Caleidra, real name Naomi Higginson, got global press last year when her song "With You" got submitted for a GCSE exam which not only gained her an A in her music GCSE, but it also came with a record deal that planned on pushing her into the limelight. Yet I hadn't heard of her until just a few weeks ago, when this song came to my attention. And I'm surprised Caleidra hasn't become a household name, but hopefully she will keep fighting for what she loves and she'll eventually be someone who everyone talks about.
"Ask Me Why" is one of those songs that after first listen you are unsure about, yet an hour after that first listen you realise it's stuck in your head and you've been singing to it. It is very captivating, and if her other songs are just as good I'm sure this girl will find the success she clearly deserves.
The music video is a typical school teenage music video, this has been done thousands of times from Britney Spears' "...Baby One More Time", to JoJo's "Leave (Get Out)", from Stacie Orrico's "Stuck" to Mandia Nanatsios' "One Last Time", as well as H "Two" O featuring Platnum's "What's It Gonna Be", The Fader's "No Sleep Tonight" and even the most recent Avril Lavigne's "Here's To Never Growing Up". Are we actually getting bored of seeing these settings? Are we seeing them too often?
Well I think it's hard to make it original, but it is always possible. If you think of all the settings in all music videos you have ever watched, you will notice that a lot of music videos contains beaches, towns, parks, tours, gigs and other settings. I just think a school setting are much more noticeable.
The video relates to the song well, and usually a narrative and performance piece in a music video gets high ratings, but there are a few problems. The narrative scene seems old and out-dated, I think it was the camera used, but it has this thing to it, that makes it feel older than Britney's "...Baby One More Time". Caleidra is a modern singer, and that needs to be reflected in the narrative scenes.
On the other hand, the performance piece is great, vibes are thrown out while she sings, especially when she is on the stage, but as well as that the bit where she is beside the water, is bright and fun, and she clearly means every word she is singing.
Overall a song that is appealing and something I may be listening to over and over again. And an accompanying music video that is relatable, fun and really introduces Caleidra to us. Some issues are there, but since the future is Caleidra, this is one girl we should be seeing more of in the future. I wish her the best of luck in conquering the music industry. If she really wants it, she'll get it.
After the last two music videos I have reviewed which were Ellie Goulding's "Burn" and Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop", both videos fail to keep me engaged, I thought it was about time I chose a video that did, and this one sure does.
I have to admit, I had lost hope that Panic! At The Disco will ever come back with an amazing track. Their songs are those sort of songs that fit the time period, ones that are catchy at that time of year but never stands the test of time, and when you come across those tracks once again you want to know what made you like them so much. And after the release of their most recent single "Miss Jackson" featuring Lolo, I thought it was the end of them, but this new song has definitely changed that around, and I actually want to hear their new album. This song has given me hope. The band is now a three-piece consisting of Brendon Urie, Spencer Smith and Dallon Weekes.
"This Is Gospel" was written by Brendon Urie, and is extremely personal to him, apparently it was kept back from the rest of the band for a few months before he plucked up the courage to show it's awesomeness to the band. I find it really catchy and something I'll be playing again and again. I hope it charts well here in the UK but since it has received quite a lot of hits on YouTube considering it was only released yesterday, this is bound to be a hit.
The music video is... I'm not quite sure how to explain this music video one bit. But I guess a lot of girls out there are enjoying this video, as the YouTube comments suggest.
Brendon Urie is being restrained and obviously for his own good, guess these surgeons don't let you leave against medical advice. And they sedate him to get him to comply. They clearly know what they want to do to him.
While asleep he gets all dressed up only to be contained into a coffin and filled with water, but he breaks out when the chorus kicks in and just like that he heads towards the light, leaving us wondering if he has gone up to heaven and died during the surgery, or was it the light that brings him back to life, all the surgery done and dealt with?
Overall a song that has impressed me, and I really do hope this band gets a hit out of this, that beats "Nine In The Afternoon" which got to number 13 here in the UK (which now sounds surprising since it's more of a guilty pleasure than anything else). The accompanying music video is good, and is representative of not just the song, but also their band mate Spencer Smith, who has been battling an addiction to alcohol and drugs. I have respect for this band, but they haven't brought me back as a fan of theirs just yet, but I hope their third single release from their new album will make me want to listen to them all over again.
Miley Cyrus, real name Destiny Cyrus, has finally got her first UK top 10, and not only that but it reached the top spot! Miley Cyrus has FINALLY got her first UK number one, and this song is what put her there. Her previous highest chart number was joint 11, three of her singles from her music career has reached that number and those are "Party in the U.S.A.", "The Climb" and "See You Again". She definitely had a destiny, and this is exactly it. I doubt she'll disappear, and at just 20 (the same age as me) she is very much in the limelight, and I can't wait to see what her album brings, it's bound to be good.
"We Can't Stop" was written by Mike L. Williams II, Timothy Thomas, Ricky Walter, Theron Thomas and Douglas Davis. It has an infectious sound, and apparently was made with Rihanna in mind, I bet they never guessed our sweet little Miley Cyrus would be singing it. But she is far from who we all thought she used to be. I hate to admit this, but I wasn't into it that much the first time I heard it, but the more I've been hearing it, I just can't help but love it as much as everyone else. It really is infectious.
The music video, on the other hand is not what I was expecting. This has a first music video written all over it. But I guess it can be seen as a directional change and so will let it off. Other critics have compared it to Lady Gaga's first music video which features Colby O'Donis "Just Dance" as well as Christina Aguilera's directional change music video which features Redman "Dirrty". And I have to agree.
The song is about being young and having fun and drinking and clubbing and everything that contains, as well as Miley's new favourite dance: 'Twerking'.
There are a few fun bits in the music video, such as the pool and where the water gets splashed over Miley, it is fun fun fun, and what more should you expect. It relates right?
Well it does, but it's not something that I'd go out of my way to watch, the Teddy's are something I would have liked to have seen more of, but it's pretty much crazily fun which makes me realise I'm missing out on stuff at this current moment, and I just feel the video doesn't keep me entertained.
Overall an amazing song that I can't stop listening, well we all can't stop can we? And a music video that does relate but fails to keep me eager to watch it. Leaving me stuck for choice on a rating. But I've finally chosen a rating, and I hope you all agree. As I've previously said, if it was down to the song I would be giving this top stars, but since it's purely music video only, this is my rating. I cannot wait to see what her album brings, and I've heard there's a Britney Spears collaboration on there too...
Ellie Goulding, real name Elena Goulding, is set to storm the UK Charts this week with this song, if she manages the top spot she will be claiming her first number one. This is the first time she has been reviewed on my blog, since I'm not much of a fan of hers and usually there is other singers I'm much more interested in reviewing. Today it was a toss-up between reviewing this one or The Wanted's "We Own The Night", however I chose Ellie Goulding because I haven't reviewed her previously, even "Your Song" her version of Elton John's "Your Song" hasn't been on my blog yet, although it is uniquely great. I still think she's finding her place in music at the moment, but now that this song is set to chart high, has she just found her place?
"Burn" was written by Ryan Tedder, Ellie Goulding, Greg Kurstin, Brent Kutzie and Noel Zancanella. It was originally recorded by Leona Lewis with her third album in mind, however it didn't make the final cut, I bet the people behind Leona Lewis are screwing at how this hit has slipped through their hands (Leona's version can be found below). I prefer Ellie Goulding's version, but I think that is because Leona's is just a demo (although better vocally), Ellie's has been produced and released, and it sounds better, my opinion might be different if Leona had gone on to release it. This song has been played often on the radio, hence why it's doing so well on the iTunes chart this week. It's not my sort of song (I'm not being biased, it just isn't something I would buy), however I do see how so many people find it catchy and why it has stormed the iTunes chart.
The music video relates to the song well, but that is where I stop enjoying it. Not a lot is going on and I've already had to watch it again and again as I keep forgetting what happens in the video due to the fact that not a lot is happening. Instead I'm looking around my room and tapping and waiting for the video to finish. I am distracting myself without even meaning to.
I have to admit Ellie Goulding looks relaxed, she's having fun and seems to be just enjoying recording the music video as well as singing the song. She seems free and open.
I like that they use the lights to spell out her initials in a triangle. It relates to the song as lights burn, but it's only a slight link.
The party seems fun, in fact I want to be there, guess I need a night out, yet I still have to wait until September. But this looks like a lot of fun, and that's what I need.
Overall, a song that fails to capture me but has become a hit here in the UK, and has become catchy to many other people. And a music video that has failed to excite me, yet has shown fun, lights and everything that an average music video usually brings. So what sort of rating does an average video get from me? Well this rating of course.
Lukay... Hit or miss? Well he is definitely a hit with me, he can sing, dance and he shows some acting skills in this as well. He is the triple threat, watch out guys, his name will be on your lips in the next few years, and we won't even remember the day he wasn't well known, but for the moment we are living those days. He is a big hit in his home country of Canada winning numerous awards for his music. His first single was "I'm In Love With Music". Now with his second single doing so well, which is not at all surprising with his fan base and amazing vocals and dancing, this is one person we're going to have to keep our eyes on.
"Dance With You" is written by Lukay and is super super catchy, his voice reminds me a lot of Ne-Yo's, but the beat behind it is reminiscent of some of Avicii's stuff. This explains why it is so catchy and something I have watched quite a few times over. But I have to admit it isn't because of the song, it's because of the music video.
My current count is four times watching this, trying to find some flaw to knock this video down a star, but there just is no bad stuff with this video. It's full of amazingness that I can't stop watching.
I like the choreography, as I have stated before, this guy can dance! And that is more than a fact. Whoever the choreographer was is brilliant.
It is both performance and narrative rolled into one, as he wants this girl to dance with him. It reminds me of the chemistry between PSY and Hyuna in "Gangnam Style". He follows her about and she finally dances with him, but looks more of a fight to get him away from her. But with persistence gets you everywhere and she succumbs to his brilliant dancing.
Overall a song that I've already downloaded, and I reckon you should do that too, as it is oh-so catchy. And a music video that I would love to see on the music channels, as it is so good, and we need more dancing in music videos!
