This girl group is officially the most successful X Factor (US) artist to come from the show. America's answer to the UK's The Saturdays, and they have made an impact across the world. Their vocals are astonishing. They should be around for some time, hopefully.
Fifth Harmony consists of Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, Normani Kordei, Dinah Hansen and Lauren Jauregui. They came third in the second series of The X Factor (US). The other contestants who have released music, or plan on doing so soon are: Tate Stevens (winner), Carly Rose Sonenclar (2nd), Emblem 3 (4th), Diamond White (5th), CeCe Frey (6th), Paige Thomas (8th), Bea Miller (9th), Jennel Garcia (11th), Lyric 145 (12th), Sister C (joint 14th) and David Correy (joint 14th).
Sledgehammer was written by Jonas Jeberg, Meghan Trainor and Sean Douglas. An obvious hit considering one of the writers was Meghan Trainor (who already has a number one single in the UK with her own song "All About That Bass"). Yet this was released as a B-Side on the single release of "Bo$$" here. Their first single: "Miss Movin' On" was never released in the UK. However my guess is that they will re-release it since "Bo$$" wasn't so radio-friendly and was rarely played, yet it charted so high due to their X Factor UK performance. This song charted at number 112 by it's own right. I can definitely see this being re-released here to promote the album.
The music video isn't much. A massive performance piece, showing their vocals off beautifully.
That is not all though. It shows how close they are, how they have harmonized. Their dance sequences are in sync when they need to be. And I cannot help but do the sledgehammer move when they do, it feels so satisfying.
I don't get the white horse by Camila. But I guess it fits in it's own little way. As well an appearance of a sledgehammer is extremely unsurprising, yet needed. I can't wait to see where this girl group with go. I'm begging Simon Cowell to release more Fifth Harmony here in the UK!
We all know what Ariana Grande wanted to be when she was older, an intergalactic warrior princess. Video set in space on a fictional planet, inspired by Barbarella and Star Wars. Takes me back to the TV series such as Doctor Who, Firefly and Atomic Betty. Childish, yet sexual and provocative. Ariana Grande is no longer the cute, innocent nickelodeon teen idol... Pretty sure we've said similar things about Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera... The list is endless.
Ariana Grande shot to fame in Nickelodeon show Victorious, playing Cat Valentine. She continued her role into spin off series Sam & Cat. She next went into singing, and although her album hit number 7 in the UK charts, her singles from her first album rarely made the top 100. Her Christmas album didn't help either. She shot to fame in the UK thanks to featured artist Iggy Azalea on song "Problem" which scored her first top 40 single, as well as her first number one. Since then she hasn't stopped impacting the UK chart in a major way. 2014 was definitely her year, and I'm sure she will have continued success.
This song, written by Anton Zaslavski, Max Martin and Savan Kotecha, is definitely my TUNE! When this comes on in the clubs, I just have to dance, I just can't help it. Not really a surprise since it's written by some great song writers. The song features Zedd, DJ and music producer, who has yet had a number one single, but came close when he collaborated with Hayley Williams on "Stay the Night", which charted at number 2 here in the UK. Could 2015 be his year to dominate the UK charts?
The music video surprised me when I first saw it. This was just not what I expected from Ariana Grande. However she is 21 years old (same age as me), and as we all know, children TV stars have so many restrictions that when they become of age they do branch out and show they aren't so innocent. It worked for Miley Cyrus, she scored number ones here in the UK, after trying so hard innocently. And it worked for Britney and Christina, they definitely wouldn't be around if they had kept up their innocent acts. I've said it before and I'll say it again, these things need to happen, regardless of parents views. As much as we all want to, we can't be sweet and innocent for our entire lives.
The video disappointed me as the monsters wasn't quite so thought out. They weren't quite so scary. However she did get captured, and she broke free. Zedd rescues everyone through a spaceship, and there is a cute baby elephant hybrid thing in the spaceship too, I want one of those!
Suggested on 28th August 2013, by an anonymous commenter, I thought it was about time I reviewed this. Thank you for the request, whoever you are.
This is a band who have never appeared on my blog thus far; there's a first time for everything right? Arctic Monkeys are a four piece indie rock band consisting of Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders. They have released five studio albums, all of which have topped the UK chart over the years, as well as two number one singles which are "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" and "When The Sun Goes Down". This is their most recent single.
"Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" was written by Alex Turner. The song is their first top ten UK charting single since "Fluorescent Adolescent" got to number five in 2007. It's obvious what the song is about, and radio surprisingly picked this song up and played it often, hence the high charting position, yet I don't quite get it. I've never been a fan of the Arctic Monkeys, yet I can't dispute that they have done well for themselves, especially with the five consecutive number one albums. I just don't see the interest in their music. However I'm not really into indie that much.
The music video relates well to the song, and actually contains all four members of the band who are having a drink at the pub. Wasted, Alex Turner (the frontman), texts this girl called Stephanie (played by Lamie Stewart) and gets no reply. He walks the street seeing explicit hallucinations of the general street people around at that time.
But the key portrayal is that he is thinking about Stephanie, and so the hallucinations involve her, including riding a motorcycle naked, as well as having sex with a kebab owner. The images continue this perverse imaginations, that I can't quite repeat, even for this blog, I really don't want to put my mind through a second viewing of this video.
It is obvious what the ending would be, instead of appearing on Stephanie's doorstep, instead he is knocking on the wrong door. While on the opposite side of the street, Stephanie sees her 17 missed text messages all of which she ignores as she continues to head towards whatever room she planned on going to, leaving two people asleep on the couch. After those explicit hallucinations, what's to say she isn't as filthy as those images?
Overall a song that is catchy to an extent, thanks to constant radio play, but one that does not appeal to me. The music video relates perfectly and I find no fault with it whatsoever. Fair enough I may not want to watch it ever again, but that isn't because it's a bad music video, it's because I do not want to see the content shown in it a second time, yet they have made it link with the song. So you can imagine where this rating is going...
Waking up with this song stuck in one's head, was not what I thought today would bring. But as I trundled down the stairs ready to watch the music channels, I was hoping this video would get played; that is what happened, and I haven't stopped singing to it in my head all day.
Conor Maynard, was born two months before me, and I still can't get over the fact that he's nearly 21. He's highest charting single is his debut "Can't Say No" which got to number two here in the UK. He was tipped as the UK's answer to Justin Bieber, and even though there is a few years between them, he'll never shake that from himself. This song reminds me of Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend". Yet with some big differences...
"R U Crazy" was written by Conor Maynard, Timothy McKenzie, Ashton Foster and Ray Djan. The second songwriter being the real name to singer Labrinth. The song sounds very personal to Conor Maynard as it's about a girl who wants him back, now that he is a household name. The start is good, and people believe it should have been a complete swing version, but I don't think it would've been quite so catchy. As the song progresses, we find out his falsettos aren't strong at all (reminds me of Justin Timberlake's falsettos, in his early years), but unlike Timberlake, Conor Maynard can't pull it off. And as the track ends, the producers mess around with his voice, making the track less enjoyable, and more experimental. I love the song, but they shouldn't have messed with it as much as they have done.
The music video relates well with the song, including a performance piece at the start and a narrative that starts and ends just the way we expect it to.
The performance piece at the start is quite misleading, unless Conor Maynard were to take the swing road, however that seems very unlikely. Then the narrative gradually appears with him wearing that horrible green jumper. This is an artist who people are meant to look up to and follow fashion wise, yet that jumper does nothing for him at all.
The video continues with the expected narrative, but with a surprise with him lying on top of her during a bedroom scene. I usually forget he is nearly 21, and seeing that every time just surprises me.
Overall, a strong song that doesn't need all the theatrics that has been put in; this is what stopped it from reaching the top spot of the UK chart, in my opinion. The music video has everything I want and more, the theatrical ending with the vases smashing, and although he never gives her his middle finger as the song says, there is a clear narrative, which adds to the song completely. Only problem I have is that hideous jumper. This video makes me aware that he's nearly 21, he needs the world to keep knowing that, or he'll be stuck with the 'UK's version of Justin Bieber' label.
So last week was a disaster, my promise of posting a review every day of the week, failed. And even though I did plan on catching it up. I failed to find the motivation to do it. But this week, I will not be defeated and I shall review every day. And our new release for this week is currently sitting at the top spot of the UK iTunes Chart. This is Lorde, with "Royals".
Lorde, real name Ella Yelich-O'Connor, is an aspiring new artist who shows a lot of promise in her vocals, especially since she's only 16. But will she become a one hit wonder, or will she stand the test of time? We shall see, but I fear for the former. Lorde is from New Zealand, and this is her debut single, which has pummelled her into international fame, gaining the top spot in America. She has released two consecutive singles which are "Tennis Court" and "Team", the former has already charted at 197 on the UK chart. The singles have charted well in her home country but internationally they have faired much worse than her first single. Is she a one-trick pony? I think so, but I sure hope she can prove me wrong.
"Royals" was written by Ella Yelich-O'Connor and Joel Little. The song is simple but very catchy, and I can understand why it is an international hit. There were a few inspirations for the song, one of which was seeing a picture in the 'National Geographic' magazine. I just hope this isn't going to be her only hit, internationally; she has much more to give to this world.
There is, apparently, two versions of this video. The normal one and the US version. I am reviewing the US version, since that is the one that appears on the music channels here in the UK. There isn't much difference apart from more visuals of Lorde in the US version.
The music video has a performance piece and a narrative piece (if you can call it that). The performance adds nothing to this video. It feels like she's very relaxed when performing, including forgetting to lip-sync her words during some of the scenes. This is highly noticeable at the very start. Which makes me question, whether she is really into this music, and is it really her? Or maybe she just loves hearing herself sing.
The narrative side is all in slow-motion, or most of it anyway. With cut-scenes showing that they box, like to swim, and shave each other's hair, or their own, in some cases. They like to meet up and socialise. This depicts some natural teenage life, although we are missing a lot.
I feel this is quite incomplete. Is there any scenes that got cut out completely? Or did they just not have the time to include them? The song is catchy, and I think people will be singing and playing it until the song is forgotten about. But the music video adds nothing to the song whatsoever. This is one video that makes me question what the point was in making it. Which then questions as a whole, why make music videos in the first place? So you can all guess where this rating is going... The only good thing I can drag out of this is being able to identify Lorde and it relates to the song ever so slightly. There is worst videos in this world.
