Making the rounds recently is this new one from Selena Gomez. I am so glad she's releasing this song as a single, this is my favourite from her new album, so catchy and so simple it definitely stands out on her album, where most of her tracks are similar. I cannot wait to hear some remixes of this song. Selena Gomez tells you to put down the weapons and Kill Em With Kindness, sometimes kindness is so much worse than fighting; aggravating and annoying, kindness can really kill.
Selena Gomez has fully moved away from Disney and the band she fronted Selena Gomez & The Scene. She is now fully invested into her solo career, definitely one of the top rising stars at the moment, she is not quite pulling in the global chart hits that other ex-Disney stars have been doing, that might be because of her recent direction, "Good For You" may have been an amazing song that took it's time to climb up the chart, but her album features very similar songs all with the same style as "Good For You". It isn't until she released singles from the album and stood them out herself with videos, that there's been more hype around her. This song was written by Antonina Armato, Tim James, Benjamin Levin, Dave Audé and Selena Gomez. The song has yet to be released in the UK.
Directed by Emil Nava, the video is a pure performance piece in a black and white filter (which puts me off straight away), however it sharpens the picture allowing the photo shoot visual work so much better, however the colourisation could've come back in the other scenes.
Kill Em With Kindness is definitely what Selena Gomez attempts to do by smiling a lot in front of the plain background as scenes change around her. Looking stylishly sexy she is empowering the kindness angle by just looking pretty.
Other scenes include her running in a hotel corridor, and dancers dancing to the song freestyle, since a full-out choreography is never going to work with this relaxing anthem, that isn't really meant for the summer, but I bet the remixes that will be released soon will make this the perfect track at any party or barbecue.
Overall it's a simple video, much like her previous ones for this album, but it works so effortlessly. Selena Gomez can kill me with kindness any day she wanted. Simple, sexy and gorgeous, a beautiful performance piece and she doesn't even need to try.
I have been waiting for this to be released on iTunes, so as I waited, I reviewed it for Outlet Magazine. It's the amazing collaboration between Inna, Alexandra Stan, Antonia and Lori. They are G Girls in a new project from Global Records. These four girls are superstars, part of the leading Romanian female singers that are ready to take over the world. They're already internationally known as solo singers, which makes this collaboration even more special. G Girls want you to Call The Police in this sexy, stylish and inviting music video. Inna, Alexandra Stan, Antonia and Lori come together for this addicting summer anthem.
G Girls, as previously mentioned, is a project from Global Records. Whether this is just a one off, or the start of something new is the question on everyone's lips. For now, it's a one off. This is the second time Inna and Alexandra Stan has collaborated, the first time was for "We Wanna". Inna and Antonia has also collaborated in the past on "Fie ce-o fi". I expect more collaborations in the future. Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, has had worldwide success, with "Hot", "Sun Is Up", "More Than Friends" and "Cola Song". Her new single "Heaven" is your relaxing summer anthem! Alexandra Stan hit it big with "Mr Saxobeat", her follow up singles haven't done as well but "Get Back (ASAP)" and "Lemonade" had some charting success. New single "Ecoute" is to be released soon. Antonia, full name Antonia Iacobescu, had a hit with "Morena", and has always been known but never hit it big time. She released her first studio album last year. Lori, full name Loredana Ciobotaru, became known after appearing on the second season of Vocea României (The Voice of Romania), now she's under Global Records and making a name for herself, watch out for Lori! G Girls might have future releases, this collaborative effort is astonishing, super sexy and their voices gel well, making the song a summer hit that should rack up the charts globally, but instead it'll be an undiscovered banger of a tune.
Directed by Roman Bulaca at the Palatul Noblesse, Inna and Antonia start the video off by inviting us inside.
A pure performance piece set within a narrative, the girls show us why we need to call the police on them. They've captured the hearts of the party goers, unsurprisingly. All the guys are around them, pining for their love.
Inna is the total star of the show, classy and sexy she doesn't have to show off, unlike Antonia who is clearly trying to impress. Alexandra Stan is a lot more mild compared to "We Wanna", and Lori follows Inna and is stylishly casual.
There isn't much of a narrative. The girls are practically stealing hearts, wallets and anything they can. Performance wise, they work well together, all four of them can perform and as a collective they give off astronomical vibes proving that they could totally share a stage.
Powerful, engaging and full of Romanian star quality, G Girls works better than we could ever have imagined. Hopefully they will come together for a few more songs, this isn't going to be the next girl band because they are already amazing solo artists, however it could be a project that has more than one single, and maybe a world tour (we can only hope), a G Girls tour would make all the fans hit the roof. G Girls need to do a world tour! I'd so be there!
Rizzle Kicks are finally back, and with a catchy number that I wasn't so keen on at first, but by the end of the song I was singing along without even realising. It's been just over a year since their last single, and each of the duo members have been attempting solo careers, having released music under stage names. Finally they have come back together to create this fresh new sound that has got me caught up in their little trap. Rizzle Kicks return a bit later than never, with many loved references in this visual video where they dress up as characters, proving they're always late in this music video for Always Late.
Rizzle Kicks consist of Jordan Stephens (Rizzle) and Harley Alexander-Sule (Sylvester). They hit international fame with "Mama Do The Hump" which is still my most viewed music video review. As previously mentioned they have gone off to have solo careers since their last single. Jordan Stephens has been releasing music under the stage name Wildhood, where he has released a debut EP and two singles. As for Harley Alexander-Sule, he has been using the stage name Jimi Charles Moody, with various singles released, some songs of which have been used for advertisements. Clearly these two will always be in the music industry, but they are definitely better together, especially since they get successful chart hits as a duo. This song was written by Jordan Stephens, Harley Alexander-Sule and Sky Adams.
Directed by Toby Lockerbie, the duo dress up as loved characters in this music video. At the start they play the White Rabbit and Time from Alice Through The Looking Glass, which instantly made me think it was a soundtrack song for the film, but guess that's reserved for P!nk's awesome song "Just Like Fire". This isn't the first Rizzle Kicks music video to have a Alice In Wonderland theme, "Dreamers" also had a similar theme too.
The song has various references throughout, hence why one appears as Luigi in the video, they mention Men in Black, where they end up dressed in suits in the back of a car. There's many scenes where they lyrics are literally translated into a visual for the video.
Performance wise, Rizzle Kicks are on form as always, their relaxed raping works perfectly and settles in the viewers. The harmonies kick off perfectly during the chorus, creating this infectious sound. Rizzle Kicks are back, yet they're always late, they need to up their game and be on time to be current once again.
By far one of my favourite Inna tracks off her first album, I remember watching this over and over and over again on the music channels, back in 2011. After reviewing her most recent music video for her new single "Heaven" which I also reviewed for Outlet Magazine. I have jumped into Inna's back catalogue for my Thursday Revisit. The UK version of the video is cut by roughly a minute to focus on Inna's image and to get rid of the repeated scenes. Inna is sexed up in the middle of the club trying to win every place with her dancing and her heartthrob of a bartender, in this music video for 10 minutes.
Unfortunately, this song didn't chart in the UK, much to my disappointment, especially since it sounds like it would've been perfect for the UK market, after hits "Hot" and "Amazing". Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, hit it off well in the UK, at first, but it spiralled downhill after "Sun Is Up". However, she didn't stop, and made a market for herself in Eastern Europe, where she is apparently the richest recording artist over there. She has sung in many different languages, and is definitely becoming a massive international star. She has recently been announced as a coach on Vocea României Junior (The Voice of Romania Junior) season one. This was her third UK release, but her fifth single internationally. Featured are her producing trio Play & Win, they have helped many artists with their careers, especially Inna, but they have also made quite the name for themselves in the music industry, mainly as producers, but they have also become known as artists themselves. They consist of Marcel Botezan, Radu Bolfea and Sebastian Barac. This song was written by Play & Win.
The music video was directed by Paul Boyd and filmed in London. The opening shows her preparing backstage for a show, or in this case for going to a club. She wears different outfits and puts them up against herself.
The video continues, with her dancing in a club, with her backing dancers. The choreography is on point, and she works the dancefloor like she owns it.
She catches the eye of the bartender, and who can blame her, he's pretty cute. If anyone knows the actor's name, please tell. And asks him to dance with her. She continues to work the club with her perfect performance vibes.
In one scene we are invited into the bathroom, where Inna and her girls freshen up. Before going back on to the dancefloor. Eventually Inna entices the bartender onto the floor with her.
Cute, sexy, over-the-top, yet totally relatable and perfected. Inna looks and acts like a star. This song is perfectly aimed for the western world, but not much promotion went into it, and radio didn't really pick it up. Still one of my favourites, and the music video may not have much substance to it, but what it lacks it makes up for in relating to the song in every way.
Kickstarting my look-back on the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 & 2015, is this number by Mei Finegold. An early favourite that failed to make it through to the Grand Final. Unfortunately Israel scored 19 points, placing them 14th in the second semi-final of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Mei Finegold shows so much sass in this music video for Same Heart; powerful, emotional and sassy, this should've done better in Eurovision.
Mei Finegold took part in Kokhav Nolad (A Star is Born) based off Pop Idol, she came in third place in the seventh season. Her vocals are outstanding, and definitely works better on ballads, however clearly she has love for upbeat tracks considering the songs she has released so far. It seems she hasn't released anything quite so new recently. She'll probably be lost, a Eurovision star that never made it. Yet with a voice like that, she can't give up. This song was written by Rami Talmid.
The music video is full of sass, she's extremely confident in her performance, especially when backed by dancers during the choreography.
She unleashes performance vibes that engages the audience, showing that she is a fighter, and yet no new music since her collaboration with Shlomi Levi & Shay Rokach on pride anthem "Sweet Harmony".
The narrative doesn't develop enough, as Mei Finegold trains with her samurai sword, preparing for the fight that is to come amongst the hills. The video stops before the fight plays out, failing to keep us gripped, and it doesn't have a follow-up video which totally should've been released as another single, as it would've been great promotion for the next single.
Overall, a lost star amongst many; Eurovision 2014 was the year for many stand-out acts, an extremely competitive year to say the least. A banging song that is so catchy yet doesn't quite match the vocalist. And an accompanying music video that leaves way too much to the imagination, yet Mei Finegold does her best with it. Sassy, on point and focused, what more could we have asked from her?
As summer comes rolling in, Inna comes back with this summer relaxer hit that is sure to start your summer right, even if it is dreary and wet outside (like it is now here in the UK). Having been a fan since she dropped "Hot", Inna doesn't stop giving summer tunes that you can't help but love. Having already reviewed Heaven for Outlet Magazine, I've been waiting for it to drop on iTunes before reviewing the video for my blog. Inna brings the summer from Mauritius with this relaxer song, combining different languages in this exotic taste of heaven, as she enjoys the Mauritian summer.
Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, is an international star. Having successfully hit charts in the western world with songs such as "Hot" and "Sun Is Up" she has gone after global success with her last two albums. "More Than Friends" and "Cola Song" have quickly became Inna classic songs in other countries. Having worked with the likes of Flo Rida, Pitbull, J Balvin and Daddy Yankee; as well as fellow Romanian female artist Alexandra Stan on the amazing "We Wanna" and on the upcoming project G Girls with Antonio and Lori in "Call The Police", there really is no stopping this girl. If you don't know who Inna is yet, you better start listening. This song was composed by Andreas Schuller, Leroy Clampitt, Barac Sebastian Alexandru, Botezan Marcel, Laila Samulesen, Trey Campbell & Miculescu Theea Eliza.
Directed by John Perez with assistant director Khaled Mokhtar, filmed in Mauritius at the Shangri-La Resort, Inna shows Mauritian life and love in the streets and at the beach.
Performing perfectly as always, Inna shines throughout this music video, not only is her fashion style on point, just like it is in most of her music videos, but she has this presence about her that makes you know she was meant to sing.
Her love interest is played by Olivier Phineas Boissard, he's beautiful green eyes definitely make him perfect as the male actor for this video. Gorgeous and sexy, Inna and Olivier Phineas Boissard make a great couple. It's rare to find the male actors' names in Inna's music videos, but this is the second name I've come across, after "Yalla".
Linking in different languages isn't anything new, she has previously sung in Arabic in song "Yalla". The french links on from her previous song "Rendez Vous".
Overall, it's a typical music video from Inna, showing the culture of a certain place, in this case it is Mauritius, as well as attempting to bring the summer. The music video relates perfectly with the song and the summer vibe is definitely sent out towards the world. A great video to add to Inna's collection.
With no music video to Drake's "One Dance" yet, which is still at number one in the UK, my Chart Mondays is open to the top 10 again. This took it's time to become popular, no doubt popular music app musical.ly helped this become a charting success... Yet I have a feeling this may be Gnash's only hit. taking inspiration from G-Eazy with a similar style that many people have been comparing, Gnash does his best, but his relaxed style is quite annoying, especially with this amazing featured vocalist. Gnash and Olivia O'Brien collaborate in this emotional track accompanied by beautiful scenery in this music video for I Hate U, I Love U.
Gnash is known mostly as a singer-songwriter and DJ, having released a number of EPs and being quite popular on soundcloud, it isn't surprising that he managed to find success. This raw and gritty song is powerful in it's own right, unfortunately, I doubt he'll have more than this one hit, but I guess it's a wait and see situation. The song features Olivia O'Brien, just 16 she has her whole life ahead of her, her vocals on this track are stunning and her other songs she's uploaded to soundcloud is creating quite the buzz, this is definitely a star in the making and is one of the main reasons why this song has become so chart friendly. This song is a war of a love story, the battle fight we've all felt once in a while, apparently written by the singers themselves, Gnash & Olivia O'Brien.
A gorgeous landscape sets the scene in this music video directed by Mitchell Dequilettes. It fails to capture the beautiful emotion that the song portrays.
The singers fail to give the performance of their lives, gnash is way too relaxed, as if he doesn't care what he is singing and would rather hide behind his sunglasses. Olivia O'Brien does her best, but with her co-star not giving it his all, the emotion falls flat, her vocals are on form in the song, but her acting ability isn't.
The song is better heard without watching this beautiful music video, the landscape is an essence of the love hate relationship, portraying the crashing of waves relating in time with the music and the lyrics of the song and yet there's no substance to it at all.
Overall it is beautiful, but the video doesn't accompany the song all that well. Reminding me slightly of RHODES + Birdy's collaboration "Let It All Go" and yet totally different in style and in motive.
Having already reviewed her Summer EP for Outlet Magazine, I felt I had to review this amazing music video on my blog. Cassadee Pope has always been a part of my life, ever since she struck out as frontwoman in band Hey Monday, then when the band went on hiatus, she went solo, appeared on The Voice US, which she eventually won, and rightly so; now she's becoming a country star in her own right. Cassadee Pope relates to everyone in this song and video as we all connect over a guy we've fell in love with during summer. Bringing warmth to us all.
As mentioned above, Cassadee Pope has been in the music industry for a number of years, getting chart hits and making some very good network connections. Having been part of a rock band in her early days, Hey Monday has definitely defined her as a singer, and although she has gone down the country route, which definitely helped her discover her sound, her rockier side will always be found in her lyrics and her music. Just listen to "Candles" and you'll know exactly what I mean. Having won The Voice US season three, had a top 10 US billboard charting debut solo album, which launched singles "Wasting All These Tears" and "I Wish I Could Break Your Heart", an empowering single "I Am Invincible" and a chart topping collaborative single "Think Of You" with Chris Young. Cassadee Pope is hitting the country world hard, and she isn't going to stop here. This song was written by Cassadee Pope, Kelly Archer and Emily Shackelton.
Directed by TK McKamy, the video captures the essence of the song beautifully. This is exactly how I felt last year. I had two summer boyfriends, one at the start and the other near the end, this is totally relatable to me, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had a summer boyfriend. It felt so real, and Cassadee Pope is so right with every lyric to this song.
The scenes are both narrative and performance based, mainly the latter. The scenes suggests dates that Cassadee Pope and her love interest, played by actor Sam Krumrine, go on during their summer get together.
Set on the Clearwater Beach, Cassadee Pope and Sam Krumrine work well together perfectly showing the young love lust between them. What I haven't felt for almost a year, and yet they capture it perfectly and takes me back to those innocent days.
Emotional, sexy and amazing, this music video captures summer in a whole country relationship vibe that we have all felt and can relate to. Cassadee Pope lays her emotions bare and her more personal EP excites us to find out what her new album will be like. If the Summer EP is anything to go by, it's going to be a scorcher.
Turns out that Zara Larsson can appear in a video to a song she is featured on, the disappointment on her last featured track, "Girls Like" by Tinie Tempah, left us all wondering when we'll be seeing her next, luckily we didn't have to wait long. David Guetta joins forces with Zara Larsson for this UEFA Euro 2016 football anthem, uniting the world as they watch in on the European Football Championship, apparently this one's for you.
David Guetta, real name Pierre David Guetta, is a French DJ, who is a world-wide renowned DJ, if you haven't heard of him then you've definitely lived under a rock, and if you haven't have heard any of his songs then you must've been on some remote island where music doesn't get played. He has won several awards and has had six UK number ones so far, and I believe another one could be right around the corner. Teaming up with current star Zara Larsson, who first hit international success by teaming up with MNEK on "Never Forget You", and has gone on to have a hit all by herself with "Lush Life". Now she's on everyone's radar, she needs to ride this success and bring out more music for us to buy or stream, otherwise she will disappear. This Swedish star was made for international success. This song was written by David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, Nick Van de Wall, Ester Dean and Thomas Troelsen.
The music video links football, music and dance in this collaborative effort to unite the world with a UEFA Euro song.
Slightly confusing why they are including the world in this music video since it's purely for the UEFA European Championships, and although the world may be looking in and watching, it wouldn't be happening vice-versa. This is more suited for the FIFA World Cup. Regardless, it's uniting us all in the spirit of football and music.
Zara Larsson is a vision of beauty, looking a little like Christina Aguilera, she not only shows off her vocal range in this song, but she proves she can appear in a video of a song in which she's featured in.
Overall a song that unites the world, released on behalf of the UEFA Euro 2016 Championship and a video brought to you by the 'official airline partner' of the said championship Turkish Airlines. Stylish and on form, both stars are stunning in the video, Zara Larsson shines throughout, and David Guetta shows his support for the game. Mixing football with music as well as dance with some scenes, it really is a joining of forces, confusing yet uniting.
With much hype behind him Ady Suleiman doesn't look like your conventional pop star. I had very little expectations when I clicked play on this music video. Not many artists manage to shock me, but Ady Suleiman did just that, an old soul vocalist in a young body, this reggae tune is explosive with this vocalist, the summer hit you'll be hearing everywhere this year. Catchy, emotional and your tune for the summer, Ady Suleiman is the new guy on the scene. Bringing the summer sunshine from Langa, Cape Town, South Africa, in this lovely community spirited music video for Running Away.
Having been trying to set off in the music world, Ady Suleiman has dropped two EPs that have had DJs talking about him, he has now launched this summer tune that is sure to rise on the charts in the coming weeks as radio picks it up. Combining reggae with hip-hop. this guy is on to a winner, no one is doing this in the music industry, and there is a total market for him. His sound is new and perfect for the summer, but the big question is whether he'll be able to carry it on through to winter and the following years.
Directed by Calmatic and Director X, we are taken to the streets of Langa in Cape Town. Ady Suleiman does his best to fit in with this crowd, but his bold colours flare him out, not only failing to fit in with this crowd, but with any other crowd. He's a try hard when it comes to fashion, and from this video alone he'd rather be comfortable than stylish. Each to their own.
This community spirited video is full of happy people, all clearly happy to be in this video, loving life. They don't take things for granted, and that is a blessing.
What it relates to, I do not know, apart from some scenes where people are running. The song is about tackling things head on, and not running away from life. I guess that's what Ady Suleiman has done, gone after what he wanted, took every good opportunity thrown his way, and now look at him... A hit song with a perfect sound, that no other guy is doing in the music industry. This song will be a climber on the chart.
Overall, a fun-loving video, community spirited that definitely is a pick-me-up. However there's nothing going on, it could've related better and Ady Suleiman's fashion sense is a definite no-no, but I guess I've seen worse. Happy and grateful for life, this video works, but fails to stand out.
After winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, with "Heroes", I quickly became a fan of Måns Zelmerlöw. After buying his extensive collection from iTunes, Cara Mia struck me as a hit, and the music video is attached to his debut album "Stand By For...". This launched him in Sweden, top of the chart, a new star was released in the world. Eight years on and he represented Sweden and won the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. Måns Zelmerlöw's debut music video, Cara Mia, may seem old, but it's refreshing with ghostly images, definitely defining music videos since 2007.
Måns Zelmerlöw is my Thursday Revisit this week after reviewing his latest music video for song "Fire In The Rain". Having came fifth in Swedish Idol 2005 and winning the first season of Let's Dance (Swedish Strictly Come Dancing / Dancing With The Stars), Måns Zelmerlöw is a household name in Sweden, with a number of hit singles, albums and Christmas tracks, this guy can sing. But internationally success seems to be far out of his reach. He entered Melodifestivalen 2007 with this song, and came third overall. The song soon climbed up the Swedish charts and hit number one for four weeks. I bet he didn't think he'd go on to win Melodifestivalen eight years later, let alone winning the entire Eurovision Song Contest 2015. This song was written by Fredrik Kempe and Henrik Wilkström.
The music video is mainly narrative, a very young Måns Zelmerlöw is obviously thinking of a girl he likes. The start shows him calling her up using a rotary dial-style phone.
As he performs the song, with his usual air and vibe, you can tell how much he has changed. Here he seems timid imagining being with a girl he loves.
This catchy song pushed him into success, given him the confidence he needed to become the star he is now. Acting is on point, so love-lost he felt the emotions of the song.
The actress or love interest is unknown, but plays an important role in the video, connecting with Måns Zelmerlöw, we feel the passion between them.
Overall, a great narrative video, with a perfect typical performance behind it. Nothing exciting or new, nothing we haven't seen plenty of times before. Just a plain average music video, with such a catchy song, that I'm disappointed it wasn't an international hit.
DNCE releases their second single from their debut EP. This Joe Jonas fronted band has already had a global hit "Cake By The Ocean", but instead of releasing new music and their potential new album, they have opted to release this instead. Perfect promotion for their upcoming album, it shows their diversity as a band. DNCE show the start of a relationship between Joe Jonas and Ashley Graham, pushing the boundaries of media concept, and showing the progression of a couple by suggesting to leave a toothbrush at his place.
DNCE is a four piece band consisting of Joe Jonas, Jack Lawless, JinJoo Lee and Cole Whittle. They hit the scene with "Cake By The Ocean" that has charted well all over the world. This follow-up shows the diversity of the band, but it isn't a commercial success, unsurprisingly. More of a slow ballad, this Maroon 5 style song is nonetheless catchy, perfect for an EP or album track, and all right for a single, but I'll be surprise if they manage to promote it globally. The song was written by Ilya Salmanzadeh, James Alan Ghaleb, Joe Jonas and Rickard Göransson.
Directed by Luke Monaghan, DNCE follows on from "Cake By The Ocean", again including a narrative and performance piece. Joe Jonas takes central character in the love story, as a frontman usually does.
The love interest is played by actress and model Ashley Graham, the video has received acclaim because it presents a body-positive image, since Ashley Graham is a "plus-size" model.
Quite dark and dank, the performance isn't as exciting as their first single. The band gels well together, that is clear and this ballad is performed well. It just has no energy behind it, but that may be due to the song.
Ashley Graham and Joe Jonas are amazing actors, creating this beautiful relationship that feels completely real. Similar to Nathan Sykes' "Give It Up", this expands this relationship, proving that this is more than just sexual attraction.
Overall, a similar feel to "Cake By The Ocean", and no doubt will get comparisons. More mellow and more of a story, this is a music video that will become a classic. Perfect in every way apart from the performance because of the song being more of a ballad. The narrative could've been a bit more in-depth, nothing surprising, just a sweet video.
Ending my Eurovision Special with last year's winner, as we expectantly await Jamala's "1944" music video, if she ever releases one. Måns Zelmerlöw returns with this stunning new track that is sure to melt hearts around the world. Not quite as amazing as "Heroes", this lovely song suits any soundtrack. A very visual video that allows us to stare at Måns Zelmerlöw's torso all day long (even if he's fully clothed, unfortunately), with a backstabbing love story like a Fire in the Rain.
Måns Zelmeröw is a household name in Sweden, He hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, alongside Petra Mede. He came fifth in Idol 2005 (Swedish Idol), and went on to win the first season of Let's Dance (Swedish version of Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing With The Stars). Having won the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, with "Heroes", he was the fan-favourite with a very visual cute performance, this single fails to follow-through. The song is extremely lovely, but nothing special. It was written by Simon Strömstedt.
The visual music video incorporates a narrative during a performance, this works amazingly and really shows that Måns Zelmerlöw is current in the music industry. He may not be banging out global hit after global hit that destroys the charts around the world, not yet anyway. What we can count on is him defining stage productions and music videos, shaping the world into the new future, him and Russian entrant Sergey Lazarev, are the ones to watch. The latter's "You Are The Only One" music video is visually and technically amazing, just like this video.
Visually great, we watch a love story between a guy and a girl as they ride a moped to various dates that they go on. She changes his style by turning his jacket inside out, and then at the end she doesn't turn up, and she's probably out with a new guy.
Interesting that it focuses on the girl being the confident one, proving that in relationships it can happen either way. A slight role reversal to what we are used to seeing in the media. There's very little substance to the narrative, but works well. It relates to the song, and is similar to fire in the rain.
Måns Zelmerlöw capture us in his performance as always, his beautiful face distracts us from the narrative story being displayed visually on his body. Technically brilliant, I love how the effects give us a new viewing every time we watch the video. The fire in the rain visual towards the end of the video, using effects around Måns Zelmerlöw, may only be a slight effect, but it's visually amazing and works well with the song.
Galantis is back, and is my Chart Monday review this week, because Drake is still sitting at number one with "One Dance" with no official music video. Setting the world alight, this Swedish electro duo are banging hit after hit after hit. This one focuses on bullying, a worldwide problem that will never stop, however Galantis shows that you can overcome bullies. Galantis uses their power in the music world to get across the message to stand up to bullies.
Galantis consists of Christian Karlsson and Linus Eklöw. Christian Karlsson is known as Bloodshy as well as a part of Miike Snow; Linus Eklöw is mostly known as Style of Eye. They have had banging hits "Runaway (U & I)" and "Peanut Butter Jelly". The former peaked at number four on the UK chart, which this song has matched this week on the official UK charts. Both members are established in their own right, behind the scenes, but together they are after chart domination, and are surely a global success, the future is bright for Galantis. This song is the first single from their upcoming second studio album. The song was written by Christian Karlsson, Linus Eklöw, Henrik Jonback, Nicholas Gale, Andrew Bullimore and Jimmy Koitzsch. Reece Bullimore provides the vocals to the track.
The music video is directed by Andrew Donoho. It plays on the whole bullying theme, not caring at all what others think. This is the perfect video to be played on music channels to get kids not worrying about being bullied.
Bullying is one of the top problems children have to face in the world. Either you are the bully or you're the bullied, either way it's in insecurity, and they are both very similar, it's just how you deal with it. Personally, I was bullied constantly. Enough that I didn't want to go to school, didn't want to leave the house, didn't enjoy life one bit. But I grew a backbone, realised this was happening to me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it, so I stop caring about it, it didn't make it stop, but it happened a lot less.
This is an inspirational video, and I wish it were out when I was a child to inspire me to keep going, to not let bullies stop me from continuing life.
The children are confident as they walk to the meet-up with amazing face paints. I hate face painting, I never wanted one as a child, but if the artist did face paint like that, then I'd be first in line.
A cute dance music video featuring children. A strength song and visual video, an inspiration to us all. Confidence should always be rewarded as well as courage. Galantis has once again proved themselves.
Australia took part once again in the Eurovision Song Contest, and did even better this year. Dami Im is definitely a future international star, she's ready to conquer the world and no doubt about it she will get there, hence why she's a part of my Eurovision Special. Proving they deserve to be in the competition, Australia won the Jury vote, and came an extremely intense second overall with 511 points. Dami Im performed amazingly on the Semi-Finals and at the Grand Final, definitely a front runner with that amazing beautiful voice, so much better than the sound of silence, a visual experience, the video doesn't match up as well as the staging on the Grand Final.
Dami Im is one of the top stars in Australia, originally born in South Korea, she moved to Australia when she was nine. Australia is taking the Eurovision Song Contest so seriously, that that is why they are doing so well, they are sending amazing act after amazing act and are definitely destined to win soon if they keep it up, and are allowed to continue entering (obviously). Dami Im was chosen by internal selection, winner of fifth season of The X Factor (Australia), she was thrown into the music world, a number one self-titled album soon followed with hit single after hit single. Causing waves around the world, she slammed into the South Korean charts. She is the future international star, she's has a taste of global fame with this coming second in the competition, now she just needs to ride the waves, because this amazing vocalist deserves to be heard worldwide. This song was written by Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci.
This music video is nothing compared to the amazing staging in both the Semi-Final and the Grand Final, the latter can be viewed below.
A pure performance piece, Dami Im is truly beautiful, destined to become an international star, her vocals are one point, she looks stunning and truly knows how to capture everyone when singing.
Encased in her world, you start to believe every word she's singing, missing a loved one, wishing they were beside her.
A contemporary dancer is shown in this video, perfect choreography mastered freestyle. The dancer breaks this video up, giving it the sense of lost and longing in which Dami Im is singing about.
A beautiful performance music video, that is lacking a lot considering the staging of her Eurovision Song Contest entry. Stunning, Dami Im sings effortlessly. This is one female singer we can't afford to lose, she needs to become a global superstar.
The viewer's winner, if it weren't for the jury this song would've won the competition. Part of my Eurovision Special. Amazing graphics in both the staging of the Grand Final as well as this music video. Sergey Lazarev had an amazing production team behind him, everything was on point, perfect for Russia to win. Yet they came a close third with 491 points. The song is what let them down, it's weak on first listen, but ever so catchy nonetheless. Sergey Lazarev is getting excited as he claims that you are the only one, his only one, in this extremely visual video that's sexy, dangerous and amazing!
Sergey Lazarev is a Russian singer, dancer, actor and TV presenter. He started his music career with Vlad Topalov in duo Smash!!. At the height of their career, they disbanded and Sergey Lazarev pursued a solo career. A total success in Russia, Sergey Lazarev has had hit after hit, music award after music award. It's unsurprising why this did so well, apart from the amazing visuals, Russia sent one of their top artists, a risk that was pulled off to perfection. Russia wanted to win this year, and hell did they do their best. Russia chose Sergey Lazarev through internal selection. The song was written by Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos, John Ballard and Ralph Charlie.
Directed by Konstantin Cherepkov this video is amazing, out of this world, surreal and definitely stands out. This is a game changer when it comes to music videos. Ultimately brilliant and completely unforgettable.
Using 3D imagery, editing and mapping, thanks to Illuminarium3000, this awesome video must've taken hours upon hours to make and edit. This is perfection personified. Produced by Irina Morozova, with 3D mapping by Yuri Pelin and Evgenia Godunova, with DP by Anastasiy Mikhailov. As well as the beautiful Vladislava Evtushenko, who is a model and was runner-up for Miss Russia 2015, and represented Russia in the Miss Universe competition, plays the love interest, I hope she appears in more videos in the future, as she's stunningly beautiful and is a great actress on the set.
The narrative works perfectly adding thunder and lighting within visuals. This easily messed with my head, the 3D imagery is beautiful and well crafted. Sergey Lazarev and Vladislava Evtushenko perform to perfection, every detail is included.
Confusing the hell out of the viewers, it's hard to imagine that all of this is imagery. Such a complicated set, yet works effectively. I love the narrative, I love the design, and I hope many more music videos use this idea over green screen, as it more than works. Catchy song, perfect vocals and an amazing visual, what more can you want?
Bulgaria retuned after a two-year absence and did extremely well with Poli Genova. Getting fourth with 307 points, Bulgaria did much better than we all expected. Poli Genova was definitely the dark horse in the race.Now a part of my Eurovision Special. No stranger to reality TV, she was a judge on The X Factor Bulgaria series one, and appeared on the fourth series of Your Face Sounds Familiar (Bulgaria Version). Poli Genova is fighting to get her music heard, and I'm sure she'll be globally known soon enough. Poli Genova watches memories of a love she has in a torturous chamber claiming she'd be a criminal if love was a crime.
Poli Genova is no stranger to the Eurovision Song Contest, she represented Bulgaria back in 2011 with "Na inat" which failed to make it past the semi-finals. Returning stronger than ever, Poli Genova was selected by internal selection, this was the song that gave Bulgaria their shot at winning. The only problem they have is doing just as well next year. As for what the future brings for Poli Genova, she has a chance to ride the success of this song, whilst promoting a new single or album, but whether that is on the cards just yet is something no one knows. Her vocals are amazing and she has so much love and passion for this song, it's clear she means ever word she is singing. The song was written by Borislav Milanov, Sebastian Arman, Joacim Persson, Johnny K. Palmer and Poli Genova.
This music video relates perfectly to the song, the not-so black and white visual gives a haunting effect that really works to add depth and meaning into this video.
Poli Genova sits down and watches memories of loving someone, instinctual moments that put people into a state of euphoria. These moments can't be shared with a single person apart from your lover. It has a Clockwork Orange feel to it, as if this is some sort of punishment if love was a crime, therefore making her a criminal.
Other scenes in the same effects suggests how these two meet. Poli Genova is a photographer at an event where her future lover is possibly famous. She gets up and sings at the event and he whisks her off her feet at the end. Sweet, romantic and everything I want, but I can't sing so that happening to me can just stay in my dreams for now.
Performance wise, Poli Genova is on it! She works the camera to her ability, and we can't keep our eyes off her. Everything is a distraction that fails to capture our attention, because her beauty, her vocals and her performance vibes keep us glues to her. Perfection personified.
Overall a great faultless music video, haunting like the song, very deep and meaningful. A beautiful narrative with an extremely strong performance. Poli Genova has a new fan in me and in a lot of other people too. If she never becomes internationally famous, Bulgaria will be lucky to have her all to themselves.
Alan Walker is back with another banging tune. This new release is one of those songs that will do well on the UK chart, especially after the amazing previous hit "Faded". Alan Walker wastes no time, keeping up with his style, this follow-up single to "Faded" is just as good, if not better. Another search is on, set in Hong Kong, with freaky visual tones, everything is not as it seems, Alan Walker collaborates with Iselin Solheim once again for this perfect tune, that won't be singing me to sleep.
Alan Walker hit the charts hard with single "Faded", but the question on everyone's lips is whether he will be a one hit wonder. Guess this English/Norwegian star has proved everyone wrong. This tune is just as good and although may not chart as well as the previous single did, it will still make a global impact. The vocals come from Iselin Solheim, once again. This is quite the team and her vocals perfectly matches the song. She is a singer in her own right in Norway, but this collaborative effort might bring more popularity to her.
The music video was directed by Rikkard & Tobias Häggbom. It features four actors who are Shahab Salehi, Zenobia Hamrin, Henry Tang and Yam Wai Sang.
The video is weird, and difficult to follow as we navigate the streets of Hong Kong. Four characters are clearly on a mission, They are scouted to meet somewhere, to which they connect some unseen items that brings light to the city.
If that isn't confusing enough, scenes are distorted either through infrared or a visual waver. These characters are seeing something different to us, and at times it looks like someone is following them. Although this never is the case.
Overall it's a confusing narrative that fails to connect to the song. This could literally be paired with any song and it wouldn't make a difference. However, it is clear that Alan Walker has a theme going on when it comes to his music videos... Or maybe it's just the directors' ideas, guess we'll have to see what happens in future music videos.
A more than catchy song, this was the bookies early front runner, it managed 257 points, placing 6th overall in the Eurovision competition. Amir is now a part of my Eurovision 2016 Special. An inspiring story that is shown throughout a perfect melody and video. Amir performs happily in this video, whilst the narrative is beautifully acted out, an inspiration to us all.
Amir, known as Amir Haddad, real name Laurent Amir Khlifa Khedider Haddad, is an Israeli-French singer. He appeared on Kokhav Nolad but only advanced four stages in the competition. He finished third in The Voice: la plus belle voix, which definitely kick-started his career. France chose Amir to represent them at Eurovision 2016 through internal selection, and it proved to be a good choice. The song is written by Amir Haddad, Johan Errami and Nazim Khaled.
The video is both narrative and performance based. Amir is totally relaxed in this performance, he is so happy to be a part of Eurovision and representing his country and everything that goes with it, that he is clearly enjoying every minute of it. He performs the song perfectly, making the viewers feel relaxed too. He did a much more powerful performance in the Grand Final.
The narrative is extremely inspirational. This is exactly what people need to watch to continue to fight for their dreams and to go after what they want. This video proves that people can do what they want to do in life, if they try their very best at it.
This video inspires me, something I'd watch to encourage myself to keep writing. I've been hoping to make a career out of what I love to do, and at times I am at breaking point, where I just want to give up as I don't think I'm getting anywhere. But that is not true, opportunities are slowly coming my way, and I've got to continue going after my dreams. Only the fighters make their dreams come true, and I am prepared to fight.
Overall an inspiration to us all, a happy sweet music video with some darkening sides to it. The song is more suggestive of there being someone there to keep us fighting, yet the video gives us these people in a visual to inspire us. If they can do it, we can right?
This was my second favourite after Barei's "Say Yay!". This was slated online, clearly they weren't expecting it to do so well. But this is a TUNE! Coming in at 10th with 181 points, Laura Tesoro did amazingly well for the opening act. I am an official fan now, and obviously she's a part of my Eurovision 2016 Special. No doubt she'll reappear on my blog some time in the future. Laura Tesoro asks What's The Pressure in this choreographed danced music video that is performed to perfection.
Laura Tesoro, actress, singer, dancer & presenter, and all just at 19 years old, is there anything she can't do? She is known for playing Charlotte in Flemish soap opera Familie. She also came second on The Voice van Vlaanderen (The Voice of Flanders) season three. Getting tenth in the Eurovision Song Contest isn't that bad, and she can definitely make a big impact globally if she keeps promoting worldwide. I am definitely a fan of hers! This song is very catchy, pretty much a mash up of Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust" and Fleur East's "Sax", it really works. The song was written by Sanne Putseys, Louis Favre and Birsen Uçar.
A total performance based music video, this is directed well. This is controlled and performed to perfection, Laura Tesoro is on form.
The choreography is performed on point by Laura Tesoro and her backing dancers, all in sync. However it's lacking in visualisation, engagement and technicality.
It fails to keep the audience interested. Regardless Laura Tesoro performs with amazing vibes, she clearly loves this song and recording the music video, and all the attention she is receiving.
Amazingly produced and performed. This is an all right music video that feels similar to Fleur East's "Sax" especially since the songs sound similar. Laura Tesoro is hot right now, and I'm sure she'll bring out another banger in the future that will have us all talking about her.
Malta has sent such a great entrant this year. Ira Losco was high on everyone's expectations, this song is a banger. She came 12th with only 153 points which is lower than what we expected, and now she's a part of my Eurovision 2016 Special. She returns to the contest after representing Malta in 2002, where she came second. This year clearly proved more difficult, but 12th is nothing to be snubbed at. And she just pushed more limelight her way, since she is already slightly an international star, this has definitely helped her career more so, especially being pregnant during the Grand Final. Ira Losco makes a perfect return to the contest as she Walks On Water in the beautiful island setting of Gozo.
Ira Losco, what to say about Ira Losco? She's gorgeously beautiful and is currently expecting a baby with her boyfriend Sean Gravina. She represented Malta in 2002 with song "7th Wonder", it pushed her into major fame and she has performed with a number of stars. She has earned a Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (Medal of Service to the Republic) allowing her to use 'M.Q.R.' at the end of her name. She sent two songs to the Maltese national selection, and she won with "Chameleon", she wanted to improve Malta's chances at Eurovision, so suggested to sing a different song. "Walk On Water" was chosen at a later date. The song was written by Lisa Desmond, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren, Molly Pettersson Hammar and Ira Losco.
The beautiful landscape is extremely visual, this is so gorgeous, I just want to be there and stand on the island of Gozo and see the beauty of it that I'm seeing in this music video. I'm going to have to visit one day!
Ira Losco performs perfectly, sultry, sexy she's a vision of beauty on beauty. Her different dresses are all weirdly gorgeous, they're unusually sexy and works perfectly with the song.
She's like an iconic star, and although she doesn't dance much, leaving it all to the dancer to explain the song through the art of contemporary dancing, it works well.
A vision of beauty on beauty, Gozo is a gorgeous place that I'd want to see one day. A perfect location for this emotional song. Ira Losco does a good job of it and performed it well at the Grand Final too.
An instant fan favourite, Hovi Star is next on my Eurovision 2016 Special. Already an established star in Israel, He finally achieved his dream, to grace the Eurovision stage and represent his country. He's vocally talented, stylishly fashionable, and is definitely the LGBT+ representative this year. The song is strong, but I always expect an amazing chorus and it's kind of lacking. This guy has conquered his dream, now it's time to be an international star, as he definitely has the voice for it. Hovi Star claims we're all Made of Stars in this LGBT+ anthem, whilst singing out to a number of drones in this music video.
Hovi Star, real name Hovav Sekulets, took part in Kokhav Nolad (meaning A Star Is Born), which is similar to 'Pop Idol' and it's spinoffs. He came seventh, then known as Hovi "Star" Sekulets, he launched a career and has rerecorded songs in Hebrew for well known films such as 'Frozen', 'Cinderella' and 'Inside Out'. He then competed in HaKokhav HaBa L'Eirovizion, based off the 'Raising Star' franchise, where the winner represents the country in the Eurovision Song Contest. This, Hovi Star won, which he is more than deserving. He came 14th in the Grand Final with 135 points. I'm sure this is not the last we've seen of Hovi Star. The song was written by Doron Medalie.
This music video shows off Tel Aviv in Israel, with the help of drones. It's a little weird that Hovi Star is singing to them, I presume they represent stars or people who are stars.
Hovi Star performs with so much emotion, he has clearly connected with this song and he performed just as well during the Grand Final as well as the Semi-Final.
There's not much to this video apart from Hovi Star serenading the drones that are both flying around him and following him. Nothing amazing but clear performance vibes. Hovi Star will be back, this is not the last we've seen of him!
