If someone had told me a year ago that Imagine Dragons would be teaming up with a bunch of rappers including Lil Wayne and fellow rock band X Ambassadors, I would've laughed in that person's face. This collaborative effort mixes indie and rock with extremely current rap and some old skool rap too, and it works so well! It was part of the Suicide Squad soundtrack, hence why there are clips of the film shown throughout. A big collaborative effort for this video set in Belle Reve. Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa and Imagine Dragons are in the DC prison with Logic, Ty Dollar $ign and X Ambassadors for "Sucker For Pain".
Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Carter Jr., is one of the biggest prolific rappers in the world, having had many hits he has really made a name for himself. But I never thought he'll ever collaborate with an indie rock band! Imagine Dragons have come a long way since they hit the music scene back in 2012. They currently consist of Dan Reynolds, Daniel Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman and Will Wells. The group have been doing well for themselves and will definitely continue to bat out hit after hit. Wiz Khalifa, real name Cameron Thomaz, needs no introduction since he is one of the biggest current rappers about at the moment and he will continue to impact the music industry in a big way. This song features Logic, real name Sir Robert Hall II, is fairly new on the scene, especially in the UK, with this song being the only one to chart over here, and yet his rap is so on point in this song that he definitely stands out. I'd keep my eye on Logic, he is bound to have a hit solo single in the future. Ty Dollar $ign is fairly new in the UK public eye, real name Tyrone Griffin Jr., he is mostly known for his collaboration with Fifth Harmony on "Work For Home", as well as featuring on Nick Jonas' "Bacon". He is definitely coming into his own as a rapper and people just want to work with him, and we can't blame them. X Ambassadors is another rock band and completes this collaboration. They consist of Sam Harris, Casey Harris, Noah Feldshuh and Adam Levin. They have had limited success so far and have collaborated with some prolific stars. This won't be the last we've heard from them. This isn't something we would expect, yet it works so well, especially as part of the soundtrack to Suicide Squad which also includes twenty one pilots' "Heathens". This song was written by Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., Cameron Tomaz, Sir Robert Hall II, Tyrone Griffin Jr., Ben McKee, Dan Platzman, Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Sam Harris and Alexander Grant.
Since the song is part of the Suicide Squad soundtrack, we totally expected to have scenes from the film intercut throughout and that is exactly what we got. Not only that, but it's set in Belle Reve, the DC prison. The concept can also be seen in twenty one pilots' "Heathens".
Linking in well, the artists are all performing in various contained cells. A full performance piece throughout that really showcases each of the singers, although the bands themselves aren't highlighted that well.
Logic completely dominates in the visual clip and in the song, his rap is on fire throughout as everything else fades away. As a complete package, the song works and it is catchy. The visual video is great and each act has something to give to the video.
On the other hand, there isn't a lot going on in the video, there's not enough to comment on, and at the same time, it's difficult to watch as there just is too many singers in this video. It's like they're all competing to have the most visual time, although as soon as Logic turns up, he completely wins us over.
Martin Garrix is back in the top ten everybody, finally! Since the number one spot is held by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey with "Closer", which currently does not have a music video, it has opened the top ten up for my Chart Mondays special. Just inside the top ten is this song, a collaboration between Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha. It's unsurprising to see it up in the charts since it is infectiously catchy. Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix watch a storm attack their pool before diving off the boards caressing one another amongst the water and the fish all "In The Name Of Love".
Martin Garrix, real name Martijn Garritsen, is mostly known for his number one hit "Animals", his follow-up singles didn't do so well and he soon disappeared. Now he's back with another hit song, filled with synths and raging beats that we can't get enough of, which is complemented by a wonderful female vocal, this song is fire! Bebe Rexha, real name Bleta Rexha, is a star in the making, slowly but surely working her way up in the music industry and the global charts, she's hitting out the bangers at the minute and featuring on all the important songs. A fighter makes her way to the top, keep your eyes on Bebe Rexha, because with a vocal range like this, she'll make it to the top. This song was written by Martijn Garritsen, Matthew Radosevich, Ruth Anne Cunningham, Stephen Philibin, Ilsey Juber, Bebe Rexha and Yael Nahar.
This is visually amazing, a stunning video throughout. It is completely well edited and definitely brilliant to watch.
The whole thing is mainly a performance piece of Bebe Rexha, with Martin Garrix appearing quite static throughout. As the storm rolls in, the amazing editors make the water splash in time with the musical synths, whilst the storm also rages in time with the music.
Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix just stand there watching the storm rip away what should be gentle scenery, before jumping in and becoming one with the storm, all in the name of love.
The whole concept is beautiful and intricate, but there's just something missing, it isn't as engaging as it should be, and they don't quite manage to portray love towards one another, they seem like friends rather than anything more. There's not a lot else to comment on, apart from seeing fish in the pool, which is a unique twist.
Let's be honest, MØ has been trying unsuccessfully to crack the worldwide charts for a few years now, luckily she teamed up with Major Lazer and the rest is history. This song has blown up, especially after the amazing "Lean On" and "Cold Water", if it wasn't for those songs, would this have done so well globally? There are a tonne of amazing songs that just doesn't get the recognition that they truly deserve and this could've been one of them. However, that fate is left to many other songs as this one rages the charts around the world. MØ acts sweet and innocent throughout this video, showing off her performance vibes to this Final Song, but it won't be her last!
MØ, real name Karen Marie Ørsted Andersen, has released quite a few singles, but this is the song that has pushed her into success. Her collaborations are what have given her the fame to gain momentum in the music industry. As I've said many times before, promotion is key, MØ has promoted herself as an artist by featuring on songs that become popular. Now she's impacting the music industry in a big way, but she needs to hold on to her popularity as it can easily slip and MØ could easily disappear. However, she's built herself up to this point, so I doubt she'll lose it completely like many have done before her. This song is so catchy, that it kind of reminds me of "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten, it has the same feel to it, and the more it's heard the more appealing it becomes. It was written by Karen Marie Ørsted, Noonie Bao and Uzo Emenike (known as MNEK). The latter songwriter has been on form lately, writing and collaborating with amazing stars.
Directed by Tomas Whitmore, it is effortlessly beautiful throughout. MØ has this performance style that is unbeatable, it's rare to find in a singer, but she has got it. So much energy released out to her listeners and watchers, I'm in awe of her.
Her dancing is on point throughout. There is not a lot of movement in the choreography, but I guess floating effortlessly does take it's toll on the body. Her lines are flawless, this is a girl who can dance and stylishly too.
The shadow effects on the desert floor are awesome to watch throughout, but it's the floating that is perfection. It takes skill to perfect floating nicely, yet MØ works it look totally natural. This is so believable that it looks too real. We all know it's special effects, and yet it's more that perfection, it's more than flawless, it just works amazingly!
Overall, this performance piece is engaging, interesting and totally out of this world. MØ is a rising star, and I hope she continues her success in her upcoming music ventures because if this is what she can do in a music video, she must be brilliant live on stage. This video may be missing a narrative, but the performance definitely makes up for it.
Ariana Grande has always been one of those people I have kept my eye on. Her music is amazing and her vocal ability is outstanding, and this song just proves my point and even though I don't love it as much as her previous songs, I can't deny that it touches me and it's catchy. Ariana Grande goes to the Honeymoon Inn with her bodyguard lover, but as he watches over her at a party, she spots an ex; she soon leaves with the bodyguard following, ready to take her away.
Ariana Grande first hit the scene in TV show Victorious playing Cat Valentine before starring in a spin-off show. Now, she is long from that children's series and now is one of the hottest female singers in the world, definitely the pop princess of this generation. She's worked hard to get where she is now and she has had the career many have dreamed of. She won't stop, that's for sure, especially when she keeps releasing fire song after fire song. This song was written by Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, Ilya Salmanzadeh and Ariana Grande.
Directed by Hannah Lux Davis and featuring actor Don Benjamin as Ariana Grande's love interest, the video is both narrative and performance based, more focusing on the relationship between Ariana Grande and Don Benjamin.
The narrative side of the video is very romanticised. It's clear that these two manage to establish a connection, really focusing on the love for each other. They easily fall into their character roles although it's clear that kissing one another was a little held back.
However, the two manage to be playful and manage to portray chemistry which is usually found at the start of relationships.
As Don Benjamin watches over her at a party, we see her not having the best time as she spots one of her ex's kissing another girl. I would have also left the party if I were her, shame I haven't got a sexy bodyguard watching over me and prepared to whisk me away on a motorbike, maybe one day.
As for the short performance scene shown throughout, Ariana Grande clearly means every word she is singing. This song means a lot to her, and it means a lot to me too, because people need the confidence to make a move, it's why I always end up making a move. Confidence should always be rewarded in my book, and clearly Ariana Grande agrees.
As a complete package, this video has it all, but the narrative is slightly confusing. The kissing scenes seem awkward and unnatural. However, they make it up to the watchers in the end as they manage to show chemistry and complete engagement throughout.
Melanie C is back with this scorching new song, which I'm sure DJ's will be remixing this song like crazy. I feel like this needs to be played whilst I'm on the dancefloor but maybe a remix version, there's just something that isn't quite giving me the club vibe that is probably meant to be there. Catchy nonetheless, though. Melanie C dances her way through this performance-based video for "Anymore" whilst we see home-videos of dancers.
Melanie C, full name Melanie Chisholm, has said she won't be reforming with the Spice Girls along with Victoria Beckham, leaving Mel B, Geri Horner and Emma Bunton to go as a three-piece. But this is the reason why Melanie C isn't signing up to reform, she's relaunching her solo career, again, and although the single isn't doing that well on the UK iTunes Chart, I can see this being a grower and a climber, because this tune is banging once you've heard it a few times. It is the lead single from her seventh studio album, she has never had a UK number one album yet, could she do it this time around?
There's not a lot to this music video. Melanie C's theatrical performance piece is spot-on, which is what we expect from her. She floods the song with emotion as she lets go during the chorus. The only problem I have is that the chorus feels more like a bridge, and I'm expecting something even more catchy, but it just doesn't quite hit the mark.
As for the scenes intercut throughout, there's nothing enlightening. I feel like a watcher, or someone walking past these people who are dancing on the street. I feel no connection whatsoever, and so their dancing doesn't move me one bit. Yet I feel like that's the whole plan and it links in with the lyrics more, so it's quite clever, yet it pushes the audience away.
This one's a hard one, it's relatable to an extent and yet it fails to draw interest from the watchers. I feel like there's no substance to this video, yet there's no substance to the song either. I feel like we're missing a major catchy chorus, and I just feel lost during the video even if it is relatable in every way. What are your thoughts?
