David Guetta, real name Pierre David Guetta, is a name that is on everyone's lips and will be until the end of time, he has made such an impact on the music industry, that it's difficult for him to disappear, and for him to get better, that's just as impossible. But if anyone can do it, it's him. This song is his second to most recent, the latest being "Just One Last Time" featuring Taped Rai. So where is he now? My guess is that he's touring in some place or another, or he is working on a new album, maybe he is doing both... This song features singer Sia, full name Sia Furler, who's been working on her career for quite some time, however she is finally scoring the success she is definitely entitled to. Will she continue to be the next big thing, or has she already soared past that, and will disappear once again? I am hoping it's the former and not the latter.
"She Wolf (Fall To Pieces)" was written by David Guetta, Chris Braide, Sia Furler and Giorgio Tuinfort. It's not one of those instantly catchy songs, and it fails to meet my standards, it's more of an album tack (in my eyes) than a single, however each to their own right? The song managed to get to number eight in the UK, which is pretty good considering.
The music video is narrative, reminding me of similarities with "Titanium", in which both artists previously collaborated on. It is yet again part of the supernatural, involving Werewolves, this time, hence the title 'She Wolf'.
Hands up I don't like this video, however I can appreciate what it is. They have made the storyline more life like and surprising. The thought that cavemen used to go out and hunt wolves is surprising, but it even happens nowadays and yet we pretend it isn't.
The thing that sets this out as something for me to dislike is the editing, and the use of the Werewolf's supernatural powers, everything goes pixelated, so much so that it becomes obsessively so, and turns me off. However this can totally been seen a different way and people actually like this sort of thing.
Overall a song that isn't that amazing, along with a video that coincides with the song in it's amazingness. It's just not my thing, on the other hand it's other people's thing, and taking that into account compared to the bad music videos I have reviewed in the past, they are far worse. And so this rating is based on an overall concept and not my personal feelings.
Sash!, real name Sascha Lappessen, was a big hit in the 90's claiming top 10's in most of his singles, along with a nomination for a Brit Award for 'Best International Male' in 1998. His hits include "Encore Une Fois", "Ecuador", "Stay", "La Primavera", "Mysterious Times", "Move Mania", "Adelante" and "Just Around The Hill". So when he returned in 2008, none of the new generation (including me) knew who he was. But this song was catchy, and I had already been introduced to Basshunter, Platnum and September (all of which were on the same record label as Sash!) it was only right this song did just as well. Stunt is a dance music project consisting of producers Gary Johnson, Scott Chester, Simon Willis and Dave Valler. Molly Smitten-Downes provides the vocals to every single Stunt has released, however she is not notably known for being in the band Stunt, as she is also searching for her own solo career. Stunt's following singles which were "I'll Be There" and "Fade Like The Sun" unfortunately didn't chart, although they received quite a lot of music channel play when they were released, which begs the question: why did they not chart?
"Raindrops (Encore Une Fois)" managed to reach number nine in the UK chart. It's a mash up provided by Kindvater, according to the single information, of Sash!'s original song "Encore Une Fois" and Stunt's song "Raindrops". The two songs coincide perfectly and hence why such a high charting was received. As of yet, in the five years that have passed, none of these acts have achieved a higher charting position since, however I have faith that Stunt will return full force with an amazing new dance track, especially with an album that has yet to be released. Failing that Molly Smitten-Downes is such a great singer, she might have a chance at making it on her own.
This music video reflects everything and more. There's also narrative and performance and surprisingly, the latter features both acts. This is definitely one video that I'm not going to be able to fault.
Much like Cascada, Stunt has a front woman, and Molly Smitten-Downes takes full credit for video purposes of Stunt, therefore giving the misconception that Stunt is a solo project by Molly. This also happens to Natalie Horler, who fronts Cascada. She sings the song, and dances occasionally. Not only that but there is some good imagery when she's singing and is sitting down. When I first saw this, I thought she was sitting on the end of a pier, with the ocean's tide was out and the beach underneath. Closer inspection now reveals she's on what looks like the end of a bed frame (but could be a bench or a couch, considering the other end of it), and what I thought was sand is merely the floor, and it's just spotlights behind her. Managing to portray something else in a certain snap-shot scene is incredibly hard even for film makers, except this director of the music video pulls it off perfectly.
As for Sash!'s performance, he is seen behind the DJ deck much like Basshunter is for "Now You're Gone" and "All I Ever Wanted".
The narrative follows two people who meet in a club, and they soon get together. I like how they run up the stairs and run into a couple kissing passionately exactly what they were planning to do. Up they go again and they find a spot to get together. Next the guy pushes the fire alarm and the sprinklers rain on everyone, only no one leaves the club, instead they dance more vigorously. If only this would happen to me in a club, I can dream right?
If anyone knows who played the characters in the story of this music video, please comment below, I am intrigued to find out their names.
Overall a catchy song that is definitely worthy of that chart number. But also a music video that relates to clubbing, to raining (or raindrops in this case), and everything else. I like the inclusion of both artists, and I just can't fault this video at all.
Basshunter, the next instalment. I haven't reviewed one of his music videos in ages, and since I was struggling to think up a music video, I looked through my drafts and found this one.
Basshunter, real name Jonas Altberg, has been suffering in the UK chart, it's the only word I can link with the artist. He used to be on Hard2Beat Records (later changed to Dance Nation Records), but by the looks of things the record label has shut down, moving it's artists on to All Around The World Productions, amongst others. This new record label is known for artists such as Cascada, Eric Saade, Tulisa and N-Dubz. By the looks of things, they haven't been doing much promotion for these artists, although it's not always their fault. Hopefully they can make a turn around soon.
"I Miss You" and "Jingle Bells" were released together in the UK, so they both share the same video ("Jingle Bells" video can be found at the bottom of this blog post). So in theory they both count as Basshunter's 4th single release in the UK. "I Miss You" features vocals from Lauren Dyson. It charted at 32, with "Jingle Bells" following in number 35 on the UK chart. Not brilliant, but not too bad nonetheless.
The music video continues our story, so let's do a RECAP! "Now You're Gone" music video started off with Aylar Lie and Lucas Thorheim breaking up by text. Their friends invite them out clubbing and coincidence or not they end up in the same club, and Aylar invites Lucas for a dance. "All I Ever Wanted" they go on holiday to Spain. They have fun with water guns and dressing up. They go clubbing and Lucas starts talking to a "mate's cousin", but we don't think Aylar buys that story. "Angel In The Night" starts with the break up of Aylar and Lucas (again via text). Aylar meets Basshunter and there's a connection. They have a street race and Basshunter impresses her by winning and then singing, but what is next for this great couple? Well it seems Christmas is what's around the corner. Again texting starts this video (this is a common theme in these videos, either it's at the start or at the end). The text reads "Sorry babe, I can't make it back for xmas. Jonas xx", and then he surprises her by throwing a snowball at the video.
This is a typical Christmas, with snowball fights, and Christmas presents. We get a nice surprise with the jacuzzi and turning the Norwegian log cabin into a Christmas house party. But once again we see the guy who Basshunter raced against in "Angel In The Night" (his name is still unknown to me, if anyone knows please comment below). And this guy thinks he is still in with a chance with Aylar, but who is he kidding? Basshunter soon steps in his way, and we finally say goodbye to this guy, he never appears in another Basshunter video (yet).
Overall a song that didn't get the credibility it deserved, it should have charted higher, and Lauren Dyson should've been pushed into mainstream success. The music video is probably one of my favourite videos, bringing the spirit of Christmas along with it. However I feel it doesn't link that well with the song "I Miss You", I think it fits with "Jingle Bells" but the former should've had a different video. Although, it was released around Christmas time, and since it's a video for both singles, I kind of feel I have no choice but to give this rating.
I reviewed M83 last week for the song "Midnight City", since this song and music video is the follow-up, doing a Basshunter theme and continuing the video on to the next song, I thought it was only right I should review it this week. The band is French and consists of Anthony Gonzalez, Jordan Lawlor, Morgan Kibby, Loïc Maurin and Ian Young. They have quite a big fan base, and have charted a few times in the UK.
"Reunion" was written by Anthony Gonzalez, Yann Gonzalez and Morgan Kibby. the song is about being with someone, possibly being together, but this is definitely not reflected in this music video.
I have to admit, I like seeing music videos that follow on from one another. Basshunter has made it unique to himself, and I can't help thinking that the videos that do this is sort of copying him.
The previous music video didn't have a good enough ending, in my opinion, so I was hoping this one would wrap it all up, but guess I was wrong, since the ending has nothing for me to flow with. Does this mean another music video, if not already, will continue the story?
Not much happens in this one, we see good and evil, and we lose one of our children we saw in the first video "Midnight City". We see a stand off between the children and the handlers who want to capture them (maybe to experiment on them?) The stand off is interesting, it shows different powers, and a battle for the floating car is interesting, although somehow at the end we end up with more children with powers, how did that happen?
I like how good wins over evil, although this is a constant shown in all media, personally evil should win at least once, because that's life sometimes although everything works out in the end, if you let it.
Overall, I'm not impressed with the song, once again not my sort of thing, and it never charted in the UK, so clearly I'm not the only one who didn't think it was that good. The accompanying music video is a perfect continuation of "Midnight City", but it lacks connection with the song, and again the ending is left open, leaving us unsure if there will be another follow-on.
Avicii, real name Tim Bergling but is also known as Tim Berg, has been a constant on this blog, always appearing now and again, and usually getting high ratings from me, this music video will not be an exception. He has had lots of various hits on the UK chart, but this is his first number one, and it is well deserved. As for Nicky Romero, real name Nick Rotteveel, he is a Dutch DJ and has slowly increased his popularity, so much so that he is currently up there with David Guetta, now this song has definitely pushed him into the public eye, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get charting success within the next few years.
"I Could Be The One" was originally called "Nicktim" before the vocals were added. The vocals were provided by Swedish singer Noonie Bao. The song was written by Nicky Romero, Arash Pournouri, Avicii, Linus Wiklund, Jonnali Parmenius and Måns Wredenber, few of which are familiar as they have been referenced in my blog before. The song is really catchy and it charted at number one in the UK last week, and the summer hit has definitely brought the sunshine with it as the sun has been out with a bright blue sky, a rarity for the UK, finally the summer is coming.
This music video is pure narrative. It's quite unique, and not something I was expecting, but shouldn't I start getting used to this sort of thing? Since all of Avicii's music videos are never something normal, although I don't think he'll ever be able to top "Dancing In My Head" which was Eric Turner Vs. Avicii, never have I been so shocked to watch a music video.
I like the start, and the fact that words are used proving it isn't just music. This is what I like about Avicii, his music videos are thought about long and hard, and a lot of details go into them. I like the constant repeat showing us what her everyday life is like. But I get confused when the dream first comes in, wondering what has happened, although, it soon becomes clear.
I like the dream side, it shows the potential she has and she must have had a lot of fun filming that side of the scenes, and then when she goes crazy you can't help but laugh, especially with everything flying here, there and everywhere.
I have to agree with some of the comments, the ending is a little disappointing, but then again you don't expect it, but couldn't they have thought up something more imaginable?
Overall a worthy number one that has got everyone playing and talking about it. The music video is shockingly great, as all Avicii music videos are. I have no negative comments, so you can see where I'm heading with this rating can't you?
