Here's The X Factor's winner's single, and it's actually a Christmas song this time around. Adding some Christmas spirit might just get the winner's single to the top of the charts once again. Yet, that didn't quite happen, since it was quite the competitive week. Clean Bandit with Sean Paul and Anne-Marie is still at the top with "Rockabye". This song peaked at number three, and since it's a Christmas song, I had to include it in my Christmas Special 2016. Watch Matt Terry perform "When Christmas Comes Around" at the live final, with snapshots of the charity work that is done in support of the sales.
Matt Terry won The X Factor's thirteenth series, in a very close final with Saara Aalto. He later signed with RCA records instead of Syco, in quite a surprising move. Instead, Syco signed Honey G, and possibly has some other up-and-coming plans to sign up other acts. They plan to make Matt Terry the next Olly Murs, but the only comparison we can see is the fact that they're both male and that they are now on the same record label. Will this just be another winner who will disappear? Time will tell. This song was written by Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge.
The music video is a pure performance piece, which we watched during the live final of The X Factor. The only difference is that they have put a black and white filter on; which, I suppose, is to give it more of a festive Christmas visual. Yet, it makes no difference and actually makes me want to watch a different video that's actually in colour. I just don't like black and white music videos, unless there is a specific reason for the filter.
The single's proceeds will go to charities: Together For Short Lives and Shooting Star CHASE. Throughout the music video, Matt Terry's performance piece is cut between snapshots of what these charities do, and how they help people.
It's a typical charity music video, it's a typical X Factor winner's music video, although using the winner's live performance of the song instead of a studio visual is something different, that we haven't seen for a while. It just feels like we've seen this sort of music video way too many times and it's the same old same old. We want something new.
Another collective that was released this year, it didn't serve as a New Release since it was released a few weeks earlier, but it still one of the contenders for the charts in the run-up to Christmas. And since it's a Christmas song, it's a part of my Christmas Special 2016. This one consists of 25 online influencers from all over the world; this is why you might recognise some of them; if not, all of them. With a cheerful festive song, this deserves a good chance at hitting the charts hard, but it needs a hell of a lot more people buying the single, so go and buy it now! The Hello Christmas collection of online influencers have fun recording "Christmas Without You" and singing together in this music video, whilst we watch some behind-the-scene footage and a comedic narrative.
Hello Christmas are a collection of 25 online influencers who are: Alexa Mae, Brittany Balyn, BriaAndChrissy (Bria Kam and Chrissy Chambers), Cassie Diamond, Carrington Durham, Emma Heesters, Hannah Trigwell, Jake Mitchell, Jayden Rodrigues, Joe Tasker, Julia Van Bergen, Macy Kate, Marina Joyce, Melanie Murphy, Monica Church, Polina Beregova, Riyadh K, Saffron Barker, Sapphire, Shelby Church, Taylor Jones, Toby Randall, VladTeeVee, and Yammy. These online stars have become a sensation by focusing on what they want to do. They're an inspiration to everyone, but you would think they'd easily be able to promote this track and get it to number one but it's just not that simple, clearly. The project comes from Hello Management and came to my attention thanks to Taylor Jones (since I am a fan of his music, it's so good!). So get behind the track and buy it, I sure have and it deserves to climb the charts. The song was written and produced by Jackie Boyz (Carlos Battey and Steven Battey) and The Producers House. The song is in support of Make-A-Wish UK.
The music video was directed by Nick Upshall and is completely festive and Christmassy, but it mostly portrays a performance piece of recording the song.
There is a comedic narration thanks to the filming of Joe Tasker, who arrives late and runs after the bus; then arrives at the studio late; and then, when he finally arrives inside the studio booth, the song is completely done with and there's nothing left for him to sing.
Inside the studio, it's all fun and excitement. All the singers are clearly having the best time of their lives. Some have personally identified with the song adding brilliant emotion; others not so much. Regardless, as a collective, they sing brilliantly. They really have come together on this one.
I love the Christmas decorations and the use of behind-the-scenes visuals to break up the studio booth recordings of the song. It's interesting and comedic. It's full of festive cheer and that's what we needed.
Overall, it's a great Christmas song with brilliant vocals, and the rap just knocks it out of the park! The music video could be more relatable to the song and could've had a bigger narrative, although time and budget may have been reasons as to why we got this type of music video. Nonetheless, it's festive and fun and they clearly all enjoyed themselves, which is what the Christmas spirit is all about. So get behind it and buy it on iTunes now, give it the shot it needs to be number one!
Surely this was obvious. Of course, I was going to review Bronnie's "Modern Day Christmas" music video for my Christmas Special 2016. She was a part of my Halloween Special 2016, and now she's a part of my Christmas Special 2016. She's one of my favourite new artists on the scene. This was her first single and it's totally original and authentic; definitely, a Christmas song more people need to hear. Watch Bronnie bring some festive Christmas spirit to us all with this "Modern Day Christmas" music video, where she dresses up as Santa and wishes for an alien.
Bronnie, full name Bronnie Hughes, is an aspiring singer/songwriter, who has gone on to support Josh Taylor and Over Atlantic. She is currently finishing off the Alstar Xmas Party Tour 2016. This is her debut single which she released last year for Christmas. She has followed this up with two more singles that she released this year "High School Sucks" and "Scared Much". This pop/rock Christmas song is passionate and intricate. It was written by Bronnie Hughes.
The music video is mainly a performance piece, with Bronnie adding comedic snapshots of her dressed up as Santa or her admiring the decorations on the tree.
The video is a personal one where she interacts with her viewers throughout. It's an upbeat modern Christmas song, that is easily one of my faves.
It's fun, it's interesting and full of enthusiasm. It shows how far Bronnie has come since she first released this song. She's been building momentum and 2017 is around the corner; no doubt she has big plans for next year and she's one to keep an eye on, for sure.
Time to start my Christmas Special 2016. It's quite the battle for the top spot this year, with lots of people wanting the number one to be a Christmas song, but it seems unlikely that that will happen; what with all the UK Christmas Number Ones rarely being Christmassy at all. Hit Christmas songs, usually, settle for the top 10 and year after year climb back onto the chart. This year will be just like any other year... Only with more Christmas songs competing for the top spot. Watch the Proclaimers' Christmas Collective bring the spirit of Christmas with their song "Dance Tonight (It's Christmas)". They've got strong vocals and a sweet narrative.
The Christmas Collective are a collection of six vocalists, consisting of Faye Snelling, Hannah Roberts, Gina Natasha Cummins, Rianne Collins, Ryan Hase, and Sam Cousins. They came together for this Christmas song which is completely cheerful with so many identifiable Christmas traditions and thoughts, filled with beautiful vocals that really brings the stunning quality of this song. Some come from a musical background, hence why you might recognise them. Some are new singers on the scene. Each adds a special flavour to this song, so much so that each artist could push for a solo career and easily become successful. This is what makes this new release one of the best for Christmas number one, this year because their vocals are on point. This song was written by Mark Harvey and Sam Cousins. Public suggestions helped create the lyrics. Put together by Proclaimers Church. All proceeds from the single will be donated to local charities Break and Love Norwich.
The music video has a whole lot of festive Christmas spirit behind it. Both narrative and performance based, is there any better way to represent a Christmas song than give it a cheerful loving music video?
The performance side of things are very festive. It's good to see each of the singers get a spotlight; granted that some are seen more than others, but they equally add something fresh to the track. Each artist is different in their own right, and they've crafted the song wondrously around their voices with brilliant harmonies. The visual brings emotion into the video; this song means a lot to these singers and it really shows.
The narrative is just as festive. Christmas brings people together, and that is shown throughout. The actors bring a realness to the video, some normalcy amongst traditions such as exchanging presents. It's loving and understanding. However, Sam Cousins clearly just danced and grooved out by himself to fill the video up; this comes off slightly weird, but it's all in good spirit.
Overall, as Christmas music videos go, this is one of the best from a collection of artists. Usually, these sort of music videos come off completely flat; but this one is honest and real, with great emotion behind. If you haven't bought the track yet, you really ought to. These guys need the support, and it deserves to top the charts, even if it doesn't seem likely.
It's a Thursday, which means it's Thursday Revisit once again. I chose Machine Gun Kelly since he is super hot in "Bad Things" with Camila Cabello, and I haven't actually heard any of his other songs, so this was a perfect opportunity. This one was released in 2011 and is the only other Machine Gun Kelly song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, next to "Bad Things". Watch Waka Flocka Flame knock out the father of Machine Gun Kelly's girlfriend, as they both announce that they each are a "Wild Boy".
Machine Gun Kelly, known as MGK during this time, is a US rapper and actor. His real name is Richard Colson Baker. He first came to my attention playing Ty in the film Nerve. Then he released "Bad Things" and that was it. I know I'll be seeing more of him. As for the featured artist, Waka Flocka Flame, real name Juaquin Malphurs, he has been popping up here and there. He's a rapper that people have heard of but has yet to have an internationally successful single that people identify his name with. He is also building up his rapping career, so I also expect we'll hear more from him soon. This single charted at number 98 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It was written by Richard Colson Baker, Juaquin Malphurs, and Joshua Luellen.
Directed by Spliff TV and Maybach Music Films, the music video is mainly a performance-based video with narrative scenes throughout. It also features cameo appearances by Johnny Dang, Katt Williams, and Layzie Bone.
The video starts off with a girl introducing her boyfriend to her parents at a dinner table. The boyfriend, in question, is MGK, which he tells the parents stands for Machine Gun Kelly. It's a great way to introduce himself to the viewers of the music video, with a comical segment as he has also brought along his friend, Waka Flocka Flame, to the intimate meeting.
Waka Flocka Flame smashes a bottle on the father's head, claiming he is a "Wild Boy". This is where the performance side jumps in, with both artists giving it their all whilst shirtless.
The music video is intricate and interesting. Both rappers give it; showing passion for the song, whilst adding comedic segments. It's relatable and engaging, yet the narrative is weird and not easily understandable. Why? Just why? It doesn't make sense, completely wild but with no reasoning.
