Chart Mondays: Martin Jensen - Solo Dance


Solo Dance - Martin Jensen |

The global sensation has hit the UK, and I've been watching this rise on the charts for a few weeks now, and finally, it has cracked the top 10. With Ed Sheeran still at number one with "Shape of You", and every other song in the top 10 UK Singles Chart already been reviewed by me - or doesn't have a music video for me to review, this was my only option this week. The song is upbeat and catchy with a dance number of a music video. Watch a group of dancers act out a story narrative of attraction through amazing choreography for this exciting music video for Martin Jensen's "Solo Dance".

Martin Jensen is a Danish DJ who has been mixing for over ten years. He became virally known for using sounds from other viral videos and turning them into tropical house mixes. He started releasing singles in 2014, starting off with "Sí", which was a viral hit due to Martin Jensen incorporating Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration at the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or. As each single was released he became more and more popular, he's recent "All I Wanna Do" charted in a few countries; but now, this single has become a global sensation, and Martin Jensen has finally got the chart success he clearly deserves, he just needs to follow up and follow through with another awesome single. This was written by Martin Jensen, Lene Dissing, Mads Hjerl-Hansen, and Peter Bjørnskov.

Directed by Nicolas Tobias Følsgaard and choreographed by Tobias Ellehammer; the music video has intricate dance sequences throughout that are beyond perfection. Martin Jensen makes an appearance at the DJ decks, playing this song. The dancers in the visual are: Dylan Mayoral, Haeni Kim, Anders Deeno Nielsen, Sandra Brünnich, Remi Black, Enej Jurečič, Žiga Jurečič, Michel Patric Sian, Lianne Lee May, and Cilia Trappaud.

We open up watching two characters have an attraction as soon as their eyes meet, but when the guy gets ready to talk to her, another dancer sweeps in. Bad luck, or so we thought. As we go to the main floor, we see that it's all going off with amazing dance techniques.

Soon enough, our main character is centre stage, with all eyes on him. In perfect time with the music, he just stops. The silence feels like it lasts longer than it actually does as we wonder if he has done enough to impress the girl. It turns out that he has, and she appears behind him as they dance together, fully bringing it.

The choreography of this music video is completely incredible. This is what I would love to be involved in one day, but I'll just marvel at how impressive it is since my professional dancing career stopped years ago. The closest I come to getting that feeling back is on the dancefloors in clubs. Now, my career involves watching awesome music videos like this one that relates to the song perfectly and giving the best ratings out to the music videos that impress me the most, such as this one. Can't wait to see what Martin Jensen will release next!
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Christina Aguilera - Hurt


Hurt - Christina Aguilera |

Today, I have been catching up with Vocea României Junior (because Inna is a coach), and one contestant stood out completely; Voicu Dumitraș sang this song "Hurt" by Christina Aguilera and it took my breath away. Only a few people can sing and nail that song, and he's now one of them! The original is the best version, as per usual, but I think it's one of Christina Aguilera's more underrated songs, especially considering it's chart placement in some countries, like number 11 in the UK, like seriously? Watch Christina Aguilera's circus-themed music video to "Hurt" where she grieves over the death of her father, who she had seen just that day, yet fame took her away from talking to him.

Christina Aguilera is one of the biggest female singers in the world, but just like many others, she hasn't been hitting the chart numbers globally, like she used to. Although that doesn't mean she can't make a comeback, many others have done so and knocked it out for the park. This song is filled with such emotion and hits every note; it really is a hard song to cover, and I don't think anyone could do it any more justice than Christina Aguilera. Just a shame that it didn't chart so well globally, it only hit number 19 on the US Billboard Charts. The song was written by Christina Aguilera, Linda Perry, and Mark Ronson. It was inspired by Linda Perry's loss of her father.

Directed by Christina Aguilera and Floria Sigismondi. It is set in a circus, and is very different to Britney Spears' "Circus", so don't get them confused. This one is more of a period setting, with a black and white filter for the beginning to establish that. We also hear Linda Perry's voice at the start as the audience are introduced to the circus.

In colour, we see Christina Aguilera get given a telegram; on it, it says "We respect to inform you of the death of your father on the day of 02/09/1947", we then watch a flashback of the time she spent at the circus with her dad as a child, and we see where she got the inspiration to become a circus performer.

Throughout, we watch how her day went, where she saw her father in the audience and even touched his hand at the end of the show where she was being interviewed. We see a few memories, and we see her fall to the ground in front of the circus tent, fully grieving.

This is a passionate song and a brilliant coinciding music video. Christina Aguilera really shows that she's not just an amazing singer, but she's a great actress too. She fully proves herself in this, and she deserves a lot more credit for what she does. I hope that new music is on the way and I hope she releases a global hit that gets everyone talking about her again.
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Dead Lavender - Seasons Change


Seasons Change - Dead Lavender |

I recently reviewed this for Outlet Magazine, and I found it so catchy, I just had to review it for my blog, not only that but I'm definitely a fan of Dead Lavender now, and I'm excited to see what the future will bring for this duo. Shot in Los Angeles, V & Oliver of Dead Lavender bring a 90's colour grading and VCR filters for this amazing visual of a music video for debut single "Seasons Change".

Dead Lavender are a London-based production and vocalist duo consisting of V & Oliver. Deciding to focus solely on the music, they choose to remain anonymous. The electronic-chill sound of this debut single easily showcases what the duo are all about, whilst switching it up around trap, house, dance, and synth-wave. This duo is set for big things, I can feel it in their sound, and I'm so excited to see what the future will bring for Dead Lavender. The single was written by V & Oliver.

Produced by V & Oliver, the music video uses 90's colour grading and VCR filters. This gives the video quite the retro look, whilst adding current themes throughout. Although V & Oliver shy away from the camera, keeping their anonymity, they are visible (well, we presume it's them in the visual).

The male vocalist has a performance scene in this music video. He brings it with full-out energy, we know he's passionate about the song, and although we can't see his face, thanks to the tilted cap; we can see that he is quite the performer and manages to invite the audience into this emotional and honest song. If this duo were to team up with Sia, then our world would be complete, as that would be beyond perfection.

As for the woman, we see her walking through pillars, hiding from the camera and shying away. Once again, we don't see her face, but she gives a great acting performance. We presume these two main characters are V & Oliver that make up the duo Dead Lavender.

Overall, this is an exciting debut music video and single. It's effortlessly catchy, and one that I have definitely added to my iTunes. It's an interesting music video and one that goes so well with the song. It adds a bit of mysteriousness to the song, even if there isn't much going on. The audience feels included throughout. I like how the artist, possibly, included themselves in the music video whilst keeping anonymous throughout. I'm excited for their next single and music video (which will be out soon apparently).
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New Release: Kat Graham - Sometimes


Sometimes - Kat Graham |

Here she is; we all know her as Bonnie Bennett from The Vampire Diaries, now she's ready to leave the witch in her past as she now has the ability to focus on her music career; especially now that The Vampire Diaries has completely finished. Looking stylishly sexy throughout, Kat Graham brings it when it comes to dancing in this killer music video for "Sometimes"; proving that Bonnie Bennett is just a character in her past.

Kat Graham is an American actress, dancer, and singer. She has got it all and is definitely a triple threat. Following in the footsteps of many amazing stars who also have established careers in both acting and singing, we're sure Kat Graham will become the next Jennifer Lopez or Hilary Duff. Having already been in music for many years (she was an uncredited vocalist for a few will.i.am songs, including the hit "I Got It From My Mama"), she hasn't really managed to promote her music that much, although she is building upon it with a collection of singles and an album, the latter of which was released in 2015. This song was written by Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Jean-Yves "Jeeve" Ducornet, and Katerina Graham.

There are certain parts of the song that reminds me of "Grease (Is The Word)", specifically the version Jessie J sang for Grease Live. Regardless, Kat Graham's vocals are on point throughout, and even though she isn't the greatest singer in the world, the song compliments her vocal range whilst allowing for a choreographed music video.

It was directed and choreographed by Marc Cleary and Oskar Rodriguez. Shot through two takes, the music video is split mid-way through, as we watch her enter the performing room. This slightly loses the audience as we adjust to the complete change of scene. This style of music video really includes the audience allowing them to feel they are on set, just like with Sabrina Carpenter's "Thumbs", but having it split up into two parts without reason is quite off-putting.

As for the performance side of things, Kat Graham shows her dance ability, which we were already aware of from the popular film 'Honey 2', where she starred as the main character, Maria Ramirez. She nails every dance sequence, with her backing dancers, bringing energetic flair that has been waiting to be released. She also looks stunning throughout this visual.

Overall, it's a solid music video, that really includes the audience - well, right up until the split. Kat Graham is fierce throughout, making sure the spotlight is on her. Girl, you've definitely got this. She's totally an up-and-coming all-rounder of a star, and although we don't see this song charting that well, it'll remain a song we won't be able to get out of our heads for the rest of the day.
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Hunter Hayes - Wanted


Wanted - Hunter Hayes |

I'm actually so surprised that I have not reviewed this music video before today; what a perfect excuse to review it for my Thursday Revisit. This song came to my attention on a compilation album; on first listen, I fell in love with this song and quickly became a Hunter Hayes fan; and the rest is history. Hunter Hayes has this amazing ability to flood a song with emotion, so much so that you can tell he means every single lyric he is singing. This song literally makes me cry everytime I hear it because all I want is someone who wants to make me feel wanted. Watch Hunter Hayes perform this song passionately at a piano whilst the song lyrics are displayed all around him, intercut with visuals of the girl he's singing about in the "Wanted" music video.

Hunter Hayes pretty much made his career off the back of this song, which was his second single, the follow-up to "Storm Warning". It hit number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart and number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. It's sad to think it never became a hit in the UK. He has since released many other singles and a couple of albums as well. He is gearing up to release brand new music sometime this year. He recently released the music video to "Yesterday's Song", the single of which was dropped in September 2016. This song was written by Hunter Hayes and Troy Verges.

Directed by BIRDmachineBIRD, who consists of Patrick Hubik and Traci Goudie; the music video is mainly a performance piece, showcasing Hunter Hayes emotion for this song.

It's clear that Hunter Hayes can fully perform this song perfectly, easily showing how much the song means to him in the visual as well as on the track itself. Not many people can perform well sitting at a piano, but Hunter Hayes is here to show us all how it is done; even if we are slightly distracted by the lyrics that are displayed all around him.

There are snippets of a potential narrative, it shows Hunter Hayes with a love interest, who he is singing this song about. The main scene we see is them riding a bike together. It's lovely, but I feel there isn't enough of these clips shown throughout the video, but then again I wouldn't want to take away any of Hunter Hayes amazing performance piece. It's a great relatable music video that works with the song perfectly.
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