Michael Eddy - small towns


This light-hearted anthemic track, titled "small towns", really makes an impact as Michael Eddy completely shines from start to finish. His voice is soft and sweet giving the perfect teen heartthrob that we all have in our lives over the decades and generations. Michael Eddy's songwriting ability completely plays out as we hear about a girl he fell for and how she changed him into being someone worthy of her love but also allowed him to become a better version of himself. 

"small towns" focuses on the fact that Michael Eddy and his love interest are from a small town and so he's grateful for that as he may never have found her. This is the debut single from the singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and dancer, who worked with acclaimed producer Michael Orland who is best known for being a mentor, vocalist, trainer, and pianist on the TV show American Idol.

The music video has a cartoon production vibe to it and has been shot, directed, and edited by Typo at the Apogee Studios. We first watch Michael Eddy on the side of a stage with his guitar over him as he kickstarts the song with guitar chords and vocals, he later stands up on the stage and starts to perform with a bandmate on keys and backing vocals, and Michael Eddy also jumps onto the drums. The next lot of scenes are him recording the song at a studio and we watch as he produces, lays down some vocals and plays his guitar. The entire thing sees him transition from reality to the cartoon version of himself and his bandmate as well as the stage and the recording studio. The animation flows through various styles and conceptual art that infuses a variety of styles giving you different perspectives. Every time you pause the video you get something new from American animation to Japanese anime to overly CGI art.

Emily Henry - How It Feels


Newly released, Emily Henry brings it for her latest single and music video, "How It Feels". Easily describing what it's like having someone in your corner, someone who turns any bad day into a good day, just by being there. Her voice is magnetic and her lyricism is off the charts, with the song easily addictive and one I'll have stuck in my head for the rest of the day.

The music video takes a different spin on what would normally be a relationship narrative and instead makes the suggestion that her cat is the one that brings sunshine into her life. There are scenes of her spending time with her cat (named Frenchie for the video, but really named Harry), as well as spending time playing board games and cards with her friends - once again suggesting that friends, too, can choose to spread positivity in others. 

Directed by Rah Foard and starring Emily Henry, Aubryn, Evan Moross, and Henry the Cat, this music video relates well with the song, twists up the narrative to surprise the viewers and brings something positive to the world overall. With cute simple edits that make the video pop, "How It Feels" is exactly what the world needs right now. Positivity is always a good force.

Scott Goldbaum - Mourning Coffee


A twist of words, "Mourning Coffee" is easily a stand-out track by Scott Goldbaum, bringing heart-touching lyrics that are sure to make everyone feel, in more ways than one. This marks his second single from his upcoming EP, following on from his debut single release, "Drive Too Fast". With the help of Molly Rogers on violin and viola, Kiel Feher on drums and percussion, and Kaveh Rastegar on upright bass, Scott Goldbaum has created this awesome folk ballad with hints of indie-rock mixed in. He mixed the track while Reuben Cohen mastered it, making "Mourning Coffee" this peaceful and calming number that hits us right inside. The poetic lyrics are full of so much meaning and integrity, that it's impossible not to relate to this song.

Scott Goldbaum said that "Mourning Coffee" is "the distinction between codependency and partnerships that are chosen and decisively cared for while the world is falling apart around you."

An animated music video, directed by Britt DeVandry, resembles what looks like a gift card, like a virtual gift card, in my personal opinion, which relates well with the theme of the song, and as the video progresses, it really manages to showcase the heart-wrenching lyrics. We watch an insect/bug-type person, sitting on a bench reading a newspaper; a few seconds later, we watch a bird fly across the screen. Later, a blurred person walks up to the bench, sits down and seems to be moving their limbs. As time progresses, we watch the new person start to materialise and we realise they're in an orange hoodie and drinking from a cup however the insect/bug-type person starts to blur and they get worse as time goes on. The most interesting bit is watching the seasons change and how that affects the entire image.

Marshall Oakman - She's No Doll, She's A Woman


Recently released is this music video by Marshall Oakman for his 2021 song "She's No Doll, She's A Woman", and gosh was it worth the year or so wait because this is such a good music video! It's really refreshing to come across this song, a track that is full of female empowerment, sung by a male singer-songwriter. Marshall Oakman wrote and produced this song, with the full intention of recognising, with appreciation, how much women bring to this world, as a whole.

It's an uplifting song full of power to women and full of respect, and the music video, directed by Ethan Felizzari, follows the essence of the song by adding an incredible narrative, intercut with scenes of Marshall Oakman performing the song with additional backup musicians (Samantha Coughlin on Bass, Hope Woodason on drums, and Daria Meyer on guitar). Marshall Oakman impresses on the keys and vocally during these performance scenes and it's clear there's a lot of passion for the song as you see him giving the song strength and sentiment. Samantha Coughlin, Hope Woodason, and Daria Meyer bring a tonne of stage presence and energy to these scenes too, clearly feeling dedication and devotion for the song itself.

This CK Films production showcases a developing narrative that interprets the song beautifully, as we watch Rosie Dean start off as a doll-like character before coming across a TV programme that reveals women who have changed the world - this new energy brings to light a different way in which she views the world, and she sees strong women out in reality, from incredible autobiographies to women in high-powered jobs, and even incredible mothers in the park. This frees her from who she was before and allows her to become freer and believe in herself more.

Chart Mondays: Nicki Minaj - Super Freaky Girl


Another week has gone by, and Sam Smith & Kim Petras are still at the UK top spot on the chart with "Unholy", so this time I'm reviewing "Super Freaky Girl" by Nicki Minaj, and I never know what to expect when it comes to this queen of hip-hop, but I can guarantee she serves in every visual, and this is just another serve and a half! Selling sex, fierceness and charged energy, Nicki Minaj doesn't disappoint both with this song and the music video, and you can totally understand why she has hit after hit after hit.

Sampling Rick James' "Super Freak" throughout, Nicki Minaj transforms the track creating lyrics about sexual fantasies and desires while also rapping about the length of her career. The songwriters are listed as Rick James, Alonzo Miller, Lukasz Gottwald, Aaron Joseph, Lauren Miller, Vaughn Oliver, Onika Maraj, and Gamal Lewis, with Dr. Luke, Malibu Babie, Vaughn Oliver, and Aaron Joseph acting as producers.

The music video sees Nicki Minaj as a Barbie-like character who also has a love interest who resembles Ken - played by Alexander Ludwig (known for being in The Hunger Games, Vikings, and Heels, as well as The Band Perry's music video "Gentle On My Mind"). The video feels like it's straight out of Fergie's music video for "M.I.L.F. $", it's that suburban lifestyle, only Nicki Minaj has a more sexed-up style, with sexual intentions and suggestions. There's choreography, of sorts, passionate delivery from this queen rapper, and there are also some vicious (freaky) accessories within the scenes including a very sharp knife and some scissors.

New Release: As December Falls - Mayday


I've been a fan of As December Falls for a couple of years now after first discovering them from a Facebook advert, and I've never looked back since, having bought their signed CDs from their store (yes I love signed CDs, I'm addicted), and signed up to their Patreon (the BEST Patreon account I've ever signed up to), and I've listened to their songs again and again. They've literally filled the gap of mainstream-rock female-led rock that I've been needing to fill ever since Paramore went synth-rock, and while some bands and artists occasionally stepped into the gap like Evanescence, Avril Lavigne, The Pretty Reckless, Olivia Rodrigo, and Bronnie, I never quite filled that gap until As December Falls came along, and now they're my favourite female-led rock band and I've loved every single track, cover, and demo they've ever dropped (including the ones on their Patreon, in addition to the track that Ande Hunter took lead vocals on, exclusive to Patreon).

The four-piece, consisting of Bethany Hunter, Ande Hunter, Timmy Francis, and Lukas James, hail from Nottingham and have been on the music scene since 2014, rising and building their fanbase. Two studio albums later and they're boasting millions of Spotify streams and sold-out tour dates! They've definitely on the verge of huge success, and I am totally here for it, especially as they're an independent band.

Directed by Justin Griffiths, this music video is a pure performance piece that totally showcases the band's vibe and energy. "Mayday" is hard rock at its finest and allows each of the band members to shine with the music video visually showcasing that during awesome cut scenes and unforgettable visuals. 

It was shot in a prison, and the band recruited some of their fans to star in the music video. There's also a slight narrative as we watch Bethany Hunter start singing in the corridor of the prison with orange overalls in her hands as arms reach out to her through the bars - easily referencing the lockdown that the pandemic caused - and later we see her performing the track whilst wearing the orange jumpsuit.

Such an amazing music video, that correlates well with the track, as "Mayday" is all about coming out of lockdown and struggling to be back outside and socialising - it really was a tough time for everyone.

“'Mayday' is our heaviest track to date. It was inspired after coming out of lockdown, we were so used to being trapped in our houses that getting back to normal life and going back to socialising outside was a struggle. It’s about becoming acclimated to things that aren’t healthy for you and breaking down those walls,” Bethany Hunter said of the track. She also went on to talk about the upcoming album, "The album is a call to arms. We were so tired of the music industry being full of sharks and just the world in general at the moment. Everywhere you look, it’s just falling to shit. It’s about not sticking to the rules when you know there’s a better way. It’s a middle finger up to old ways, that we can do this without that bullshit. That’s why we called it 'Join The Club'.”

Chart Mondays: Steve Lacy - Bad Habit


With Sam Smith & Kim Petras still at number one on the UK chart with "Unholy" - a song I adore and I hope will continue its reign for many weeks, I decided to choose to review "Bad Habit" by Steve Lacy for my Chart Mondays review. This song has peaked at number eight here in the UK after being stalled at number nine for the past two weeks, will it rise again next week? The track has had global success managing to chart at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as charting in the top five in Australia, Israel, and New Zealand, becoming his biggest global hit to date.

Written by Steve Lacy, Diana Gordon (yes, that's Wynter Gordon who sang that hit song "Dirty Talk"), John Kirby, Britanny Fousheé, and Matthew Castellanos, "Bad Habit" is an addictive R'n'B indie song that has a hint of dance thrown in which is what makes this song extra catchy. Steve Lacy has been in the music industry for a few years and seems to be underrated so it's great to see him get the recognition he deserves.

The music video, directed by Julian Klincewicz, doesn't have a lot going on, Steve Lacy performs the track in a studio space where he can be seen dancing and moving to the track while a pulsating light switches colours, freestyling and just being himself, almost as if the camera was left running and the song was played on repeat and he was left to do his own thing. There's a clear passion for the track displayed, and the scenes with his dog are adorable. Halfway through, the visual takes on a blurred concept which then intercuts the other scenes in the rest of the video - my takeaway from it is that it suggests that things could be different in an alternative reality, which links in with the concept of the track.

Rutherford Royal - Back Burner


Spreading a bit of laid-back country and western music onto my blog is the recently released debut single by Rutherford Royal, titled "Back Burner". The song goes on to add an element of rock about three-quarters of the way through, bringing the listener right back in, before slowing it down to a mild and chill level as the song comes to a close.

Rutherford Royal, real name Andrew Christopher Rutherford Royal, is a Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer/songwriter, who manages to showcase everything he has got on this track, "Back Burner". He hails from the barrier islands of South Carolina and likes to use his deep connection with the land in his non-traditional music, gaining inspiration from the eastern south, transforming dark rock and indie Americana with current country and western rhythmic vibes. "Back Burner" totally showcases his awesome and unique art. He is set to release a debut album soon.

Talking about the track, Rutherford Royal said: "The boy has been waiting for the girl to fall in love with him as he watches her burn through several brief, meaningless, and destructive relationships. Despite clear signs that he should move on, he is determined to die on this hill. Often it feels like the right thing to do is take the side of love and wait for the one you know you’ll never get over. This can be the single most destructive decision you ever make, but half-measures will only lead to a life of what-ifs."

Chart Mondays: Ed Sheeran - Celestial


I might be making Chart Mondays difficult for me by covering this music video right now, but it's new in the UK chart at number five and it's full of such cute visuals, that I just had to cover it today, so I'm hoping it doesn't rise up to number one - although, it is Ed Sheeran, and it's one of my favourite songs he has released. Since Sam Smith & Kim Petras are still at number one with "Unholy", I chose this song from the UK Top 10.

Written by Ed Sheeran, Steve Mac, and Johnny McDaid, with the former two songwriters co-producing the track, "Celestial" is an addicting track that has a cute autumnal vibe to it perfect as the weather changes from summer to autumn. Clear and crisp, the song has that exciting feeling of love mixed throughout with Ed Sheeran's vocals on fire from start to finish.

The music video, directed by Yuichi Kodama with Genki Kawamura and Masami Hatanaka acting as producers, is a fun day in the life of Ed Sheeran the Pokémon trainer. The visuals mix real life with cartoon animation warping both worlds into almost an augmented reality concept as if both complement each other. I like the idea of Ed Sheeran being the only person who can see the Pokémon, so when he's travelling on Lapras or Charizard, the average general public sees Ed Sheeran travelling on invisible creatures.

The first half of the video comes off better on story concept, I love the idea of us all having our own Pokémon in our homes, helping around the house (or making things worse). The second half becomes more skewed, with Ed Sheeran just going about and walking on the street, but then ending up at the end trying to stop Mew and MewTwo, regardless of that, the imagery in the second half is beautiful, that field with the Bulbasaurs is just epic!

Hunter - Closer


This is a cute and fun music video for "Closer" by Hunter and is definitely something you should have on your radar. The song signifies a variety of things, from the honeymoon feeling when you are crushing on someone as well as the wanting of being closer to loved ones, which is now becoming more and more possible as COVID restrictions relax with the pandemic becomes less of a worldwide threat - although cases have been rising in the UK, apparently. The track has been gaining in popularity and has been added to the Now That's What I Call Music 83 (the US compilation album).

Hunter said that "Closer" was inspired by "the feeling of driving down the road with the windows down on an easy summer afternoon. We've been through a lot over the last few years and I wanted a song that could help my listeners escape what's around us."

According to Spotify, the song was written by David Ryan Harris, Hunter Elizabeth, Jesse Siebenberg, and John Alagia, with the latter two songwriters being the producers of the track; as for the music video, Ra Dreyfus acted as Director with Ron Geffen being the director of photography. The cute video sees Hunter trying to impress her adorable little puppy, who is played by Yuki Newman, but nothing seems to be working from posing for an artist painting to playing crochet in the garden to being wined and dined al fresco style.

On top of all that, there are four hot guys attempting to grab Hunter's attention, hoping to get closer to her, from the artist who is painting them, to the hot guy gardener (played by Branko Presley) who is topless and has a hose in his hand - he could shower me with his hose any day, amen! But, Hunter is not impressed with his advances and swiftly moves away when he soaks himself (feel free to send him my way instead).

Her next scenes see her in the kitchen where the hot guy chef (played by Scott Camaran) comes on to her by offering her a taste of his soup (I'm pretty sure it's just as yummy as he is), but she declines while he doesn't want to take no as an answer (come on, we all should know about consent by now), and she ends up spilling the soup over him, and in doing so, he rips his shirt off and sexually spreads the soup on himself - she rightfully escapes the kitchen and has her meal with Yuki, but the puppy still isn't happy even though he's dressed smartly. She does a dance for Yuki and eagle-eyed viewers will recognise the guitarist in the scene as it is Nash Overstreet, who is known for being in the band Hot Chelle Rae as well as being the brother of Chord Overstreet (he played Sam Evans in Glee).

Overall, a great concept with a fun spin on the lyrics deciding that she wants to get closer to her dog rather than closer to a man - regardless of how hot the guys are. Clever, interesting, and memorable, this is a brilliant, iconic music video. The track is set to be part of Hunter's forthcoming debut EP which is expected to be released later this year.
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