Jessie J Featuring B.o.B - Price Tag

Jessie J, has released quite a few songs so far, I have currently reviewed only one of them, and I hope I'll be reviewing more in the future. It's taken Jessie J sometime to finally hit the music industry, after trying for so long, but someone finally found her and that person has introduced us to this international star. Jessie J (real name: Jessica Cornish), started off writing songs for artists, one hit includes Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA". Now she's tipped to be one of the biggest female artists to come out from the UK, and she's done all this in less than a year.

This song was written by Jessica Cornish, Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. The latter being B.o.B who is featured on this song. The song's meaning has been blown out of proportion by the media, and the accompanying music video even more so. In my opinion, the song is all about spreading music throughout the world, to unite everyone and everything, especially since some of the lyrics are "we just wanna make the world dance" and "When music made us all unite". You could say it sounds like a charity single about world peace and it sort of is. Other people's perceptions is that it's about everything being too expensive and costing too much to buy this and buy that. The song has even received comments saying that if Jessie J sings: "it's not about the money money money, we don't need your money money money", then why do we have to pay to buy the single? I kind of understand where these comments are coming from, and people's perceptions of certain lyrics become more apparent. I like it when I come across a song that can mean multiple meanings to different people, it usually is what makes a song that little bit special.

The music video is cleverly done. To start off with, it's simple and basic, some may say it's low-budget, but the people behind Jessie J have got the money to make it better. So in theory they've made it look low-budget. There is a lot of "toys" that appear to be broken, such as the teddy bear at the beginning and the doll's head Jessie J is holding at one point. This could suggest that those toys are like the world. We are all broken because we aren't united, there's all these wars going on and ones in the past too that have separated us all.

A little mini Jessie J appears in this music video This is not the same mini Jessie J that appears in "Who's Laughing Now". Also at the start Jessie J sings "Okay, coconut man and moonhead", then in the music video a coconut man appears on her right hand, and a moonhead appears on her left hand, I've always wondered why she says that and now I know, she says it because they are references to Dr. Luke and Claude Kelly, coconut man being the former, and moonhead being the latter.

The song is really catchy, and after too many listens to it, it can get on your nerves, but then again it gets stuck in your head. The music video is pretty good, even if it's meant to look low-budget. It has become controversial due to some of the pictures shown, such as Jessie J doing an "a-OK" sign with her hands, which apparently means she has an alliance with the Illuminati.... Yeah, right, again media has blown it out of proportion. The music video is enjoyable and pleasant and that's why I'm giving this 4 stars. The only problem I have with it is that it doesn't exactly link with the song that well, the links I have suggested are vague and could have been a lot better, I think.

We Are The In Crowd - On Your Own

We Are The In Crowd came to my attention when I first saw their music video for "Both Sides of The Story". Since then I have kept my eye on them, knowing that with enough promotion this band could be the next big thing. They are different and unique and oh so perfect in every way, and I'm sure it won't be long until they get some chart numbers behind them. Ever since I started this blog, I've been waiting for one of their music videos to be shown in the morning and today their most recent music video was shown, and I'm happy to finally get around to reviewing this band. I also know that DJD has been asking me when I'll be doing this band, so it looks like I'm not the only one who's been waiting.

We Are The In Crowd is a 5-piece rock group, that has 2 vocalists, making them really different to anything that's already out there. The band consists of Taylor Jardine, Jordan Eckes, Mike Ferri, Rob Chianelli and Cameron Hurley. This song is their ninth single overall, and haven't made the UK chart as of yet, but I'm pretty sure as of next year, a lot of people will be listening to them and I know that it won't be long until they get a chart number, I can see it!

This song and it's accompany music video doesn't match all that well in terms of storyline. The music video is all about fun, fun, fun, and I really do like it, but there is next to no narrative (which isn't always a bad thing people) especially since the song is about breaking up with someone but knowing that your strong enough to go it alone and you don't need the other person in your life anymore. Taylor Jardine's voice reminds me of Emily Wilson's from Checking Pulse, both bands will hopefully make it big next year.

What we do have in the music video is a stage performance which shows how the band's energetic vibe is sent across the fans, and you can tell all those people are enjoying it, making me jealous as I want to see them live. The fans reaction shows to whoever may watch this music video that they are great live, and that it's something you should discover.

I like the little clips of the band on the street and elsewhere. I like the inclusion of "All Time Low"'s vocalist Alex Gaskarth, I wouldn't have spotted him unless people on YouTube hadn't have commented, so thank you. These clips show the band as themselves, how cool they are and what they are really like. It goes with the narrative of the song slightly because they are doing what they want, they clearly don't need anyone else, and it only slightly fits in with the song, but that's a good thing too.

Overall, I love this band and can see them getting really far in the music industry. The song is amazing and after a few plays it is stuck in my head, screaming at me to go and buy it now. The music video is good to an extent, some of the camera shots make me dizzy as you can tell it was a handheld camera they used, which suggests a low-budget music video? But apart from certain bits this is a really good song and the music video is one I can watch again and again, I hope you all agree with my rating.

Avicii - Levels

I saw this video when it was first released, there was very little hits on the YouTube video sharing site for this music video, and it's surprising how much it has got now. The first time I saw this I burst out laughing and couldn't stop until right at the end. There's many reasons why some people like it whereas others don't, and I'll explain those reasons later.

Avicii (pronounced ah-vi-chi) first came into my life by his almost proper name Tim Berg (real name being Tim Bergling), with his song "Seek Bromance", which I found to be amazing and that was the day I got hooked onto this artist. Not only that but the music video for Seek Bromance upsets me a little at the end, and I hope one day I get to review it. Sooner rather than later. Avicii got his name while choosing a MySpace profile, he remembered his friend telling him about Avici which is the buddhist term for the lowest level of hell. He has gone on to create a number of different songs, all of which have made the UK chart including "Seek Bromance" (13), "My Feelings For You" (46), "Fade Into Darkness" (195) and I bet there is more to come, definitely. He has also collaborated with the likes of Leona Lewis and David Guetta. He will definitely be the next big thing, if he isn't already. It's definitely the time for Club/House music. I have to admit, there was a time when I hated this sort of music, but as I've grown older I've learned to appreciate it and love it.

The song was written by Tim Bergling, Ash Pournouri, Leroy Kirkland, Pearl Woods, Etta James. The music is written by Avicii (Tim Bergling) and Ash Pournouri. So therefore the other three must have written Etta James' song "Something's Got a Hold On Me", which Avicii has featured a sample of in this song, to probably add some lyrics into it. I love this song and it's probably played in the clubs a lot. I'm surprised it managed to get a UK charting position of number 4, and I hope it manages to go all the way to number one, although I doubt it will. This is definitely one of those songs you can't help but like, whether you love it or you hate it.

The music video... Hmm..... What to say about it, I think it's hilarious personally, but I also understand why some people think it is rubbish and they expected better. I can see both sides of how people think but personally it makes me laugh every single time.

First we see a building, after a few restarts I worked out that it says "Levels Inc." at the stop of the building. I'm not sure what type of work our main protagonist does but it includes a lot of paper work. I'm not entirely sure if he hears music or anything, maybe Avicii is going off inside of his head, or maybe he just feels like dancing and writing "Avicii" but that is exactly what he does. But is it really ordinary dancing, it's the sort of dancing that you would know how to do and would easily copy, but it's so embarrassing that only that guy is brave enough to dance like that.

I love the Taser bit and where he is hiking up that mountain trying to get the boulder to the top, which is very reminiscent of Sisyphus, who appears in Greek Mythology as being a king who was punished by being compelled to roll a boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down the hill, and he was to repeat this for the rest of eternity. Not only that but he also appears in Roman Mythology.

Before he wakes up a flower sprouts from his mouth and infects his male nurses, who then go on to infect a few other people. The flower disappears back in to his mouth and everyone who gets infected has an fit on the floor, next thing they're back up dancing weirdly and grooving to the music we presume is playing in their heads.

I love this music video, I'm not even watching it now and I'm laughing. All I'm doing is listening to the song on repeat, and imagining the music video in my head. Personally I don't know what else they could have done with this song, they could have made sure that guy wasn't dancing in that suit, it really doesn't work (take note: NEVER dance while wearing a suit). I'm not sure what everyone expected with the hype of this music video. I couldn't have come up with any ideas at all, and I marvel at how they even thought about this idea.

Overall I laugh every time I see this music video, I think it sort of goes with the song since it is dance music and the people in the music video are dancing. But it's low budget and I think that what puts people off because it's so obvious that they didn't spend that much money on it, but then again maybe they did, we can never be sure. So to keep everyone satisfied I've gone with a 4 star rating.

New Release: Britney Spears - Criminal


After being ill for the last week and a half, I'm back to reviewing, I'm sorry for being away so long, but I had next to no energy and rarely went on the computer. So kick starting this week off is New Release, and it's Britney Spears once again. Apparently this was released last week, but on other sites it says it is released this week. And I was going to do the X Factor Winner's single as new release, but I thought, since I have not yet seen this music video on UK music channels yet, due to it probably being banned, I thought I might as well as a little treat.

Over the years Britney has released a hell of a lot of singles. This one is definitely one of those songs that eventually grow on you, but thus far has yet to make the chart, and I doubt it ever will, it's such a pity as this song is really good, and has totally grown on me. This is her 2nd single off her latest album "Femme Fatale" that hasn't charted in the UK Chart. It has also been ages since she has had a number one hit in the UK, the last song being "Everytime" back in 2004. Will she ever  become the star we all used to love and like? Or will she end up having chart failures for the rest of her singing career. As long as she keeps releasing in the UK, I'm happy.

"Criminal" was written by Max Martin, Shellback and Tiffany Amber. The song is about being in love with a Criminal, a bad boy, an outlaw, and pleading to her mom that it's going to be alright and not to worry. The song was chosen as the Fourth single from her album via facebook, where Britney held a poll for which song her fans wanted to see as her next single, and "Criminal" won.

This music video links in with the song perfectly. I love a lot about this music video, and I'm a little upset that it isn't shown on the music channels often (if at all). I think that was one of the main reasons the song didn't chart here in the UK. The music video has caused a lot of controversy, especially in the UK, due to the fact that it shows the use of guns. Internet video sharing sites such as Vevo and YouTube has commented saying that there is explicit sexual scenes within the music video that shouldn't be there. Britney's director for this music video: Chris Marrs Pilero has commented saying: that it surprised him that it has a lot of controversy "because don't you guys have television shows out there that show crime? It's really strange to me. I don't understand why pop stars are put on such a high pedestal over other celebrities" (To see more of what he said click here)

I love the start of this music video, with it's opening sequence. Britney is seen with this guy, she doesn't really like. I think he's showing off and she's not smiling at all. He gets annoyed with her and she runs away with tears coming down her face. After putting some of her own perfume on called "Radiance". The starting theme is inspired by the film "Can't Hardly Wait". After coming out the bathroom she finds her boyfriend playfully chatting to this girl. Britney tells the girl "So you're not working the street corner tonight I see?" and this makes him angry. He then shoves her outside and slaps her across the face. Then this guy (a criminal played by Jason Trawick, Britney's real-life boyfriend), punches him and then they escape, but not after Britney does some damage of her own by kicking him in a certain place using the words "wait.... [kick] now I'm ready". I love this opening sequence and I could watch it over and over again.

There is another cross-reference with another music video, and that is Green Day's "21 Guns". Because Jason and Britney are kissing as bullets go through their apartment and somehow misses them in the middle. Also a lot of people has stated that it links in with Rihanna's music videos "Man Down" and "We Found Love".

Overall this music video links in perfectly with the song, and the controversy around the music video is fair enough, but it isn't as bad as others try and state it to be. Furthermore, the prevention of showing this music video at certain times in the UK (not sure if that's right, but I have yet to see it on the music channels), may have been the reason why this has yet to chart.

Miley Cyrus - Party In The U.S.A.

Miley Cyrus is the daughter of Billy Rae Cyrus, her real name is Destiny Cyrus, but she was always smiling as a child and her parents nicknamed her smiley, so therefore she chose Miley Cyrus as her star name. This song charted at number 11 (one of three of Miley Cyrus' songs to get to that chart position, which is her highest charting position to date, the other two singles are "See You Again" and "The Climb"). Apparently, Miley Cyrus is ready to work on her next album, which is surprising since after her most recent album she released reports that she wanted to focus on her film career rather than music. But maybe she's come across inspiration to guide her back to music.

The song was written by Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and Jessica Cornish (now known as Jessie J). These three are really well known, Dr. Luke has been mentioned on my blog more times than I can remember. Claude Kelly is a new person to my blog, but he has written songs for a number of X factor finalists and other well known British performers. Jessica Cornish (or should I say Jessie J) is a UK artist, who is getting high chart positions here in the UK and elsewhere. The song is about having a party and just having fun, dancing to the tune the DJ is playing and just enjoying it any way you can.

The music video is WOW. I love it and it reminds me of what I think America is like, I can just imagine it being this way, and it's understandable why this song was such a hit, because the song was aimed at teenagers. The video relates perfectly with the song and the editing was done really good.

I like her cowboy boots, and how the song references stilettos and how she must have missed the memo. It perceives her as a misfit, and that she is still enjoying the party the way she wants to. I like the USA flag behind her, it reminds me of "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera. I also like how the song mentions Britney and Jay-Z. And suggests Miley Cyrus likes to party. Which is understandable for an 19 year old girl.

I really like the reference to Grease. Miley wanted to pay tribute to one of her favourite films and also her parents courting days. The grease reverence is the bit where John Travolta sings "Sandy", he walks over to a jungle gym, where he sits on a swing while projections goes on behind him. This is similar to what happens in Miley's video, except she's standing on the swing. For her parents courting days, they included a Drive-In Theatre, which they called Corral Drive-In, as that is similar to the Kentucky Drive-In, Miley's parents had their first date.

Overall, this is a great music video, to go with a great song. The video is simple but inspirational at the same time, and it could have been on of the reasons for why the song charted so high. I'm going to drop a star because there isn't much going on, it could have been bigger and better, but it works perfectly and I don't think it ought to be changed.
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