Lucy Spraggan - Unsinkable



Never heard or seen this before today and now it's stuck in my head. It annoys me that credible artists don't get a look in when it comes to the radio, since that is the biggest promotion. A complete step up since she appeared on The X Factor, I truly believe Lucy Spraggan is one of the most underrated British singers we have. She has been announced for Birmingham Pride 2016. Lucy Spraggan proves she's a fighter in this music video, she's unsinkable within the music industry and she will continue to get soaked, yet no matter how damp and down she gets, she'll never be beaten, because British music isn't the same without her.

AND OUR NEXT REVEAL IS...The brilliant Lucy Spraggan returns to Birmingham Pride after storming the main stage in...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Lucy Spraggan hit our TV screens on the ninth series of The X Factor, where James Arthur was crowned as the winner. Personally, the ninth series is one of the worst series because the acts I loved didn't go as far as I wanted them too, two of which were out in the first two live shows and Lucy Spraggan had to withdrew, therefore not allowing me to become a fan of her music. It was a shamble of a series and although some acts are well known, such as Rylan Clark and Union J, the star was Ella Henderson who undoubtedly should've won, but didn't. She's definitely the one who's had the biggest career out of all of them from this series. Back to Lucy Spraggan, before The X Factor she released an album independently, then released a second album under Sony. Her most recent album, We Are, was released last year under a new label. All she needs is more promotion, because this girl has got it! This song was written by Lucy Spraggan, Martin Brammer and Adam Argyle.

The music video, directed by Damien Reeves, is mainly a performance based music video that really captures the lyrics of the song.

I love the performance side, Lucy Spraggan proves that she's all grown up, and she really means business with this song, unfortunately it charted at number 78 here in the UK, but it should've done better.

I like the visuals. When she sings 'I should be broken drift wood on the beach', we're transported to a very cold beach. Pathetic fallacy is played to the fullest as it rains inside, where she is performing.

Yet she fights through and the rain finishes as the song finishes.

Beautiful, inviting and full of emotion. Lucy Spraggan has grown up, and I am hoping 2016 pushes her out to be more of a star, because that is definitely what she is.
Buy on iTunes

Chart Mondays: Mike Posner - I Took A Pill In Ibiza (SeeB Remix)



Mike Posner has done it, he has knocked Lukas Graham off the top spot with this amazingly catchy song. Whoever said you can't make a good comeback was wrong. Mike Posner's biggest hit used to be "Cooler Than Me", but guess he becomes the cool one since he has hit number one in the UK with this song and he has made it a global hit. Mike Posner doesn't appear in his music video, although the actor plays out his story, which is definitely stretching the truth, although it seems real enough, you can imagine this happening, but that massive head would knock a few people out in a club.

Mike Posner is only really known in the UK for his previous hit "Cooler Than Me", although his writing credits are substantial, and some may remember him featuring on the UK version of Cher Lloyd's "With Ur Love". Now he's back with another big hit, but will his follow-up singles follow in this one's footsteps or will they under perform again until he brings out another standalone hit? Time will tell as it always does. This song was written by Mike Posner, Martin Terefe and SeeB. The song came about after Mike Posner took a pill in Ibiza while at an Avicii concert.

The music video, directed by Jon Jon Augustavo. It's very scary, especially if you switched over halfway through on a music channel.

It kind of reminds me of the early 00's music videos when these sort of weird videos were all the range. I like the idea of the pill blowing his head up, although I wish they had used animation to literally blow his head up.

It sort of suggests that taking pills/drugs are a good thing. He becomes more confident, more drunk, more girls are interested hell he manages to pull and has sex in a toilet cubicle; there isn't enough emphasis of the ending and how drugs and pills are bad for you.

Pills and drugs are not good! NPS legal highs are to be banned in the UK in April. There's argues for and against them, and most don't know enough about them to make valid concrete opinions on them, whatever your feelings on them, they are there and you always have to be careful, as with anything you accept from a stranger.

Overall the video fails to show the risks of taking pills, and instead reflects on how much of a good time you could have by taking them. Behind the scenes you can tell that he isn't living the life, especially when he takes the pill, it doesn't change his life, it blows his head up and it's not as great as he thinks it is. It sticks to the story of the song and relates to it, although I do think it gives a slightly wrong message out to young people.
Buy on iTunes

Booty Luv - Boogie 2Nite



This has to be the act I'm most excited about. I was a massive fan of Booty Luv when they were on the scene getting chart hit after chart hit. This was their first ever song, and currently their biggest hit, they formed after the split of Big Brovaz which they were previously in. They were second to be announced for Birmingham Pride 2016 and I have to admit, I did scream, they are the act I shall not be missing! And I won't be surprised if Birmingham Pride announces Big Brovaz soon, as they have reformed for appearances in the past, and they plan to perform at CC Summer Ball in June, so I am expecting them to appear at Pride a month before. Booty Luv does their best in this low-budget performance-based music video that not only doesn't relate but just fails to engage.
AND OUR NEXT REVEAL IS...The fantastic Booty Luv who return to Birmingham Pride after storming the main stage...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016

This is Booty Luv's debut single, although their following singles all charted in the UK top 20, apart from their most recent single "Black Widow" which is most definitely underrated. Booty Luv consists of Cherise Roberts and Nadia Shepherd. They were big back in 2007, and would be one of the bigger star at Pride, hell they are in my eyes, but they haven't released anything since "Black Widow" in 2012, and there's no sign of any new music... They could easily make a good comeback if they gave it a really good go, maybe Birmingham Pride 2016 will help them to get back together. Boogie 2Nite is a cover version of Tweet's "Boogie 2Nite" which was originally a promotional song and was never released as a single, despite it becoming a club hit. Then Booty Luv comes along and proves it was meant to be released. It was written by Charlene Keys, Nisan Stewart and John Smith.

This music video is extremely low budget, they clearly wasn't expecting this to be much of a hit. However, it's obvious that the success of this song brought more singles and much better music videos, which I'll no doubt review as it gets closer to Birmingham Pride 2016.

There isn't a lot going on, there's some dancers dancing to the song, there's a lot of visuals and text which doesn't link with the song in time so doesn't work as lyrics.

Booty Luv performs perfectly, as they no doubt will on the stage. They are sexy, sultry and teasing, which works well with the song and they do their best with what they have been given.

I am definitely excited to see them perform this song as well as their many other hits, however this music video doesn't work well enough. This single got to number 2, failing to knock Take That off the top spot with "Patience". This song is a banger, but the video fails to interest and I really don't want to watch it again.
Buy on iTunes

Lisa Stansfield - All Around The World



Lisa Stansfield was the first big name to be announced for Birmingham Pride 2016. At first I was excited because everyone has heard of her name at least, but after researching her songs I've come to realised that I only really know and like this one song, which begs to question whether she is a big enough star to headline Pride. As much as I want to hear this song live, I would rather be getting ready to go out clubbing, or chilling in one of the bars, or be at the funfair, or be in the dance arena, than be at the main stage listening to her sing songs I don't really know. Lisa Stansfield sings this powerful and highly emotional song, which guaranteed her a place at the top of the UK charts back in 1989. A total performance piece she sends her emotion out to the viewers.
WE'RE SO EXCITED TO REVEAL!The awesome Grammy nominated Lisa Stansfield is confirmed as one of our BIG HEADLINERS at...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016

Lisa Stansfield has had her day, the 90's was her decade, and although I totally believe an artist should be able to constantly chart, only the best manage to do that across decades, there's the Madonnas, the Britneys, the Christinas, the Rihannas, the Justins. Lisa Stansfield might be a big name, but she isn't current any more. A collaboration with a DJ might get her to chart, it worked for Mary J. Blige, but I don't think it will give Lisa Stansfield more fans, which she inevitably needs to become current. She'll be forever known for this one song, and I don't see why Birmingham Pride chose her as a headliner, when the younger population at Pride, which is usually the majority of attendees, won't be watching. This song is her biggest hit, it got to the top of the charts in 1989, and her other songs failed to climb as high. It was written by Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris.

The video is extremely basic, but we totally expected that since it was filmed in the very late 80's.

Some of the clothes she is wearing is shocking, but they were fashionable back then. What is surprising is that her blue jacket is definitely back in fashion now, she should so find it in her wardrobe and wear it for Pride as it is stylish and would still look great no matter what she paired it with.

A total performance piece, this video displays her voice to the audience. She puts her all in some of the lyrics, fully meaning every single one of them. However, at times, she is too relaxed, enough to suggest that she is holding back.

The black and white filter fails to keep me interested, although it signifies that she's thinking of the past, there is no intercutted scenes and a narrative is only hinted at.

The video, overall, looks like a display video to show people some camera tricks. It fails to engage and although Lisa Stansfield does her best to portray the feelings needed for the video, the camera tricks falter the entire performance.
Buy on iTunes

New Release: Sigala Featuring Imani & DJ Fresh - Say You Do



Sigala is bringing hit after hit, he is the one to watch, he is the one on everyone's lips, he is the one getting the chart numbers and he is the one who is bringing summer anthems to Britain while it's dreary and cold! He is also bringing fresh talent to the table, which is definitely helping him chart well, as well as collaborating with big names which brings crossover fans, I just want him to collaborate with one of my favourite artists. Summery and fun, this music video pushes Imani into the spotlight, whilst Sigala and DJ Fresh creates the amazing sounds behind the scenes. Hot, sexy, calm and full of life, this video is the fun summer anthem during spring!

Sigala, real name Bruce Fielder, has released two singles that has had global success "Easy Love" which hit number one here in the UK, and "Sweet Lovin'". This third single is going to follow in the previous hits' success, no doubt. He is bringing the summer throughout the year, and this song does exactly that. Imani, full name Imani Williams, is new and fresh, this is her first single and she has an incredible voice, if this song doesn't prove it enough, I suggest you listen to her acoustic videos on Instagram here, just wow! DJ Fresh also features on this song, real name Daniel Stein, he used to easily chart well, but his singles haven't matched up to his number one hits, and it seems this song might just push him back into the limelight. This song samples Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby", and was written by Sigala, DJ Fresh, Imani Williams, The Invisible Men, Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal. The song reminds me of Cover Drive's "Twilight", it has the same feel and summer vibe, and I guess Imani reminds me slightly of Amanda Reifer.

Directed by Craig Moore; the video was set in Port Antonio, Jamaica. Imani is central figure in this music video, the spotlight is on her and no one else.

She's full of life and fun, releasing the summer vibes for this summer hit, her performance is meaningful and joyous.

She nails the choreography given to her, she captures the audience in her dancing, her relaxation and in her singing. She not only means every word, but she is having one of the best times in Jamaica, and we all want to be there to enjoy it with her.

Imani is just so excited to be in this video, you can tell that she was meant to do this, as she is enjoying every moment of this, and in doing so she releases those feelings out to us allowing us to feel what she's feeling, giving us a joyous viewing.

Sexy and hot, Imani is a soon-to-be superstar, the video extras fail to grab the spotlight from her, apart from the kid breakdancing on the shoreline, however no one else manages to shine as Imani proves she was meant to do this. I can't wait to see where she'll go next, hopefully a solo hit is around the corner, she has the voice for it.
Buy on iTunes