Sofia Carson - Love Is The Name



The new batch of Disney stars is upon us, with the helping hand of amazing Disney film Descendants which is already in talks of a sequel, two stars are to hit the music industry hard. Dove Cameron and Sofia Carson are the next Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez. Amazing actresses, singers and all round performers, they're the ones who will be topping the charts all over the world in the next decade or so. Watch out for them both. Sofia Carson is the first on the scene with this typical summer tune, singing on point, dancing on point, and looks on point, this gorgeous girl will go far!

Sofia Carson's big break was as Evie in Disney's 'Descendants', she plays The Evil Queen's daughter and has been confirmed for the sequel to be released next year. I fell in love with the film from the get-go, magical performances, amazing songs and great acting, even my parents loved the film, and that's saying something since they don't like musicals/ It was directed and choreographed by Kenny Ortega, who did 'Dirty Dancing', 'Hocus Pocus' and 'High School Musical'. Sofia Carson has many other roles lined up in the future, and I'm excited to see her turn up in many more films and tv shows. She's a star in the making, so it's not surprising that Hollywood Records and Republic Records signed her up on a joint worldwide record deal. This is her first single since signing, written by Steve Mac, Ina Wroldsen, Ewald Pfleger, Guenter Grasmuck, Peter Niklas Gruber, Herwig Tremschnig and Kurt Plisnier, the song interpolates Opus' "Live Is Live". Very catchy, this is the song that gets stuck in my head easily, definitely a hit, a great first single. An exclusive version was also released featuring J Balvin.

The video was directed by Brandon Bonfiglio, a pure performance piece that definitely makes Sofia Carson centre of attention, beautifully styled and looking gorgeous she is definitely the next Disney star.

A lot of accomplished choreography in this music video, that is performed effortlessly. Sofia Carson puts all her effort in this music video, as if she is back on Descendants.

The solo performance pieces are beautifully done although Sofia Carson looks slightly uncomfortable attempting to look sexy. Her red dress fades into the red background which definitely doesn't help matters.

Overall a polished performance based music video. Sofia Carson is definitely one to watch as she gains more and more popularity. A great song that is ever-so catchy with a glossy music video, entertaining and lovely filled with heart hands throughout. I can't wait to see what the future brings for her.
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Chart Mondays: No Review. Top 10 UK Singles Chart: 6th May 2016 - 12th May 2016

For a fourth time overall, there is not a song in the top 10 UK singles chart which I can write a music video review for.

Last week I cheated and reviewed Sia's promotional video for "Cheap Thrills", but this time around there is not a single video I can review.

Official UK Charts
Here is the official top 10 UK singles chart:

Drake feat. Wizkid & Kyla - One Dance <---- No official music video yet!
Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna - This Is What You Came For <---- No official music video yet!
Sia - Cheap Thrills <---- No official music video yet!
Mike Posner - I Took A Pill In Ibiza
Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign - Work From Home
DNCE - Cake By The Ocean
Zara Larsson - Lush Life
Galantis - No Money <---- No official music video yet!
Alan Walker - Faded
Tinie Tempah feat. Zara Larsson - Girls Like

Jennifer Lopez - Ain't Your Mama



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Recently released, this just puts J Lo back on the music radar. Jennifer Lopez is back! But is she here to stay, that is the main question. She's forever dipping in and out of music like dolphins porpoising in water. She releases hit after hit and then takes a break. She has taken up a residency at The Axis auditorium located in the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, where Britney Spears' residency 'Piece of Me' is, in Las Vegas. Titled 'All I Have', the first leg, consisting of ten dates, were completely sold out. This song is extremely catchy. Jennifer Lopez sports different looks and characters in this upbeat video for Ain't Your Mama. A women empowerment theme, dancing, acting and visually amazing, this video has it all.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
Jennifer Lopez is probably the only artist I know of who has had a music career spanning more than a decade and not released a greatest hits album. Amassing an amazing amount of global hits, this singer needs to release a greatest hits album filled with all her high charting singles. Instead she just comes back stronger and harder every time, with perfect songs that impacts the charts around the world. This song, however, has yet to chart in the UK, but with the video just being released, and the slow popularity on radio, it might be a brilliant climber. This song was written by Meghan Trainor, Lukasz Gottwald, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Henry Walter, Theron Thomas and Gamal Lewis. Completely sassy the song is about men finding their girl incredibly sexy at the start of the relationship and then expecting them to do everything for them further down the line.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
The song caused controversy when released with many Kesha fans urging people to boycott its release. The problem comes from the song being written and produced by Dr. Luke. If you don't know about the Kesha vs. Dr. Luke court case then surely you've been hiding under a rock. The song was written and recorded in 2014 by Meghan Trainor and planned for her debut album 'Title', however it didn't make the cut. Two years down the line, Meghan Trainor gave it to Jennifer Lopez. Dr. Luke was not involved in J Lo's version, but has to be credited as he was part of the original. Regardless of this, it's an amazing song and was definitely made for Jennifer Lopez, her vocals work perfectly for this, I can't imagine Meghan Trainor singing this, but would like to hear how different it is.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
The music video was directed by Cameron Duddy, both performance and narrative, Jennifer Lopez stuns us as six different characters, all with their own style inspired by different eras. It reminds me slightly of "Papi", and is added to her collection of amazing music videos. There is frequent product placement throughout, just like Avril Lavigne's "What The Hell", it's quickly becoming normal within music videos. Vogue magazine, Beluga vodka and Lavazza coffee are some of the most obvious.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
Jennifer Lopez starts off as a news anchor, she's in a phone booth having a heated conversation. Next she's at the desk, ready to give a special announcement, whilst Hilary Clinton's 'Women's Rights Are Human Rights' speech is heard followed by Patricia Arquette's Academy Award speech and finally Gloria Steinem's 'Address to the Women of America' speech. She then tells the women at home to get out of their seats and shout out the window 'I Ain't Your Mama'.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
Various characters are then shown. She plays 1950's house wife, a secretary, a factory worker and a 1980's business woman. Lastly she is shown wearing her thigh-high boots by Rihanna for Manolo Blahnik, gifted to her by the Barbadian singer.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
The final scene is my favourite, Jennifer Lopez dances with a group of women pulling off complex choreography proving that she can sing, dance and act, Reminiscent of "Papi", only with a group of women instead of men.

Jennifer Lopez in 'Ain't Your Mama'
Jennifer Lopez is the epitome of a triple threat, a trifecta. However it comes at a consequence. She has established herself in singing, dancing and acting, but she isn't on top in any of those areas. But no one can deny that she is on form. J Lo is back, she's still "Jenny From the Block", but she's the triple threat you don't want to clash with. I expect to see 'Ain't Your Mama' climbing up the UK chart soon enough.
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Meghan Trainor - NO



Untouchable, untouchable, untouchable. Meghan Trainor is definitely one of the biggest artists in the music industry, her songwriting skills have not only landed her at the top of charts around the globe, but many other acts too. She is untouchable, the one we all need to keep watching. In a stance to tell women to stand up for themselves; they don't need a guy in their lives, she sends out some girl power and strengthens her dancing troupe; just say no.

Meghan Trainor first hit the scene with her debut single "All About That Bass" which hit number one in the UK, as well as many other countries. Since then she has been chasing the chart, failing to reach the top with solid hits. Her collaboration with Charlie Puth on "Marvin Gaye" put her back at the top in the UK, but no new solo chart toppers as of yet. This song is her first single from her new album "Thank You" which is expected to be released next week. Charting just outside the top ten at number 11, twice; this wasn't the hit she was expecting. The song reminds me of Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love", although apparently it was inspired by Britney Spears' "Overprotected" with NSYNC and Destiny's Child influences. It was written by Meghan Trainor, Eric Frederic and Jacob Kasher Hindlin.

Directed by Fatima Robinson and Barnaby Roper, the video is a strength in unity and girl power dance video, that has amazing visual performance sides.

Meghan Trainor has curved into a provocative temptress, whilst saying no no no. She's untouchable, she doesn't want to give her name, her sign, her number, no no no. Guys stay away, she's independent and wants to stick with her girls tonight.

The choreography enforces what she is singing and although it isn't complex, as such, it enforces her statements in the song. Set in a warehouse, Meghan Trainor stands out, although that coat does nothing whatsoever for her.

We're all used to seeing this sweet side to Meghan Trainor, but she needs to grow as an artist, and this is a perfect song and video to do just that. Encouraging being single, Meghan Trainor is easily becoming the next role-model for young girls, and although the video is pretty saucy, it's totally toned down and pretty average. A nice effort.
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New Release: Radiohead - Burn The Witch



It is extremely refreshing to see a music video that has been worked on so much. In a Camberwick Green meets Hot Fuzz and The Wicker Man style music video, Radiohead's "Burn The Witch" is a tongue-in-cheek video that is fresh and imaginative, making an ingenious political statement in the process.

Radiohead are a five piece alternative rock band consisting of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien and Philip Selway. Returning from a hiatus, Radiohead has made one of the biggest comebacks with this first release from their ninth studio album. The band and the single have both trended worldwide on Twitter, with much hype and love going out to the band. The song is set to chart highly on the UK singles chart this coming Friday, The song has been in talks since 2000, and has been a long awaited single, much like "Nude" which was written 12 years prior to its release. This just proves that Radiohead are focused on recording songs just right, nothing but perfection will do.

Directed by Chris Hopewell, this entire music video took a total of 14 days to complete. Completely focused and detailed, it's so nice to see that a lot of thought went into this music video, and it relates well with the lyrics, even if controversy has flared up.

An inspector visits the town. He refuses to shake the hand of the mayor. The mayor shows the inspector around the village, there's a model village with actual model people moving about, there's a painter putting a red cross on a door (link to an ominous passover), there's a symbolic ritual where a woman is tied up, there's a gallows that has been dolled up with flowers. And then there's the big finale, there's a big wooden wicker man, which the inspector is encouraged to climb into by the mayor, and then is set alight. At the end, we find out the inspector has survived this incredible ordeal.

Every minute detail is spoken for in this music video, a lot of effort, which totally has paid off. This is something I could watch again and again and again.

It takes me back to a childhood I barely remember. A few children's TV shows has used this stop-motion animation plenty of times before as well as some advertisements and commercials. Definitely inspired by Camberwick Green, Trumpton and Chigley (all three series are part of the Trumptonshire trilogy). It is also being compared to the likes of The Wicker Man and Hot Fuzz, there is a lot of links and references to these films, which can be found here.

Overall, I love this so much, it stands out on any music channel, it relates perfectly with the song. Tongue-in-cheek, surprising and definitely interesting, this music video has it all, a perfect narrative with a tonne of effort that definitely pays off. With the amount of YouTube hits this video has been getting, as well as the chart placing this Friday, Radiohead is officially back!
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