Sean Smith is back! This popped up on my iTunes and reminding me to feature it on my blog! He was one-half of duo Same Difference, but now apart, Sean Smith has found a new record label and has released this energising single that does have old Same Difference vibes but with a slightly more mature sound and lyrics. I do miss Same Difference but for now, I can deal with just Sean Smith. It's time to play some strip poker, dance around at Sean's party and have a brilliant time in this "Turn Me On" music video from Sean Smith!
Sean Smith is best known for competing in The X Factor series four with his sister Sarah Smith under the name Same Difference. They finished third and went on to have a few hit singles. They have recorded a total of three albums, but there have been no releases from their third album, unfortunately. The duo disbanded in 2014 but clearly, Sean Smith pursued a solo career. Now he has released his debut single, where the signed copies quickly sold out. The song was written by Christian Ingebrigtsen & Nalle Ahlstedt. The music video's opening sequence shows the aftermath of a party, the S-E-A-N balloons are amazing, I want J-O-N-N-I balloons, but my J-O-N-N-I lights that I got for my birthday from a bestie are much better!
Sidetracked! Anyhow, the video has a full-on performance piece mixed in the slight narrative, as we watch the party unfold, Sean Smith takes centre stage and dances with two backing dancers (sometimes two girls, sometimes two guys and sometimes a mix). They are all in-sync but the choreography is ten years too late. There's no rhythm in the moves and they're quite static, reminding me of Same Differences "Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)" video. This would work if the song was very bubblegum pop but this isn't a Same Difference song, it's a Sean Smith song, and so the dance moves should flow much better than this.
The party is in full swing, though. Strip poker definitely gives us something to watch, and of course, see all the fitness Sean Smith has been up to recently. Not only that but there are half-naked girls having a pillow fight on the bed, as well as the passing of the strawberry. Kudos for having a guy pass the strawberry to another guy rather than it all being guy-girl action.
As a whole, this video is more of a Same Difference visual than the new mature Sean Smith we expected. The song has a much more pop sound to it; very current. But the video fails to replicate that.
Little Mix are at the top of the UK Singles Chart! And it has a music video! YES! So my Chart Mondays review is easy! They were slated for apparently releasing a similar song to G.R.L.'s "Ugly Heart" but as I stated in my review yesterday, these songs are DIFFERENT! Listening to both songs side by side, you can't hear similarities whatsoever. People really need to stop comparing them. Little Mix are pure fire in this music video for "Shout Out To My Ex" completely showing their stage presence, although would've liked a full-on dance scene.
This group won The X Factor series eight. They consist of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall.The only group to have won the UK version of The X Factor so far and they are still going completely strong. They now have four UK number ones and this single is the first UK number one single of 2016 with a female lead, which is definitely quite shocking! "Shout Out To My Ex" was written by Edvard Førre Erfjord, Henrik Michelsen, Camille Purcell, Iain James, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall.
The music video is a full performance piece with very little choreography thrown in. The visuals are hypnotic but once pulled apart you realise there isn't much to this at all. As others have stated, some scenes resemble other music videos, especially One Direction's "Live While We're Young" whilst the car scene reminds me of Booty Luv's "Some Kinda Rush".
They drive past a guy, but don't give him a ride. They are sexy by the pool; they have fun in the car driving past pretty purple trees. The ending scene splits the girls up, having them perform in front of different objects.
Overall the video is all right. It's a fierce song with a fierce performance visual, but there really isn't a lot going on. It feels more like a behind the scenes of a model shoot than an actual "Shout Out To My Ex" music video. Where's the dancing? Where's the energy? Where's the narrative? Where's the story? It's just missing the spark; this isn't the first Little Mix music video that has failed to impress me. However, they make up for it in the brilliantly catchy songs.
Since everyone is currently comparing this to Little Mix's "Shout Out To My Ex", I thought I'd review this one today. I'd like to state that, personally, THESE SONGS ARE NOT THE SAME! Like Little Mix has said, it's hard to release a song that doesn't sound similar to another song, and people will always be comparing two songs and saying they're the same when they're not. This is just another case! I just feel these are two different songs that aren't remotely similar. G.R.L. gets arrested at a tattoo shop, then taken to the police station. They do a line-up and we see what they've done that's put them here in this "Ugly Heart" music video.
G.R.L. were previously a five-piece girl group tipped to be the next Pussycat Dolls. They consisted of Lauren Bennett, Simone Battle, Emmalyn Estrada, Paula van Oppen and Natasha Slayton. Sadly, Simone Battle passed away and the girl group released "Lighthouse" in honour of her. The group later disbanded but have recently reformed as a three piece with Lauren Bennett, Natasha Slayton and new member Jazzy Mejia. Their first single failed to get any traction; they have a lot of promotion to do if they want to make it big once again. This song was written by Ryan Baharloo, Ester Dean, Lukasz Gottwald, John Charles Monds and Henry Walter. It is their biggest hit to date.
Directed by Chris Marrs Piliero, the video is mainly narrative with a cracking performance piece set inside, these girls can dance!
The girls are arrested in a tattoo shop, so it makes you wonder what they have been doing. We watch them in the back of a police car, in the police station, in a holding room and then finally in a line-up, where we find out what they've done to get them in this situation.
Throughout, the girls have so much energy, they nail the choreography as well as staying in-sync throughout. Sometimes the dancing is slightly off time-wise, but each and every one of them exudes confidence and that's why they pull it off effortlessly.
They climb on tables, they struggle with the police officers and they dance well in the line-up scene, but the best part is definitely the ending when Simone Battle says: "Now your face is like your heart. Ugly."
Overall this video is perfect from start to finish, there's nothing more they could have added to it to make it better. It has a great narrative with a perfect performance piece combined. This is one video I could watch again and again. Also, it's such a loss to know that Simone Battle is no longer with us.
The Pretty Reckless released their new album titled "Who You Selling For" this week, and this is the official first single from the album. After reviewing the album on CelebMix, I thought I might as well continue reviewing one of my favourite bands, amongst many! The Pretty Reckless give a perfect performance in this music video for "Take Me Down", filmed in black and white with a red filter which sets the mood well.
They are a four-piece rock band consisting of Taylor Momsen, Ben Phillips, Mark Damon and Jamie Perkins. The band have been popular here in the UK ever since their first album! They've always done well and some of their best songs were their first singles. However, like all bands, they have developed. Personally, their new album is their best one to date, although if "Wild City" doesn't become a single and get a music video, I'll be very disappointed! This song was written by Taylor Momsen & Ben Phillips.
Directed by Meiert Avis, this pure performance music video has so many energetic vibes, you can tell this band was meant to perform on a stage!
It may be in black and white, but I love the use of the red filter. It prevents the video from being boring, and instead lightens it up and makes it much more interesting.
This video really shows what The Pretty Reckless are like on stage. I love the use of backing singers, and the entire band manages to draw the audience into this video, However, the song would be perfect for some sort of narrative. It's consistent energy but the video doesn't go anywhere.
Nytrix is new this week! Unfortunately, Dami Im hasn't released a music video for her awesome new song, "Fighting For Love", yet. So instead I've chosen this one. Possibly Halloween inspired, perhaps slightly too early. The song is catchy though and it's undeniable that this video is hot! Nytrix entertains as a DJ, whilst Neon Hitch is in a bird cage, distracting everyone, as they steal a fortune in this video for "When Will I See You Again?".
Nytrix is a new DJ who is doing the rounds and is certainly catching some attention. His good looks and fire tracks are propelling him into the music industry. Having remixed a few tracks, he has gone on to release a few singles and remix EPs. He's definitely one of the newcomers to watch. Teaming up with Neon Hitch has definitely given him more exposure. Neon Hitch is her actual name, for those of you who didn't know. She was originally a part of the Archaos circus. She has released a few singles that charted around the world as well as a few EPs, and earlier this year she released her debut album. She is mostly known for featuring on Gym Class Heroes' single "Ass Back Home". This song is definitely a grower, and I could see it becoming a favourite of mine the more I hear it.
The video was directed by Nytrix. The two artists are totally sexed up, obviously Neon Hitch more than Nytrix. Sex totally sells! Just be careful if you ever are near them because they have a habit of stealing everything expensive including watches, rings, bracelets, bags and money. Don't wear anything valuable.
Neon Hitch is centre stage throughout, distracting the viewers whilst her dancers nab anything they can. She dances in a bird cage, I don't know what it is about bird cages but they pop up everywhere.
Throughout Nytrix is stylishly sexy behind the DJ decks, and during a card game. He dons a top hat in the bus scene, totally reminding me of Penguin from Gotham. He can be my DJ at any party!
The dancers are on point every step of the way. Perfect choreography throughout that totally glams the whole thing up. Neon Hitch fails to stun us completely; however, I'm sure straight guys will totally disagree with me. She works it during the bus scene, but she actually comes into her own when she steals the bag off that woman's shoulder and the money on the table.
Overall it's an early Halloween haunting music video, that is totally sexed up; one that may leave you clinging to your jewels; crowns and all. Not quite so relatable to the song which is about love and the feelings that go with it, pining to see that special person again. Yet, with a banger of a tune and a sexy spooky video, does it really matter?
