Britney Spears - Circus



Britney time! I've had this song stuck in my head for the past week, maybe even longer, because there's this guy I really like, but there's nothing I can do about it... So naturally music is there to describe exactly how I'm feeling. Now I used to just think this was a normal Britney Spears single, until the Twister Rave Remix came out, now it's my TUNE! And it totally describes me, I am a ringleader when I'm on the dancefloor with my friends. "Born To Make You Happy" is also about me, according to my friends. Britney Spears outshines herself in this video, relating totally to the song allowing connotations with circuses into the song and video, which is just perfect.

Britney Spears is currently in Las Vegas doing her show Britney: Piece of Me. She has confirmed she is working on her ninth studio album, which has definitely excited me. Her most recent single was a collaboration with Iggy Azalea which wasn't exactly a hit, but did get people talking. Her show has been selling well so far, including sold out shows in the first few months. I'm hopeful her ninth studio album will allow for a world tour, as I've been wanting to see Britney Spears live since I was little, even if she's always criticized for not singing live, it'll be a show I'll never forget, just like this music video.

This video was directed by Francis Lawrence, while the song was written by Lukasz Gottwald (Dr. Luke), Claude Kelly and Benjamin Levin. Some popular names there, unfortunately it only hit number 13 here in the UK. She is looking stunning in this circus-themed video, which includes a lion or two and an elephant!

A perfect dance sequence is also used, her choreography, as always, is on point. Her dance ability is out of this world and this definitely proves that.

The start includes product placement from Bugari, as well as her own fragrances. This so reminds me of when Avril Lavigne does the exact same thing in her "What The Hell" music video, which I've just realised. The jewellery by Bugari is beautiful and looks stunning on Britney.

I love the circus acts, with Britney Spears being the ringleader, because that's what the song states and that is what she is when she dances, along with me. Unfortunately she doesn't have a bat at being a fire breather, although they are included in the video along with a mime on stilts, clowns, contortionists and ribbon dancers.

Overall, this is a perfect video, that I can't fault in any way.Even though Britney Spears was currently not well during these years, you can't tell much, if at all. Dancing is in sync, her performance and acting skills is more than good, she looks like the Britney we all know and love, especially at the end when she catches the hat and is laughing. I would never have thought she wasn't well. But I totally believe we now have the old Britney back, and hopefully with her ninth studio album, she'll finally hit number one on the UK album chart, it's outstanding how she has never got to the top spot yet.
Buy on iTunes

Miley Cyrus - BB Talk



What have I seriously just watched. Miley Cyrus what are you doing to me? What are you doing with your life? Is this for real? Is this even serious? If this is who she is now, then please change soon. I just can't deal with this music video, although I have to admit the song isn't as bad. Collaborating with The Flaming Lips front man, Wayne Coyne; Miley Cyrus has turned herself into an adult baby, taking a few of the lyrics seriously and creating a wild, stupid, unforgivable and yet extraordinarily out of her friken mind of a music video. A round of applause, she has once again got everybody talking about her and her music videos, way to jump back into the limelight.

I have been a fan of Miley Cyrus, real name Destiny Cyrus, since "See You Again" first got released, since then I have followed her career, and I commemorate her and Justin Bieber. They both know exactly what they're doing, creating headlines here, there and everywhere, which is soaring their popularity. There is no such thing as bad publicity right? Especially when it helps these stars rake in at number one over and over again. This song was written by Miley Cyrus herself, and I actually like it, it's quirky different but works well as a song, surprisingly. It's off her fifth studio album called Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, which she released on her website for FREE streaming, whether it will finally be released on iTunes, is a whole different matter, since this is a side project that she worked with with The Flaming Lips. You can listen to the album by clicking here.

First off, this has had a lot of criticism to claims that it is a copy of Melanie Martinez's "Dollhouse". Personally, I can see similarities, yet similarities are in nearly every music video created, and yet they are totally different, this is a pure performance piece, and is more of a weird Alice In Wonderland sort of video.

Miley Cyrus is dressed as an adult baby, and does baby things, well, sort of. I wouldn't say smoking out of a dummy is high on list of priorities for babies. Although I have to love the choreography sequence, which Miley Cyrus performs perfectly and in sync at the right times. It reminds me of the teddy bears used in the "We Can't Stop" music video.

Overall, out of the ordinary weird, so much so I can't cope. I will hopefully never have to watch this again due to it's bizarreness. Miley Cyrus fails in making me want to see her live, especially if she's dressed up as a baby, not my sort of thing. However a true vision of a representation of the lyrics, taking and using them literally. Leaving me indecisive on a rating, so let's go down the middle.
Stream off her website
(Photo from Miley Cyrus' Instagram)

New Release: Wretch 32 Featuring Anne-Marie & PRGRSHN - Alright With Me



NOW this is a TUNE! First time hearing it, and first time watching this music video, and it's a HIT! But will it chart? That is the question, according to iTunes it's not looking so well. Could this be due to not enough exposure and promotion? A catchy chorus performed beautifully by Anne-Marie, a Wretch 32 song that is worth listening to over and over again, PRGRSHN makes the track perfect, and a brilliant video to boot, that should be shown everywhere to stop people stereotyping others because of their race and the way they look.

Wretch 32, real name Jermaine Sinclair, has had hit after hit here in the UK, he got to number one with "Don't Go" which features Josh Kumra, as well as number two with "Unorthodox" which features Ed Sheeran. He has shown versatility with this song, and having it next to his other most recent singles on his new album will definitely make him shine. Anne-Marie provides the vocals for the chorus, she is one to watch for 2016, having toured with the likes of Rudimental, she is ready to hit the world. This collaboration should be getting her name out there, but if it charts low, she'll have a lot of work to do to get a charting hit. Ed Sheeran is apparently a fan of her. As for PRGRSHN, real name Ras Kassa Alexander, he has quite a lot of followers on his soundcloud account, he's a producer and he's worked with Rudimental and Josh Record, again he is another new star, is he one to watch? With a song like this? Quite possibly. This song was co-written with Emeli Sandé. I could so imagine her vocals on this, however Anne-Marie was definitely the better choice, although I would like to hear an Emeli Sandé version, who's vocals would definitely have made sure this song charted. Hopefully the song will advance on iTunes soon and get a good charting position as it clearly deserves it.

I love this video, I love everything about it. I love how it's misleading in the first few scenes, making the viewer stereotype the people in it, it's awful how we can just presume something like this without even thinking it through. Anne-Marie shines, she has a super sexy look, and she is a vision, what a way to make an impact, she has definitely gained a lot more fans thanks to this video. Wretch 32, doesn't fade into the background either, and doesn't let Anne-Marie be the spotlight. Such a perfect collaboration.

The narrative is amazing, it tricks viewers into thinking something bad is either happening or about to happen. I feel some scenes were cut out, and I don't get the man and the child bit. I love the fact that the guy is running with a bag and a police woman is running after him, later we find out he was late for his graduation, hence why he's trying to get there on time, the policewoman is his lover. Then there's the kids with the old woman, it's the cutest, most adorable scene that I fell in love with from the first viewing, it makes me question how many kids actually would do such a thing.

This song should be a charting hit, but it doesn't look like this will happen. The video is amazing, brilliant and perfect. It's surprising and fits with the song effortlessly, these guys are misunderstood by many people, including the viewers watching, without a full story we normally fill in the blanks; this video tells us how wrong we can be, and it's a video I'll keep on remembering. Watch out for Anne-Marie, she's a star in the making!
Buy on iTunes

Hilary Duff - Come Clean



Hilary Duff is my revisit this week, after I reviewed "So Yesterday". This was one of my favourite songs by her, and it has a relatable music video to go with it. Hilary Duff looks stunning in this video with candles lit around her and the rain pouring outside, she's alone and wishing she could go back to the beginning of a relationship, because you can never fit "a square into a circle".

Hilary Duff has come a long way since this song, and even though her most recent album didn't do very well in the UK, I am grateful that her music has became something better and the lyrics are a lot more normal than these cheesy unforgivable lines. Her vocal ability has come a long way too, but I think that is more to do with the fact that a few songs on her fifth studio album was written by herself, and she has definitely connected more with those songs. This one and a few of her back-catalogue feels like she didn't connect, this just sounds like she sung the song rather than emotionally singing, although the studio version is much better than the one used in the video. This was written by Kara DioGuardi and John Shanks.

The video is sweet and innocent, perfectly relatable to the song and reminds me a bit of JoJo's "Too Little Too Late". It was directed by Dave Meyers.

The video has snapshot scenes of a guy, who's name I do not know if anyone knows please comment below. Is this an ex? Or just a friend, we never actually find out. But Hilary Duff spends her time in her rather large lonely house, waiting for the rain to pass. She's very serious and numb, very numb.

It's one of those times where you don't know how to feel, you're just numb. I'm feeling that right now, and I'm so glad that I saw this video today, because that is exactly how I'm feeling. Yet it looks like Hilary Duff gets her happy ending, which doesn't seem to be coming my way any time soon.

Overall, a great music video, I love how she chills out with her friends watching TV whilst singing along to her own song haha, I wonder if other artists do that. I like seeing how old the technology is, and what? It's only been 11 years, it's shocking how advanced technology has come. This is a perfect video, and it's nice to see Hilary Duff much more serious. I admit I much prefer Master Blasters' cover version also called "Come Clean".
Buy on iTunes

The Vamps - Rest Your Love



Time for The Vamps new song, well that's if I don't die before hand since the light in my room is flickering and scaring the hell out of me. This is their new song, and the music video has only just been released. Unfortunately it's not a scary music video to go with my scared mood at the moment due to the flickering light above my head, yet this is more of where's-the-celebrity music video, or spot-the-star video. Ahhhhhh, my light has just gone out! My laptop is my only source for light, and the wind is making scary noises outside my window... DEEP BREATH. The Vamps show how their image has matured, and yet they are still children inside, throwing parties and having fun, but where's the fun song to go with it?

The Vamps consist of Connor Ball, Tristan Evans, James McVey and Brad Simpson. They have yet to reach number one on the Singles chart here in the UK, coming a close number two with "Can We Dance" which was slightly beaten by OneRepublic's "Counting Stars". As well as that, they got a number two with "Last Night", which was beaten to the top spot by Sigma's "Nobody To Love". They are after that all important number one, but will it take them as long as it did for The Saturdays? We'll have to wait and see. This is their new single, written by Rami Yacoub, Carl Falk, Savan Kotecha and Johan Schuster; names we hear and I type again and again. Doesn't sound much of a hit, and totally surprised The Vamps haven't written it, they also haven't wrote most of their songs on their album, which is totally different compared to their first album. Could this explain why their first single from this album, "Wake Up", didn't hit the Top 10? They need a hit single next, and this surely isn't it.

The video shows a different side to each person in the band, where they host their own parties. Yet I can't help but think that for some of their parties, they aren't being their true selves. It kind of reminds me of Jessie J's "It's My Party". Yet whereas that is a fun song that relates to the video, this one really doesn't.

I like the ending, creating one big manic party. I also like how there are many different stars at each of the parties. This has been done a few times before, especially in New Found Glory's "Kiss Me". The stars that feature in this music video includes: Conor Maynard, Oli White, Dynamo, New Hope Club, Nina Nesbitt, Cel Spellman and Maisie Williams. If you spot anyone I've missed, include it in the comments below.

Overall a star studded cast in this fun video, yet it doesn't relate to the song all that much. Fun, wild, crazy, manic, all the words to describe the perfect party, with product placement of the Wizboard, these are everywhere at the moment, and I think it's going to stay that way. Unfortunately this video could have linked to any song, it wouldn't have mattered.
Buy on iTunes
(official artwork to come)

Hilary Duff - So Yesterday



I've had this song stuck in my head. Yes I admit, I am a fan of Hilary Duff and comparing this song to her most recently released album, which includes "Chasing The Sun", "Sparks" and "All About You", it really shows how she has changed to adapt to the music industry. This video is definitely reminiscent of my childhood and Hilary Duff is looking a bit like Avril Lavigne and Ashlee Simpson, with her rocker chick look and backing band, as well as getting her own back on her ex.

Hilary Duff's new album isn't as much as a success as it should have been. In the UK, it only just charted inside the top 100, yet in America it peaked at number five in the Billboard 200. There was little promotion over here, and she has disappeared from the UK's public eye. When you mention Hilary Duff in the UK, people automatically think of Lizzie McGuire and maybe her hits, this song, and "Wake Up", maybe "Come Clean" if you're lucky. I am glad she has returned to music, and hopefully she can get back to being as popular as she once was. She totally deserves it. This song was written by Lauren Christy, Scott Spock, Graham Edwards and Charlie Midnight.

The video is fun to watch, it's getting back on your ex, and yet she's singing a song saying that she's over him, it's a bit contradicting. Yeah, some could say she's doing it to get over him, but I personally think she's still obsessed with him. To be fair, one of my ex's could do this too since he still has a t-shirt of mine which he wears regularly. Oh well, at least it was a couple of quid from Primark, and not one of my expensive tees.

Directed by Chris Applebaum, the performance side is perfect, definitely sending me Avril Lavigne vibes in every way. The narrative is a little weird but works with the song. He is definitely So Yesterday. A typical video narrative and performance for the year it was released, and it totally works.
Buy on iTunes

Chart Mondays: Grace Featuring G-Eazy - You Don't Own Me



With Justin Bieber still dominating the Top 10 in the UK, he currently is number one with "Love Yourself", which has no official music video just yet; I have extremely little choice of music videos to choose from. This song has shot in at number five, thanks to the help of the House of Fraser TV advertisement as well as Lauren Murray's performance on The X Factor the weekend before. Personally I can feel the Christmassy vibes, which makes it perfect for the House of Fraser Christmas Advert, and yet it's not that great of a cover. Performed in a studio, chemistry passes between the two singers, subtle meanings go a long way, but does the video fail as well as the song?

Grace, real name Grace Sewell, has recently only just came on the scene, with this collaboration. This single is a cover of Lesley George's "You Don't Own Me", and her vocals are amazing, she can really sing. But will this be her only hit? This is a collaboration with G-Eazy, real name Gerald Gillum, who is an American hip-hop singer and producer, hence why he's producing in the music video. This is his first hit here in the UK, although his third album charted in the top 200 in 2014, he is one to watch out for, as he is coming into prominence, yet his rap doesn't help this song all that much.

The music video was directed by Saul Salmonman. There's a bit of flirtation between the two singers, which suggest a slight link with the song, where she wants to be independent and he wants to be with her. Although it's set in a recording studio, which takes a big impact away from everything. Their performances are great though, I would definitely see these singers live, full of passion Grace performs the song emotionally. G-Eazy's rap is performed on point, he means every word.

It's not wow, it's not amazing, it's more like a behind the scenes video about recording the song, it's kind of lazy, let's be fair, and there clearly wasn't much of a budget behind the video if it was this relaxed. Yet it's interesting how a song is made, but we've seen it all before.

Nothing new, nothing exciting, a song that doesn't exactly match, G-Eazy's rap is great, yet doesn't go with the song, Grace's voice outshines the entire song, and is full of emotion, yet it's not on point. The video is just as bad; lazy, unsurprising, and nothing to make me watch it again and again.
Buy on iTunes

New Release: Sigala Featuring Bryn Christopher - Sweet Lovin'


Sweet Lovin' (feat. Bryn Christopher) - Sigala |

Sigala is on form lately isn't he? Number one in the UK with "Easy Love" and now he's follow-up seems to be racking up the charts. This has pretty much come out of the blue, earlier today I was listening to it and I looked at it's iTunes position and it wasn't looking good, a summer club anthem released in winter... Not something you would expect. Then tonight I saw it in the top 10, like where has this come from? Catchy and definitely so much better than "Easy Love", this song is a summer tune to help us escape this cold winter, Sigala with Sweet Lovin' spreads the sun and the fun.

Sigala, real name Bruce Fielder, is a British DJ and has only released the two singles I have mentioned. He has definitely hit the UK by storm, but will he continue his success, or just dwindle away? Guess that's something we'll have to wait and see, but with songs like this, he will be around for some time, getting those all important chart numbers.

The music video is unsurprisingly similar to "Easy Love", which, at first, made me think it was too similar, but after second watch I kind of started to enjoy it, yet it isn't something new, and has been done plenty of times before. The roller skater is Candice Heiden, who have previously been in Moby's "The Perfect Life" and Chet Faker's "Gold".

The video reminds me of a cross between DJ Fresh's "Louder" and David Guetta Vs. The Egg's "Love Don't Let Me Go (Walking Away)", it's like they've been fused together yet not outstanding us, and more like failing to entertain.

Nothing that interests me, I do think it kind of relates to the song, her sweet loving sending vibes out to everyone she passes. Everyone has one of those days, where they're having such a good day and no one can bring you down, and then you don't even realise that you've made everyone's day automatically. Energy is always sent out in vibes, and sweet loving vibes can be sent all the time.
Buy on iTunes

Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello - I Know What You Did Last Summer



One of my favourite new songs this year. One that has a killer backing track and vocal, along with perfect lyrics, I just can't help but sing out loud. The song easily gets stuck in my head. Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello create a stormy relationship in this amazing performance based music video which is set in a theoretical storm to which is about to ensue.

Shawn Mendes is one of my favourite new singers I've come across. His hit single "Stitches" is vocally brilliant and has a cracking video to accompany it. I recently bought his album, which got to number 12 on the UK albums chart and it definitely has some brilliant tracks on there. Camila Cabello is one fifth of pop group Fifth Harmony, who are currently working on their second album. They have admitted that they can't promise they won't eventually break up, leaving harmonizers everywhere sad as they await the eventuality. I am a fan of all five girls, from when they first appeared on The X Factor US. And in the event of a break up, I'd end up buying each of the girls future releases as I don't have a favourite and I like all of them equally. This is Camila Cabello's first single without her band mates with her, and her vocals are stunning. The song was written by Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Ido Zmishlany, Noel Zancanella and Bill Withers. It has yet to chart in the UK, and it doesn't look promising. Both artists sing the song perfectly and I really wish more people would hear this, as it definitely deserves a high charting position.

Directed by Ryan Pallotta, simple but effective. I love the idea of the backing storm that builds and builds and the two singers walking towards each other but never breaking the distance between them. It really adds to the background of the song, and interprets the song well.

If a guy knew what a girl did last summer, where she probably cheated on him, he would be furious right? Hence the storm, it would be a stormy argument.

The real question is whether they are officially together or not, rumours of them dating and various social media photos has got both their fans queued in ready for their announcement.

Overall a perfect video for a perfect song, and they definitely look very sexy and steamy in this video, surprising what a little bit of rain can do. This is officially stuck in my head now, but was totally worth reviewing to see this perfect performance based video.
Buy on iTunes

David Guetta Featuring Emeli Sandé - What I Did For Love



I've had this song stuck in my head all day, so naturally I would review it. It's great to hear Emeli Sandé's voice again, we're all awaiting for new songs by her, radio is missing her voice, and with her killer vocals, anything she releases is going to be amazing. Surprisingly enough, this song is still being played on the music channels. David Guetta and Emeli Sandé doesn't appear in this video, yet their animated characters are wonderfully different and could possibly give people nightmares, that monkey is risking his life for love, and it totally was worth it.

David Guetta, real name Pierre David Guetta, is a Frech DJ who has had global success. He's got six UK number ones behind him, and I can definitely see him gaining a lot more in the future. As for Emeli Sandé, who is from Scotland, she has had two number one singles, both of which are collaborations. She has had four solo singles enter the top five, she just needs to hit the top spot, which may be the reason why she is taking her time for her next album, as her first single need to be a massive hit. I'm sure she can get her first solo number one. This song only got to number six and was written by David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, Breyan Stanley Isaac, Jason Evigan, Sam Martin and Sean Douglas.

This video is apparently a tribute to Cadbury's Milk Tray Man, surprisingly I vaguely remember these adverts on TV, but didn't connect the video with it until after researching it. Cadbury's is looking for a new milk tray man apparently, who will undoubtedly be revealed next year. The adverts were based around James Bond, in which the tray man delivered a box of chocolates to a woman, through verifying stunts.

Not only does the colours, in this animated video, correlate to Cadbury's, but the gorilla saves the woman every time she is in danger, until they end up asleep together in a cuddle. He reminds me of a bit of King Kong, especially since he catches her in his hand.

Personally, I don't think there's much to this video, and perhaps it was more of a promotional video rather than an actual music video. However an actual music video never materialised and therefore we were left with this. I love the narrative, although I think she is selfish, as it reminds me of Bruno Mars' "Grenade", she definitely wouldn't have done the same for that monkey.
Buy on iTunes

Chart Mondays: MNEK & Zara Larsson - Never Forget You



Again Justin Bieber's still at number one, with "Sorry", which currently doesn't have a music video, and so Chart Mondays is open to any of the top 10. I have very little choice now that I've reviewed almost all the music videos in the top 10 singles chart. This one is currently at number seven, and I can totally see why it charted so high. MNEK is back, looking cool and calm as usual in a brilliant performance piece which showcases Zara Larsson perfectly, it's accompanied with a perfect narrative which definitely reminds me of The Gruffalo, sweet, innocent and isolated. A perfect peaceful endearing story line.

MNEK, real name Uzo Emenike, has been tackling the charts for a while, he is mostly known for his feature on Gorgon City's "Ready For Your Love", which got to number four in the UK. This single peaked at number five, which is still considered good. It is a collaboration with Zara Larsson, who is from Sweden and has had many hits over there. This is her first single to chart here in the UK, and my guess is that it won't be her last. Sweden is really coming a long way when it comes to music, and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot more Swedish artists appeared in our charts sometime soon. The song is written by Zara Larsson, MNEK and Astronomyy.

The music video was directed by Richard Paris Wilson. The narrative definitely reminds me of The Gruffalo story by Julia Donaldson. A young girl meets a creature she wants to spend time with, it is believed the creature is imaginary, and as she gets older she dreams and imagines being with him till the end of time. She never forgets him as she gets older and she continues to spend time with him as she continues to grow.

The performance side is on point. Zara Larsson definitely outshines MNEK. She is a new artist, and she is a vision when she sings. MNEK, however, manages to portray the song perfectly. Both would definitely be good to see live.

Overall, an amazing song sung perfectly by these two artists. The music video is a little on the weird side, but it's sweet, endearing and definitely relates to the song.
Buy on iTunes

Sam Callahan - Bigger Things



Sam Callahan is back with a rockier sound, which is totally working for him. He has been going for a number of years, he appeared in some of my gay magazines which is where I spotted him, he became my Artist of the Month back in February 2013. He then went on The X Factor, and gained more fans to add to his Callafan army, who have supported him a lot. This is Sam Callahan's first release since finishing The X Factor, he looks cool and calm, with and emotional vocals and a perfect narrative video to accompany the song.

Sam Callahan has finally released his EP today, and this is the lead single from it. He previously released "Runaway Train" and "Crazy" which are no longer available on iTunes. He's rendition of "We'll Be Coming Back" is still one of my all-time favourite covers ever sung. I really do hope the best for his career, however I'm disappointed in his team for releasing this song on a SUNDAY! Are they not aware that New Music Fridays (NMF) has come in, where singles are released on a Friday, and that the chart is also released on a Friday to coincide with the NMF. The chances of this charting is little to none, and the iTunes chart proves this too, as he isn't anywhere near the top 1000, let alone the top 100. And the very little amount of YouTube views of his music video also shows how many people know about his EP. He's been promoting the song through school gigs, but this is clearly not working. He needs to up his promotion if he wants a good chance in the music industry. I really hope he doesn't fall like all the previous X Factor stars. I know he has the vocals and the star power to do it, he just needs more promotion, and a perfect song like "We'll Be Coming Back".

This is directed by Harvey Lewis, the narrative features a guy and a girl (Joe Ashman and Grace Walsh respectively) who are in a relationship that is rocky at best. It reminds me of Aylar Lie's relationship with Lucas Thorheim in Basshunter's "Now You're Gone" and "All I Ever Wanted".

They go away on a beach holiday and they're all loved up, but it soon ends with her being upset that some girl is texting him. They meet up once again and hug and say that they love each other. A typical relationship story, that works really well with the song.

Disappointingly Sam Callahan lets the whole thing down, he appears in some of the scenes singing the song, much like Basshunter appeared in his two videos. Sam Callahan, however, doesn't make me want to see him live, which is a slight surprise since he's nailed all his previous performance scenes in his previous music videos. Is this song something he hasn't got his heart in? Or is there something else we don't know? Fingers crossed his second music video is better (that's if he continues to release music). Personally, I think it's his time, he just needs that hit song, to get everyone talking.
Buy on iTunes

Fleur East - Sax



We have all been awaiting this video since the single dropped and I can't help feeling a little on the disappointed side. Been a fan of Fleur East since she appeared on The X Factor. Since then she has grown as an artist, and her first single since finishing second on The X Factor is one catchy song, this is my JAM in a club! Fleur East shines throughout the video, looking a bit like a celebration, a quality street and a heroes sweet you find in the sweet tubs, she throws in a tonne of effort for the choreography, leaving us with a show that is flawless.

As previously mention, Fleur East came second on The X Factor, just behind winner Ben Haenow. The 11th series gave us those two stars as well as Andrea Faustini, Jake Quickenden, Lauren Platt, Only The Young and Stereo Kicks. "Sax" was written by Fleur East, Edvard Førre Erfjord, Henrik Michelson, James Abrahart and Camille Purcell. Inspired by "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson, the song is infinitely catchy, and I cannot help but dance to it. I just want to go clubbing every time I hear it. It is now being used for the Asda Christmas commercial.

The music video was directed by award winning Colin Tilley, he directed Nick Jonas' "Levels", Tulisa's "Live It Up", Cheryl's "Crazy Stupid Love" and JLS's "She Makes Me Wanna". So surely he can bag an amazing video right?

Wrong. I wouldn't go as far as saying this was amazing. This has a killer dance choreography. One that makes me on my feet prepared to learn it. I already have the "get loose" section down to a tee. Probably the only bit I'm going to learn and nail.

Fleur East does her best to look incredible. The spotlight is on her, and she is looking mighty fine and damn well sexy. She pulls off the dance moves as if they're nothing, and although her clothing looks like a sweet wrapper, she still shines through.

However there is no saxophone in sight, no narrative to the story, and that changing background is definitely off putting. It's almost as if there wasn't much budget for the music video, and yet we don't need it with an amazing choreographed dance routine and a perfect smash hit of a song. Do we really need a perfect video on top?
Buy on iTunes

New Release: Sandi Thom - Earthquake



The UK hates a whiner, let's be honest, and Sandi Thom, real name Alexandria Thom, has hit the headlines with a video she posted on FaceBook about how upset she is that Radio 2 decided not to play this song. She claims the pop song has everything they needed. What's surprising is that she's chasing an old fashioned way of getting music out to the public, whereas her only number one single got to the top of the charts thanks to the internet. Radio has fought off many technological advances and is still the main game changer when it comes to chart hits. Sandi Thom may have made a 360 degrees music video, and a pop song that is worthy of radio play, but it's definitely not a stunner or extremely catchy, and the video follows suit failing to entertain and make us watch.

Sandi Thom's career is spiralling down and down, unable to gain the sales she needs. I remember buying "I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair)". An extremely catchy tune, that even when heard now, we still sing-a-long to. This is what she is missing, she needs a song that's catchy for this century. Earthquake fails because it feels like an old song, one you probably would've played ten years ago.

Annoyingly the video also seems ten years old too. Directed by Gev Miron, Ian Fisher and Sandi Thom. The latter wrote on the YouTube description that it's "shot using Go Pro cameras and the latest 360 technology the video is designed to be interactive and allows the viewer to navigate around the room using their curser or tilting their mobile device" (Sic).

So the video contains four characters all played by Sandi Thom. I'm going to name each one of them and review them that way. Number one is Confident. Moving to the right is number two Dancer. Number three I'm going to name Blondey and number four is going to be called Punk Rocker.

Right... Confident is sassy. But mainly performs the song sitting in a chair, in this roof room. She is currently pregnant, and she is glowing, you can tell. And I wish her the best for her baby, which is due in March 2016.

Dancer has her own little wooden stage to perform on. Disappointingly, she is wearing the same dress and shoes. Tied up her hair and changed jackets, not my idea of a different character, more like trying to cheat. There's no choreographed dance routine, just a lot of simple moves anyone can pull off, failing to entice the audience into watching her.

Blondey is also wearing the same dress and shoes. Instead Sandi Thom adorns a blonde wig and a cream coloured jacket. This is more flowy arms and attempt at Arabic dance moves which do not relate to the song at all, do not include dance moves that relate to a certain culture in a song that doesn't, simple. Unless you plan on doing what Inna did for "Yalla" by singing in Arabic.

Punk Rocker also dons the same dress and shoes. This time she has a purple jacket on and her hair has been dyed. This is the most passion we get from Sandi Thom. Without the tricks, without the 360 technology I would've preferred this video to be just us and Punk Rocker, because that is who she is, she's being real and emotional here, she truly is singing the song, believing every word. But the other characters knock this video right down.

Overall I have to applaud Sandi Thom for trying to make this video current, yet it totally fails. YouTube, for starters, can't handle the video that well, and therefore knocks the song from the singing characters, so either that is the fault of the person who tried to line up her lip-syncing to the audio, or it's because the video is using 360 technology. This is a definite no-no when it comes to music videos. Plus the style looks totally old school. The roof has boxes everywhere and I feel like I'm watching some poorly low budgeted 80's music video. It's just completely awful. Sandi Thom's career is spiralling right down, and there is no rope for her to catch, no ledge to grip on to, and her parachute is not working either. Can she ever come back from this. Probably not.
Buy on iTunes

Nathan Sykes - Born To Dance




I cannot believe I found this little gem. Today was difficult, since it's a Thursday, it means revisit time... Yet none of the artists I have reviewed this week have a music video released in 2009 or earlier. Until I found out that Nathan Sykes entered Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2004, and also released this song as a promotional single, not that I can find it available to buy anywhere. This is the only video I can find too. Nathan Sykes proves he can dance in sync with this video, vocals may not be on point, but they don't matter since he is looking adorable, he has grown into one hot guy now.

Nathan Sykes had won a few awards and competitions by this point, and so taking his chances with Eurovision, might not have served him good. In recent years I have become obsessed with Eurovision, many countries take it so seriously, and it's about time the United Kingdom stopped joking around and started to take it seriously too, the competition is not what it used to be, credible acts get sent there and the rightful winner wins, not because of neighbour voting or countries past conflict, and the voting proves that as each year passes, sometimes shocking us. Nathan Sykes came third in the UK selection behind unheard names Cory Spedding and Andrew Merry (the latter became part of The Risk on The X Factor Series 8, which have disbanded). Will Nathan Sykes take a shot at the main contest in the next few years? Or was this something he didn't care all that much about? We do need a credible act to represent us soon.

This is a full performance video, no official music video was released, and so I have the video that is of the UK's selection for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2004, which was shown on ITV2.

A typical kids song, with typical kids dance moves incorporated into a choreography, that isn't so bad when watched again.

Good staging, although not that impressed with his fashion choices. Nathan Sykes wasn't exactly Born To Dance, but definitely born to sing, his music career has only just started and he has definitely improved because "Over And Over Again" is a stunner!
"Nathan Sykes 2012" by Joella Marano - Nathan Sykes. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nathan_Sykes_2012.jpg#/media/File:Nathan_Sykes_2012.jpg
"Nathan Sykes 2012" by Joella Marano

Troye Sivan - TALK ME DOWN



You all knew this was coming, and I've been worried about reviewing it, what happens if it doesn't live up to "Wild" and "Fools"? What if I don't like the ending? It's the end of the Blue Neighbourhood videos, part 3/3, with a cliffhanger to boot, Troye Sivan do not let this be the end! Sad, depressing, upsetting and a little bit sexy, a short narrative this time that ends this little series, Troye Sivan is looking dapper, how can the other guy turn him down? Just come to me Troye Sivan, any day you want.

Troye Sivan, real name Troye Mellet, is all set to release his debut album "Blue Neighbourhood" on the 4th December 2015. And I am so ready to buy it off iTunes. His EPs and singles have charted well in the UK, Australia and the US, but will his album top the charts? I surely hope so, but he has stiff competition. Personally he has become an idol in the LGBT world, and I'd have definitely come out sooner if I had had him as someone to look up to. He's influential and a total inspiration, and I'll never stop supporting him.

This final part in his music video series is set at a funeral, it's directed by Tim Mattia.

The funeral is for the other guy's father who was a drunk in "Wild" who also beat him up, who was homophobic as well, which we saw in "Fools". With him gone you would think he would get back with Troye Sivan.

This is not the case and he is still influenced by his father's opinions and expectations, it's so sad that he lets his father still control him.

The cliffhanging ending is devastatingly tragic. I'd never wish that on anyone, although I also think Troye Sivan is a fool to still want him back, just no! Move on and leave him behind, he made his bed and he needs to deal with it. Or not. Yet love is love, and no one can help how they feel towards someone.
Buy on iTunes

Megan Landry - Wallpaper



Suggestion time! Megan Landry commented on my suggestions page and posted a link to one of her own music videos, risky but clever. First off I want to say sorry it took me eight months before actually reviewing it, but I've been blogging infrequently this year, and only recently started publishing daily, and I only just checked my suggestions and I saw it there. Powerful, innocent and deep, Megan Landry shows us, that as children, we are influenced easily whilst growing up, what we saw, listened to and where we grew up could influence where we are now and who we are, and yet it's us that gets us here. Every person we pass was just a child, like the ones featured in the video.

Megan Landry, 19, is from Ottawa, Canada. She has a total of 20 videos on her YouTube channel, over 8,000 subscribers, and plenty of songs on iTunes. Recently she has released "Stills", her debut album. Her voice is powerful, authentic in a current way, and her songs are clearly filled with passion. The way she is going, all she needs is more promotion, and she'll be topping charts around the world. Watch out for this girl, if she doesn't become something soon, the music industry will be missing someone amazing!

The music video was self-made, directed by Megan Landry, she proves she has the perfect ideas to go with the perfect songs.

The start is insightful, little clips that show what is happening in the world, it's explained later, showing what the children probably became. With this sort of stuff surrounding them it's not surprising.

Children are so innocent, and I totally do miss those days. This really packs a punch and make you see how influence can shape a person, how everyone you pass and meet all were just as innocent as you once were.

As for the performance side, Megan Landry is strong, full of emotion, and intense, reminding me of Diana Vickers. Her voice is perfect and she hits all the notes. The video interprets the song just right, this is one low-budget video that I won't be forgetting because it's so good! Just as a side note, the girl is using a vapour cigarette and not a real one, obviously.
Buy on iTunes

Chart Mondays: One Direction - Perfect



Adele's "Hello" has finally been knocked off the number one spot... By Justin Bieber with "Sorry"... Only that has yet to have an official music video; leaving me, once again, with my chart Mondays open to the top 10. The top five, unfortunately, are either filled with videos I have reviewed or they don't have one. With little to choose from, I chose this one because I feel that One Direction have totally upped their game since Zayn Malik left the band. Classy and stylish, One direction shows what perfect means to them, which is trouble in hotel rooms, little rendez vous and going places you can't pronounce.

One Direction now consists of Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. Since becoming a four-piece they have definitely had much more catchy songs, so it's no wonder they chart so highly. This follow-up to "Drag Me Down" is a perfect ballad, that you can't help but sing-a-long to. Written by Jesse Shatkin, Jacob Kasher, John Ryan, Maureen Anne McDonald (MoZella), Julian Bunetta, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson.

Here are the boys in black and white... They come across classy, but it's rare for me to approve of this setting on a music video. It was directed by Sophie Muller.

The video shows the boys lives whilst on tour and what they do in their spare time. Links in well with the song in the aspect of the hotel corridors and they also doing things they shouldn't, like playing football indoors.

Relaxed and fun, the band really perform and proves that they are good to see live. They capture the essence of themselves, their own individualities and an attempt at a look-in of One Direction as a whole, some may say their lives are perfect.

Simple, easy, tiring; the black and white effect does not help this video at all, and has definitely taken one star off this video. All four guys are again singing to one girl, very similar to their debut "What Makes You Beautiful", however have to hand it to them, everything else is just fine, not great and definitely not perfect.
Buy on iTunes

Galantis - Peanut Butter Jelly



Their follow up to "Runaway (U & I)", which can also be heard at the start of the video, is this amazing smash of a song, with a music video that has got everyone talking, who doesn't want peanut butter jelly now? Galantis is impacting the charts well, and with videos like this, sexy, fun, full of cultural diversity and full of variety, they are appealing to everyone; I'm expecting many more hits.

Galantis consist of Christian Karlsson (Bloodshy) and Linus Eklöw. The former has won multiple awards including an Ivor Novello for Britney Spears' "Toxic", he is also one half of Bloodshy & Avant and part of Miike Snow. The latter is most commonly known as Style of Eye, and has remixed a lot of well known tracks. In this collaboration, they have come together and are charting globally. Written by Phillip Hurtt, the song samples Bettye Swan's "Kiss My Love Goodbye".

This is the sort of supermarket I want to walk into, Galantis please take me here, I want to strut around dancing to your track in the middle of the aisles! The awesome video is directed by Dano Cerny.

The video starts off normally, the typical people you see around a supermarket, yet it advances to something so much more when the beat kicks in. Strangers clothes are whipped off by an invisible source and they're dancing in tight bodysuits. It's like an infectious wave and as the music continues and the dancing becomes more sexualised, more and more people transform into confident dancers.

What more can I say really? It's nothing normal, it's got everyone talking, got everyone praying this would happen in real life and cheer grocery customers up, yet it seems totally random, Although the song is sexualised, the video follows suit. Great catchy song, and a very surprising interpretation into a video, that none of us saw coming. The video features Jillian Sipkins, who is the girl on the roller skates.
Buy on iTunes

Shawn Mendes - Stitches



Saw this for the first time today on the music channels, I hadn't even heard this song before today and yet I just had to review this video. Just an invisible ex beating him up, a ghosty ex, or him beating himself up where the relationship went wrong? Either way Shawn Mendes shines through wishing I was the one healing Shawn Mendes.

Shawn Mendes first came to light on Vine, singing covers of songs. He soon became popular and got a record deal. He released an EP, and an album that has done well, and this song is his biggest hit. Most recently he has released a collaboration with Camila Cabello, one fifth of Fifth Harmony, called "I Know What You Did Last Summer". This guy, with this voice, will definitely be in the music charts for some time. Personally he looks a little like Nick Robinson, definitely a dead ringer for him.

Music video was directed by Jay Martin, it's simple. That is the only word to describe it.

Shawn Mendes sings the song in an abandoned car park, and gets beaten up by some unseen person. Figuratively speaking he could be beating himself up after a relationship gone bad, or a ghost has come to get their revenge. Either way it works easily, and definitely stands out; shockingly so.

I do have a slight problem, there is no wall behind him when he gets hit and flies through the air. At first I thought he fell through the car park floor, but I was definitely mistaken by that. So, other than invisible ex's, we also get walls appearing from thin air. The bathroom scene is a little dodgy, where did the bathroom come from? Yet he could've walked to the bathroom, who knows what the car park is attached to, some offices or corporation maybe? They would definitely have bathrooms.

Overall, great music video that definitely stands out on the music channels. An amazing song to go with it too. Dropped one star because of bad continuity edits, there was no wall behind him, just saying.
Buy on iTunes

New Release: Nathan Sykes - Over And Over Again



Nathan Sykes has done something no one else has ever done! First time watching this and tears roll down my cheeks. This video has officially made me cry. A real Romeo and Juliet feel to this video combined with The Notebook, a truly amazing storyline full of love, devotion and such a sweet ending with an emotional song to boot.

Nathan Sykes is one fifth of boy band, The Wanted, who are currently on hiatus. Therefore Nathan Sykes is making a career for himself as a solo artist. His debut single "Kiss Me Quick" hit number 14 on the UK chart, however this follow up single has been played on the radio more often and has got a lot of people talking, and now with a video like this, it's bound to get heaps more attention. The song sounds more like John Legend than Nathan Sykes, but kudos to him for creating an emotional ballad that's bound to be a hit.

Directed by Frank Borin, the narrative side of the video is amazing, I love the old woman, painting scenes in which we get to see, like they're her memories. Going back into the past and watching their dates and how they met. A few errors bring questions up such as the film they see which was released in 2015, along with the smart phone he uses to get her number... Was that on purpose? Suggesting the old woman's memory isn't as accurate?

The young woman is played by MaeMae Renfrow, and they build an amazing on screen relationship, one you can't help but wish you had. As for the performance side of things, Nathan Sykes plays the piano well, and sings well, however there isn't much performance that can happen when one is sat behind a piano. Some people can pull it off such as Avril Lavigne in "Let It Go". Nathan Sykes, take notes.

But who cares about his performance behind the piano? When we have him taking his shirt off in a raunchy scene? This music video has everything I want and more for a song that is full with passion. Beautiful song, perfect video, and teardrops rolling down my cheeks. Nathan Sykes and Frank Borin, what have you done to me and everybody else?
Buy on iTunes

Martin Solveig & GTA - Intoxicated



Right... well... What the hell do I say about this? Martin Solveig continues he's weird and colourful music videos with this out there, confusing and a little pathetic excuse to call a music video, like what is this? Clearly intoxication.

Martin Solveig, real name Martin Picandet, has been trying to globally attack the charts for a while, he is well known for his song with Dragonette "Hello", which only reached number 13 in the UK, however this one has beaten that chart number, peaking at number five. Written by Martin Solveig, Julio Mejia and Matthew Toth, "Intoxicated" is ultimately catchy, perfect for the clubs, and definitely something special. GTA, which is an acronym for Goons Take America, is the collaboration of the latter two songwriters. They are quickly becoming known in the EDM world and have featured on a number of hit songs, I'm expecting more to come.

Weird colourful and bright, Martin Solveig doesn't disappoint in his usual and unsurprising video.

Full of block colours, some ice cream, a bath, some dance off in a boxing arena, and weird badminton, is there anything that isn't weird in this video, but is it intoxicating? Nope.

Martin Solveig is competing against Ed Sheeran for worst looking artist in the music industry, like seriously, why would you dress yourself like that and have hair and a moustache like that? You need some style Martin Solveig and maybe you'll get that number one you so clearly deserve!

Overall a typical video from Martin Solveig, which fails to insight me or make me even watch it again, however amazing song that is definitely my tune in the clubs!
Buy on iTunes

Troye Sivan - FOOLS



Troye Sivan continues his Blue Neighbourhood series with the second instalment to the three part music video, narrative and telling, Troye Sivan melts everyone's hearts connecting straights and gays everywhere, there isn't one person who doesn't at least sympathise but the majority can definitely feel empathy for this as many have been in such a situation. He is one artist leading the way for the LGBT community, and quickly becoming someone people look up to within the gay world. The third video has also been released but for the purposes of my blog I shall review it next week. "Wild" was the first video.

Troye Sivan, real name Troye Sivan Mellet, is getting ready to release his debut album called "Blue Neighbourhood". He's 20 years old and of YouTube fame. He is definitely one of my favourite gay singers, and I like how he is easily an inspiration to others. "FOOLS" is written by Troye Sivan, Alex Hope and Pip Norman, it describes how he's feeling about falling for a certain guy, we've all been there, calling ourselves a fool for falling for that guy, it happens to everyone in either a minute way or an extreme way. Troye Sivan turns us all into empathising with him.

The video continues on from "Wild", and I love that the first few scenes contrast. Both acts happen in the same room, one is an act of love and pleasure, whereas the other is an act of violence. Directed by Tim Mattia, the series of music videos easily pull at the heart strings.

Homophobia is a big topic, and kudos for Troye Sivan in tackling it. A lot of people can relate easily, especially me as my dad openly admits he's homophobic, yet no where near as severe as the drunken dad in this video.

As the story continues I can empathise with both main characters, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. The ending is truly sad, although you cannot blame the guy because of his dad and the way he is. Yet the guy isn't being true to himself and locking that closet behind him and swallowing the key. The ending definitely reminds me of Steve Grand's "All-American Boy".

Overall a perfect narrative and great performance scene. Troye Sivan tackles a difficult subject that is rarely talked about. I cannot wait to watch the third instalment, which is totally teased at the end, and if it's anything like this one and "Wild", it's going to be amazing!
Buy on iTunes
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