I have to admit, I thought there was more to this video than first meet the eye, but let's be honest this is crazily weird, although definitely rinsing and repeating. Riton has been confirmed for Birmingham Pride 2016. This song is currently in the charts and has become his most successful song to date. Kah-Lo is sitting completely still as this video is rinsed and repeated just like the song suggests, with amazing beats in the background thanks to Riton.
RIGHT ON! HERE'S ANOTHER ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT!We're delighted to announce that Riton will on the Main Stage at...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Riton, real name Henry Smithson, has been attempting to hit the music industry with various different names and projects, finally he has released a hit song that charted well here in the UK. Riton is French slang for Henry, hence the name. He has worked with a number of acts and DJ's some of which spawned their own project. Now he's on to a winner with this song, he just needs to follow up with a successful second single. Kah-Lo is the feature. She's probably one of the ones to watch in the coming years, she won't hit it big straight away, but a few more features and she'll blow up the charts. She'll follow in the footsteps of Becky Hill, has a good voice, gets a few hits, but doesn't quite get the solo hits she deserves. Kah-Lo needs to ride this wave, and then take control of it, otherwise she will sink in this industry. This song is catchy for reasons I don't even know why, basic lyrics, a simple upbeat tempo, yet it easily gets stuck in my head.
Directed by Dan Streit and Dillon Moore, it reminds me of exactly what happens in a club. At the start, everyone is at the bar or in the smoking area, but as more and more alcohol is consumed, people become confident and end up on the dancefloor, then the dancing becomes quite wild towards the end of the night.
This is a simple rinse and repeat situation, at first glance we are watching the same scene over and over again, only the characters become more and more wild, apart from Kah-Lo who is very still to say the least.
It's surprising to see the big change. Compare the very first scene to the last one, and you have total different people in this music video. Yet you don't really realise as it gradually builds up, one girl even gets up on the pool table at the end.
The character change shows how alcohol and amazing music can make people confident. Confident people get the things they want out of life because they go for it. But being drunk doesn't make you confident, confidence comes from within, the only reason you get confident when you're drinking is because you start to not care about perspectives.
The video is great for analysing character and people, since it is a true representation of what happens in clubs, however it fails to interest the viewers watching, and it's mainly the song that makes everyone use the replay button. Rinse & Repeat the song all you want, it won't make the music video any better. Relatable to an extent, and technically great, but this just doesn't do anything for the viewers.
Katy B is one of those singers you like sometimes and then sometimes you don't; she has an amazing vocal range and she sings good songs, but none of them are great, there's just something missing... Or there was until "Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)", that made her look and sound unrecognisable, that was the Katy B I could easily become a fan of, but her other songs are just good, and that is not good enough in this music industry. She has been announced as a headlining act for Birmingham Pride 2016, however I believe other acts that have been announced are just as worthy as headlining as Katy B; if not, more so. However she could easily turn it all around with her new album on the verge of being released, is it going to be a stunner and hit the charts hard? We'll have to wait and see. Katy B attempts to flood emotion in her Crying For No Reason music video, coming off plain and trying too hard.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR SATURDAY HEADLINER!After storming the Main Stage in 2014 the outstanding Katy B...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Katy B, real name Kathleen Brien, has had some hits, my favourite is "Lights On" which features Ms Dynamite (who will also be performing at Birmingham Pride 2016, so there could be a collaboration on stage, especially since "Lights On" is Katy B's biggest hit as main artist). She hasn't released a song to make me think she's a star, just yet. It does seem her feature on KDA's track "Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)" with Tinie Tempah was a one off, and although she deserves more success, she also needs the songs to get that success. This song hit number five on the UK charts and was written by Kathleen Brien, Gordon Warren and Guy Chambers.
Directed by Sophie Muller, the video is a complete performance piece. I could definitely imagine sitting in the audience watching Katy B perform this song just like that.
However, performance pieces expose artists who fail to convey emotion while they sing. I am pretty sure Katy B could do a much more solid performance of this song, but it seems that they must've chose the wrong day to film this, as it just looks like she is trying way too hard.
This song is meant to mean a lot to her, she's supposed to be crying for no reason, yet there's no tears, no sadness, just a professional singer singing the song amazingly and theatrically, but not emotionally.
Katy B shows herself as a try hard in this music video, and hell, she needs to try hard because her single releases either do exceptionally well, or chart poorly. She's a star that can't win, but try and try she must if she's going to make it in this world. Keep trying Katy B, you're voice is one we need to keep in the charts, we just need amazing songs to go with it!
Today it happened, the thing I've been waiting for... It seems that the entire top 10 of the UK singles chart is full of music videos I have already reviewed or they don't have a music video yet. Instead I'm going to list the top 10 with links to the respective blog posts. Along side a blue dot.
This blue dot signifies life. It has a spirit of it's own, it can be turned on and off (much like people can), and it can shine bright or dim. Bright people aren't always the ones who are smart or clever, they can also be the ones who dream the biggest dreams and go after what they want. If you don't shine bright, you aren't going to get anywhere.
This is my main focus in life, I always look at every day like a new day, a new start. What's the point in holding grudges? What's the point in being sad or lonely or upset? I may be hurting inside, and I might moan at my family and my best friends, but whenever I step out of the door to my house, I make sure I look good, because then I feel good. I make sure I smile at everyone I past, a simple smile can lift anyone's spirits up.
People say I don't get stressed or I never seem to have a bad day, but everyone does, I just don't let people see that because I know how my mood can affect other people. As long as my friends are happy, nothing else matters to me, because I care about them that much. If I'm happy the people I interact with start to get happy, moods run off on other people, why be dreary and dim when you can be full of life and be bright?
I may have coeliac disease, I may have sever asthma, I may have kidney problems, I may be hopelessly single, I may feel lonely constantly and I may wish I had a better life and a better job, one that focuses on my degree. But I refuse to let any of my friends feel any pain that I feel every now and then. There's others out there hurting worse than we can imagine, if you want a better life, go and find it; if you want a better job, go and get it (moto: If you don't apply, you'll definitely get denied); and if you want to be happy, go and find what makes you happy. My friends and family are what makes me happy, and that is what is most important to me.
Anne-Marie has been announced for Birmingham Pride 2016. She's one of the new stars of 2016, one of the ones we need to keep an eye on. She's going to be one of those stars that people will know her songs but not her name. She has yet to have a massive hit, regardless of the fact that many of her songs are chart-worthy. I am hoping this song is sung as it's catchy and it's a killer of a song, but without Will Heard to assist with the vocals, it seems unlikely. Rudimental are collaborating two new artists on this track, Will Heard and Anne-Marie create perfect harmonies in this fun song all set in a car.
WHO'S READY FOR ANOTHER?!We're delighted to announce the amazing Anne-Marie - best known as a vocalist for dance...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Rudimental consists of Amir Amor, Piers Agget, Kesi Dryden and Leon Rolle. They have two number ones under their belt, and with some of the biggest names collaborating with them, I'm expecting another number one soon, both albums have hit the top of the charts in the UK, this is one group who will release hit song after hit song and will be around for a very long time. Anne-Marie is a star in the making, she has a great voice that sounds amazing on the tracks she has already released, she has her own style and unique music that is slowly starting to set the charts alight. As for Will Heard, he has been trying for a while, but has had limited success. Rudimental could've chosen bigger names for this song, and yet it works perfectly with these two! The song was written by Rudimental, Uzo Emenike, Will Heard and Jess Glynne. A star-studded song writing team, all an artist in their own right.
Directed by I Owe Youth, it's a simple visual set in a car park, with a stationary car which the two featuring artists vacate.
It's in black and white with no reason whatsoever other than to make it drab and work with the setting, yet it doesn't help the song or the video at all, I wanted colour.
There isn't much going on, a few tips and camera tricks, such as zooming in enough so that we don't see the car convert and lose the roof into the boot of the car. This happens again at the end where Will Heard appears on the back of the car next to Anne-Marie.
The dancing isn't choreographed, it's nice to see how their freestyle is. It is a clubby song, one that you would tap your foot to in the car, one you'd nod your head to at the bar, but not one you would go all out dancing on the dancefloor.
A simple tune, the video makes it seem like it's some sort of jam or acoustic set, like it randomly happened and they randomly videoed it. It fails to bring anything interesting to the viewers, although Will Heard cheekily pushes Anne-Marie off the boot of the car, and then she attempts to push him off which fails because he slides her off with him, as she does a funny little scream. Relaxed, cool and calm, this video fails to keep us interested and fails to relate to the song at all. The car is a BMW E30.
It's Mason Noise, the guy who had an argument on stage with Simon Cowell during the six chair challenge. He is the guy that threw the mic to the ground and said he was 'done', the guy who wasn't happy he had minutes of air time during his audition, and with that cocky attitude he has got, it didn't really surprise me. I liked him from the get-go when he was dancing up against Rita Ora, but his attitude behind the scenes didn't look good, he was arrogant during bootcamp. I reckon I would've disliked his audition if he was given more air time than other people. However regardless of the argument, he has a good voice, and he has a chance to get far if he takes the opportunities given to him. Mason Noise is from Birmingham, my home town, so it's fitting he'll be returning for Birmingham Pride 2016. Mason Noise doesn't perform so well in this video, which is definitely high quality and although sketchy, it's professional.
MAKE SOME NOISE FOR...The next act to be announced for the Birmingham Pride Main Stage on Sunday 29 May is Birmingham'...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Mason Noise, real name Mason Binnell, came seventh on the most recent series of The X Factor, series 12. Make some noise for Mason Noise was a clever catch phrase used during the series. Not many wowed us from this series, it was another average year from The X Factor, who comes out on top really depends on who gets the most chart hits, especially since the winner's single got the lowest chart peak in The X Factor history. Mason Noise has three singles on iTunes, and two music video, the other one is for "Blow The Doors Off". He has the voice to make it a career, but has The X Factor knocked his arrogance? There's a fine line between being confident and cocky, cocky doesn't get you anywhere, confidence is picking yourself back up, and by returning to The X Factor, Mason Noise showed he can do it. It was written by DA SETH and Mason Noise.
Directed by DA SETH, there is a lot of amazing visuals that are unbelievable. This is a high quality video, which is what I wasn't expecting from a video before The X Factor.
The camera angles and the camera shots are obvious and too clear cut. The editing is even worse and doesn't flow that well, but that's technicalities.
Attempting to be sexy, there is girls wearing very little, however what makes this completely different is the inclusions of animals, although I'm not so keen on the appearance of DA SETH. There's these gorgeous girls holding the animals, the scorpion, the snake. the horse, and then there's DA SETH with an eagle. Now, they should've included a sexy guy, holding the eagle, and DA SETH could've just appeared in Mason Noise's performance side of the video.
As for Mason Noise, he looks like a lost boy, or one who has been sent to sit on the naughty step. He looks like he is the type of person to sulk if he doesn't get his way. He has always got that face and I actually just want to slap a smile out of him, or something rather than the sulk face, because it isn't a good look. Hopefully The X Factor has taught him how to perform better than he does in this.
A High quality music video, with basic editing skills and a not so great performance. Apart from that, brilliant visuals, relatable to an extent and a not so bad song with brilliant vocals. Mason Noise could be a star, he could set Birmingham Pride 2016 stage alight, I may or may not be there to see him, but importantly, he needs to take the opportunities he's been given, stop sulking and start smiling, he's one to look out for, no doubt about it.
Struggled to choose a new release this week, so many new singles without a video. This is a common occurrence lately, and I'm not liking it, one day I won't have a new release to review for you guys as I literally won't be able to find one, hopefully that day will never come but it is inevitable. Found out about this on Twitter, although it was released two days ago, it's available to chart, even though it is unlikely to do so.
I have just found my new favourite male vocalist! Looking overly sexy and gorgeous Chris Leonard is the star in this video, long gone are 5th Base, Out Of The Blue and Stereo Kicks on The X Factor days, he's gone solo and such a great decision. Paul Morrell looks stalkerish, but moves around well.
Paul Morrell is a DJ who has been setting stages alight for many years and have collaborated with some well known stars such as Mutya Buena, Katherine Ellis, Kimberly Wyatt and Sonique. He hasn't had a chart hit yet, and although he is good enough to get one, I think he's content with the way things are going. As for Chris Leonard, he is the guy to look out for. He was previously in a band called 5th Base, who then changed their name to Out Of The Blue, he then became a part of The X Factor's supergroup Stereo Kicks who have now disbanded, like an eight male group was ever going to work properly. Now he's gone solo, and he has a sensational voice worthy to stand alone, and he is good looking as well. This song alone has made me a fan of his music, and a fan of his looks, move over girls!
Chris Leonard has the spotlight on him in this music video. Looking handsome and cute, his eyes are gorgeous. Definitely camera friendly for sure, he has a great style team behind him. The plain black tee and ripped skinny jeans is definitely in right now and a great contrast to the abandoned building he is performing in.
Paul Morrell just appears, he's creeping round corners and he also has a flare on hand.
Performance wise he does well, conveys the emotion needed for the song, boy does he mean every word he sings. He's extremely sultry whilst hugging the girl, this guy was meant to be in music videos.
I don't quite get the rabbit costumes, I presume this video was released in time for Easter, hence the bunnies, but the feather girls? I have no understanding of the reason why they were used.
The main focus is on Chris Leonard performing in the abandoned building, with Paul Morrell lighting a flare up. It doesn't relate to the song, apart from the girl Chris Leonard is holding close (wish I could swapped places with her). Overall a professional video, with an amazing catchy song, a good looking vocalist with an amazing voice, and a DJ who likes to creep but can definitely play the tunes. Not a bad effort in the slightest, just going to buy the single now from iTunes.
The Vengaboys are my revisit this Thursday, purely because they are one of the Birmingham Pride 2016 acts that I'm most excited to see perform live, bringing back tonnes of childhood memories! This song was their second number one single after "Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!" and I much prefer it. Transformed into animated characters that were common at the time, the Vengaboys fly us away on holiday to Ibiza, showing us all the places we need to come back to and visit some other time.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! WE LIKE TO PARTY... and so do our latest reveal! It's none other than The vengaboys who...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
The Vengaboys have reformed, and with enough promotion I can imagine them doing well in the UK. They are the epitome of any late 90's childhood, we were all singing their songs, playing their songs, dancing to their songs. At the time of this release, the Vengaboys consisted of Kim Sasabone, Denise Post-Van Rijswijk, Roy den Burger and Robin Pors. In the reformation, Roy den Burger has been replaced by Donny Latupeirissa. I will not be missing them at Birmingham Pride 2016, not for anything or anyone. I can't wait to hear this song live. It was written by Jeff Calvert and Max West. The song was based on Typically Tropical's "Barbados".
Many artists have transformed themselves into animated stars, Britney Spears with "Break The Ice" and "Kill The Lights" is the main star that comes to mind, although there are undoubtedly many others.
The Vengaboys start their in what looks like America, they fly past several landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, the city of Toronto, The White House in Washington DC where a piano is being played, amongst others. They are also travelling by bus, that definitely doesn't look safe, but it's definitely an ode to their previous single "We Like To Party (The Vengabus)".
The most surprising thing is when they visit Switzerland and it seems Denise Post-Van Rijswijk has fallen off the wooden decking, and instead of splashing into the water, she is dancing on water!
There is a massive performance side, because this is what the Vengaboys are all about. There's massive choreography that looks easy to pull off but we'll see if the Vengaboys at Birmingham Pride 2016 will perform just like their animated versions of themselves.
Scenic, beautiful and clever, this video is on point, especially for the era it was released. It relates perfectly to the song and links in with the lyrics. There's only one thing wrong with it, and that's when Denise Post-Van Rijswijk is dancing on water in Switzerland. Everything else comes together and works out perfectly. If an artist is going to turn themselves into an animated character, they have to pull it off like the Vengaboys have in this video.
Honestly, I wasn't that interested at this announcement for Birmingham Pride 2016, until I looked at some of her songs, and then I got excited that she was the vocalist on Tim Berg's "Seek Bromance". But I doubt I'd go out of my way to watch Amanda Wilson perform, especially since I only really know "Seek Bromance", although I'm pretty sure the remixes of this song and her other hit "Watchin'" is currently doing the rounds in the clubs at the moment. Amanda Wilson performs this song to the best she can, whilst the dancers out-do her in every scene.
YET ANOTHER CONFIRMED ARTIST!We're looking forward to seeing the fantastic Amanda Wilson perform on our Birmingham...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
The Freemasons are a DJ duo consisting of Russell Small and James Wiltshire, they are also members of the group Phats & Small, which has had better chart placements, but aren't as successful. Featured on this track is Amanda Wilson who will be hitting the Birmingham Pride 2016 stage. She has released quite a few singles, although the ones with the Freemasons are her most successful, as well as "Seek Bromance" which she isn't credited for, so I'm presuming she won't be singing "Seek Bromance" at pride. The song samples Jackie Moore's "This Time Baby" and Tina Turner's "When The Heartache Is Over". It was written by Graham Stack, John Reid, Russell Small, James Wiltshire, Leroy Bell and Casey James.
The video is simple, a pure performance based video that doesn't have much going on in it.
The dancers out perform Amanda Wilson, they are the main feature of the video, they're all in-sync and are definitely professionals, pulling off the choreography amazingly. Amanda Wilson either can't dance or they didn't want to include her in the choreography, she pretty much does the same three moves over and over again, and it's totally sets her up because the dancers aren't even doing those dance steps. She looks awkward and on her own.
This video exposes Amanda Wilson as a good singer but not the best performer. I bet she is a lot better now, but this video really makes her stand out, but in a very bad way. The choreography relates to the dance track rather than the actual song, and the only good bits I can find is the verses because you can see Amanda Wilson for herself, and yet it's too simplistic and with next to no performance in it. Was her heart even in this video?
I am breaking the rules, once again, since this is not an official music video for this song, this is more of a promotional video, as Fleur East has confirmed there will be an official music video released soon, however it's been a couple of months now, and there's no sign of an official music video any time soon, it especially didn't help with this song not charting. I have broken the rules a few times before, examples includes Justin Bieber's entire promotional videos for his album, titled "Purpose: The Movement", as well as Revisit Thursday Nathan Sykes "Born To Dance". Fleur East brings the summer with this tune, and this video is some fun in the sun, which we definitely need in this cold UK weather. Everyday we love you more and more Fleur East
WHO WOULD LIKE A BIT OF SAX?We would! We love the fact that the amazing Fleur East will be one of our headliners on...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Fleur East has been confirmed for Birmingham Pride 2016, as one of the main headliners. After supporting her throughout The X Factor, I am so excited to see her perform and hear her sing "Sax" live, her dancing will be incredible, undoubtedly. She came second behind Ben Haenow, but it seems that Fleur East has won overall, because of her chart hits. This song was released with very little promotion, no official video and no release date announcement and no performances around that time. Whether they were relying on radio to pick it up, I don't know, but the radio didn't pick it up that well, and the song failed to chart. Maybe the release of the official video might push sales. The song was written by Fleur East, Edvard Førre Erfjord, Henrik Michelsen, James Abrahart and Camille Purcell.
Directed by Robin Fenlon, the video was released as a promotional video for the song. It shows Fleur East in Los Angeles, having a sun fun day, which we all love to do now and again don't we?
This could slightly work as an official video, since Fleur East is dancing and singing to the song, the performance side is subtle, but interesting, it's nice to see her relaxed and just having fun, maybe a bit of freestyle would have made this performance side a little more interesting, but I guess we all need to wind down after the full dance choreography of "Sax".
Fleur gives us fun fun fun, fun in the sun! She has fun on the beach, on the pier, in an arcade/amusements (Dance machine, oh yeah!), at a funfair, in a red convertible car, in a funky clothes shop and at a basketball court. She makes me want to go to LA on holiday, in this exact place.
Overall, as an official music video, it works slightly, but it's only a promotional video, and so it works well. The song is a grower, one that may eventually chart as it's getting more and more catchy, but it needs more and more promotion... Definitely needs a remix, which would definitely help it to chart better. Overall, fun, sun and confident.
Mike Posner is still at number one with "I Took A Pill In Ibiza", so I'm excited to choose a song in the top ten, and I'm so happy that this is in the top ten this week! Finally it has a video, although we're all completely disappointed Zara Larsson is not in it whatsoever, why tease it so much if it was apparently shot last minute? They could've included her one way or another, regardless of how busy she might've been. This totally ruined any chance of me enjoying this video, which totally makes it difficult to review. Full of grinding, twerking and confidence, this video relates to the song, but whereas the song is amazingly catchy, more thanks to Zara Larsson than Tinie Tempah, this video falls dead to the water.
Tinie Tempah, real name Patrick Okogwu, has made quite the name for himself, all of his solo songs have been hits, so it's undeniable that he will forever be in our charts. He has seven number ones under his belt, and I reckon he will be getting a lot more in the future. Featuring is new star Zara Larsson, who definitely won't be disappearing any time soon, although saying that... Not appearing in a music video with Tinie Tempah might not do her any favours. "Lush Life" is one of my favourite songs, and she has a killer voice on "Never Forget You". She shocks everyone with this, because it suits her perfectly, and yet... No sign of her in the video. The song is a hit, but maybe it would've performed better if the video had Zara Larsson in.
The video was shot in Cape Town, South Africa. Filmed whilst Tinie Tempah took a long stay over there. Clearly Zara Larsson didn't have time to fly over there and film it. It's saddening to think that she wasn't featured in the music video, especially since she makes this song, although Tinie Tempah's rapping is on point.
Tinie Tempah hosts a street party, and it's all fun and games. He performs well in this, although he doesn't do much, he looks relaxed, like he's at home in Cape Town.
The dancers can dance, that's undeniable, and yet they aren't given much choreography, just a few booty shakes, a bit of twerking and grinding. These dancers can do so much more, yet there there to look sexy.
Zara Larsson's verse is done quite cheap and nastily, although I love the idea behind the bathroom scene, as girls' chatter in bathrooms; the scene isn't shown as how I would imagine. It paints a bad picture both generally and culturally. And although they have someone who looks similar to Zara Larsson in the background, I feel that this not only erases her from the song and video entirely, but having other women lip-sync to her lyrics kills her off. This reminds me a lot of Ms. D in Wiley's "Heatwave", who never appeared in that video. Difference is Zara Larsson is a chart success with her own songs, you don't just not include her and expect people, to not only not notice, but also not want answers. Where is she?
Overall, Tinie Tempah does he's best to perform, but without Zara Larsson it was never going to work. The video relates well, although could've been so much more. With all the hype created about this video, it should've been a stunner, since the song is amazing. The song would get five stars from me, but since I'm purely basing the rating on the video, I have no choice but to give it this rating.
I totally screamed when this act was announced for Birmingham Pride 2016, if there's one act I will not miss, it will be the Vengaboys. They were a massive hit in the 90s, gaining two number one hits and seven top ten hits in the UK. They are the dance group of my childhood, we were all singing their songs and watching their music videos. The Vengaboys tell us they want us in their room in this boom of a track. Relatable, entertaining and surprisingly explicit, this video is well ahead of it's time with the technology idea, yet the costumes and style is stuck in the past.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! WE LIKE TO PARTY... and so do our latest reveal! It's none other than The vengaboys who...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
The Vengaboys consisted of, at the time, Kim Sasabone, Denise Post-Van Rijswijk, Roy Den Burger and Robin Pors. The group are currently back together and have released a Christmas album and a couple of singles, with Donny Latupeirissa replacing Roy Den Burger in the line-up. With Birmingham Pride 2016 coming up, I am expecting them to announce a new single, with enough touring in the UK and enough promotion, I can see this group making one of the biggest comebacks we have ever seen, their new singles should've been hits, I admit, I do like "Hot, Hot, Hot". This song hit number one in the UK in 1999, and was written by Dennis van Den Driesschen, Benny Andersson, Wessel van Diepen and Björn Ulvaeus. The first verse interpolates Abba's "Lay All Your Love On Me".
This video is both sexual and explicit, unsurprising due to the song's meaning, how this was shown on music channels in the 90's when I was young, I do not know, but I guess age ratings wasn't given to videos back then, whereas nowadays this would've been banned until curfew time.
The choreography is on point, the Vengaboys sure know how to move and it excites me to think that I'll be seeing them perform live in the next few months at Birmingham Pride, and if they perform as in sync as they do in this video, they will be more than amazing.
This is mainly a performance piece, although there is a slight narrative, it seems the Vengaboys are performing in a strip club. There is quite a lot of girl on girl action in this video suggesting that the Vegaboys have been gay idols since the moment they started. The LGBT+ group have welcomed them from the beginning.
There's not much else to comment on. Perfect vocals, catchy songs and undeniably in-sync dancing that put other artists that released music during this era to shame. I can't wait to see them at Birmingham Pride 2016, and I hope that they manage to make a big comeback in the next few years.
Karen Harding has also been announced for Birmingham Pride 2016, I have to admit I was expecting her to be a big name by now, because of how successful "Say Something" was, and yet this follow up single fails to meet expectations, it's too similar to "Say Something" and regardless of the promotion on musical.ly app, it failed to chart, unsurprisingly. Today is the first time I've heard the song and watched the music video. Karen Harding definitely has presence and can perform, which she pulls off perfectly in this music video, as there is nothing else going on. Bland, unimaginative, and unengaging, Karen Harding does the best she can with what she's been given.
AND HERE'S OUR NEXT EXCITING REVEAL...After storming the main stage last year the fantastic Karen Harding returns to...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Karen Harding has appeared on The X Factor and the UK national selection for Eurovision. She proved both of them wrong by getting a hit single with "Say Something", she just needs to follow through and prove the judges wrong by getting more hit singles and a hit album. Her vocals are to the right standard, she just needs the right songs and this one isn't one of them. This song was written by Sophie "Frances" Cooke, Josh Wilkinson and James Reynolds.
Directed by James Partridge, this video is very visual, almost art-worthy, and yet bland and unexciting, without meaning.
There's not much to comment on. There's one scene that is relatable to an extent as Karen Harding is singing and dancing in front of a pink board with a pair of eyes. However the other scenes don't make sense, the flamingoes especially.
Karen Harding exposes her natural beauty, she works the clothes she is wearing, and her hair looks amazing both curly and straight. She clearly has on-stage presence which will be perfect for when she performs at Birmingham Pride 2016, I'm just sad that I missed her last year.
Overall, the video follows "Say Something", as in that she can perform well, but she hasn't had a great music video, that I've seen, so far. I feel that she needs a good music video under her belt, one that the music channels will play again and again, one that will make people watch on repeat on YouTube, because a music video is good promotion for a song, and she has the vocal talent of a superstar, she just needs the hit songs.
What have I just watched. This literal translation of these lyrics is weirdly entertaining to say the least, and yet it doesn't entice me to watch it again. Full of contemporary dancing and visual interpretation of the song words, Nick Jonas and Tove Lo scrape forward and backwards closer and distant from each other, a battle of feelings.
Nick Jonas was originally in The Jonas Brothers and in Nick Jonas And The Administration. He has set out all on his own and has definitely made a solo career for himself. I am not so sure on this song, myself... I absolutely loved "Levels" and I have found Nick Jonas a very hit and miss kind of singer, so I was hoping for more songs like "Levels" but this one isn't as good, which probably explains why it's not doing so well on the iTunes chart today. Tove Lo has also been a hit and miss kind of singer, real name Ebba Nilsson, and yet she's doing all right for herself at the moment. This song was written by Robin Fredriksson, Mattias Larsson, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter and Tove Lo.
This video could've been sexy and it just isn't. Directed by Tim Erem, it's clear a lot of effort went into creating this allusion and both singers' acting and dancing skills were put to the test, however both singers look totally undesirable.
They move forward and backwards on their seats, as if there is a magnetic force repelling and attracting them, and it isn't until their clothes get removed that they're able to touch each other.
Not only is it a good literal translation of the song but there is perfect hidden meaning behind it. As much as I'm not so keen on the song and as undesirable as this music video is because Nick Jonas isn't sexy whatsoever in this video compared to "Levels" and let's not even start on Tove Lo, but she does look better in her feature with Years & Years on song "Desire" than she does in this; I have to congratulate the video on the idea of it all and pulling it off perfectly.
Such an off-putting video, one I both want to watch again and I don't want to watch again. Regardless of that fact, it is technically brilliant, perfectly relatable and an undeniable translation of the lyrics. As much as this may not be appealing, it works well and it fits the song.
Keeping to the style of my blog, regardless of the fact that we're in the middle of Birmingham Pride 2016 Special, since some of the acts have been announced. I've decided to continue to do Thursday Revisit, and so Booty Luv is my revisit today. This is THE song that made ma a fan of Booty Luv. a cover of Luther Vandross' "Shine". Booty Luv are dancing with a dance group in this video, it's clear they can't dance very well and not enough effort went into this video, although it's clear that they can stand there and look pretty whilst singing.
AND OUR NEXT REVEAL IS...The fantastic Booty Luv who return to Birmingham Pride after storming the main stage...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Booty Luv consists of Cherise Roberts and Nadia Shepherd, they were originally in group Big Brovaz before they split. They are one of my favourite acts that got announced for Birmingham Pride 2016,. however with no new songs, I'm a little worried that I am hyping them up too much, especially since these videos I have reviewed hasn't shown them as great performers. This is a cover of Luther Vandross' "Shine", I definitely prefer the cover version, although Luther Vandross is an undeniably incredible singer, this song was meant to be played in the clubs. It was written by James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers.
Once again a Booty Luv video has failed to interest me. Like seriously, what did Hed Kandi do to these girls? Hed Kandi was the record label they were assigned to. They could've put them through dance lessons, and made this video much more explosive.
That is not what we are getting, these girls have learned the routine but not how to pull it off, they do the steps and the moves without any eagerness, they've been told they can't do it fully and they stick out like a sore thumb compared to the dancers behind them.
There's not much else I can comment on, to be fair. This video could've been much much more, but I guess Hed Kandi was attempting to earn as much money rather than exposing the girls to enough promotion. Another fail of a music video for Booty Luv, even if produced perfectly it wouldn't have worked, we needed a narrative storyline, or at least a brilliant jaw-dropping performance, this just isn't it, and commonly found in dance tracks that were popular back then.
I think I've just let The Rhythm get to me and I've just lost my mind. As if I've never seen this video before now, it's amazing, and with a song that so should've charted higher than number 38, but I guess MNEK is definitely in the limelight now, what with his collaboration with Zara Larsson on the song "Never Forget You". He has been announced as one of the headline acts at Birmingham Pride 2016, I just wish Zara Larsson was appearing too. MNEK tells you that The Rhythm will lose your mind, and he is totally right with this freaky music video, it seems MNEK is the only person not to lose his mind in this supermarket.
AND HERE'S ANOTHER BIG HEADLINER...Birmingham Pride are proud to announce that Grammy-nominated British singer,...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
MNEK, real name Uzo Emenike, has had an established career as a song writer, he has had three number ones and plenty of top ten hits. Now he's creating a career as a solo singer and he is doing a fine job of it, although he isn't exactly a strong singer, he has a perfect soul in his vocals, enough to give him his own number ones in the future. I'm excited to see what he releases next after the amazing hit single "Never Forget You". This song was written by Uzo Emenike and Kersha Bailey.
Directed by Clemens Habicht, the video is once again set in a supermarket, this seems to be a common setting in dancing music videos. I think it's because we've all been in one of them, it's part of everyday life and I think that's what makes it a good setting to put something unnatural. Other videos that have recently been set in a supermarket is Galantis' "Peanut Butter Jelly" and Skrillex & Diplo & Justin Bieber's "Where Are Ü Now".
MNEK is working at the supermarket and he changes the music to his own song The Rhythm. Once the customers hear the song they start to lose their minds just like the song suggests.
They start to dance to the track and then the dancing gets really crazy as special techniques are used that even makes the viewers lose their minds, throughout I was like: is this really happening?
Trampolines were definitely used in the video and other visual transformations. It works really well, although the supermarket would definitely be wrecked by the end of the video, however it's only slightly untidy.
Overall, a great video that relates perfectly with the song. MNEK is a star that much is obvious. I love the video, it's freaky, it's weird, it makes me lose my mind just like the customers. I was a little unexcited when MNEK was announced as one of the acts at Birmingham Pride 2016, now I'm excited to hear him live.
Never heard or seen this before today and now it's stuck in my head. It annoys me that credible artists don't get a look in when it comes to the radio, since that is the biggest promotion. A complete step up since she appeared on The X Factor, I truly believe Lucy Spraggan is one of the most underrated British singers we have. She has been announced for Birmingham Pride 2016. Lucy Spraggan proves she's a fighter in this music video, she's unsinkable within the music industry and she will continue to get soaked, yet no matter how damp and down she gets, she'll never be beaten, because British music isn't the same without her.
AND OUR NEXT REVEAL IS...The brilliant Lucy Spraggan returns to Birmingham Pride after storming the main stage in...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Lucy Spraggan hit our TV screens on the ninth series of The X Factor, where James Arthur was crowned as the winner. Personally, the ninth series is one of the worst series because the acts I loved didn't go as far as I wanted them too, two of which were out in the first two live shows and Lucy Spraggan had to withdrew, therefore not allowing me to become a fan of her music. It was a shamble of a series and although some acts are well known, such as Rylan Clark and Union J, the star was Ella Henderson who undoubtedly should've won, but didn't. She's definitely the one who's had the biggest career out of all of them from this series. Back to Lucy Spraggan, before The X Factor she released an album independently, then released a second album under Sony. Her most recent album, We Are, was released last year under a new label. All she needs is more promotion, because this girl has got it! This song was written by Lucy Spraggan, Martin Brammer and Adam Argyle.
The music video, directed by Damien Reeves, is mainly a performance based music video that really captures the lyrics of the song.
I love the performance side, Lucy Spraggan proves that she's all grown up, and she really means business with this song, unfortunately it charted at number 78 here in the UK, but it should've done better.
I like the visuals. When she sings 'I should be broken drift wood on the beach', we're transported to a very cold beach. Pathetic fallacy is played to the fullest as it rains inside, where she is performing.
Yet she fights through and the rain finishes as the song finishes.
Beautiful, inviting and full of emotion. Lucy Spraggan has grown up, and I am hoping 2016 pushes her out to be more of a star, because that is definitely what she is.
Mike Posner has done it, he has knocked Lukas Graham off the top spot with this amazingly catchy song. Whoever said you can't make a good comeback was wrong. Mike Posner's biggest hit used to be "Cooler Than Me", but guess he becomes the cool one since he has hit number one in the UK with this song and he has made it a global hit. Mike Posner doesn't appear in his music video, although the actor plays out his story, which is definitely stretching the truth, although it seems real enough, you can imagine this happening, but that massive head would knock a few people out in a club.
Mike Posner is only really known in the UK for his previous hit "Cooler Than Me", although his writing credits are substantial, and some may remember him featuring on the UK version of Cher Lloyd's "With Ur Love". Now he's back with another big hit, but will his follow-up singles follow in this one's footsteps or will they under perform again until he brings out another standalone hit? Time will tell as it always does. This song was written by Mike Posner, Martin Terefe and SeeB. The song came about after Mike Posner took a pill in Ibiza while at an Avicii concert.
The music video, directed by Jon Jon Augustavo. It's very scary, especially if you switched over halfway through on a music channel.
It kind of reminds me of the early 00's music videos when these sort of weird videos were all the range. I like the idea of the pill blowing his head up, although I wish they had used animation to literally blow his head up.
It sort of suggests that taking pills/drugs are a good thing. He becomes more confident, more drunk, more girls are interested hell he manages to pull and has sex in a toilet cubicle; there isn't enough emphasis of the ending and how drugs and pills are bad for you.
Pills and drugs are not good! NPS legal highs are to be banned in the UK in April. There's argues for and against them, and most don't know enough about them to make valid concrete opinions on them, whatever your feelings on them, they are there and you always have to be careful, as with anything you accept from a stranger.
Overall the video fails to show the risks of taking pills, and instead reflects on how much of a good time you could have by taking them. Behind the scenes you can tell that he isn't living the life, especially when he takes the pill, it doesn't change his life, it blows his head up and it's not as great as he thinks it is. It sticks to the story of the song and relates to it, although I do think it gives a slightly wrong message out to young people.
This has to be the act I'm most excited about. I was a massive fan of Booty Luv when they were on the scene getting chart hit after chart hit. This was their first ever song, and currently their biggest hit, they formed after the split of Big Brovaz which they were previously in. They were second to be announced for Birmingham Pride 2016 and I have to admit, I did scream, they are the act I shall not be missing! And I won't be surprised if Birmingham Pride announces Big Brovaz soon, as they have reformed for appearances in the past, and they plan to perform at CC Summer Ball in June, so I am expecting them to appear at Pride a month before. Booty Luv does their best in this low-budget performance-based music video that not only doesn't relate but just fails to engage.
AND OUR NEXT REVEAL IS...The fantastic Booty Luv who return to Birmingham Pride after storming the main stage...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
This is Booty Luv's debut single, although their following singles all charted in the UK top 20, apart from their most recent single "Black Widow" which is most definitely underrated. Booty Luv consists of Cherise Roberts and Nadia Shepherd. They were big back in 2007, and would be one of the bigger star at Pride, hell they are in my eyes, but they haven't released anything since "Black Widow" in 2012, and there's no sign of any new music... They could easily make a good comeback if they gave it a really good go, maybe Birmingham Pride 2016 will help them to get back together. Boogie 2Nite is a cover version of Tweet's "Boogie 2Nite" which was originally a promotional song and was never released as a single, despite it becoming a club hit. Then Booty Luv comes along and proves it was meant to be released. It was written by Charlene Keys, Nisan Stewart and John Smith.
This music video is extremely low budget, they clearly wasn't expecting this to be much of a hit. However, it's obvious that the success of this song brought more singles and much better music videos, which I'll no doubt review as it gets closer to Birmingham Pride 2016.
There isn't a lot going on, there's some dancers dancing to the song, there's a lot of visuals and text which doesn't link with the song in time so doesn't work as lyrics.
Booty Luv performs perfectly, as they no doubt will on the stage. They are sexy, sultry and teasing, which works well with the song and they do their best with what they have been given.
I am definitely excited to see them perform this song as well as their many other hits, however this music video doesn't work well enough. This single got to number 2, failing to knock Take That off the top spot with "Patience". This song is a banger, but the video fails to interest and I really don't want to watch it again.
Lisa Stansfield was the first big name to be announced for Birmingham Pride 2016. At first I was excited because everyone has heard of her name at least, but after researching her songs I've come to realised that I only really know and like this one song, which begs to question whether she is a big enough star to headline Pride. As much as I want to hear this song live, I would rather be getting ready to go out clubbing, or chilling in one of the bars, or be at the funfair, or be in the dance arena, than be at the main stage listening to her sing songs I don't really know. Lisa Stansfield sings this powerful and highly emotional song, which guaranteed her a place at the top of the UK charts back in 1989. A total performance piece she sends her emotion out to the viewers.
WE'RE SO EXCITED TO REVEAL!The awesome Grammy nominated Lisa Stansfield is confirmed as one of our BIG HEADLINERS at...
Posted by Birmingham Pride on Thursday, 17 March 2016
Lisa Stansfield has had her day, the 90's was her decade, and although I totally believe an artist should be able to constantly chart, only the best manage to do that across decades, there's the Madonnas, the Britneys, the Christinas, the Rihannas, the Justins. Lisa Stansfield might be a big name, but she isn't current any more. A collaboration with a DJ might get her to chart, it worked for Mary J. Blige, but I don't think it will give Lisa Stansfield more fans, which she inevitably needs to become current. She'll be forever known for this one song, and I don't see why Birmingham Pride chose her as a headliner, when the younger population at Pride, which is usually the majority of attendees, won't be watching. This song is her biggest hit, it got to the top of the charts in 1989, and her other songs failed to climb as high. It was written by Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris.
The video is extremely basic, but we totally expected that since it was filmed in the very late 80's.
Some of the clothes she is wearing is shocking, but they were fashionable back then. What is surprising is that her blue jacket is definitely back in fashion now, she should so find it in her wardrobe and wear it for Pride as it is stylish and would still look great no matter what she paired it with.
A total performance piece, this video displays her voice to the audience. She puts her all in some of the lyrics, fully meaning every single one of them. However, at times, she is too relaxed, enough to suggest that she is holding back.
The black and white filter fails to keep me interested, although it signifies that she's thinking of the past, there is no intercutted scenes and a narrative is only hinted at.
The video, overall, looks like a display video to show people some camera tricks. It fails to engage and although Lisa Stansfield does her best to portray the feelings needed for the video, the camera tricks falter the entire performance.
