with Eva Simons called Raffish. Now, she's been building her musical career, having collaborated with Mischa Daniels, as well as releasing many singles and a debut album. This single is her latest cut, and it's one of her strongest to date. It deserves to be a hit. It was written by Jalise Romy, Tevin Plaater (Spanker), and Simon Gitsels.

The music video was directed by Steven Kuijs. It's dark and mysterious but totally works as an influential visual. Not many people can captivate the audience by sitting down and playing the piano, but Sharon Doorson exudes fire. It's clear from the start that this song means a lot to her and she oozes performance in every scene. Plus, that stunning jumpsuit by Elisabetta Franchi, really makes this artist look incredibly gorgeous.

There is a slight narrative throughout, that sees various men come out of the shadows and up to the piano, they reminisce about their past achievements that gave them the golden trophy that she is singing about. The first guy gives us a bit of man-candy as he walks up shirtless, looking back at winning a belt probably from his wrestling career.

Later we see people circling the piano in formation. This makes it slightly eerie, especially cut between the wispy scenes of material. But it totally works, and Sharon Doorson is a talent that we cannot wait to become big; she just has to keep fighting for her dreams, use it as her oxygen just like she says in the song, and she'll get that golden trophy, at the end. I expect a worldwide hit in the near-future.