Have I just watched some Sia promotional video? This certainly isn't anything professionally official, and yet is is classed as the official music video for the Switzerland Entry into the Eurovision Song Contest, which came 18th in the second semi-final with only 28 points. Actually a really nice song, but the performance totally let itself down. Rykka performs side-on during this emotional song that is not portrayed visually at all, but is definitely better performed than her Eurovision performance, although visually it isn't.
Kicking off my Eurovision 2016 Special is Rykka, real name Christina Rieder. She comes from Canada, and originally released acoustic folk music under her real name, She soon developed a taste for pop music and Rykka was born. She is on a new path now and although she failed at Eurovision, it may not be the last time we see her, clearly she's a trier, and triers always come on top, eventually. The song is about standing for love at the end of the world. It was written by Christina Maria Rieder, Mike James, Jeff Dawson and Warne Livesey.
This music video is completely bland. Rykka stands out purely because there is nothing else in the video, just black space.
Rykka is put on a spotlight, but there's nothing to watch because she isn't even looking at the camera, and as for performance vibes, they are aimed the wrong way.
There is just nothing to this, nothing for me to comment on, and I am pretty sure Rykka is a much better performer than she is in this music video. She showcased that during the Semi-Finals, apart from her awkward knee-bending that made no sense whatsoever. However, great song that would've done well if not for the performance of the song.
This is one massive collaborative effort, not only is CAZZETTE joining forces with AronChupa and The High, they also join forces with Hello There Games. This is not the first time an artist has worked with this gaming company, they follow in the footsteps of Avicii, who released 'Avicii | Gravity', however switching it up entirely making a whole dramatic music video which is more like a prologue to the game. CAZZETTE, with the help of AronChupa and The High gives this entertaining music video for She Wants Me Dead, featuring a survival rhythmic game of the same name.
CAZZETTE is a Swedish musical duo consisting of Alexander Björklund and Sebastian Furrer. Friends with Avicii, they have toured and performed with the DJ. Attempting to make an impact with their own music, already slightly known in their home country, their music is ready to hit the world. They just need much more promotion. AronChupa, real name Aron Ekberg, gained prominence in 2014 with his song "I'm An Albatraoz" which topped the Swedish chart as well as peaking at number 25 here in the UK. His follow-up singles didn't fare so well. He is one fifth of band Albatraoz, who are part of Byttorps IF, which is a fourth division professional football club. Music is a side project as they all focus on their football careers. As for the featured artist, The High, I can't find any information whatsoever, apart from The High being a UK vocalist. If anyone knows anything more than that about The High, please let me know below. The song overall is catchy, definitely something I would listen to over and over again. Quite reminiscent of a few songs, especially "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega & DNA.
The video is a fully narrative animation piece that is in almost total black and white. The video has segments of the game shown in certain scenes, allowing the viewers to see actual game footage.
Lula is our main character, she is a cat who is not happy with the way her owner, Max, is treating her. Pushing her off the bed, spilling toothpaste on her face, not letting her eat the goldfish. So Lula hacks a plan to get her own back, she will kill Max. First she kills him when he wakes up, an axe to the head. Then she sends a missile to his apartment.
Lula is an eccentric. She has an extremely vivid imagination that we are clearly invited into. In theory the narrative has a weird ending, because Lula ends up killing Max twice from what we can see, even though she has many different plans.
I am not so keen on the black & white theme, however it goes with the game as the game wouldn't work in full colour. On the other hand it makes the music video and the game cheap and low budget, and although the low budget games are usually the best, this doesn't quite meet expectations.
As for the game itself, it's difficult to play, and gets more challenging in itself. A very unique idea, where the game changes to the beat of the music. Intricate and detailed, it totally works well. Very addicting and slightly aggravating, this will have you screaming with joy to get to a checkpoint, and throwing your phone when you have to start from the beginning again.
Overall a brilliant idea of a collaboration, the first music video prologue to a game I have come across that works amazingly as a promotion for the game, the song, the artists and the game developers. Great idea, great translation, dysfunctional narrative full of illusion with a double confusing ending.
Back to when J Lo was on top! Jenny From The Block is definitely her signature song. Another song and music video that hits back at the paparazzi and how they can change a star, especially since celebrities can't do normal things because photographers are following them everywhere. Many artists have done songs and videos in reference to this, so I'm not surprised that J Lo has done one too. Jennifer Lopez gives us an insight into her life, showing she has no privacy. No matter what she'll always be Jenny From The Block.
Jennifer Lopez was at the height of her career at this point, hitting track after hit track. She still hasn't released a Greatest Hits album, although she definitely needs one as there are many amazing singles in her collection. Although this song only got to number three, here in the UK, it's still recognised as one of her biggest singles, purely because no one else can cover the song unless they themselves are also called Jenny. The song samples many other songs which are "Heaven And Hell Is On Earth" by 20th Century Steel Band, "South Bronx" by Boogie Down Production as well as "Hi-Jack" by Jose Fernando Arbex Miro, this caused controversy because The Beatnuts also used "Hi-Jack" on their song "Watch Out Now" and they believe their sample of "Hi-Jack" was used. They received royalties for this song. This is why there is a lot of song writers, who are: Jennifer Lopez, Troy Oliver, Mr. Deyo, Samuel Barnes, Jean Claude Olivier, Jose Fernando Arbex Miro, Lawrence Parker, Scott Sterling, Michael Oliver, David Styles and Jason Phillips. The latter two are the rappers who are featured on the track, they are mostly known from the band The LOX.
The video was directed by Francis Lawrence. It has Ben Affleck as the love interest, who was Jennifer Lopez's fiancé at the time. They were known by media as Bennifer, and they broke off their engagement citing the media interest as the main reason.
This entire video shows that they didn't have any privacy in their relationship, no matter what they did, the media knew what they were doing. This has been the case with lots of stars and they hit out through music and the videos, just look at Britney Spears' "Piece of Me", "Everytime" and "I Wanna Go".
The performance side to the video, works perfectly, Jennifer Lopez definitely knows how to perform, which goes without saying, she would be amazing to see live.
Overall an impactful music video that covers something that will always be an issue. It accompanies the song well, but it doesn't stand out, we've seen J Lo with much better videos. A signature song, with a signature scene and a common theme, that we've seen a lot of already.
After reviewing Sofia Carson's "Love Is The Name", how can I not review Dove Cameron's cover single? Singing the amazing debut single from Christina Aguilara "Genie In A Bottle" will always be one of my childhood songs, now Dove Cameron has released it to a new generation. Playing her 'Descendants' character, Mal, daughter of Maleficent; Dove Cameron becomes a genie in a bottle, in this magically induced music video.
Dove Cameron is one of a few new Disney stars who will become part of the next batch of Disney superstars! On the tails of Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers; Dove Cameron has been trying to kickstart her music career whilst doing well on the Disney Channel. She is mostly known for playing Liv and Maddie in the show of the same name. She is also one half of The Girl and the Dreamcatcher. She is currently filming the fourth season to 'Liv and Maddie' and plans on being in 'Descendants 2', which I am so excited about. This song is a cover of the Christina Aguilera hit of the same name, written by David Frank, Steve Kipner and Pamela Sheyne.
Directed by Jay Martin, this music video coincides with 'Descendants: Wicked World' animated series. It includes the famous Aladdin lamp.
Mal gets swept up inside the lamp after she rubs it. Mal explores and is transformed into this beautiful Genie. The love interest is quite sinister, hiding in the shadows.
The dancing and choreography is on point through-out, Dove Cameron shines, she is a perfect performer and the spotlight is on her.
The ending doesn't reveal the love interest and leaves a few questions unanswered. But it works nonetheless.
An innocent music video for a not-so-innocent song, that children are too innocent to understand. It wasn't until I was older that I realised how sexualised this song was, and I had been singing Christina Aguilera's version since I was six years old. Great production piece overall, works well with the film and the series, and I cannot wait for 'Descendants 2', just hope it's not too long of a wait.
P!nk is back with a whole new track that I have fallen in love with. I used to be a massive P!nk fan, but after her most recent album, I went totally off her. Personally, I believe she went down the wrong path and released an album that wasn't her at all. However artists are meant to grow and learn from their mistakes, even if that album and it's corresponding singles did well globally. Now she's recorded a song for the new film 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' and I can't wait to see what path it takes her down, hopefully it's not a rabbit hole. P!nk inspires her inner Alice and the Mad Hatter in this music video for the feature film. Just Like Fire is a perfect representation of the film and the song.
P!nk, real name Alecia Moore, most recently became a part of a duo called You + Me with Dallas Green, who is known under the stage name City and Colour as well as one of the members of rock band Alexisonfire. Now she's back releasing her own music, has her style changed with her new songs once again? Will she make me a fan of her music again? Well, if her new music is anything like this then I might just reinvest in her albums! Just Like Fire was written by Alecia Moore, Max Martin, Karl Johan Schuster (Shellback) and Oscar Holter.
Directed by Dave Meyers, the music video takes place in P!nk's home, where's she's just hanging around whilst keeping an eye on her child, Willow Sage Hart. Her husband, Carey Hart, comes in to ask if she's going to hang around all day. To which P!nk clearly ignores that and continues to silk dance.
P!nk's daughter, Willow, takes an active role in this, she follows the blue butterfly through the mirror, and just like a great parent P!nk follows her through into the mystical world of Wonderland.
She walks into a chess like game where P!nk clones are the actual chess pieces, the game is confusing, but what part of Wonderland isn't confusing? P!nk looks amazing in this visual shot, perfect costume and amazing hair, as always. A slightly freaky scene that must've taken forever to make and edit.
Naturally the mad hatters tea party makes an appearance. She could pull off being his wife so easily. Then she falls but stops mid-air whilst Time keeps an eye on her. He goes and talks to Willow, which makes P!nk fight to be let down, a mother's instinct. Intricate images and clips are used next, from both the film and from P!nk being sent to a mad house.
A great ending, with a magical middle and a brilliant opening. P!nk shines throughout, showing off her performance skills and on-stage presence. An amazing song and music video for Alice Through The Looking Glass. We all had hoped for an Avril Lavigne follow-up to "Alice", but this does it justice! A perfect, faultless music video.
