Nathan Sykes Featuring G-Eazy - Give It Up



Ten days ahead of its release, this song is already the talk of the town. Could this be the hit song Nathan Sykes has been after? His third solo single after "Kiss Me Quick" and "Over and Over Again", both of which are phenomenal songs, but none of which hit the mark the way we all expected them to. They are good songs, just not the hit he so clearly deserves. This could be the one. Nathan Sykes begs his girlfriend to stop with him for the night, but how can she say no in this raunchy display of affection that just makes all us single people full of jealousy.

Nathan Sykes, for those of you who don't know, was one fifth of boy band The Wanted. He is now going it alone, and is releasing amazing singles, that are getting critical acclaim. "Kiss Me Quick" should've done better on the UK charts, with it's disappointingly low chart peak it suggested Nathan Sykes needed a musical change. "Over and Over Again" did much better, although still stalled just inside the top 10. This needs to be the hit he is after, grabbing G-Eazy's fan base as well as his own should push this single into the top five at least, it's certainly getting enough radio play. The song was written by Nathan Sykes, G-Eazy, Talay Riley, Luke James, Matthew Burnett and Riley Bell.

The very steamy video is directed by Michael Baldwin. It has been deemed too provocative for TV screens, this can both help or deter the song's charting position, either it will cause controversy, therefore making the song more popular, or not seeing it on the music channels can stop it from climbing the chart. But this will be Nathan Sykes biggest hit, no doubt. There are worse videos in the world than this make out session. Take a look at the incriminating scenes here. An editied version can be found being played on the music channels.

No sign of the name of the model / actress who plays his love interest, if you have any idea who she is, comment below please.

These two clearly are enjoying themselves. This relates perfectly with the song, even if it is a little too much, even for me. Then again, it's extremely suggestive, and it does make me jealous because I've been in that exact type of relationship, and I seriously miss it, but it's a perfect portrayal of what I had, and what a lot of other people have had. Creating a link with the audience and making a lot of girls and gay guys filled with envy because he's kissing this model and not them (*cough* me *cough*).

G-Eazy, real name Gerald Gillum, has really hit international rapping fame recently, and he's using all that popularity to good use. He's hit the UK hard after his top 10 hit with Grace on "You Don't Own Me". He's one rapper that isn't going away any time soon. But once again, I feel he adds nothing to the song, The lyrics work, but the music change and the rapping doesn't. It's like another song has interrupted Nathan Sykes vocals, however this is what we've come to accept from G-Eazy, and it's surely making him more popular. In the video he fails to entertain. He distracts and does nothing in his scene, just a simple little rap, that adds nothing to the visual at all.

Overall, an amazing song that should hit the UK charts hard, and a banned from UK TV music video that's raunchy, sexy, lustful and a little bit filthy. A much tamed version is being shown on UK TV though. It can be considered a bit much, but it relates to the song and Nathan Sykes and this model clearly had an amazing time during these scenes. They clearly couldn't keep their hands and lips off one another. Sexy clips are more focused on the model, disappointingly so, and G-Eazy fails to make any sort of good impression.
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Chart Mondays: Sia - Cheap Thrills



Breaking my own rules once again, this song looks like it's going to be in the chart for sometime and it doesn't have an official music video, but this 'Performance Edit' is probably the closest we're ever going to get to one. Currently her highest charting solo single, Sia has been on quite a journey, now she's one of the top female singers in the world. Sia hides in the corner of this performance edit video, as Maddie Ziegler once again takes centre stage in an incredible dancing performance proving how professional she really is.

Sia, full name Sia Furler, has had hit after hit, she's the one to watch, the one everyone keeps their eyes on because we all know that whatever she releases will not only be current, but completely change pop music entirely. Yet she only has one number one overall in the UK, and that was the collaboration with David Guetta on the song "Titanium". Her songwriting credits are substantial with many well-known songs by popular artists. Sia will always be the one to watch and look out for. This song is currently sitting at number two on the UK charts, just behind Drake's "One Dance". It was written by Sia Furler and Greg Kurstin. The song was originally intended for Rihanna, who rejected it, it was then passed on to Icona Pop, who also didn't fancy the song. Guess these things happen for a reason, since this is Sia's biggest solo single, in the UK, so far.

this was directed by Sia & Daniel Askill with Ryan Heffington as creative director and choreographer.

There's not a lot to this video, since it is a performance edit video and not an official one. Maddie Ziegler is an outstanding performer and dancer, to which we already know.

She is backed up by two male dancers, who's names were released by Sia's manager David Russell. They are Nick Lanzisera and Wyatt Rocker. It is doubtful whether these two will appear in any of Sia's future videos, however, this is Sia we are talking about, and just look at her continued relation with Maddie Ziegler, who has appeared in a total of four of Sia's music videos: "Chandelier", "Elastic Heart", "Big Girls Cry" and this one (although this is not an official video).

The choreography is nailed to perfection, which is unsurprising since all three dancers are clearly professional. They perform totally in-sync, there's not a line out of place. This is beyond perfect, there's just not a better word out there. This is near to impossible not to get wrong yet all three dancers are flawless.

Overall, this would never work as an official video, but as a promotional performance edit video it is faultless. The choreography is crazily amazing, performed superbly. I love the addition of Sia in the background with her wig on, and yet she takes the spotlight's shadow during a short scene of the video. Amazing, beautiful, perfect, exquisite. Although not appealing, it completely works. I've dropped a star, purely because it's not an official music video, however it wouldn't work as an official video. Broke my rules again, just like I did for Justin Bieber and his "Purpose" album's promotional videos: "The Movement". But so worth it.
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Maroon 5 - Sugar



This was another music video me and my brother's girlfriend chatted about the other night... Such a simple idea, yet next to impossible to pull off, but Maroon 5 managed to do it. This is one of those music videos that will always be inspirational and different, it stands out on any music channel, and works completely, even if it does seem far-fetched. Maroon 5 crash as many weddings as possible in one day, performing for the happy couples in this video for Sugar.

Maroon 5 are a six-piece band consisting of Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, James Valentine, Matt Flynn and PJ Morton. They were originally called Kara's Flowers. Their career as Maroon 5 started off well, everyone was talking about them, but they soon dropped in popularity and it wasn't until Adam Levine appeared as a coach on The Voice and collaborated with fellow coach from the show, Christina Aguilera, on "Moves Like Jagger" that they were back in the spotlight, releasing hit after hit. This song is the third single to be taken from the aptly named fifth album 'V'. It hit the UK chart at number seven and was written by Mike Posner, Adam Levine, Joshua Coleman, Lukasz Gottwald, Jacob Kasher Hindlin and Henry Walter. It was planned to be released by Mike Posner for his 'Pages' album which got cancelled. Maroon 5 wanted it so he gave it to them, he is a fan of the changes the band made to the song.

The video was directed by David Dobkin, who is probably mostly known for directing 'Wedding Crashers', the Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughan film. He has directed and been a part of many other films, some well-known films include 'Fred Claus', 'Mr. Woodcock' and 'Jack The Giant Slayer'. The video has a similar feel to the 'Wedding Crashers' film, and is still getting questioned on whether it was staged or not. Regardless, it's still incredible.

This video is a similar style as Katy Perry's "Birthday", it's definitely reminiscent of that music video. I like how it's in real time and the shocked faces are pretty much real, it's next to impossible to stage everything completely, and even if it is completely staged, it's some amazing acting.

The idea behind the video is to crash as many weddings as they can, apparently the groom is the only one in on it, but they were only told it was a famous band, not who they were. There's a whole lot of technicalities that could and did go wrong, but this is what makes an amazing music video.

My only problem overall is the sexualised content of the lyrics. Even though Katy Perry's "Birthday" is also sexualised, that song relates perfectly with the music video... This one just doesn't relate to the video. It's not like the lyrics has anything to do with weddings, but I guess they couldn't crash people making love, so a wedding was the next best thing right?

Overall, entertaining, shocking and filled with so much love. Congratulations on every couple that got married that day and had MAROON 5 crash their wedding. I'd have them crash my wedding any day of my life.
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Philip George - Wish You Were Mine



After a three hour wait for a game to download thanks to the insistence of my brother and his girlfriend, only for my laptop to the crash whilst we manage to play it; we discussed music videos and this one was the one we talked about, and how it's confusing and doesn't make sense. It surely doesn't relate to the song. Philip George becomes various people, as we follow the central character as he dances his way through the day, in the wish you were mine music video.

Philip George is a 22-year-old DJ from Nottingham in the UK. This is his debut single released on 3Beat Records, his follow-up single "Alone No More" was as much of a chart success as this song was. It seems Philip George is the DJ to watch as he releases hit after hit after hit, and with 3Best behind him all the way, promoting his every step, we'll definitely be seeing more from him. This song hit number two in the UK, just missing out from the top spot thanks to "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. The song samples "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder. Hence why the song was written by Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy and Henry Cosby.

The music video is intricately thought out, although it doesn't relate and it doesn't make sense.

The start is unsettling slow and focuses on the home setting and his home life. the video inspires dreams and to go after what you want. He turns on his music player and envisions a day filled with dancing, wishing a girl would be his.

Although there isn't a central love interest, the start suggests that the girl he passes on the street is who he is thinking of. The neighbour is an incredible dancer, but it's too obvious that it's a fake setting, it's supposed to make us realise we're in his daydream, yet it just confuses us more with the spotlights.

Philip George turns up in this video as one sexy policeman (I'd stand in front of that window all day if it meant he would appear and tell me to stop looking)! He appears as a good looking shop keeper (I'd be in that shop all the time, not going to lie), and a bus driver (less emphasis on him in this scene). Philip George sees the dancers dancing in reflections or on a camera, and yet they are just going about their normal days,. This is the kid's daydream, and yet Philip George can also see the daydream. It's a nice idea although it suggests the kid wishes Philip George was his, instead of actively including a love interest for the kid.

The ending tells us that this is all a daydream, but the kid smiles nonetheless. He's clearly obsessed with this song and this is what goes through his head whenever he hears it.

Unrelatable and yet some pretty good dancing that is slightly in time with the song. It's not suggestive enough leaving the audience confused. It doesn't make sense and it doesn't relate to the song. This could be linked with any song and it still wouldn't make a difference. A nice idea that isn't followed through enough.
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New Release: AlunaGeorge Featuring ZHU - My Blood



If you want her blood, her love, you have better come see her. AlunaGeorge's amazing new song is quite the grower, much like their other songs. Aluna takes centre stage as always in this cold stare of a video, or should I say visualette? Aluna Francis doesn't do much in her bedroom, apart from stare at her reflection in a broken mirror, telling someone that they better come see her if they want her blood or her love.

AlunaGeorge are a duo consisting of Aluna Francis and George Reid. They have had various occasional hits, with many of their singles not charting at all, however they did get a critically acclaimed debut album. They're ready to follow up with their next album 'I Remember', but their single releases haven't exactly been popular. This song has got me slightly excited to see what is to come, as this is quite the grower, something I could totally see radio picking up as weeks go by, although it doesn't feel like a chart success. The song features ZHU, real name Steven Zhu, who is a music producer and has had a massive worldwide hit with "Faded". His follow-up singles didn't prove so well, but he'll be one that never strays too far from the limelight, definitely will see another chart hit from him soon, no doubt. The song was written by Aluna Francis, George Reid, Steven Zhu and Dante Jones.

Directed by Daniel Iglesias Jr. the video is a visualisation of strength. Aluna Francis acts well, you can feel her pain; her sadness. Her cold stare sends chill waves to me, I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of her.

Aluna Francis hand-dries her hair, either she's just had a shower or she's come in from a massive storm; the state of the bedroom suggests the latter creatively.

There's a lot of close ups, the smoke rising from the cigarette in the ashtray sends the entire video hazy. Seven years bad luck from the broken mirror, reflects the small amount of change she has.

She performs effortlessly, you can really tell this song means so much to her, and I'm captured by her performance in the mirror, she knows exactly how to send emotion out, and she does an amazing job.

Overall, a pure relaxed performance piece, filled with pain and sadness. Effortlessly portrayed in this visualette, that is an outstanding piece of work, it relates, it's cold and creepy, yet simple and artistic. There's not much else to say.
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