I was so not expecting this! It's Thursday Revisit again, and I thought I might as well dip into a classic Luis Fonsi song after finally reviewing "Despacito" which features Daddy Yankee, last Saturday. What I wasn't expecting was a Latin-Pop ballad where Luis Fonsi can be seen playing a guitar whilst pouring his heart out. This literally gave me goosebumps, no wonder it hit number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks and the Billboard Latin Tropical/Salsa Airplay. This is certainly different to what he is known for now, and yet so raw and emotionally honest; I can't help but love it. Watch Luis Fonsi perform with a guitar whilst he sings to a woman in this music video for his song "Nada Es Para Siempre".
Luis Fonsi, real name Luis López-Cepero, has certainly changed his music style over the years, however all great artists do change their sound, and it certainly paid off for Luis Fonsi. His latest music is charting all over the world, and he is one hell of a global superstar by now. Everyone knows his name. What most people don't realise is that he has been in the industry since the late 90's bringing some incredible Latin-Pop tracks to the scene, fully charting on the Billboard chart for a number of years. This song was his first track to ever chart on the Billboard Hot 100; he hit number 90 in 2005, but later he'd continue to hit this chart a few more times. The song was written by Amaury Gutiérrez.
Directed by Gustavo Garzon, this music video is laid back and very chilled out as he sings his song with his guitar. Totally a differnt vibe and performance energy compared to what we watch of him now.
It certainly has a mid-noughties vibe to the visual, and it's mainly a performance piece throughout. Luis Fonsi impresses with his guitar skills whilst we watch a slight narrative of a woman he is clearly in love with. The song is about loving her today as they don't know what could happen tomorrow, and the visual sure does replicate that - there's even a bedsheet scene.
Other scenes see the woman topless as he caresses her back or he's all up on her, which feels like they're oversexualising her without sexualising him, which is stupid and just goes to show that even in the 00's they were doing this in music videos. There's also a bath scene, but she doesn't look like she's enjoying any part of this music video.
Overall, this isn't so bad, it's nothing like his latest music video or songs; but I like the raw quality feel to this and doesn't surprise me that the song charted at number one on Billboard Latin Tracks chart. I do feel like the music video could've gone places, but it doesn't. The performance is on point - as expected - but the narrative is flimsy with more focus on sexualising the woman in the visual.
I am still behind on my blog, and it's all Fergie's fault for dropping new music video after new music video which I covered on CelebMix, including this one. Okay, so it's not all Fergie's fault; recently, as I was finally catching up, INNA decided to release a brand new single every day of the week for seven days, which I also covered for CelebMix around my usual articles. I am flat-out right now, but that doesn't stop me intending to catch up on my blog, especially since I have been nominated for a UK Blog Award, don't forget to vote for me. Now, I'm not so keen on this music video, and thought it'll be an easy one for me to cover as I attempt to catch up. Watch Fergie showered and covered in glitter as Denna Thomsen turns the song into an epheral dance sequence in this interesting music video for "Love Is Pain" as part of the Double Dutchess: Visual Experience.
Fergie, full name Fergie Duhamel and previously known as Stacy Ferguson, is best known as being the sole female member of The Black Eyed Peas. She released her second studio album this year, to various critical reviews - personally, I absolutely loved it, check out my CelebMix review. The album really shows her versatility as an artist and should definitely help her pave way to an exciting future. This song is the last track on the album and it is incredible by itself because of how much of a personal track it is, although there are much better songs on the album - to be honest. The song was written by Fergie Duhamel and Toby Gad.
Directed by Nina McNeely, this music video is definitely full of glitter, blood, dancing, emotion, and grit. Fergie sure knows how to perform, and boy does she do just that. She's full of performance vibes and every single word of this song really manages to hit home. It resonates deeply with every listener.
However, it's not all great. There's really not a lot going on, and although Denna Thomsen is incredible in interpreting the song into an interesting dance routine, it feels like there's no substance to it. This would've worked so much better if it was Fergie doing the dancing, instead the constant switching between Fergie and Denna Thomsen manages to throw some of the emotion away.
Overall, this music video should've been better, but considering the incredible videos that are also a part of the Double Dutchess: Visual Experience, all can be forgiven for this one. It is highly emotional, both the song and the music video, but Fergie brings it like no one else can and that really pushes Denna Thomsen's visuals into the background.
I wasn't sure what music video to review today; and, since BTS has certainly proved that they are a force to be reckoned with, pushing k-pop into international mainstream music; it's about time they made it on to my blog. They continue to release songs that get everyone enjoying. The BTS Army - their fans - are sure making waves all around the world as they continue to support BTS in every single way, and it's admiring how they've managed to become an international chart-successful group. Watch BTS take us to the galaxy whilst they show off their incredible dancing in this universe inspired music video for their song "DNA".
BTS are a seven-piece boy group from South Korea, consisting of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. The group was formed by Big Hit Entertainment and they released their debut single in 2013. Since then, they have been building their fanbase, determined on making a global impact, and they sure have done that. BTS are the group to watch as they bring k-pop into mainstream music with the intention of keeping it there and truly allowing it be a genre flooding charts and radio. This is not one of those one-off singles, k-pop is finally here to stay, truly and properly. This song managed to chart all over the world, including my home country of the UK. "DNA" was written by Pdogg, Supreme Boi, "hitman" Bang, Suga, and Rap Monster (RM).
The music video was directed by YongSeok Choi. It shows enhanced images of DNA whilst the guys perform choreography that mimics the chemical structure of the molecule. It uses CGI-enhanced sets that really emphasise BTS in every way. Their performance piece is so on-point, there's no way I can fault them on their dancing.
Just wow! This group sure knows how to put on a show. Just imagine the amazing energy they would bring on stage at one of their gigs or live shows. They're all in such perfect sync and they literally go all out. The choreography is completely complex, to the extent that I reckon high-profiled artists would not be able to pull that off. If it was just them performing, then it'll certainly be getting my maximum five stars.
However, the scenes aren't easy to follow and the whole thing comes off as a bright explosion whilst being completely quirky, and not in a good way. It is addicting, enough to put anyone into a trance, but it doesn't follow anything, making it quite confusing to any viewer - I guess DNA itself can be confusing to those who don't understand it. BTS are on form, and I can't wait to see their world domination intention become reality because I am so ready.
We finally have a music video for this number one song, just as it steeply falls down the UK chart. I could've done with this when it was at number one instead of having to keep mentioning it didn't have a music video, which was true at the time. Now as it drops out of the top ten and Camila Cabello stays strong at the top spot with "Havana" featuring Young Thug (she's later knocked off, but this blog is backdated); we get to watch the music video and I get to review it for my Chart Mondays review. Watch Post Malone fight with samurai swords covering himself and the room with blood as a battle rages on in this music video for "rockstar" featuring 21 Savage.
Post Malone, real name Austin Post, is a hip-hop artist who has had a number of hit songs in the US. It takes a lot for hip-hop tracks to make it over the water to the UK, but this track surely did, whereas his previous tracks only charted moderately well. Personally, I think this song did so well because of it not having a music video, and only the chorus was released on YouTube, therefore sending everyone on to streaming services to hear the song - just like Drake did with his song "One Dance"; which still doesn't have a music video. This song features 21 Savage, real name Shayaa Abraham-Joseph. He is an American rapper who has been making some waves in the music industry, this song has certainly pushed his success, that's for sure. This song was written by Austin Post, Shayaa Abraham-Joseph, Louis Bell, and Olufunmibi Awoshiley.
Directed by Emil Nava, the music video takes inspiration from Japanese action film Lady Snowblood. There are narrative scenes throughout but this is mainly a performance piece. Post Malone brings a bit of energy, but it's 21 Savage that truly shines in this video when it comes to stage presence.
As for the sword fighting, it's interesting but doesn't seem to tell any sort of story, there's just Post Malone dressed in white with his backup women fighters also wearing white, as they stab and slash at the enemies who are men, dressed in black, spreading their blood over themselves and the room, before it's all washed away with sprinklers in the final shot.
That's all there is to this music video, nothing stands out, the snake has too much screen time especially when it isn't doing anything specific, and there's just too much blood. It's obsessive and over the top, and doesn't really relate to the song much.
Now, how have I not reviewed this yet? My favourite collaboration in the whole world and the song is such a jam too! Well, it's time I rectify this and write up a review of this music video. The song is a killer but it nearly didn't get released, as it was originally an Inna song, with her singing slightly different lyrics, it was "from Argentina to Mexico", but it obviously got changed for this collaboration - to be fair it does feel more like an Alexandra Stan song. It works well as a collaboration and certainly brings the fire. Many people referred to it as the Romanian answer to Shakira & Rihanna's "Can't Remember To Forget You". Watch Alexandra Stan and Inna wear sexy clothes as the perform this song and knock out some killer choreography, whilst Daddy Yankee performs a segment in this music video for "We Wanna".
Alexandra Stan is one of the biggest female Romanian artists around at the moment, she went viral with her song "Mr Saxobeat" which charted all around the world, she hasn't managed to follow through with that success with any of her follow-up songs, although most of them are flat-out amazing and catchy in every way - just take a listen and you'll have no choice but to agree. This collaboration sees another top Romanian female artist perform the song alongside her. Inna, real name Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu, is a worldwide artist and has over two billion views on YouTube. She has fans in countries all around the world and rose to fame with hit singles "Hot", "Amazing" and "Sun Is Up". She's collaborated with big stars and hit it big again with "More Than Friends", "Cola Song", and "Good Time". Yet, it's her latest singles that have risen to the top with "Gimme Gimme" and "Ruleta" having over 100 million YouTube views. I am waiting for the day she has a global chart hit in every country - it's bound to happen sometime soon. They later collaborated together, again, on G Girls' "Call The Police". Featuring on this track is Daddy Yankee, real name Ramón Rodríguez, who is one of the biggest latino singers around, he's hit it big a number of times, most notably with "Gasolina" and extremely recently with "Despacito". This time, he's bound to stay on form and hit out chart single after chart single. This song should've been a worldwide hit; disappointingly so, it only charted in a few countries, turning this into a treasured hit by many. The song was written by Ramón Ayala, Jacob Luttrell, Andreas Schuller, and Thomas Troelsen.
Directed by Khaled Mokhtar, Dimitri Caceaune, and David Gal, this music video is another performance piece from Romanian artists Alexandra Stan and Inna, as well as Puerto Rican artist Daddy Yankee. However, the female singers switch it up by actually performing a dance sequence. Yes, Alexandra Stan and Inna are actually dancing in this visual.
The visual starts off with a Lenovo phone ringing, suggesting that the song's backing track would be perfect as a ringtone. Someone flips the phone over and answers the call from Alexandra Stan - could this possibly be Inna's phone?
We then flit over to a close up of a chandelier and various other shots as the collaboration between Alexandra Stan and Inna truly begins. This song combines the Saxobeats and the Club Rockers, making both fandoms very happy that their dreams of a duet is finally here.
The following scenes see both artists perform the song in various outfits and settings. Alexandra Stan is overly sexualised, to the extent where all eyes are on her. I hate most of the outfits she is wearing, and she just comes across too much of a try-hard. Inna, on the other hand, is more reserved in her fashion choices and certainly comes off a lot better. My favourite performance segment, apart from the dancing scene, is totally Inna's stage scene. Although each scene, from each of the artists, are pure fire, these women sure know how to bring the energy.
As for Daddy Yankee, he clearly filmed his segment somewhere else, but the constant switching from scenes makes it feel like he was actually there. He brings the same amount of energy throughout whilst Alexandra Stan and Inna prepare for their dance battle and choreographed sequence - this is the scene that grabs us all.
Overall, this song is a complete banger of a tune - it should've been a worldwide hit. The accompanying music video is overly sexualised, although it looks like Alexandra Stan and Inna had loads of fun during the party at the end, and it sure gains kudos for their dance sequence, which is pure fire. Both these artists need to do full-on choreography in one of their upcoming music videos because they are certainly more than capable. It's also nice to see Daddy Yankee break up the song with his segment. A perfect song and a pretty great video.
