Eric Saade Featuring Dev - Hotter Than Fire

Eric Saade first came to my attention in Eurovision 2011. Since then he has managed to get a UK record label, and his music videos have been played quite a lot on the music channels. I have so far reviewed one of his music videos which was "Hearts In The Air", and I have a feeling if this song and music video are played enough, it will grab enough attention to get the song on to the UK chart, but as of yet there is no official release date, so we can't be certain if he'll chart or not. The collaboration with Dev (real name Devin Tailes) is amazing, her vocals add to the track superbly and it makes this song more notable to the UK audience, which I presume he is aiming for.

The song was written by Eric Saade, Jason Gill and Julimar Santos (also known to us as J-Son). As I've said a number of times, I like the fact that it's written by the artist as it shows they have a connection to the song, and they really mean every single word they are saying. This song is one of those songs that I have to listen to over and over again until I finally like it, but thanks to the UK music channels, it looks like I've already listened to it quite a few times, as it has already grown on me.

The music video is interesting, at first sight people may dislike it, I know I did, and I vowed never to watch it again. I happen to have broken that vow a number of times. It's clever because you end up seeing things you never even noticed the first time round. From a media student, such as myself, you learn to respect the many different camera angles used, and this music video reminds me of the many videos I've watched in Media Studies that tells you what the camera angles are and which ones you can use and what they are all called. It wouldn't surprise me if there was someone out there who has broken this music video down and is using it to show media students what camera angles are out there.

Now when I saw this music video on the TV and on the computer, I presumed that some of the footage contained a stunt double or a professional dancer or something similar. Scenes such as when he's dancing on the table, and when the camera isn't focused on his face. In the table scene we only see part of his legs and his feet as he is moving about. Another scene was when he goes into the room with the light bulbs and he's dancing there and the camera is above him, he doesn't look up or anything so all we see is his hat. However I watched the "Behind the Scenes" video, and although they speak Swedish I can still watch the video, and in fact, when he's on the table, they have a wire attached to him, so that he can go higher, it was probably how he got onto the table in the first place. (I have added the "Making of..." video for you, that's if you fancy hearing them speak Swedish).

I like the fact that Dev is in the TV screens, the reason I can think of as to why they've done this is probably because they didn't have a lot of footage from her when she recorded her part (this may not be true, this is just my thoughts). So the fact that she's in the TVs suggest that some of the video footage of Dev was repeated every now and then. This is clever because we don't even realise.

Overall it's a good music video, although why some of the rooms are the way they are I'm not sure... Why is there a room full of light bulbs? It's one of those things I'll never get to understand. I love the sign, right at the end, it says SAADE and then changes into DEV, which is extremely clever, and I only just noticed it. This is definitely the sort of music video that will reveal new things to me every time I watch it. The song is very catchy and I hope Eric Saade manages to get into the UK chart, whenever this song is released.

The All-American Rejects - Gives You Hell

I've been a fan of this band since their single "Dirty Little Secret". I personally think this is one of their best songs they ever performed. The band is set to make a come-back this year, which I'm really excited about, and I really hope that it manages to give them the credibility they clearly deserve. The All-American Rejects are a pop/rock band that consists of Tyson Ritter, Nick Wheeler, Mike Kennerty and Chris Gaylor. This song got covered on hit TV show Glee, and I hope they are set to make another big hit like this one was.

"Gives You Hell" was written by Nick Wheeler and Tyson Ritter. This is what you sort of expect from a band, to actually write their own songs. It is very rare to come across a rock band who doesn't. Which shows they have a connection to the song, and everything they are singing is what they truly feel.

I love this music video. The one I've displayed above is the "Full Narrative" version. There are three different versions, the normal one, the "Full Performance" version, and this one. The reason why I chose to show this one is because this is the music video the UK music channels show and therefore it wouldn't be right if I did another one.

This music video has got it all, the performance and the funny, quirky storyline. The narrative is all about two neighbours who don't really like one-another and tend to annoy one another, one in the morning, the other at night. The ending is a little confusing, although it's understandable, I don't see the reasons behind it.

I like the idea that Tyson Ritter is both the goody two shoes and the out-of-control rocker, it creates the effect that he has two personalities, and they are both really good. I like the idea that they throw the song at one another, and I think that is what makes this really exciting and interesting.

I like the fact that it's interesting, you don't know what's going to happen next, even after watching it over and over again. You are totally expecting something different each time. You can't help but laugh, because it's so funny. And I think it must have been difficult to film because Tyson Ritter had to be two different characters.

Overall this is one of their best songs and the music video is just out-standing. I can't fault it and I laugh every time I watch it, I just hope I'm not the only one. I'm looking forward to what they will release this year, and I have my fingers crossed that they do really well in the charts.

New Release: Nicola Roberts - Yo-Yo

Nicola Roberts first came to light in Popstars: The Rivals. I remember being a young boy when it was shown, and I was backing her all the way, I may have been a bit biased, but I liked her, and I was so happy she got into Girls Aloud. Girls Aloud had big success here in the UK, they beat "the rivals" on the show who were "One True Voice", who didn't get very far. Girls Aloud is currently on hiatus, the band members are: Nicola Roberts, Cheryl Cole, Kimberly Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Sarah Harding. They are all pursuing solo projects at the moment, but rumours have come up that they will reform this year (2012) for a one-off tour and maybe an album to mark their 10 year anniversary. Will they ever get back for good? No one knows, but it seems doubtful at this point.

Yo-Yo is Nicola Robert's third single taken from her album "Cinderella's Eyes". It was written by Nicola Roberts, Dimitri Tikovoi and Maya von Doll. Nicola is currently working on her second studio album, so it is quite possible that this will be her last single from her album. However I'm really hoping that she releases "Sticks + Stones" as that track is very emotional and just perfect to listen to.

This is different for Nicola Roberts. The music video has a narrative and that is the centre piece. It kind of gives us a new side of Nicola and lets us judge whether she can act or not, and in fact she can, and it will become more and more stronger as time goes by (I wonder if she got a bit of help from band mate Sarah Harding, who has gone on to act in St. Trinian's 2).

The storyline is about a relationship, and Nicola really likes him, she likes being with him and really wants to make it work. But he's out all the time and then she sees him with another girl. She gets mad and throws flowers and a plate, she is upset which is the use of the shower. But she wants to make it work and she has no idea what she should do next.

A lot of people have commented saying she looks like Blake Lively, for those of you who don't know who Blake Lively is, she's the main character in Gossip Girl, and has been in a number of films, in which she has also won awards for. I have to admit, I think they do lookalike, but I feel Nicola Roberts should go back to ginger, because that's her style and she's "team ginge". More Look-a-likes are, the guy Nicola is with, he looks like Rodrigo Lopes who entered UK Big Brother 2009. Also the person playing with the yo-yo at the start apparently looks a bit like Siva Kaneswaran (one of five band members of The Wanted).

Overall the music video is great, it doesn't make you think wow, but it is really good. I like the start, with the use of the yo-yo to introduce us to the song, which is similar to the start of "Beat of My Drum". I hope to see this song chart this week, as it really does deserve it, and I hope Nicola Roberts gets more success in the near future. And I'm looking forward for that second studio album.

September - Satellites

Before today I have never seen this music video. Every time I come to review a music video, I look at the YouTube comments, and in this case I was a little on the dubious side, and once I clicked play, I was thinking no no no no no no no. But more on that later.

I have been struggling to come up for a Sunday re-visit. I've always been worried about doing this music video, mainly because I hadn't seen it before today. And to be honest it's a good job I haven't. This song was September's first UK release and managed to get to number 96. She subsequently swapped labels, and after 2 singles and an album with this new UK label, she swapped back again. She is becoming more and more popular and she's on the edge of her career, she could fall down and disappear from the UK altogether, which will be a big loss to us, or she could have another big hit that will secure her place in the UK. But I can feel that this is just around the corner, and I'm hoping it'll be the latter as I love her new music.

The song was written by Jonas von der Burg, Anoo Bhagavan and Niklas von der Burg. I'm never quite sure what to make of artists who usually have their songs written by other people, however September (or real name Petra Marklund) has recently started songwriting, which suggests that she wants to believe in the music she sings. This song is about being knocked down and you have to get back up again and move on. (The way I've just phrased that reminds me of Chumbawamba's "Tubthumping"). "Satellites" is surprisingly catchy, and I think the reason for that is because the chorus is repeated quite a few times.

The music video is definitely a no no. It's dreadful. Full stop. It's totally low budget, I don't like the fact that they covered her eyes while they tanned her, and then to paint around her eyes the colours of her scarfs, or using masks. It just seems pointless and I don't really understand what it has got to do with the song. I can excuse the yellow bit because a "beautiful morning" involves the sun, but the other colours just don't make sense, unless they are on about a sunrise, which the song doesn't state.

The song is about starting all over again pretty much like the sun; as it rises and then it sets, to rise all over again. However the sun has nothing to be ashamed off, whereas in the song it's about something that's happened that makes you feel like the whole world is to crash down around you.

This is a very simple, low-budget music video that isn't as good as her most recent music videos. The song got a very low chart performance, could that be because of the music video, or were the UK music channels not showing the music video often because they didn't like it either? I just find it pointless with only a little understanding here and there.

Blake Shelton - Footloose

As you may already be aware of, I have seen the new "Footloose (2011 film)" a total of two times now, and I reckon that it'll be one of those films that you can watch again and again and again, and eventually you'll lose count of how many times you have seen it. I have already reviewed one song that was released from the soundtrack which was Big & Rich Featuring Gretchen Wilson "Fake I.D.". I wasn't aware of the fact that this song was released, back then I was trying to find the music video to this song since it is the soundtrack to the film, but a music video wasn't released. Then a few weeks after reviewing "Fake I.D." Edges posted the music video on Facebook, and I've been looking forward to the day that I will review it.

Blake Shelton is a well known American country artist. he has been going since 2001, but there really hasn't ever been a place for country music in the UK, with only a few rarities managing to get into the chart. But now country is becoming much more stronger, we actually have a country chart. Not only that but I believe we have Taylor Swift to thank for managing to make Country popular again. She has lined the path for many country artists with Lady Antebellum and Sugarland appearing in the chart recently. But will Blake Shelton have a go at it? We'll just have to wait and see won't we? He hit the US TV screens as a judge/coach in the US version of The Voice, where he starred alongside Cee Lo Green (also sung a track for "Footloose"), Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine (lead singer of Maroon 5). So what's next for this country singer? Maybe a crack at the UK chart?

I like the music video, it uses footage from the film, but in a whole different aspect that surprised me when I watched this for the first time. The song was written by Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford. Kenny Loggins originally sung the song for the original version of Footloose. He was asked to be a part of the 2011 film, but he refused, but later, after the film's release he was quoted as saying he regrets not helping.

I like the use of the film being shown in a drive-in cinema. I've never been to a drive-in cinema before, but I've seen it a lot in films and on TV shows. I like that idea, I don't think I've come across any other music video soundtrack to have the film being screened behind the artist.

I also like the fact that it tells a story,. that is well put together and relates well with the song's storyline. I also like how people come out of their cars and start dancing rather than watching the film. There is just enough film footage and just enough of Blake Shelton's performance at the Drive-In cinema, I think they lined it up well and haven't shown too much of anything.

Overall the music video fits in perfectly with the song and is pretty good to watch. I wish I was there, it looks like fun. I like the whole idea of screening the film with the performance. So I have no choice but to give it this rating.
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