The collaboration we have all been waiting for, and it's even better than we expected. Surprisingly their voices mash perfectly giving us amazing harmonies from two powerful singers, but does the music video match up to the epic sound of the song? Eli Lieb and Steve Grand can't look away from the camera giving us piercing stares as they tell us that this is the end.
Eli Lieb is currently working on his second album. He has released a number of singles and a debut album. He has been on my radar since I first came across Steve Grand, however his music never appealed to me, although I am encouraged to support him because he is an out gay singer, and there isn't enough of them in the world. On the other hand, I don't have a keen interest in his music apart from this song because of the collaboration. His music just isn't to my taste, although he might make me like his songs if he releases more like "Lightning In A Bottle". He hasn't achieved world wide popularity, but with a voice like his, he has the chance. The only thing is, he seems emotionless in his music videos, especially in this one, where Steve Grand puts his all into the visual. Steve Grand, Steve Grand, Steve Grand. He became popular because of his country song "All-American Boy", he then had a successful Kickstarter campaign, and now he is apparently working on a second album. I am obsessed with Steve Grand, and if he ever does a gig in the UK, I'll definitely be there! This song was written by Eli Lieb and Steve Grand. Perfect harmonies, amazing emotional words and two soulful voices.
The music video is a pure performance piece, it really puts the stars on the spotlight, every little thing is seen.
Steve Grand is a much better actor than Eli Lieb, as I have previously mentioned. The song is full of emotion, but Eli Lieb looks like a newly painted white brick wall, not a crack not a smudge, just two piercing eyes as he sings to the camera, it's like he has closed his emotions off totally, although his voice tells us different.
Steve Grand is the total opposite, he puts so much emotion into his visual that we can tell he means every single word he is singing, he really can't look away and he is trying to face the truth. Steve Grand seems much more real whereas Eli Lieb is closed off.
The video includes black and white snapshots, this is where a narrative could've been planned, but it never happened, instead we're seeing a series of shots that look like they have potential for a story line, but it just doesn't work. This could easily have been memories of what they had, and certain scenes does show that, but as a collective, it's more of behind-the-scene shots.
Overall, a great emotional song, with only half the emotion purely thanks to Steve Grand. Eli Lieb needs to learn how to get across what he is singing, or it's never going to work, this is probably the main reason why I'm not a fan of his songs. There should've been a narrative, it would've worked really well as snapshots, and even though in some scenes Steve Grand and Eli Lieb look longingly at each other, it just doesn't have the feel of a narrative. This could've been so much better than it is. The performance piece is the main piece, with perfect lighting, it anticipates the narrative, there should be more but there isn't.
Previously released as an instant grat single for their album, this song was an obvious choice for their next single. Little Mix are churning out hit after hit, although I'm still not so keen on "Secret Love Song". This one has already became a ratings hit on YouTube and these girls are just going from strength to strength. In a "Wings" style music video, Little Mix have a sleepover as they attempt to get Leigh-Anne's guy, Sean Paul, out of her mind and her hair.
Little Mix are still the only group to with The X Factor here in the UK. They consist of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall. They are one of the biggest girl bands out at the moment, especially in the UK. Fifth Harmony is pretty much their only rivals (until the return of The Saturdays, I hope it's not much of a wait), and they're both on the same record label. This song features guest vocals from Sean Paul, real name Sean Paul Henriques. He helped The Saturdays score their first number one with "What About Us", but this song isn't doing as well for Little Mix, although a top ten is within reach. He has only ever had number ones as a feature, the other being his hit with Blu Cantrell "Breathe". This song was written by Edvard Forre Erfjord, Henrik Michelsen, Iain James, Anita Blay and Camille Purcell.
The video was directed by Director X, and is inspired by the bonus original video that was released to fans who pre-ordered the album. Both videos are slumber party based.
The video starts off with Leigh-Anne Pinnock looking through Instagram, where she discovers that Sean Paul has a new girl. So she calls her girls and they come over to help her get him out of her head, well hair.
The girls clearly had the best time ever doing this music video, what with pizza and cocktails what more do they want? I feel that this is a normal day in the Little Mix house. (Also YouTube commenter Aimee Johnson joked that Fifth Harmony built this house for Little Mix, because of the music video "Work From Home").
I feel Sean Paul adds a little something special to the song and the music video, even though he isn't really needed and his verse is difficult to hear and understand, it allows Leigh-Anne to be the central character for a change and the girls now have a direct link as to why they're trying to get someone out of their hair.
Overall, one of the best slumber party music videos I have seen. Little Mix are happy and acting themselves. Sean Paul appears on Leigh-Anne's phone, making this all seem real, they are definitely relaxed. I don't understand how they get through five pizzas in total though. Relatable, energetic, meaningful, emotional. This is a perfect music video, even if it is a little embarrassing.
Three hours searching for a new release with a music video, last night alone. PLUS the two hours this morning. PLUS the three hours this evening. I have done a total of eight hours, researching this new release, on top of the almost 60 hours of work I've done this week has made me extremely exhausted. But this blog isn't strictly mainstream, and so any officially music video can be reviewed. I was actually worried I wasn't going to find a new release that had a music video. Stepping right out of my comfort zone with this review, hence the extended research, here's some bhangra music for you all. Jay Status and DJ Sanj, once again, collaborate bringing Bhangra to the stage, no sign of DJ Sanj, but Jay Status shows us he's moves in Dhul Gayi.
Jay Status, real name Stephen Singh, actually comes from Coventry in the UK. He is working with DJ Sanj hoping to revive Indian folk and Bhangra songs with a more western sound. Although he is not well known or popular chart wise, he has a lot of twitter followers and facebook fans, proving he is known in Punjabi music. He has released a number of singles, he's most popular being "Katal Kare", as well as a live album. I presume an official album is highly anticipated. DJ Sanj comes from Canada. He is an international success, having worked with a number of artists. He has already made quite a name for himself, and although he is popular, that isn't going to stop him from releasing music. This song was written by Sabhi Chahal.
The music video as a whole has a good budget, with a lot going on as well as extras. The bhangra dancing isn't at all complex, with Jay Status only being able to dance to the chorus of the song.
The woman who plays the love interest is smiling throughout the video, as if she's not taking this seriously at all, this suggests that it's a little fun and it has a comedic side.
There are three different scenes in this video, all of which look like it's set on a stage. The snow scene is picturesquely visual. The water scene purifies the music video, with some fun and games at the start of the scene. The last scene is totally different, it reminds me of summer.
The dancers are smiling through out this music video, it's obvious they not only enjoyed themselves but they had a bit of a laugh. Hardly any of them are taking the dancing seriously, which suggests that it's light hearted. The entire thing is comedic to a degree and that portrays well.
Overall, this is intriguing to say the least. I did expect a comedic side, from the little knowledge I have from the eight hours of extended research I did for this music video, but experiencing it visually makes it more understandable and entertaining.
Ms. Dynamite finishes off my entire Birmingham Pride 2016 Special as my Thursday Revisit. I reviewed "Dy-Na-Mi-Tee" earlier this week, and it's nice to return to her to end this Special. This song was released in anticipation of a new album in 2011, but that so-called album was never released. She followed up with 2013 single "Cloud 9", but no new solo music was released there after. She has been trying out different sounds for a few years now, and I think she's finally found her place, fingers crossed a new album is on the way. Ms. Dynamite went down a totally different path with this song, a relaxed performance, she is a professional artist.
Ms. Dynamite, real name Naomi McLean-Daley, has had a successful career thus far. She has had plenty of hits, both as a solo artist and on featured singles. It's rare to come across anyone who doesn't know her name, and yet she hasn't released a new album in over ten years. A comeback must surely be on the horizon. This song was released in 2011, yet didn't take that well compared to her other singles. It's obvious this was the wrong path to go down, and I'm glad she didn't rush to push out this album as it would not have helped her career. I am hoping she sticks to the dance/house genre to which she has had recent hits with various DJ's, as it totally suits her voice.
The music video is a simple performance piece, that not only shows off Ms. Dynamite as a performer, but it also shows what they tried to do with this song, although it does seem they've mixed a reggae song with an R&B song badly and it just doesn't work. It reminds me of when you're listening to the radio, but you haven't tuned it in to the right frequency so that you have two songs competing to be played.
There's not a lot to this music video. Ms. Dynamite is relaxed during the performance, she has so much soul in both her voice and her body. She knows exactly what she is doing, she's been doing it for years, and she is performing this to the best of her ability.
There's a few other scenes that distracts us from her set. The dancers are the main concept that doesn't make sense. The choreography doesn't go with the song, and the dancing scene isn't long enough, it suggests that they knew it didn't work, but included it anyway.
Overall, Ms. Dynamite does what she loves, gives a solid performance that will be perfect on stage. She does her best with what she has been given, but this video isn't anything special, there's not enough going on, with more focus on the song than the video in itself.
The final big announcement for Birmingham Pride 2016 was Blonde! This duo has been setting the chart alight in recent years and they are releasing banger after banger. They will be the perfect act on the main stage as they are definitely not short of hit singles. Blonde and Alex Newell collaborate on this awesome track which relinquishes a woman's past love, she's all cried out and is over it now.
Blonde are a house production duo consisting of Jacob Manson and Adam Englefield. They hit worldwide success with "I Loved You" which features Melissa Steel. Continuing on with that success, they have recently released a song with Craig David, "Nothing Like This", which is firing up the UK singles chart. This duo is the one to watch, they're current, they're releasing hit after hit, and I'm sure a number one is going to be their next step. Alex Newell features on this track, he is going much further than we all first thought he would when he appeared on The Glee Project, and later Glee. He has pushed for a music career and boy has he got one, he is making waves on both sides of the Atlantic, more so in the UK. Alex Newell is the name we're all watching out for, a vocal superstar, he is a talent that will reach new heights soon enough. This song hit number four on the UK charts and was written by Lucas Secon, Cass Lowe, Jacob Manson, Adam Englefield, D. McLean and Rachel Keen.
Directed by Can Evgin, and features Louise Monot as the actress in this fully narrative music video.
The story develops as the song continues. It fully relates to the lyrics, as we watch her pack a bag, that contains a photo and a gun. Louise gets alcohol from a store before going to a garage and holding a mechanic hostage whilst stealing a gas cylinder.
The whole experience doesn't make sense especially since the getaway could be easily spotted by any police car. They arrive at a dock to which they get on board a speed boat, and just as I think the storyline has nothing to do with the song, they send the bag on it's floating merry way and shoot at it from a far distance.
This is where the budget was not blown. They spent so much money on everything that leads up to this monumental point, that they clearly didn't have enough to afford a special effects team or an amazing animation team to make the explosion look real. Instead we are left with an obvious fake blast that fails in every aspect. Very unexciting ending, with an incredible anticipated lead-up.
Overall, a perfect narrative video that epically fails at the end, and yet it's still believable regardless. The ending may look unrealistic, yet it answers all our questions and relates it right back to the song.
