How have I not reviewed this yet? There just seems to be more and more music videos coming out and I can barely keep up. This is a brilliant collaboration, the song itself is full of club-vibes which totally make it my sort of track; however, the opening is a little too downbeat for my liking; it just doesn't excite me until the chorus kicks in. Even though it's rare for artists to join forces a second time, we're all hoping that they do. Watch Cheat Codes and Demi Lovato perform "No Promises" in what looks like a post-apocalyptic world, as the boys' logos and geometrical shapes emanate from within the visual of this music video.
Cheat Codes are an electronic dance trio from America, consisting of Trevor Dahl, KEVI (Kevin Ford), and Matthew Russell. They became famous after a collaboration with Kris Kross Amsterdam on the song "Sex", which certainly launched them globally. They've had a few great follow-up hits, this song being one of them - yet, they haven't managed to create the same success as before; although I bet it's not too far away. This collaboration sees them teaming up with Demi Lovato, who is certainly one of my favourite female singers around. She definitely helped the success of this single. She is currently working on new music, although it might be a wait until she releases her solo material since she has quite a few planned features being released with many top DJs. It's great to see her defining her sound and discovering new types of EDM music. This song has done moderately okay on the charts around the world, but it definitely deserves to climb up further; however, I truly believe the start of the song could be to blame for the okayish chart numbers. "No Promises" was written by Trevor Dahl, Matthew Russell, Kevin Ford, Demi Lovato, Ari Leff, and Loote.
The music video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis, the in-demand director. This has surprised me that she directed this video because I'm so used to something better; although, I reckon the visual idea behind this was awesome, and it was stripped back.
It's a full-out performance piece, and I was totally expecting chemistry between Demi Lovato and Trevor Dahl; but, instead of using Demi Lovato's acting skills brilliantly, they decide to focus on the camera, and making the audience see them. This just doesn't come off engagingly, and although these profile shots are intricate and gorgeous, it just doesn't work that much without the chemistry between the singers.
Demi Lovato steals the show completely. Her sexy scenes in the warehouse-like building are complete fire. She's channelling Clarke Griffin in every way (from The 100 TV show); it totally works with her surroundings.
Overall, this should've been polished perfection, much like many other Hannah Lux Davis-directed music videos; but, whether Cheat Codes and Demi Lovato don't get on, or they were just rushed with the whole visual, who knows. But, this clearly doesn't work as well as we all wish that it did. I also fail to see how it relates to the song exactly; however, Demi Lovato's fierce camera acting saves this from being a total disaster.
I'm so glad that Alexandra Stan has a new single out, and not only that, but it has been released on a Friday! This means I can review the music video for my New Release blog, which I am ecstatic about. Breaking away from Global Records and releasing her music on Alexandra Stan Records, "Boy Oh Boy" is planned to be the first single from her upcoming fourth studio album. I have previously reviewed the song and music video for CelebMix,. The song has distinct reggae vibes mixed with 90's influence and Asian culture, all wrapped up in a modern Eurodance song that is typical of Alexandra Stan's style. The song is addictive to say the least; while the music video showcases her beautifully. Watch Alexandra Stan sing her song "Boy Oh Boy" while captivating Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in every possible light.
Alexandra Stan continues to prove that she's one of the top female artists out of Romania. Her effortlessly catchy songs are released one after another. She keeps to her style, with her voice on point throughout, whilst managing to progress and further her career. This single is a great transition single from "9 Lives", which was her last single release from her third studio album 'Alesta'. This one is a slightly new direction, showing that she has got some amazing new music on the way. "Boy Oh Boy" was written by Alexandra Stan, Marius Mirica, and Andi Grasu.
Directed by Bogdan Paun, the music video is a pure performance visual that was filmed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Alexandra Stan wanted to capture the Asian culture, the Asian people, and the Asian atmosphere; and she pulled it off perfectly, even meeting people who wanted to star in the video.
Some of the scenes were filmed at the Batu Caves Tempur, as she revealed in some of her Instagram photos. She has dropped teaser one and teaser two in the run-up to this music video. She brings her usual energy to the visual, clearly caring a lot about this song and meaning every single word.
My favourite scene is when she's walking through the street, clocking all the people around her, allowing them time in the visual. There are also brilliant scenes of what appears to be a food warehouse, displaying the food served in Malaysia - tantalising.
The song's ending bridge is beyond anything we could've imagined and is certainly the best part of the song - if only it lasted a little longer. I hope that this sort of bridge appears in many of her new songs. During this part of the video, Alexandra Stan releases all her performing vibes, easily giving the camera everything it needs to capture her beautifully. Definitely an unforgettable moment during this segment of the video.
Overall, the song is something I can't get enough of, and the music video perfectly relates to the song. I like how she wanted to show off Malaysia. It works well, although I'm not so keen on some of the colourisation filters used; it makes it slightly too dark and mysterious, which doesn't really go with the rest of the scenes.
Out of all the options for my Thursday Revisit; of course, I was going to choose RuPaul's debut single which definitely inspired many people and charted in the US, the UK, and Canada. This song is totally iconic because so many of the phrases that we hear RuPaul say on his TV show "RuPaul's Drag Race" are ones he says in this song. The song was released in 1992 and had pretty good success. Personally, I always identify the 90's as a decade with influential drag queens. From what I remember, there was many of them on TV, making a name for themselves. Nowadays, it's not so easy to find drag queens on mainstream TV shows. They clearly left an impression on me, as I remember asking my Mom all about them. RuPaul has totally been an influential person for the LGBT+ community and this drag queen will go down in history. Watch RuPaul play a little black girl and become supermodel of the world, based on his own young life within the gay community and the culture he grew up with in this music video for "Supermodel (You Better Work)".
RuPaul, real name RuPaul Charles, has definitely come straight back into the limelight with his very popular American TV show RuPaul's Drag Race, which has seen him crown a number of drag queens as America's Next Drag Superstar. Yet, this is the song that really started RuPaul's music career - which has certainly been lengthy. It's inspiringly catchy and definitely was a surprising hit for the era that it was released. It managed to chart at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart and number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100; as well as number two on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs Chart, and number four on the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban Singles Chart. The song was written by RuPaul, Jimmy Harry, and Larry Tee.
The music video was directed by Randy Barbato, and it continues to prove how current RuPaul is. The visual has a performance piece based within a narrative and is completely flawless. This concept and the way they have managed to pull it off is certainly ahead of its time. Was this really filmed in 1993? Throughout the video, actress LaWanda Page talks; she has several lines in the song, but does not appear in the music video; although she does appear in RuPaul's following videos.
During the narrative, we watch a little black girl get spotted by an "Ebony Fashion Fair" talent scout who then grows up to become the supermodel of the world. This is all announced by LaWanda Page as RuPaul looks at old photos. The video continues to show RuPaul as the supermodel of the world, prancing down the road like it's a runway.
She continues to do model things, like photo shoots and signing magazines with her face on. She uses the song to teach others that they have to work. As the video progresses, we see that this life is getting too much for her - and we all know how that feels. Stressed and overworked, RuPaul cracks under pressure; but. at the end, she laughs it off as if it was all a bit of fun.
It's totally not surprising that MTV loved this video, we all love this video. Clearly, the music channels played a key part in creating a hit song; and, to be fair, they still play a major part in the charts, especially considering people like Shawn Mendes with "Stitches" launched up the UK chart with his song, after the music channels played it often (as well as radio, obviously). This is complete in every way; and, to be fair, if it were released in today, it'll get a similar rating, because it's strong, it's effective, and it's relatable to the song in every way.
Couldn't decide what music video to review, so chose this one since I am currently playing Nickelback's latest album; which has the same title as this single. The album is pure fire throughout, and this music video is just as powerful. Nickelback are truly back, putting their stamp on rock music and proving how great they truly are. Watch Nickelback become freedom-fighting revolutionaries as they rescue imprisoned humans from machines in a post-apocalyptic world in this music video for "Feed The Machine".
Nickelback are a Canadian rock band consisting of Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, and Daniel Adair. They are one of the most successful rock groups of all time and continue to keep to their sound whilst keeping it current and mainstream. We all like a little bit of Nickelback, whether we like to admit to it or not. This latest album is complete fire from start to finish. It has certainly proved that they can continue as a band without changing their music genre. This song is their first single from the album, and it is one of those songs you never forget. It was written by Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, and Daniel Adair.
Directed by Kyle Cogan, this music video is fully in-depth, easily relating to the lyrics. There is a slight performance piece, but it's mainly narrative; easily relating to the concept of the lyrics, transforming them into this perfect visual.
We watch as these robots come after two girls, one of which gets captured outside, whilst the other manages to escape and finds a place to hide. Then, the one who survived was taken to a village by a woman and given some water, and then they make a plan to free the humans that have been captured by the monsters, who are clearly just feeding the machine.
The concept is great and very relatable to many people in the world at the moment. There's not much inclusion of Nickelback as a whole; their scenes are more profile shots than anything else. I like the ending which sees the machine shut down once the humans are all rescued. Such an iconic music video, and yet there's just something missing as a whole.
Here is Kiesza, once again, proving she is a vocal powerhouse and determined not to go down as the "Hideaway" girl; I just know there is another hit on the horizon, for sure! This song deserved to be one, but we'll keep it amongst our treasures; one we'll sing along to every time we hear it; one we'll request to play at every party; and, one that we will never forget; just like all the other treasures we have. Bakermat has really proven his ability to create a hit, and although it may not have chart success, it's one I absolutely love. Watch Kiesza inspire everyone to dance in this ode of a music video to the past, whilst still keeping it modern and with a comedic effect, for Bakermat's "Don't Want You Back".
Bakermat, real name Lodewijk Fluttert, is a Dutch DJ and music producer, who has had a few successful songs, but most of which have been solid hits that haven't got the recognition they deserved. Only two of his songs have hit the UK Chart, these are "One Day (Vandaag)" and "Teach Me". It's a shame this one hasn't made it, especially since the collaboration is with Kiesza, real name Kiesa Ellestad, who may be a Canadian singer, but she's had massive success in the UK. Her hit, "Hideaway" peaked at number one, and she followed that with "Giant In My Heart" which got to number four; and, even her third single, "No Enemiez", peaked at number 30, inside the top 40! Yet, she hasn't been able to chart since, but promotion of this artist isn't as high as it was when "Hideaway" dropped; but, with a voice like Kiesza's, you'll always be a fundamental part of the music industry. This song was written by Lodewijk Fluttert, Clifford Goilo, Janée Bennett, Komi Al-Hakam, and Tamera Foster.
Directed by Adam Madrzyk, this music video is tongue-in-cheek as Kiesza encourages everyone to stop what they're doing and to dance their way through this song. Her vocals are on point throughout as she brings some fun to this brightly-themed music video.
The whole concept reminds me of Jigglypuff from Pokémon because everyone is asleep by the time she stops singing, probably from the exhaustion of dancing to the song. The opening scene sees a child go downstairs to watch TV and eat breakfast; it's clear that this is a children's TV programme that Kiesza is performing on.
She inspires fitness, wrapping it all around dance choreography, which she totally nails next to her backing dancers. The song is catchy, and Bakermat is looking super handsome in the visual. I also love how the people behind-the-scenes all start to dance too, and we also have an annoyed director who then ends up dancing too.
It totally works, but does it really relate to the song? It feels that the music video is a comical visual that doesn't really reflect the song. However, it's one I could watch over and over again; one that you'll see something new every time you watch.
