Last week I had two options for Chart Mondays, or so I thought... And I chose Calum Scott's "Dancing On My Own", knowing full well that my other option would make it to the top of the UK Chart this week, and it sure did.
Little did I know that The Chainsmokers hasn't released a music video for "Closer" which features Halsey, This is the song that is currently sitting pretty on the top of the UK Chart.
Regardless, if I had known this last week, I wouldn't have seen it as a choice. My opinion may have been slightly different, that being said, we can't dip into the past and change things around to see what the outcome would be.
End of the day, this is the fifth time I've not had a video to review for Chart Mondays due to the fact that I have already reviewed all the music videos for the entire UK Top 10 Singles Chart, apart from the ones that haven't been released yet, obviously.
Time to reminisce over my past reviews as click the links to the UK's Top 10:
To finish off this blog post, here's a little question to think about...
Is streaming services wrecking the UK chart?
Just a quick glance at the UK iTunes Chart tells an extremely different story... They said streams won't affect songs near the top of the chart, but it clearly has. In America, they count YouTube plays and various other things towards the Billboard Chart. Things are going to have to change, mainly because the chart is supposed to show what music is most popular, and although that may be the case, slightly, I'm sure that top 10 isn't the current most popular music in the UK.
What do you think? Let me know below or on my social channels.
After a random tweet suggestion asking me to watch this music video; it's time for Bronnie to be a part of my blog. Inspiring musician, Bronnie is ready to bring back the pop/rock music we all fell in love with a decade or so ago. Unsigned and going after her dreams, Bronnie is fighting for what she wants, and totally inspiring a lot of people. With a massive fan base on Twitter, it's only a matter of time before Bronnie makes it big. Bronnie rocks on this "High School Sucks" track, showing scenes of her recording session at Edge Recording Studio as well as scenes from famous films to relate to the lyrics.
Bronnie, full name Bronnie Hughes, is an 18-year-old singer who is currently unsigned. She has currently over 300,000 views on her YouTube Channel. A total of two releases on iTunes, one of which is a Christmas song. She takes inspiration from 00's pop/rock music from Avril Lavigne to Busted to Bowling For Soup. She won the Ryan Seacrest Cover Song Contest, and has been in musical theatre since she was seven. This girl is focused and driven, and is definitely someone to keep your eye on. Requesting the help of Josh Bentley, Patrick Doyle, and Tom Atkinson of the band Liberty Calling, Bronnie recorded this song at Edge Recording Studio, where many famous acts before her have recorded songs and albums. She announced in a behind the scenes video clip, that she wrote the song in February 2015.
The video is less high school and more recording studio, although high school clips from famous films are shown throughout, which nicely links in with the lyrics.
Great visual editing throughout, it really shows Bronnie as this up-and-coming star. It introduces her as a singer-songwriter, showing what she's been up to with this song.
Various clips from American Pie are intercut with a perfect visual of Bronnie. Relating in perfect timing to the lyrics, especially the ode to Sum 41.
As for the performance scenes, Bronnie is on form, you can tell how much she loves this song, and what it means to her. Full of life, in the video, her bubbly charm can be seen throughout and even in the BTS videos. She's a positive person and so genuine, which she easily outputs in the video. If she replicates that on stage, which she no doubt does, then anyone who goes to see her live will be in for a treat.
This is Bronnie, and we all better watch out for her. This video shows her time at Edge Recording Studio, as well as her upbeat positive vibe and performance presence. This is who she is, prepared to bring back the pop/rock genre we all loved a decade ago. Making it current and making it new, Bronnie is ready, are you?
We all have to admit, this track was FIRE when it was released; actually, all of the Pussycat Dolls' songs were TUNES! This was sung on The X Factor today, and I just had to review the video. The problem I had back then was Nicole Scherzinger taking on the lead vocals and the other girls were more like backup singers. Regardless, I still bought the albums and singles. They were full of sassiness and sexiness, much like Fifth Harmony now, only with a lead singer. Totally turning themselves into strippers, the Pussycat Dolls loosen up some "Buttons" with Snoop Dogg in this music video.
The Pussycat Dolls were a six-piece group, at this time, consisting of Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Kimberly Wyatt and Melody Thornton. They made a massive name for themselves back then, becoming one of the biggest American girl groups around at the time. Regardless of the problem with Nicole Scherzinger being the lead singer and the other girls giving backing vocals, the songs were amazing, enough for people to forget about the problem with the group and just focus on the songs. If it weren't for this group, we may never have had Nicole Scherzinger. Yes, she may have made it all on her own, but I doubt she would be as big as she is right now. Not only that but the other girls have started making a career for themselves now too, which really proves that each girl in this group are just as good as one another and deserve to be a part of the music industry. They only had two albums, but if lyrics were shared like other current girl groups do now, then maybe they would've continued. The song features Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Broadus Jr., who's one of the biggest rappers in the world, and he's made his name, he's made his fortune and he is still releasing music for his fans. This song was written by Sean Garrett, Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones, Jason Perry, Nicole Scherzinger and Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus Jr.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, this music video is sexy, stylish and totally relatable. There's some great editing work in the video, with the fire and the chairs definitely making the girls look even more hotter.
There are continuity edits that annoy me, though. During the chair scene and the fire dancing scene, the girls lose a member. Melody Thornton isn't involved in these two scenes. She's definitely not a part of the chair lap-dance scene, with the Pussycat Dolls dropping down to five members. As for the fire dancing scene, she disappears when the girls are on their backs in a circle formation, only she reappears later on when the circle is finished. For those of you who notice this, it's an annoyance that I certainly can't get over. It's bad enough that Nicole Scherzinger takes the spotlight in the verses and most of the choruses, but excluding Melody Thornton completely is shocking, even if it was at her request.
Snoop Dogg's inclusion is mysteriously intricate. He's seen as this guy who the girls want to be with, and his rap lyrics does the song justice, but he just doesn't look the part.
Overall, sexy, stylish and on form throughout. A few annoying continuity edited scenes that although are worked well with the help of some CGI, it tries to hide the fact that they are missing a girl.
Tulisa is back, and boy is the female boss back! Having been away from music for a while, she is now ready to make a massive comeback, and this new version of this song has got everyone loving her again. This club anthem tune is so catchy, you'll be singing along the next time you hear it, guaranteed. It's stuck in my head right now. Tulisa is on holiday, once again, in her music video for "Sweet Like Chocolate", catchy, sexy, and totally on form, she is loving life and she is ready to make a massive comeback.
Tulisa, full name Tulisa Contostavlos, first came on the scene with N-Dubz. After they disbanded she had a successful solo career with "Young" being her first number one. It is unlikely that this new song will make it to the top, but it'll definitely chart well, especially with how catchy the song is. Featured on the track is Akelle, full name Akelle Charles, who is known as part of trio: WSTRN, who's song "In2" peaked at number four in the UK. The song interpolates Shanks & Bigfoot's song of the same name "Sweet Like Chocolate".
This holiday music video isn't anything new from Tulisa, she's clearly enjoying her life and she wants to show everyone. It has a similar narrative as "Young", yet less of a story and more about having fun.
Akelle adds a fun rap lyric, that breaks up the song nicely, but the whole visual is simple and uninteresting. Having seen many videos like this before, there's just nothing new being brought to the table.
Various extreme-water holiday amusements are shown in the video, to show extreme excitement, and that Tulisa has no fear. She's on holiday, having a good time. She's healthy, she's happy and she's totally genuine.
It's a pleasant sight to see, it's like she's back to herself. Now she's ready to come back to music and do what she loves. I hope she follows this single up with new amazing music because I am loving the vibes coming from this new track, even if the video isn't as great as I hoped it would be.
It's THURSDAY! Which means it's revisit time on my blog, and time to delve back into Jason Derulo's past and pull this one out of the bag. It was his first number one in the UK, and definitely wasn't his last. It is quite cheesy for 2009, but what can you expect from something that's seven years old. He is a much more talented singer nowadays, yet his old songs are just as catchy, if a little cheesy. Jason Derulo chats up Lala Escarzega in a parking lot as he envisions them together in his head, for his second music video.
Jason Derulo, real name Jason Desrouleaux, has had a great career so far, and it's unlikely to stop. This was his second solo single which hit the top spot of the UK Singles Chart back in 2009. Nowadays he has totally dropped the Jason Derulo name singing at the start of his songs, although it would've been quite fitting with 2 Chainz name singing in their collaborative song "Talk Dirty". This song received a remix with Nicki Minaj, as well as various cover versions released years later. This song was written by Jason Desrouleaux, Claude Kelly and J.R. Rotem.
Directed by Kai Crawford, it is set in a car park. Jason Derulo's love interest is played by actor Lala Escarzega.
Not much of a budget behind this one, it feels like we've seen what happened before "Want To Want Me" and how Jason Derulo got that one night stand.
Nowadays, this is quite laughable, look at that jacket which is way too big for him, totally baggy! And guess what? He changes clothes just to dance because you can't really dance in that blue jacket. Which kind of loses continuity, unless it's all in his head, which is suggested by the end of the music video.
At the start and the end, we're introduced with a snippet of his debut single "Whatcha Say", kind of relating this song to that one so people would realise that it's still Jason Derulo (and yes I sang that).
Jason Derulo serenades this girl, hoping she'll leave with him, although the setting is not a club as the lyrics suggest; yet we can deal with the car park.
Lala Escarzega isn't all that interested, she's eyeing up other people, seeing who else she can get the attention of, which is to be expected, but look what she missed out on because Jason Derulo is totally steaming now.
It turns out it was all a day-dream of what Jason Derulo hopes to happen as Lala Escarzega walks out of the store, but she just suggests that they have met before as his previous single ends the music video.
With little else to comment on, the music video is clever, suggesting everything we had just seen was in Jason Derulo's head, relatable and interesting, with dancing on point throughout, some great technical choreography throughout, although dated now, is intricate. This is definitely good, considering there wasn't quite a great budget involved, clearly.
Keeping up with my Eurovision Special, this song would've got 12 points from my country, the UK, if it was all down to the public vote. Highly sexualised and definitely catchy, Cleo is a star in the making, her clear crisp vocals are rhythmically amazing. Poland scored 62 points placing them 14th in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Sexualised to the max, Donatan and Cleo's "My Słowianie - We Are Slavic" surprised us all at Eurovision, with a catchy number and expressing Poland's traditional ways.
Donatan, real name Witold Czamara, is a Polish producer and a part of RafPak. Both of his albums, one of which is a collaborative album with Cleo, have both hit the Polish number one. His infectious beats will continue to score him chart success and be known as a influence within Polish music. However, Cleo and Donatan have now parted ways, with Cleo going after a solo career. Real name Joanna Klepko, Cleo has really hit it off with her solo career, becoming a known name within Polish music and the chart. They were selected by internal selection. The song was written by Cleo. And despite the clear public love for the song and music video, it didn't chart anywhere else apart from Poland.
Directed by Piotr Smoleński, the video was shot in the museum of agriculture, Muzeum Rolnictwa, and features the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Warsaw University, 'Warszawianka'; as well as model Kamila Smogulecka who is also known as Luxuria Astaroth.
As stated before, this music video is over-the-top sexualised in reference to Poland's traditional ways. Although Slavic women can be found in history in many different countries.
Set in a whole different time zone, this is turned modern, as there's dancing, singing and Slavic Girls.
Various chores can be seen performed by women, along with baking and training. It's clearly a celebration of their past brought into the 21st century.
The video is relatable, well overly relatable, to the song. Taking a tongue-in-cheek look into the past of Poland. With a catchy song, this visual music video has been watched by the millions. Definitely deserved it's placing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, maybe deserved a higher placing, but there was so many great songs that year.
This is the steamy music video everyone was talking about back when this song hit number one last year. He has definitely come a long way and made quite the name for himself. Jason Derulo is definitely one of the hottest R&B singers about at the moment, and I don't just mean in looks. He's pulling in some serious chart numbers and hit singles dropping left right and centre. Heard this song on the radio today, hence why I'm reviewing the music video for it, because I'm surprised I haven't already. Jason Derulo gets all loved up in this video, hoping this girl wants him as much as he wants her. "Want To Want Me" is sexy, super hot and quite naughty but in a totally good relatable way.
Jason Derulo, real name Jason Desrouleaux, recently released his first greatest hits album titled 'Platinum Hits' earlier this year, but with very little promotion it didn't fare so well on the charts globally. He needs a full on promotional release behind him, this has always helped him have worldwide hits like this one. This single stayed at number one for four weeks in the UK. The song was written by Jason Desrouleaux, Ian Kirkpatrick, Samuel Denison Martin, Lindy Robbins and Mitch Allan. It was planned to be a Chris Brown song, but he felt it didn't fit with his album 'X', instead he is known as a co-ghostwriter of the song.
The music video was directed by Colin Tilley, and features actress and glamour model Tianna Gregory as Jason Derulo's love interest. This director has worked with the biggest stars, and directed some of the best music videos, so it's no surprise that this is so amazing.
This music video has it all, a relatable sexy narrative, a performance like no other, and to complete the package there's Jason Derulo naked on a bed with just a sheet. What more do we want?
The song is about wanting someone to want you, and I love the start, where they're in two separate beds and you know they are thinking of each other.
We travel into the past and see what happened, and it's clear that a one night stand; a night of passion, is what happened between them, and now they're both lonely in their own beds wondering if it should've been more.
The performance side of the video is on form throughout. Jason Derulo has stage presence like no other, he is a performer, most definitely, and this is probably one of the main reasons why he has done so well for himself in the music industry.
Overall this music video is totally faultless, but that is what we're slowly getting used to when Colin Tilley is the director. Fully detailed and relatable this music video has it all going on.
Still at the top is Major Lazer's "Cold Water" which features Justin Bieber and MØ; it still has no music video. So the UK top ten is open for my Chart Mondays review and there's only two songs I can choose from... One is expected to hit the top of the charts this Friday, and so I have to go with this one! Calum Scott found fame from Britain's Got Talent, in which he auditioned with this song, now he has released it and it has been solidly charting in the top ten week on week. Strong throughout, this music video looks lifeless as it purely focuses on Calum Scott's amazing vocals on cover single "Dancing On My Own".
Calum Scott took part in the ninth series of Britain's Got Talent, and even auditioned with this song. He made it all the way to the final, where he came sixth overall. He went on to score a record deal with Capitol records back in May. This song is a cover version of Robyn's song of the same name. It was originally independently released back in March, and after the song gained momentum on the charts, it was re-released under his new record label. The song has been a chart success because of his amazing vocals and managing to change the lyrics into an emotional ballad. It was written by Robyn and Patrik Berger.
Directed by Ryan Pallotta, this simple music video has hardly anything going for it, totally focusing on Calum Scott's voice and visual.
There is a slight narrative involved, yet it never fully develops into anything. They find each other in the crowd, and it's obvious that they want to be together. Which is totally confusing because it's not at all relatable to the song.
Regardless of whether this is Calum Scott's emotional ballad or Robyn's upbeat club track, this so called story line does not fit with the song whatsoever. Whether there was a developed narrative, that got cut, is something we may never know.
As for Calum Scott's performance segment, it's very static, as was the guidelines for this music video; yet he can perform on stage, we saw it during Britain's Got Talent but he's just standing there amongst the crowd, and occasionally it looks like we're playing Where's Walley, or should I say Where's Calum?
This is not fully developed, like what are they staring at? Why are they there? This music video makes no sense to me, and although some things are explored, it fails to relate and it fails to promote Calum Scott all that much. So many questions with no answers and a video that doesn't make a lot of sense.
I'm hearing this a lot lately and it is such a great catchy song that suits her voice, and hopefully her following singles do the same thing. Dua Lipa is new on the scene, and her voice has got us all captured in her music. This video for "Hotter Than Hell" is teasing, sexy and totally hotter than hell. Dua Lipa is relaxed and totally one to watch in the coming years.
Dua Lipa, which is her real name by the way, is a British rising star, currently doing well with this single globally. Her other singles haven't reached quite the expectation as this one, although "Be The One" charted amazingly in other countries. Although her lack of chart success in her own country might impact her future releases, being a hit in other countries may just tip her to be someone to watch out for. Her vocals are on form throughout this song, nice and deep this was not the voice I expected out of such a stunning beauty. This song was written by Dua Lipa, Gerard O'Connell, Tommy Baxter and Adam Midgley.
Directed by Emil Nava, it was filmed in a warehouse. Sexy and sultry throughout, Dua Lipa is a vision of beauty, as she sings the racy lyrics.
A pure performance piece, there isn't an awful lot going on, a lot of visual sexiness in the entire clip, with Dua Lipa showing her confidence.
She does a bit of freestyle dancing, in which we see how much confidence she has as a performer, which will definitely make me interested in seeing her live.
There isn't an awful lot else to comment on, the use of the cameras by the extras really adds a texture to the video, and shows how the same scenes can be seen totally differently, due to the camera used. Although the constant switching between handheld camera and the professional one really messes with the viewing of the music video.
Overall it's relatable, yet distracting. It doesn't really introduce Dua Lipa at all, but that's not what this music video is meant to do since this song wasn't expected to become as popular as it did. Now all eyes are on Dua Lipa, because she is definitely one to watch.
After Honey G sung this on The X Factor, I just had to listen to the actual version, and although no one can ever sing this song as good as Missy Elliott, she gave it a pretty damn good go, and to nail the reversed lyric is just amazing! This is quite a scary music video, and the explicit lyrics is something that sailed past my head when I was younger and listening to this. Yet they're nothing new in rap music, just more obvious here. This quite frightening music video has Missy Elliott doing all sorts of things that is visually worrying, but hell can she "Work It".
Missy Elliott, real name Melissa Elliott, is currently working on her next studio album. She made a full comeback in 2015 with single "WTF (Where They From)", yet nothing else has come from it, apart from uncharted follow-up single "Pep Rally". Missy Elliott will always be one of the biggest female rappers in the music industry, and everyone pretty much wants to work with her. She might be returning to music slowly, but we all know that this new album is going to be off the radar! This song was written by Melissa Elliott and Tim Mosley.
Directed by Dave Meyers, this music video is so ahead of its time, that it actually hurts. They try to do things that you wouldn't expect back in 2002, and yet here it is. The video also features cameos by Timbaland, Eve, Tweet, Alyson Stoner, Aaliyah and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. The latter two had died not long after the video and so therefore are commemorated on the front of a car.
During the production, apparently Missy Elliott got quite drunk due to the wine actually being wine. Not only that but real honey bees were used for the one scene and only one crew member was stung.
Totally an artistic piece, with various visuals messed around with to make it look weirdly real, this music video definitely defined visuals back in 2002, even if it did creep us all out back then, and still does today.
Overall realistically weird was basically the concept and they made it work. Totally ahead of it's time, this music video could have been so much more if left for a later date. Yet it doesn't quite relate to the song, even though the dancing is on form throughout.
I wasn't even aware that this was going to become an actual single, especially since this is only an online video, and so in theory I'm breaking my own rules, however it was released, and I'm a big fan of Alexandra Stan, so why not write another review about one of her songs this week? This song has been taken from her album Alesta and none of her fans was really expecting a single release on top of this video. Alexandra Stan invites us to her home town of Constanţa, Romania as she sings, dances and hangs with her crew and her boyfriend Staruiala Bogdan in online video for "Boom Pow".
Alexandra Stan has really came into her own with her last two recent albums, Unlocked and Alesta really showcases her as an incredible artist. Unfortunately she had worldwide career success early on with "Mr. Saxobeat", yet less promotion on her follow-up singles had a massive impact on her. Now she's hitting out the tunes and only her fans are hearing her. It may feel more exclusive to us, especially since this video was only released because of us, and yet this is a singer that deserves to be heard globally. The song was written by David Ciente and Trey Campbell.
Directed by iRonic Distors, this video was only released after Alexandra Stan encouraged fans to watch "Ecoute" on YouTube and get the view count up to 10 million. This single has not been released in the UK as of yet, hence why I haven't reviewed the music video, but now I'm thinking it never will be.
The two scenes are quite different from one another, As explained in my CelebMix article I wrote on Friday, the home town online video is relaxed and calm. It's totally nice to see Alexandra Stan happy to just be performing. This video only intensifies my desire to see her live.
There's not much to say about this. She's quite comical, and at times she gives an insight of her personality away from the camera, which we constantly see on her Snapchat stories. This video may not have a high-end budget, it may not have the best camera work, those low-angle shots does nothing for me; but it's probably one of most real videos, and I can't help but appreciate the rawness of it.
This was the collaboration that would've got Alexandra Stan back on form, or so we all thought, yet it was promoted slightly in the UK before she parted with 3beat records, this could've been a hit, but instead featured as a bonus track on "Lemonade". Alexandra Stan turns to the street in this performance-based video with Carlprit for "1.000.000" which features a bird cage and lots of glitter, but have we seen it all before?
Alexandra Stan had to be my revisit this week, since none of the other artists from this week have been going long enough. This was one of her early songs from her first album. Unfortunately, it was the start of her decline in the international music world. However, she continues to release music, as I'm sure you are well aware, since I continue to support her on my blog. She just needs worldwide promotion, because she definitely has the voice for it. Featuring on this track is Carlprit, real name Rudi Schwamborn, mostly known for the UK number one feature on Cascada's "Evacuate The Dancefloor", since then he has gone on to feature on many singles as well as released his own music that has been received well. This song was written by André Nemirschi, Marcel Prodan and Marcian Alin Soare.
The mirrored box is back, and is usually seen in various music videos and commercials as well as advertisements, and maybe some other art pieces. Not only that, but there is also a bird cage... What is with bird cages recently?
The glitter scene was a surprise, although considering her management at the time and what she went on to do still under the said management, it's still shouldn't surprise me. Luckily she's away from them now, and on to much brighter and better things.
Carlprit is actually a great addition to this video, and it's great to see him take an active role in the performance side of this music video. With only Alexandra Stan to keep him occupied, it's no wonder he shines better than in other videos I've seen him in.
Overall this is a great performance piece from both of these artists. Although more could have been done to relate the content of the song, it's both interesting and engaging nonetheless. I just wish Alexandra Stan was more worldly known, but I guess it's all down to her fans.
Probably one of the catchiest simple songs in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Both favourable and disliked by fans, this song was the Marmite of the group and yet it did so well! This was the entry for Belarus and managed to place 16th with 43 points. Teo, unfortunately, hasn't released anything new since the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Teo is tired of being you sweet cheesecake as he tells a girl where to go in this cheeky low-budget music video.
Teo, real name Yuriy Vashchuk, competed in the Belarus national selection to become the entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. He won and easily outdid the other contestants. Definitely a worthy winner, but the 2014 contest was such a tough year, that it's no surprise that it didn't do better. He is also known as one of the songwriters for Alyona Lanskaya's "Solayoh" which represented Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. "Cheesecake" is about a man who ends a relationship because she wants him to be something he's not. The song was written by Yuriy Vashchuk and Dmitry Novik.
The music video is basic at best, definitely a low-budget music video, but Teo is looking more than sharp and slick, whereas his love interest is less stylish.
She does look a bit like Nicki Minaj, no doubts about that, and yet she's dressed quite cheap and easy. This is the whole concept, a bubblegum pop girl who's quite needy, and he needs someone more mature.
There's some cheeky scenes, that are quite comical, but it's difficult to fit things in, when there's nothing else going on.
This is way too basic for my liking, but the tongue-in-cheek humour, alongside the simple lyrics with Teo's pronunciation of the words, adds more to this than you can possibly think. What would be a throwaway music video, is actually quite engaging.
Didn't particularly choose this, just another YouTube suggestion, and a good one at that. I've always been out of sorts with Tove Lo, some songs I like and "Talking Body" is still one of my all-time favourites, and then sometimes I just don't like her songs. This is one that fits in both categories, it's all right for now, but if radio overplays it then I'll totally go off it. Tove Lo knows sex sells, and so does shaving your head, combining the two and with a crazy dance, she proves she is a "Cool Girl".
Tove Lo is one of a few hottest female singers coming out of Sweden at the moment, and the way they are going, especially dominating in the Eurovision Song Contest, it will not surprise me if more follow. Real name Ebba Nilsson, Tove Lo has really made a name for herself, and have worked with the biggest stars, from Coldplay to Nick Jonas. There's no stopping Tove Lo, she is already a global hit. This song is the first cut from her second studio album entitled "Lady Wood" which will be out late October. It was written by Tove Lo, Jakob Jerlström and Ludvig Söderberg.
Directed by Tim Erem and Steve Annis, this weird video clip includes Tove Lo shaving off her hair, in a shocking unexpected visual that's left us all wondering if she really has no hair now. If Jessie J and Sinéad O'Connor can pull it off, so can Tove Lo.
Choreography on point throughout, it seems inspiration has come from Sia with this dance style. Chaotic and erotic and yet flawlessly pulled off without one single misstep, this is a high-end production with a weird contemporary feel.
A little shocking, this video is saucy and definitely up there, a stand out performance-based video that just makes me want to see what she's like live. Over the top, but in a relatable good way. Watch out for Tove Lo.
At the top of the UK singles chart this week is still Major Lazer with "Cold Water", that features Justin Bieber and MØ, which still doesn't have a music video... When was the last time a UK singles number one had a music video? It's been way too long. Anyhow, this opens up the Top 10 to my Chart Mondays, and so I chose this one since it's been in the Top 10 for two weeks now, and there are no signs of it dropping out. This group is a part of Fueled By Ramen, who has various big names on their record label, and for the past few years have been hitting charts globally. twenty one pilots sing in a prison, even putting on a show whilst clips of the film Suicide Squad is incorporated between this "Heathens" music video.
twenty one pilots are a musical duo from America, consisting of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. Originally a three piece band, which included Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas and Chris Salih, the latter two had to leave the band due to busy schedules. Tyler Joseph was then joined by Josh Dun and have since gone on to have global success. This song is their highest peaking single in the UK, and it being a part of the Suicide Squad soundtrack has definitely helped. The song was written by Tyler Joseph.
Directed by Andrew Donoho, the video is set in the fictional prison of Belle Reve in the DC Universe. Clips of Suicide Squad can be seen throughout, which adds relatable content to this music video.
Clearly Tyler Joseph is imagining things, as he sees Josh Dun playing drums in the prison, but it's not really happening. He's in a cell in a bright orange jumpsuit, what he's doing there is anybody's guess.
The cell opens and he walks to a stage, where the jumpsuit disappears and he performs alongside his band mate. Soon enough the other prisoners come to watch and enjoy the live performance. But it's all in his head, as at the end, he's sitting on the ground surrounded by prison guards.
This music video can be quite confusing and yet it's totally relatable to the song, with perfect scenes of the film shown throughout. This is probably one of the best soundtrack music videos I've seen so far, although I am not so keen on the song. It's quirky and different and definitely works well with the said film, and yet it's not to my taste.
After being teased for a while, this finally dropped, much to many disappointments, this music video doesn't exactly make sense, but then again, that's nothing new from PC Music. The song is catchy, and just shows off how underrated Carly Rae Jepsen really is. Danny L Harle shows Carly Rae Jepsen around a house; inside is Carly Rae Jepsen's ideal relationship almost "Super Natural", so it's no surprise she buys it in the end.
Danny L Harle is a British music producer and composer. He is a professional having worked his way up in the world. Signed to PC Music, he is able to work with who he wants. For this song he came to Carly Rae Jepsen, as he is a big fan of her music, and even uses her music in some of his DJ sets. She's probably one of the biggest stars he has worked with so far, but probably won't be the last. Carly Rae Jepsen should be massive by now, but she's so underrated it's unbelievable. Her voice is amazing and she's given us hits such as "Good Time", "Call Me Maybe" and "I Really Like You". But there's many more stand out singles that just never got quite as popular. She has a new B-Side album out this Friday, so don't forget to buy that. This collaboration works well, and I hope they come together again in the future. It was written by Danny L Harle and Nate Campany.
Directed by Bradley Bell and Pablo Soler, it not only features the two artists, but includes male actor Uche Uba and an unknown female actress.
Danny L Harle is slick and stylish, dressed up as a realtor/estate agent showing his client, Carly Rae Jepsen, a house showing like no other. This clever house shows Carly Rae Jepsen her ideal home life.
The actors seem digital, showing the house off the way people would be if they were living in it. Carly Rae Jepsen watches as the couple interacts within the house, and how home life with a loved one is definitely more than natural, super natural even.
A play on words, with lyrics relating with the scenes perfectly in some places, it's clear this video is extremely thought throughout. However it comes across as quite messy and difficult to understand, but this is the sort of videos we expect from PC Music.
Carly Rae Jepsen dons a few wigs, making her seem much more younger and they all say blondes have more fun, We miss her iconic look, and this totally sidetracks our views on her. This song is slightly out of her comfort zone, and so seeing her not looking like herself, she detaches herself from this music, it's a side project and not a new style of music for her.
Overall, an all right music video if you can make sense of it, although slightly basic and a whole new look from Carly Rae Jepsen that we don't really like. The song is FIRE, and if it were promoted right, would've done well on the charts, but yet again Carly Rae Jepsen fails to be as popular as she deserves to be. A great effort and a fun side project that we hope to see more of in the future.
The song that was never released officially in the UK, and definitely one of my favourites. This could definitely have been a big hit for her in the UK, if it had been officially released and fully promoted. This was possibly her first bubble gum pop song before the catchy "Cherry Pop" came along. All bright colours with a great emotional narrative and perfect choreography, nailed to a tee "Cliché (Hush Hush)" will always be unnoticed as one of Alexandra Stan's best contributions to pop music.
Alexandra Stan is one of the leading female vocalists coming out of Romania, and she is conquering the world one song at a time. Having started off with a very successful career, promotion for follow-up singles after "Mr. Saxobeat" slowed. Then she had a problem with her then manager and now ex-boyfriend. And now she's ready to make a fierce comeback. Her fans have stuck with her throughout, now she just needs to build up a world-wide following and storm the charts globally. This song should've been a worldwide hit, unfortunately this only was released in selected countries. It was written by Andrei Nemirschi and Marcel Prodan.
This music video, directed by Iulian Moga, pushes the boundaries of what we know of Alexandra Stan, proving that she is meant to be a star.
Acting, dancing, singing and being sexy can be found throughout this video. At the start Alexandra Stan flirts with a photographer in a black and white scene. It later turns to full colour where she is in a bright pink dress and is dancing to the chorus.
The choreography in this scene is well-thought out and Alexandra Stan performs like never before, in-sync with her dancers, doing the moves exactly how they should be done.
Three more scenes follow, one in a church which is a vampire-loved up freaky show that fails to relate and totally looks out of place in this video. Then there's her singing the song on a coach, a total normal performance scene we're used to seeing in every video, yet highly sexualised which Alexandra Stan pulls off perfectly. And, finally, the S&M scene where Alexandra Stan plays around with a whip in front of the photographer. The ending is cute as they dance together, with his shirt unbuttoned.
This video has got it all, and really shows Alexandra Stan in a great light. This is one of her best music videos, without a doubt, and yet there's a few scenes that don't correlate with the song. Not only that, but this amazing single never made it to the UK officially, luckily for us, the hardcore Saxobeats (Alexandra Stan's fans), the single can be downloaded from Juno Download.
WOW! The Saturdays are killing it, first Vanessa White, and now Mollie King. If this is what they bring to the music scene as solo artists, imagine what they will bring when The Saturdays come off hiatus... And they need to at some point because we are all missing The Saturdays. Surpassing all expectations, Mollie King has blasted out with an amazing song which is effortlessly catchy and has a stunning video to accompany it. Mollie King rewinds into the arms of her lover, constantly going back to him in this video for "Back To You".
Mollie King, one fifth of The Saturdays, who are currently on hiatus. released her debut single this week. We were all expecting some old Britney Spears sort of song, but instead we have a similar Ellie Goulding track which is very reminiscent of "On My Mind", and yet less repetitive and a hell of a lot more emotional. This stunning new single has totally got me excited for her debut album. Before The Saturdays, Mollie King entered The X Factor twice as a solo act, and then a third time in a girl group called Fallen Angelz. Now look at what Simon Cowell has missed out on! The song was written by Mollie King, Ryan Ogren, Nick Bailey and Rob Persaud.
Directed by Lisa Gunning, this music video is amazing. Well crafted, well thought-out and extremely well edited. It's completely relatable and definitely works well.
The video starts off with a car on the ledge of a cliff, with Mollie King singing the opening lines beside a campfire. Then the unthinkable happens and she starts to walk backwards to the house, like going back to the memories she's has with her lover.
The male actor's name is unknown, so feel free to comment below telling me who it is. We watch their relationship unfold. The good times and the bad, where she ends up going back to him.
This video is technically great, she even sings the song backwards as she walks backwards so that they can sync the lyrics to her lips, this makes it slightly dodgy in places, yet I didn't really notice as much as others have stated. If there's one thing you have to admit, it's that they worked well on making this video.
The ending is sweet although completely dangerous and is he really worth it? Stop going back to him Mollie King, you deserve someone much better. The song is thought to have been about David Gandy, who she recently split with, plus the love interest looks quite like him to be fair.
A powerful debut single from this girl, and a stunning video that I can't stop watching. The only thing we feel sad about is that it doesn't look like The Saturdays will be returning any time soon... But if they all go solo with amazing music like this, then we'll end up supporting them all. Amazing debut solo single, bring on her debut album!
I haven't seen this music video in AGES, I'm so happy to see it again, thanks to my Thursday Revisits. Here's Pixie Lott's second music video, and such a great performance based video for her follow-up single from "Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)". This was when the girl was on form, blasting out hit single after hit single. This is what we need from her when she makes her comeback! Pixie Lott shows she can sing, dance and perform in this video for "Boys And Girls" bringing style and star quality to a perfect party.
Pixie Lott, real name Victoria Lott, came on to the music scene with "Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)", this follow up second single gave her another number one in the UK. At the height of her career, she was banging out hit song after hit song, and although her most recent songs have been just as good, she hasn't had chart success with the songs, like she clearly deserves. "Lay Me Down" is still one of my favourites from her. This song was written by Mads Hauge, Phil Thornally and Pixie Lott.
The music video was directed by Diane Martel, displaying a crazy house-party where Pixie Lott totally has the spotlight on her.
Pixie Lott is completely on fire in this music video, with dance choreography performed perfectly and in-sync with her backing dancers.
Who wouldn't want to see her in concert if this is how she brings a performance. Parties are all about having fun and that is exactly what is happening here, such a great vibe. Pixie Lott invite me to your next party please, because I want to be dancing in-sync with you one day!
Overall a great music video that I will definitely watch again one day. The song is fire and Pixie Lott is on form throughout. It's hard to think that this is the same person who just dropped "A Real Good Thing" video. We need you to come back with a fire hit Pixie Lott, we know you can do it.
Time for my home country for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, and an act I have supported for some time now, and I shall continue to support Molly because she a vocal powerhouse of a talent that deserves to be out there living her dream. This didn't do as well as we all thought it would, but we've done worse and 17th with 40 points is actually not too bad! The song is catchy, but it turns slightly bland the more you hear it. "Children of the Universe" has a great visual concept, but Molly doesn't look like she's all that into it, and it doesn't relate, but it's an okay performance visual.
Molly, full name Molly Smitten-Downes, hasn't done much since releasing this song; as far as I can tell, she's trying to make a name for herself, by featuring on new songs as she gains more fans and some great reputation. She released a free download (that I totally missed out on, unfortunately). She was chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, after she was discovered by BBC Introducing, via internal selection. She has had hits previously under the name Stunt, where she collaborated with Sash for "Raindrops (Encore Une Fois)" as well as releasing "I'll Be There" and "Fade Like The Sun". The song was written by Molly Smitten-Downes and Anders Hansson.
The music video hasn't got a lot going for it, just Molly performing in the visual as they play around with the camera and actually bring out a good concept regardless of the how unrelated it is to the song.
The song is extremely powerful and meaningful, a narrative may not have worked but it would've been so much better than the conceptual visual performance based video we have got instead.
Molly's heart is clearly not into this as she sings the song whilst drums are being played and she starts to blend in with the couch. In her previous videos she stuns in her performance pieces, just watch her videos as Stunt and you can tell she's not into this whatsoever.
Beautiful regardless, she gives all she can and although the song may mean a lot to her, this video doesn't and it's such a shame to see her like this. She's composed and interested, but she doesn't look like a singer, she doesn't look like the star we all know she is destined to be. So Molly, make the comeback we all know you can do, and we'll be supporting you all the way!
Wasn't quite sure what music video to do today, but saw that Pixie Lott dropped this on her YouTube Channel and I just had to review it, although the music video itself isn't that great, the song is FIRE! The video is a collaborative effort between Pixie Lott and Select Model Management, and is time limited, within a month this music video will not be available. One of Pixie Lott's favourite songs which also includes Shaggy, "A Real Good Thing" music video contain the hottest couple, Pixie Lott and Oliver Cheshire, and some very hot models dancing and showing a real good vibe.
Pixie Lott is currently playing Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany's. Real name Victoria Lott, she has had a successful career so far but it has totally dropped in recent time due to her record label. She needs to make a massive comeback, she has the voice for it, just needs the promotion and the songs. Featured on the track is Shaggy, real name Orville Burrell, who hasn't been doing well in the charts lately, but he's made his fortune and he is still a high quality and profiled singer, regardless of the fact that he doesn't chart all that much no more. This song is quite good but the video doesn't follow through. It's a cover version of Sugar Minott's "Good Thing Going" which in itself is a cover of Michael Jackson's "We've Got A Good Thing Going".
There isn't a whole lot going on in this music video. Oliver Cheshire and Pixie Lott feature in this video, showcasing this feel-good summer cover song.
It doesn't really suit Pixie Lott's voice but the song is catchy. Showcasing a modelling agency, Select Model Management has selected their best models to be in this video, and although they don't have dance expertise, they're all hot and stylish and bring the feel-good vibe to the video.
Visually slow with absolutely nothing really going on, you can tell that they all are having a real good time in this video. It's probably never going to be released as a single, and so it's a short campaign that probably won't be around for much longer, yet helps to promote the models and Pixie Lott for a little bit. Relatable and fun, this could have been so much better, but it doesn't need to be.
Jonas Blue is back with this banger of a song which is in the UK top 10. So as you probably guessed the UK number one does not have a music video, "Cold Water" by Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and MØ is sitting at the top. There's very little choice in the top 10 to choose from, as most of them I have already reviewed, or they don't have a music video. Jonas Blue and JP Cooper do not appear in this lovely music video that shows a couple's first meeting and how they're perfect strangers, a clear connection that develops further after a bit of confidence.
Jonas Blue, real name Guy Robin, is a British music producer who hit it big last year with vocals from Dakota in his debut track "Fast Car", a cover version of Tracey Chapman's original "Fast Car". This time it's an original song and it's even better than we can imagine. Featuring vocals from JP Cooper, real name John Paul Cooper, who is slowly making a name for himself, will be one to watch in the coming years. This song will definitely help him no doubt. The song was written by Guy James Robin, John Paul Cooper and Alex Smith.
Directed by Sashinski, the music video is serene and beautiful, with the high concept of two people meant to be together, randomly meeting again and again. It features male actor Devin Dollery and female actress Victoria Scholtz as the love interest.
They visit various places where they bump into one another, definitely perfect strangers. Then they join hands and go and explore things together. It's sweet and innocent, in such a fiercely emotional way.
This is the kind of thing we all yearn for. We all actually want a story like this to tell people, but it never really works this way, so we can keep on dreaming and keep it for TV and films and music videos, and one day we will all have our own story to tell, but it won't be this one.
Overall, a very lovely relatable music video that goes well with the song; However there's nothing interesting going on, no exact moment where it piques the audience's interest. Not like Matoma and Becky Hill's "False Alarm". This is what this song is missing, regardless of the fact that the song itself is sweet. I was just waiting for something to happen, and nothing did.
What the hell have I just watched? This was the guy who brought us "Calm Down Dearest", "If You Got The Money", "Shelia" and "Sticks 'n' Stones". Taking a whole different route to music, reminiscent of new indie, Jamie T actually releases a catchy little song that is quite forgettable after a little while. This is totally not the case when it comes to the music video though. Jamie T doesn't feature in Power Over Men music video, however this low-budgeted clip shows a middle-aged woman overpowering men in a BDSM scene.
Jamie T, full name Jamie Treays, has been going since 2007. He has had various chart hits but lately hasn't been doing so well, with his new musical direction. This could be due to the break from music he had before his third album. By this point his fans had dropped off entirely and he had to bring them all back. With this music video, he may have done just that, finally. This song was written by Jamie T and James Dring.
Directed by Tom Beard this music video looks like a typical new-on-the-scene indie music video, with it's hidden depths.
Relatable to the song about women having power over men, the visual video shows a middle-aged woman going about her life, it's not until further on in the video, we realise she has a guy trapped in her house tied up in her BDSM chamber.
There are little hints at the start, what with the guy's briefcase and shoes on the front door step, and then flashbacks during the woman's day. But it's not until she's done her shopping and has returned home that she dresses into her dominatrix outfit and shows her power over this man.
It's quite revealing and shocking. It shows that portrayals outside of a house can be totally different than what happens behind those front doors. It's quite a real realisation, and it can be interpreted in many different ways. Kudos for Jamie T going with this music video.
