I cannot believe I'm reviewing this. This song is one that doesn't necessarily get stuck in my head, but it is being played too often on radios here in the UK, so much so that you recognise the song whenever it is being played. Lady Gaga, real name Stefani Germanotta, is finally back. It has been quiet for the last year, but she hasn't disappeared, hell no, and this song proves it. She is iconic in her own way and she'll never be forgotten.
"Applause", which fans are reading it as 'Applesauce', was written by Lady Gaga, Paul Blair, Dino Zisis, Nick Monson and Martin Bresso. It charted here in the UK at number five. But it wouldn't surprise me if it climbs higher in the next few weeks, since it is definitely being over-played.
This music video is extremely artistic, and that is what Lady Gaga is all about. She's intricate and involved in every aspect of her career, she knows what she is doing, even though at times we don't think she does. She's become what she is because of how involved she is, and memorable is what she aims for.
This artistic video plays with colours, costumes, some things unbelievable and some things shocking. And even though you may think: 'What is she thinking?', she clearly is thinking, and this video has made me watch again and again purely because of it's unusuality as well as the half swan half Lady Gaga.
There is no narrative, but this leaves very little to the imagination. It is in both black & white and colour, and although the black & white is used to dramatic effect, which is artistically great, I can't help but dislike the use of it. Lady Gaga is such an incredible performer and this video (and previous videos) shows it, so why did she need to experiment with colour, it's like taking a step back, in my opinion.
On the other hand, ignoring the colour overall. Her dancing is on point, the complex choreography is too easy for her, she pulls it off like it's something she does everyday, the only other artist I can come up with who dances that great is Britney Spears, yet that is a collaboration we would all love right?
Overall a song that exudes perfection and the accompanying music video exudes artistry, but do we really want that in a video? It may well be entertaining during first and second plays, but after seeing it a couple of times, and not being able to throw that image of the gaga/swan hybrid that is embedded in your head for forever, enough is enough, and your more interested in watching a video you'll enjoy watching.
Follow Your Instinct, also known as FYI, is a new urban group who happen to be up and coming. They are a three piece group consisting of Addis (a.k.a. Raptile), Lionezz and Viper. These acts alone are pretty credible, this group is what we all call a 'supergroup', that is a group that each member were successful solo artists or in another group before this one. Addis, found fame under the name Raptile, charting high in Germany, he apparently has had 500,000 sales worldwide, now he is ready to take his career to the next lever with this group. In the exact same position is Lionezz who found fame in a TV show called 'ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme', and came 8th overall. As for Viper, he has worked with various producers over the years. This group has been named the new 'Black Eyed Peas', is that true? Guess we'll have to wait and see. They kind of remind me of a mix of 'N-Dubz' and 'Platnum'. I really think FYI and Platnum should collaborate, that would definitely be an unstoppable single. Instead they have collaborated with Alexandra Stan.
Alexandra Stan, she is the whole reason I have bought this single.After having a massive hit in the whole world with "Mr. Saxobeat" as well as doing well with her follow-up singles "Get Back (ASAP)" and "Lemonade", she fell so quickly, which led to her ending up in hospital. Her then boyfriend and manager beat her up after a money dispute back in June. Now she is back, and ready to conquer yet again!
"Baby, It's OK" samples K.C. and The Sunshine Band's "Give It Up". It's a great update of the song, and so catchy. I'm surprised that it looks like it might not become a good hit, since it is one of those songs that easily get stuck in your head. However the lyrics aren't exactly strong and Viper's solo in the song adds nothing. He has a unique voice but it's not something I can see myself listening to, he isn't a great singer, but I can see how his vocals change the track.
This music video is a typical video we've seen over and over again, only this has extra scenes you never expect to see in this type of video, so it's not all bad.
We're getting pretty bored of these rap guys being surrounded by women in bikinis and in some music video even less. It doesn't interest me and what prevents one of these videos being different from another?
This music video however includes a dance sequence with professional dancers, it features two females on vocals, that being Alexandra Stan and Lionezz, so it's not all bad. Alexandra Stan is looking healthy and on top form once again, she even shows that she has dance finesse, give that girl some choreography, she will surprise us all with how she can move. Following from that Lionezz proves she is a dancer, she can definitely pull it off, and it works well.
Overall a great song that gets stuck in my head all day and for the days to follow, you lot should buy this song now! It comes with great remixes too. The music video starts off as a typical rap music video, but soon changes and proves that Follow Your Instinct is not following in footsteps of other great rappers. Keep your eyes on these guys, if they don't make it big, they'll make it global. That's what my instinct is telling me.
Cassadee Pope, lead singer of a band called Hey Monday, who I was obsessed with not long ago. When they went on hiatus I was surprised and a bit sad, but knew that it was for the best, what with them not doing as well as I had hoped, plus they didn't release much here in the UK. So then I heard Cassadee Pope had auditioned for The Voice US. I was excited and tried to follow her but since the show is not shown here in the UK, I found it difficult to remember, but when she won I was once again obsessed with her and her music, this song is so good that I couldn't help myself but buy it, now I can't stop playing it, on my laptop, on my phone, wherever and whenever I can, it's so good.
"Wasting All These Tears" was written by Caitlyn Smith and Rollie Gaalswyk. The song was unusually first released here in the UK, but with no promotion behind it, it failed to chart at all (which we expected), and later released world wide, charting well in the US. If only she were able to promote herself more, the world needs to see how brilliant she is.
The music video has everything I expected and more. The song is about hearts breaking as her boyfriend has cheated on her, and how she doesn't want to waste any more tears on him. The visual of this story is fantastic, and the narrative, which is short, works so very well.
I like the use of the photo book as well as the swing, it's part of reminiscing about past events that is now seen in a different light. She realises that he never really felt much for her compared to how much she felt for him. I love the shower of rain as she is on the swing, it's suggestive of the amount of tears she has shred. I just wish it would stop as the music video finishes.
The performance side is beautiful, as ever. It kind of reminds me a bit of "Candles". The way she performs is the exact same way she used to perform, only her voice has improved since then. She has emotion behind every single word, and she also had that in the Hey Monday videos too.
Overall a song I'm in love with, and I cannot wait for the album, it's going to be one of the best, I'm sure of it. The accompanying video is perfect, it is the only word I can possibly come up with to describe it, and we all know I'm into banjos in music. I can't wait to see what the next few years will give to this superstar in the making.
Matt Cardle, winner of The X Factor Series Seven. He was signed to Syco but soon parted ways so that he could create the music he wanted, and boy has he done just that with this amazing song that should be charting high this Sunday. Matt Cardle is set to released his third album soon, and if this single is to give anything away, it is going to be a much loved album by his fans. The X Factor returns very soon, and the promo advert for it is so good including hits from the winners and the successful acts, however it hasn't included Matt Cardle, as well as other great acts to have come from the show. this brought quite a bit of controversy, as it does every year the promo gets released.
This song features the amazing Melanie C, 1/5th of one of the biggest and one of the best girl bands the world has ever seen, The Spice Girls. But she has definitely made a name for herself. She is currently performing in the west end, and has improved her voice and her acting skills. This is one person who knows how to perform.
The seventh series of The X Factor gave us a few good acts, as well as a few not so good. Reguardless, some got some great record labels, and this is what they have been up to as of late... Rebecca Ferguson (2nd), planning a second album, my guess is that she is on broken ice, if her new album doesn't chart well it could be the end for her and her Syco recording contract; One Direction (3rd), possibly the biggest boy band ever at the moment, here and in the US, if you don't know them, you've been hiding under a rock; Cher Lloyd (4th), working on a second album, after making it big in the US; Mary Byrne (5th), released 2 albums that charted well, and she is working on a third; Katie Waissel (7th), released an album which did not chart, and is now the front woman of a band called Red Velvet; Paije Richardson (8th), has released a few songs but nothing more; Aiden Grimshaw (9th), released "Is This Love" and "Curtain Call" as well as an album, and he is soon going to be releasing a follow up; Belle Amie (11th), released "Girls Up" but then another band member left, rumour has it that they are planning to return as a four-piece; Storm Lee (14th), re-released his album. There's a few other promising acts, but nothing concrete just yet.
"Loving You" is a song that is very catchy. It definitely reminds me of the famous duet between Bryan Adams and Melanie C called "When You're Gone". The song is also being released outside of the UK, in an attempt to crack the US maybe? With a featured guest as big as Melanie C, I guess it has a very big chance. I love the song, and although I am not a Matt Cardle fan, I have bought this song because it is that good! It's currently charting high on the iTunes top 100, getting into the top 10, lets hope it can stay there.
The music video has caused a bit of a controversy spark all over the country due to the kiss... Are they together? I want them to be as they would be a great couple, however I believe they are just friends. But I'm sure their fans would be happy for them if they did start a relationship with each other, we can always keep hoping they'll announce they're together, but it seems unlikely at the moment.
It is mainly a performance piece what with them singing the song in a house. Which is quite empty to be honest. It is full of emotion exactly like the song is and I can't help but feel sad for them as I try to work out why they are so lonely.
The performance piece acts as a narrative too, as far as I can depict, they are two people who have been having a fling together, this relates to the song perfectly such as when they sing 'does somebody hold you when you let me go?'. It is vividly strong, and they continue to sing how it's not enough for their hearts, they clearly deserve to be together, and the harmonies in this amazing song is just outstanding, they should so collaborate again in the future.
Overall a song that just blows me away and deserves a high charting, I'm hoping the more people who hear it the more people who will buy it, and surely radio has been picking it up, and if it isn't, it will do after this week as it seems to be charting this Sunday. The music video is great to watch, I have a few problems like what Melanie C is wearing... What is with that biker jacket? It just doesn't suit her, it may have done if she was wearing it properly, but she really isn't. But no other problems, just that the narrative could have been expanded that little bit more.
So Lumidee's only hit to date in many countries, so of course I was going to review this song as my Sunday Revisit, since she is set to make a comeback, we hope. Her full name is Lumidee Cedeño and has released a fair few other singles, which never gained much interest. She is still a one hit wonder, and returning to this track, like many others before me, has revealed that she wasn't that great of a singer as I remembered, but who needs to be a good singer if you have the right song, you can conquer. Especially since her comeback has shown she's a great rapper. Check out her new song, which vs. Fatman Scoop: "Dance 2013", it has to be a hit right?
"Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" was written by Lumidee Cedeño, Teddy Mendez, Edwin Perez, Steven Marsden, Trevor Smith and John Jackson. The latter two are the real names of the people who feature in this song and those are Busta Rhymes and Fabolous respectively. I am not sure why they aren't officially featured. I guess they wanted to market Lumidee's first track and features wasn't quite so popular as it is now, however Lumidee only got to number two in the UK with this back in 2003, being beaten by Blu Cantrell Featuring Sean Paul "Breathe". I could've sworn this got to the top spot here, but clearly she got a lot of money from this track, since she has come back looking well off. Some people do say that all it takes is one hit song.
This video is definitely old school. The video I have found doesn't show it off that well, and I'm pretty sure there are probably better videos of this music video about. But ignoring the whole picture quality this is a video from the streets, where Lumidee is from.
There is a narrative and a performance piece, along with various dance sequences mixed in with the scenes. This adds to the video a lot.
The performance side is good, Lumidee is just going about her day walking through the crowd as if it is any other day, it's like she's not even aware of the camera and we're just part of the crowd, she is very much a natural. I love Busta Rhymes' rap it works well and he is really getting into this song, the way he is moving and you just know he is happy to be there... Whereas Fabolous... Well he's trying to not be there, hiding under his cap not even moving, as if he's extremely nervous and then when it's his turn to rap his head pops up and it looks like he's thinking 'Is it my turn now?', he soon raps and once he's finished he starts to loosen up a bit. I think they should've helped him to relax more, I hope he has improved from that day.
The narrative side links in well with the song, there's a love interest who is played by J. D. Williams, who has featured in many music videos these are Aaliyah's "Miss You", Freeway's "What We Do", Mariah Carey's "Through The Rain", Cam'Ron's "Lord You Know", Fabolous' "Breathe", Tupac Shakur's "Ghetto Gospel", Mario's "How Could You" and Prodigy's "Stuck On You". Quite the music video actor isn't he. Not much really happens with them two, but you can tell that they were together and there's still feelings between them.
The dancing is really good, and a lot of work was put in to nail all of it. I feel it would have been better to have seen Lumidee take part too, like we wanted Rita Ora to dance in the song "Hot Right Now" by DJ fresh, which she features on. The choreography is on point, and although we don't see all that much of it, it still stands out, and reminds me of the dancing in Step Up and it's sequels. This song would have been perfect for it's soundtrack.
Overall a song that I still like today even though her vocals aren't so great. This song is definitely a guilty pleasure, one of those ones that you still like even though you haven't heard it in ages, and you still know most of the lyrics (much to my embarrassment). The music video, relates, is funny (especially at Fabolous' expense) and was released at the right time. The song should've been number one here in the UK, and I hope Lumidee manages to make a worthy comeback, I am still waiting for that amazing day.
