New to Global Records, Karmen surprised me and I'm happy to find another Global Records artist that I like... Soon enough I'll be a fan of all of them because they are coming out with some killer sounds. She previously released cover versions on Sprint Music Media Group as Carmen. Now she's ready to release her own songs under Global Records as Karmen. Watch Karmen dance around in this high-quality studio "You Got It" music video that is full on fire from start to finish.
Karmen, real name Carmen Simionescu, has been paving out her career in music for quite some time now. She has been brought up around music as her father is Adrian Minune, who is a famous Romanian manele singer. As previously stated, she started her career by releasing cover versions of songs, this led to signing with Sprint Music, who helped her to establish herself as Carmen. Now rocking a whole new name under a new record label, Global Records; Karmen is ready to set out for world domination. This is her debut single under name Karmen. It was written by Lucan Vlad Octavian, Achi, and Caliman Alexandru.
The music video is directed by Bogdan Daragiu, known as simply Daragiu. It's a pure performance piece that Karmen totally nails.
There is a full on dance choreography throughout. Karmen is a total centre point and smashed out the dancing as if it were nothing. She rolls well with the guys as well as the girls. She's the centre of the show and she is totally on point throughout.
The solo performance is sexy and stylish, Karmen knows exactly how to draw the eye of the camera and does well to draw attention, she does it with complete perfection.
Now she's on Global Records with Inna, Antonia, Lori, Alexandra Stan, Carla's Dreams, and many other international artists; Karmen is ready to be the next big name, we just hope you're ready too.
Finally, she has dropped a music video. This will act as Una Healy's official first single, even though it is her third promotional instant grat single from her debut studio album. What a way to kick off your musical career; a duet with no other than Nashville's Sam Palladio. This is quite the fit for the song, although I'm not so keen on the song itself... It deserves to be a little bit more catchy, and doesn't quite go anywhere. The music video sees Una Healy missing her man, who just happens to be Sam Palladio, as they wish they ask each other to "Stay My Love".
Una Healy made her name as one-fifth of girl group The Saturdays. They are, unfortunately, on a hiatus with no sights on getting back together anytime soon. All five girls are doing incredibly well for themselves, away from the group. For Una Healy, she will be the first of the five to release a debut album. Her style is very different from The Saturdays, and it's a completely new route. It's quite a soft country sound that takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you're used to her pop-dance songs in The Saturdays. Yet, I'm proud she's making the music she wants to. Sam Palladio featured on this track, he's mostly known for playing Gunnar Scott in the TV show, Nashville. Although he has been in many other things such as Humans. This song was written by Una Healy and Amy Wadge.
The music video was filmed in Nashville and shows Una Healy revisiting a place where she spent time with her on-screen love interest, who is played by Sam Palladio. It all has an Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroger feel to it, this video is definitely reminiscent of "Let Me Go".
The narrative is extremely intricate as Sam Palladio is almost a ghost. In his scenes, a cold filter is used suggesting that it is the past; whereas in Una Healy's visual it's all full of warmth, as she glances at pictures of Sam Palladio.
She ends up driving to a bench with a beautiful scenic landscape, she sits down on the bench and the video ends with them two together on the bench.
Halfway through the video, there is a performance piece and they completely shine throughout. Both artists are amazing singers and performers, really showcasing their love for this song. However, I'm not so keen on the song, it's not the sort of country I like, and it totally feels dated.
The video is an awesome concept, and I've only ever seen it similar in "Let Me Go" by Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger. However, both videos are completely different and although this one is lacking in comparison; stood all by itself and compared to the meaning behind this song, it deserves an equally high rating.
Struggled, once again, to find a new release with a music video, but came across this one and I just HAD to review it. This song hits me, there's a strong emotional connection and the gorgeous soulful voice is completely powerful over the amazing upbeat dance-like backing track that would totally be drawing me on to the dancefloor. Watch Rationale perform his song "Reciprocate" on many different stages, unleashing his killer sound out to his fans and the others in the audience.
Rationale has been going for a number of years, lending his vocals for Bastille and DJ Jakwob, before releasing his debut single in 2015, which he followed up with an EP. Now into 2017, he has released this song, and it is a killer track. It may not have gained momentum, but with his amount of fans and people recognising his potential in the music industry, Rationale will become one artist you can't wait to hear more from. In a world where new artists are emerging quickly and incredibly fast, Rationale will be on everyone's radars in no time at all. This song is one of those that will blow up, or become a lost treasure; either way, you need to listen to it.
The music video is extremely basic. It's a pure performance video that combines multiple visuals of Rationale performing on stage.
At times you get to see the crowd, usually with their phone torches in the air, waving in time to the beat. This shows that energy is being unleashed into the crowd, they are so lucky to have heard him live.
As for the staging shots. The camera is at a low angle, giving Rationale an empowering stance. It doesn't help him show what he's like on stage, because of the camera angle. It isn't great viewing, but regardless, Rationale puts his all in performing on stage and that really comes across.
Overall, this could be any other tour video, it doesn't add anything new; and, certainly, doesn't make the song any better. To be fair the song is amazing, and no matter what the video was, it would still be great to listen to. The rating is based on the video alone, but it's just like any other tour music video.
It's Thursday again, which means it's revisit time. I chose Stromae since this is his only song to have charted in the UK, and it is completely an international hit. I have to admit, I didn't recognise the song when I mentioned the title in yesterday's blog post of "Papaoutai"; but, as soon as I clicked play on this music video, I recognised it instantly. No wonder this was a worldwide hit. Watch Stromae go about his life in a split screen music video for "Alors on danse", starting in his office, to walking the streets, to being at a bar and concert.
Stromae, real name Paul Van Haver, made his name with this massive global smash of a single "Alors on danse". When translated to English, it means "So We Dance". The song is about going through life; that life is what you make of it and it's all the same regardless. It's a highly deep concept, and I don't see it working if it were in English. He went on to release some more awesome songs that did well in many different countries. I can totally see him releasing another incredible hit song. This one was written by Paul Haver.
The music video is difficult to follow, especially since it is split screen. Both visuals take place at the same time, but it's clear that a different camera shot is used in both.
There's a cycle narration going on, starting off with Stromae in his office, then he visits his child, but a woman slaps him across the face and suggests that he should leave. He comes into contact with a homeless guy, who steals his jacket from him. He then bumps into a friend who takes him to a bar and makes him drink some alcohol. He clearly isn't in the party mood but his friends don't notice and he is soon pulled onto a stage to perform his song. He passes out and is dragged back to his office by an unknown guy.
The story goes round in a full circle, although he doesn't exactly end up where he started since the homeless guy still has his jacket. It does represent the song in a brilliant way, and yet it is difficult to follow because of the split screen. Nonetheless, since the song and the music video work well together, I have to give it this rating.
This song keeps randomly playing on my iTunes and I automatically sing along to it. The main reason is because it sounds very similar to the Eurovision 2014 song "Moustache" which was released by Twin Twin, after this song was released. I can definitely see the resemblance. Both are catchy nonetheless; and since I haven't reviewed this one, today's as good a day as any. Watch a son try to interact with his father but he's not there at all, in Stromae's "Papaoutai". Where are you, daddy?
Stromae, real name Paul Van Haver, has really established himself as a Belgian singer-songwriter. He already stormed the charts globally in 2009 with "Alors on danse", it even charted in the UK at number 25. Unfortunately, this worldwide successful song "Papaoutai" didn't make the UK chart; however, it was another international success for Stromae. This is the case with many well-known songs that does well in Europe. However, recently, success has managed to cross over to the UK as well, and it's likely that Stromae could come back harder than ever. If he's already managed this, just think of what else he can do. This song was written by Stromae.
Directed by Raf Reyntjens, the music video revolves around a son trying to interact with his father, who is played by Stromae. The whole idea comes from the song which is about his father's absence in Stromae's life. His father was killed in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
It's set in what looks like Call of Duty's Nuketown. The boy sees all the other children dancing in the street with their respective parent and he wants to do the exact same, only his father is a mannequin and totally not completely there.
It gets to the point where the boy gets so annoyed, he rants by singing along to the lyrics of the song and interpreting them into a brilliant contemporary dance sequence that totally explains what he is singing. Who cares if you don't know French, this music video is a brilliant interpretation of the lyrics.
At the end, we see his father give a bit of a smile before the boy sits down on the couch next to his father and copies the position he is in, his eyes go blank and he too becomes a mannequin much like his father. Talk about following in your father's footsteps. This is the mannequin challenge before it even became a thing.
Overall, this is clearly very personal, and at times it affects the viewer in exactly the way it is meant to. The choreography is nailed in every way, and the boy is definitely a brilliant character, who easily encompasses the role. This is a magical music video that deserves so much more recognition. It accompanies the song amazingly and is one of those music videos I'll never forget.
