I'm kind of cheating today... Since all day on Friday I've been looking for a New Release and it wasn't until the day after I found this one... So technically it's Saturday, but I've changed the date to Friday. Plus this music video was released on Saturday 13th February, so technically I wouldn't have been able to review this on Friday. I have had to stretch my rules for New Release, because all of the new releases this week don't have a music video, or the ones that do weren't officially released on Friday 12th February. This is the only one I can find, and I'm glad it's from someone I've heard of. Hozier attempts to show how make-up can hide the lies inside, domestic violence is very real in the world and they manage to portray perfectly how it is hidden from the world.
Hozier, real name Andrew Hozier-Byrne, is an Irish musician who had a hit single with "Take Me To Church", it was held off the top spot by Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk", in the UK. He's big in Ireland, where all his singles have charted. Whereas in the UK, a few have charted but quite low. In the US, "Take Me To Church" also hit number two, but his other singles either haven't charted or are bubbling under the hot 100. His album did well around the world. This is probably the last single from his album, or it could be his first single of a new album... Since the song is a live version on the album... The song was written by Andrew Hozier-Byrne. All proceeds for the song will be donated to international domestic abuse charity organisations.
The music video is directed by Dearbhla Walsh, and features actors Saoirse Ronan and Moe Dunford. The former has played lead roles in many films and has been nominated for a number of awards in her career, As for the latter he has appeared in a few films and TV series, mainly known for his role in Vikings.
The video relates well to the song as it is all about domestic violence. Saoirse Ronan is wearing some heavy make-up to hide that black eye she has got, and although Moe Dunford looks very sad and sorry for what he has done, he is completely ashamed by it, hiding her eye behind her hair so he doesn't have to see it.
There's very little to this music video, but we don't need something massive, the pace goes well with the songs and Saoirse Ronan and Moe Dunford act extremely well, showing off their acting skills allowing us to get wrapped up in their story. This is pretty good, but it's not something that kept me entertained. For all we know Saoirse Ronan did fall over, or someone else could have gave her that black eye. We are left to presume it is her lover, and so I feel everything isn't proved and wasn't exactly thought out. I think a performance piece from Hozier included in this video would've also made it more interesting.
Almost six years old now, in the UK, and I cannot believe I haven't reviewed it until now. I have been a fan of Inna since this music video was released on the music channels and radio picked up the song. To date, this is Inna's highest charting single on the UK chart, although many of her most recent singles are worthy of that claim, however she is not promoted much, if at all, in the UK and so her music isn't widely popular here, not yet anyway. Inna looks fly and hot and sexy in this music video, with a passionate love story narrative infused.
Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, is one of the biggest artists to come out of Romania, if not the biggest, she holds the title as the richest Romanian and Eastern European artist as of the end of 2011, I presume this still stands. This is her debut single, that shot all across the globe, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart, I remember when and where I bought this single, surprisingly. I was in Wales on a family holiday, and as soon as it was released in HMV, I begged my dad to let me go inside and buy this one CD. I still have it today in my bedroom. It was written by Sebastian Barac, Radu Bolfea and Marcel Botezan. The title of the song is not listed in the lyrics, it was originally going to be called 'Fly', however they chose 'Hot' instead as it relates and describes a certain type of relationship.
There are actually two music videos for this song, which I only just found out today. I will be focusing on this one alone, and might review the other one in the future. This is the one I know and love, the other one is a complete mess, and I'll only ever review it if I need to.
This video is both performance and narrative. Inna is looking sexy and sultry, not giving too much away as she performs. The scenes are beautifully subtle and works well with her looks. We know she can perform better than this, however there's something simple and relaxed about this, as she floods the song with emotion.
The narrative follows a blonde girl in the backstage dressing room, getting ready. She receives a bunch of roses with a card that says in Romanian: 'Un admirator...' which means in English: 'An admirer...' We then see scenes of her doing her job as a stage dancer. We then are cut to a scene of her at home, arguing with her lover in front of her daughter. She walks out and the father comforts the child.
She receives another bouquet of roses, and the card reads, in Romanian: 'Un admirator care te adora...' which means in English: 'A fan who loves you...' A few scenes of her stage dancing and being with her friends are included and in the morning another fight ensues at home, where she inevitably packs her bags and leaves.
When she returns backstage there is another set of roses. This card says in Romania: 'In seara asta vreau sa ne cunoastem. Te astept ,dupa program ,in fatza clubului' which basically means in English: 'Tonight I want to meet you. I will wait after work', the end bit doesn't directly translate, I'm presuming it means outside the club, or round the back of the club, or somewhere specific in the club. When she goes to meet him, it turns out that the guy who we've seen clips of is actually her lover. He takes his sunglasses off and his ring (which doesn't make sense to me), and they hug and make up.
Overall a perfect video that can't be faulted, a perfect narrative that is totally related to the song. The performance piece could've been better, but Inna has released much worse performance pieces in her music videos, and yet a quick look at any of her live sessions proves that not only does she have an amazing voice, but she has a brilliant on-stage presence that is filled with performance vibes, this video slightly shows that, but the narrative is so thought out and special, it makes the video complete.
This song has been stuck in my head all day, well until I went on my break at work and watched a video that had Jennifer Paige's "Crush" in the background, and that was it, that was stuck in my head for the rest of the day, I wish I still wasn't crushing on this one guy, and when I think I've finally stopped, I realise it hasn't. But I've come to terms with it, and that is all it's going to be, a crush and nothing more. This song will take it's place again, unbelievably catchy, it's unsurprising that it reached the top spot on the UK chart. Rita Ora is so much more relaxed when she is putting on a show, exuding perfect performance vibes, she sings, dances and proves how amazing she really is.
Rita Ora is a worldwide star and she has definitely made it here in the UK. She is currently locked in a legal battle with her record company so that she can get out of her contract. Something to do with a seven year rule. Considering that she's been a part of Roc Nation for seven years now, and she has only released one album shows it all doesn't it? She should've had a few out by now, enough to guarantee more number ones in the future, which she needs if she's going to compete against Cheryl and Jess Glynne for most number ones by a British female artist. She even once held the record with Geri Halliwell, but was succeed by the former two singers. I hope that once her lawsuit is cleared up she has more number ones around the corner. This song was written by Calvin Harris, who was her boyfriend at the time.
Directed by Francesco Carrozzini, it's a pure performance piece as she tells the camera that she will never let you down.
As per usual, Rita Ora proves to us that she can dance, hitting off that choreography like it is nothing. She easily works the camera and does a great job.
Again black and white tones are used which normally frustrates me, instead this works as when it is switched to colour, it is way too much in your face, bubblegum explosion. Rita Ora has a unique style and it works well for her, but it can sometimes be too much, not that that's a bad thing, but she looks a lot more respectable in the black and white visual scenes, that it's a complete shock to find out she's wearing something much more quirky.
Overall, Rita Ora nails the performance piece. Would've liked a slight bit of narrative here and there, maybe an inclusion of a guy in the music video, just to add that slight thing that we are missing. But I'd definitely go and see her live, and this music video proves how amazing she would be up on stage.
The inspiration for writing this review about this music video, comes from my ex. He recently got back in contact with me through facebook, and after a little bit of chat, he suggested I go and listen to this song, he said I would like it. I never got the chance to until today, which is a few weeks after he suggested it. Whether he's still caught up with me, or not, I'm not sure, but it feels like a little last stab of pain he wanted to give to me. Although it totally failed since I have completely moved on, and not in the way this song suggests, even if that is what he thinks of me. I'm not running around breaking hearts, or even breaking my own. I pretty much am focusing on my career, and if a guy wants me in their life, of course I'm going to give that guy a try, because I'd rather not miss the one because I'm too caught up in my career and my future, especially if he might be right in front of me at any given moment. Whatever my ex thinks of me, I really don't care, I'm happy being who I am, and although I get lonely sometimes, much like everyone else does in the world, I am pretty content with who I am. Aside from all this... Nicole Scherzinger hits out in this slightly catchy song that shows off her incredible vocals, it's accompanying music video is unfortunately in black and white and although full of passion and heartbreak, the overall perception brings it down.
Nicole Scherzinger is currently focusing on other career aspects, since her most recent album didn't do as well as she had hoped. Although she has promised a new album this year. Hopefully it'll hit her back into the limelight. Who would've thought she has had international success as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, as well as a number one solo single "Don't Hold Your Breath". She can definitely get back on top form, but whether she puts enough effort into it, is the other question. The song was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Christopher A. Stewart and Carlos McKinney. A total power ballad, it's not something I'd go out of my way to listen repeatedly, yet full of emotion, she means every word. She's still hurting post-break-up and not only does she want him to know it, but she knows that he's been hurting too.
The music video was directed by Tim Mattia. Visually authentic, which goes well with the song since power ballads aren't exactly in at the moment, unless you're Adele. Which probably explains why it only charted at number 90 on the UK chart.
I have said this before, and I'm going to say it again. I hate black and white music videos, and even though this might add shade to her emotions in this song the music video would definitely have come across much better in colour.
The narrative works perfectly with the song, I love how they are both drinking and how she is having a bit of a tantrum or a meltdown. She can't help the feelings she has for him and yet she doesn't want to be constantly hurt by him, even though it's what he's been doing. Is this what my ex is trying to convey to me? Does he want me back, like all my friends think he does? I'm over him anyway, we can be friends, but if he wants me, he'll have to prove how much to me to consider even taking him back. "If you think I'm coming back, don't hold your breath".
As for the performance side of things,. surprisingly, Nicole Scherzinger doesn't hold her emotion in. Instead outwardly projecting how happy she is at singing this song. She attempts to perform and yet fails in some of the scenes. This is not what I wanted to see, I wanted her to feel lonely, upset, mad, annoyed. We all know the feelings of a break-up, and happy is extremely rare, it doesn't belong in this music video.
Overall, Nicole Scherzinger failed to have a hit with this song, however her vocals are on point, to an extent. The accompanying music video is filmed in black and white, removing detail and emotion creating a possible bland visual, yet Nicole Scherzinger pulls it back with an all-right performance and a perfect acting role in the narrative. She saved this video, believe it or not.
Zayn is back from leaving One Direction last year, and his debut single has got everyone talking, no wonder he flew straight into number one and managed to become my Chart Mondays review. Sporting a totally new look, Zayn sings a sultry song that makes him look quite sexy, in my opinion, which is surprising for me as Zayn was my least favourite member of One Direction. Zayn's debut blasted him to the top of the UK chart, but does this music video do the song justice? Visualisations are played to the maximum, visually defining sexiness to an entirely new level.
Zayn Malik was one fifth of British group One Direction. He broke away from the band citing creative differences, although his first single seems to be in a similar style to One Direction's recent singles, so much so that it's no wonder that their fans are in favour of this song. He has definitely come a long way from that young boy in The X Factor who cried during bootcamp. It was written by Zayn Malik, Anthony Hannides, Michael Hannides, Levi Lennox and Joe Garrett.
The music video was directed by Bouha Kazmi, and features the wonderful Gigi Hadid, who has been popping up in various music videos, recently. I hope this isn't her last.
Sexy and sultry, Zayn is giving Nick Jonas a run for his money, however this doesn't quite match up to the powerfully gorgeousness of "Levels", although it isn't quite far off.
This is extremely artistic, enough to make me in awe. Zayn is in a dreamed visual, imagining his deepest desired mixed in with pain and blurred lines. Again, it reminds me of Windows Media Player's visualisations, this seems to be a common theme in recent videos, especially after Diplo & Sleepy Tom's "Be Right There". However Zayn's video is much more modern.
Gigi Hadid plays a much better role in this, than her previous role in Calvin Harris & Disciples' "How Deep Is Your Love", however she is definitely getting recognition all around the world from these videos, so I hope to see her appear in more music videos in the future.
Overall a great debut song, that is now stuck in my head, yet is it any wonder, Zayn had to come out with a massive hit, or leaving One Direction would have looked like a bad move. Will Zayn keep up his success? Only time will tell. The big question is whether he made the right decision. It worked for Geri Halliwell, for some time, before her music career decided it didn't want to exist any more, but with songs like this Zayn's career has only just started.
