Frankie Ballard - Young & Crazy


Young & Crazy - Frankie Ballard |

Back we go to my iTunes shuffler which played this song about an hour ago and it's still in my head in some way or another. I checked to see if there was a music video, and here it is - that's what I like to see, something for me to review. The song is an undeniably catchy country song with meaningful lyrics throughout, painting a picture for every single listener. As for the music video, I am certainly less impressed in every way. Watch Frankie Ballard perform his song on stage to his fans, showing off his performance skills whilst we see some backstage intercut scenes in this music video for "Young & Crazy".

Frankie Ballard launched into the music industry scene when he took part in Kenny Chesney's Next Big Star competition, which he won; he then went on to open shows for Kenny Chesney in Michigan, and it wasn't long until his music career kicked off. He's done really well on the US Billboard Hot Country and Country Airplay charts as well as in Canada too. This song did really well, proving to many people that he deserves to be in the music industry. His voice is country perfection and I hope that he has a worldwide hit, that's all it takes. This song was written by Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley, and Shane McAnally.

Directed by Glen Rose, this music video really doesn't have a lot to it and is more of a tour video than anything else. The main visual is of Frankie Ballard and his backing band performing on stage. He's full of life, and it truly is great to see him connect with this song and release his energy out to the crowd.

His fans are clearly loving every minute of it, and to be fair I would be too if I had been there. The thing is the camera operator annoys me throughout. First off the camera isn't the best, so therefore not easily transcending to the viewers at home very well. Secondly, it could've been edited lighting wise to interest the audience. But, my main problem is that it's moving about way too much.

As for the intercut scenes, is there any need for them? Frankie Ballard certainly isn't acting young and crazy during these parts - if only he was. Overall, the viewers at home don't get much from this music video apart from understanding the energy that Frankie Ballard has when he's on stage - he's definitely someone I would love to see live; however, as a whole, it just doesn't work and with a song as powerful, emotional, and meaningful as this, you would think there would be a better concept.
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New Release: Micke Moreno Featuring Kryan - Juego


Juego (feat. Kryan) - Micke Moreno |

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm obsessed with Global Records and their array of artists on the record label. They recently created a division titled Global Records Latin, which Micke Moreno was the first star to release under that division with "El Amor" which featured Antonia. The label has continued to release songs that are beyond addicting, and here is another one on this backdated new release. I previously wrote up about this for CelebMix, and although it wasn't strictly released on this backdated date, it was released a few days earlier, it was still new for that week. Watch Micke Moreno and Kryan battle it out during a car race intercut with performance scenes in this music video set in a car park for "Juego".

Micke Moreno, who is sometimes known as just Micke, is best known for taking part in The X Factor (US) and La Banda. Now, Global Records Latin has picked him up, along with some of his friends for their new record label, and it is proving to do well for everyone involved. His debut, "El Amor" got millions of YouTube views, although we reckon that was with the help of featured star Antonia. This single sees him collaborate with Kryan, again - they first teamed-up for "Eres Tu" along with Fabyan and Yoandri. Kryan is known for being on La Voz Teens where he was a semi-finalist. Now, he's a part of Global Records Latin allowing him to pursue his dream and passion. He manages to twist up this track, adding his stamp and flavour. The song was written by Micke Moreno and Brien Melo with Alexandru Cotoi helping to compose the music.

The music video has both a narrative and a performance piece, so you would expect my rating, at the end of this review, to be high; this is the core of a great music video, however this just doesn't come off quite so well. The performance takes over as the main part, leaving the uninteresting and overdone narrative to become a minor part.

The car race launches this whole music video, but sometimes the cars don't look as if they're competing. They go around the car park as we wait to see who wins. We've seen plenty of car races in music videos. Micke Moreno looks disappointed at the end, suggesting he lost, but maybe he's just unhappy about Kryan's inability to perform in the performance part.

To be fair, it's not just Kryan's fault, the camera operator focuses on the women dancers far more than the two singers, and we can't really blame Kryan for being distracted, now can we? It would be good to see Kryan perform all by himself, to see if he does grab the audience at home. As for Micke Moreno, he is on point and definitely a future star, he controls the energy and slams it right into the viewers at home. He's not distracted and wants to give a good performance, and he manages to save this video in every way.
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Antonia - Marabou


Marabou - Antonia |

Another week, another Thursday Revisit, and I have been waiting for a 2018 Thursday where I get to review this track by Antonia. This is totally her top solo song in Romania, and gosh is it catchy. It's one of those songs that stay in your head even a day after you first heard it. It's no surprise it climbed so high on the Romanian charts. Today is the first time I've seen this music video and I am so not impressed. Her latest music videos are on fire in every way, whereas this one just feels low-budget and it's beyond simple. Watch Antonia perform this hit song against a white background, flooding the visual with her modelling skills in this music video for "Marabou".

Antonia, full name Antonia Iacobescu, is one of the top female Romanian singers about at the moment. She's just released a brand new single that I can't get over, titled "Tango". I am hoping she plans on releasing a new album as we totally need a follow-up to her debut, especially since some of her latest tracks have charted well in her home country. All her recent tracks have been amazing, but none have quite reached number one in Romania like this song did. Catchy beyond anything we can imagine, Antonia sounds perfect on this song and is subtly sexy with the lyrics, which makes it even more addicting. "Marabou" was written by Thomas Troelsen and Anna F.

There really isn't much to this music video at all, and considering what she's released recently, this visual doesn't live up to Antonia's true potential. It was directed by Khaled Mokhtar - which really shows how far he has come in directing music videos since this.

Within the clip, Antonia draws on her modelling experience to sell this song. She is wearing a black dress that exposes her chest and the sides of her body. Throughout she's sexy and sultry as she stares into the camera and she tantalises the audience with certain moves.

Overall, this music video is beyond basic. It uses Antonia's strengths from when she was a model and wraps it up in a sexy music video that doesn't go anywhere. There are some synchronicity issues, where her lips don't match up to the lyrics, which draws the whole music video down. Regardless, Antonia stays in character throughout and does what she can to make this visual, good.
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Jordan Fisher - All About Us


All About Us - Jordan Fisher |

Once again, YouTube came through for me with this music video as I found it on the right panel when I was reviewing Forever In Your Mind's "Smooth", and the thumbnail just stood out at me. I recognise his face, although I'm not quite sure where from, as I've only ever seen Grease Live! from what he has been in, and I don't remember him in that show, although he clearly was one of the main characters. I probably recognise him from all the press from the 25th season of Dancing With The Stars, which he won. He's been trying for a music career for some time and he has done all right to date. Watch Jordan Fisher profess his love for a woman while he knocks out some brilliant dance choreography in this music video to his debut song "All About Us".

Jordan Fisher is a name people are quickly getting to know. He's an established actor and musician, and he is certainly getting his name out there. As previously mentioned, he's the winner of the 25th season of Dancing With The Stars, which is bound to push him to future success. He has appeared in 12 episodes of Liv & Maddie; starred in Grease Live!, Teen Beach Movie, Teen Beach Movie 2, and appeared in 9 episodes of The Secret Life Of An American Teenager. He has also appeared in the Broadway production of Hamilton. As for his music career, this song was his debut single back in 2016. He has since released an EP and three follow-up singles. I am certainly interested in seeing what the future brings him, music wise. The song charted on the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40 at number 26. It was written by Nick Bailey, Rick James, Ryan Ogren, and Steve McMorran.

Directed by TK McKamy, this music video is a pure performance visual that really showcases everything about Jordan Fisher. He sings passionately, he dances like he's on fire (no wonder he won Dancing With The Stars), and he can stay in character all the way through a music video.

You would think this visual has it all. The choreography is on point all the way through, and there's even a slight narrative with his love interest. However, he loses connection with the audience. I'm not sure if the song isn't exactly to his liking, or he hasn't quite felt it within him, but whatever it is, he feels slightly out of it.

The audience loses interest as the first scene progresses and we're drawn back in when additional dancers added into the scenes. However, it happens again towards the end of the music video as it doesn't develop or grow. It feels like it's one flat visual.

Regardless, Jordan Fisher gives it his all. His dancing is superb and the choreography is so on-point that we all wish we could dance just like him. The additional dancers, as well as his love interest, add flavour and intrigue to the mix, but it's just lacking connection overall. Jordan Fisher is on fire in this clip and this excites me for what is to come from him in the future.
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Forever In Your Mind - Smooth


Smooth - Forever in Your Mind |

I wouldn't say I'm a fan of Forever In Your Mind, but I do love their music, and here's another example of a very catchy song; although, I don't approve of what they said about BTS, on the other hand, they did apologise about it, so I guess it can be forgiven. This song may be beyond catchy, but the music video is lacking a smooth quality which we were expecting - there's just way too much smiling going on. Watch Forever In Your Mind attempt to be sexy and sultry and smooth whilst they dance with female love interests in this music video for their song "Smooth".

Forever In Your Mind are a three-piece boyband consisting of Emery Kelly, Ricky Garcia, and Liam Attridge. They made their name when they were formed on the third season of The X Factor (US); however, they only made it to the Bootcamp stage before being eliminated. I guess they proved Simon Cowell wrong though since they have gone on to release two EPs and a bunch of singles. Not only that, but they almost bagged a Disney TV series as the lead stars; unfortunately, the show wasn't picked up - they could've been the next Jonas Brothers. Regardless, they are still going and releasing contagious music that I can't help but love. This song, "Smooth", was written by Dustin Atlas, Emery Kelly, Emily McDonald, Liam Attridge, and Ricky Garcia.

Directed by Nayip Ramos, this music video is a pure performance piece with the guys attempting to nail it with the song. They clearly connect with it but are just having too much fun on set that they can't help but smile, rather than act smooth - this is the major flaw with the music video.

The concept is great, seeing the women in the music video as parts of their imagination; clearly, they are still on the guys' minds. Then, they surprise us with some brilliant dance choreography that they completely nail in every single way.

Throughout, they bring sex-appeal and killer dance moves. They manage to be sultry and smooth all the way through the scenes; however, it isn't consistent. The worse is Liam Attridge who may have perfected his smooth look during his verse, but throughout he's always smiling for the camera before he realises he's not supposed to smile and tries to look sultry again. He's not the only one, Emery Kelly and Ricky Garcia have their moments too. They're just living the life and having fun on set; it just sidetracks the viewers. If they can't stay in character for an almost four-minute visual, then it's no surprise their TV show wasn't picked up by Disney Channel.
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