Greta Salóme - My Blues


My Blues - Greta Salome |

She's back with a brand new music video that features The Mountain. This is exactly what we needed and it's completely catchy. Although, I was kind of expecting The Mountain to break out in song throughout. Regardless, Greta Salóme totally makes up for it with her fired-up vocals. Watch Greta Salóme work out with The Mountain, showing that her vocals aren't the only fierce thing about her in this music video for "My Blues".

Greta Salóme, full name Greta Salóme Stefánsdóttir, first came to my attention at Eurovision 2016, when she, unfortunately, didn't make it into the Grand Final with "Hear Them Calling" whilst she represented Iceland. I'm not sure what went wrong as that song is a killer. Regardless, she has continued to release music and she is constantly proving that her vocals are intricately amazing. She also, previously, represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 alongside Jónsi with the song "Never Forget", she did much better back then, placing 20th in the Grand Final. This song is her most recent release and is probably my favourite song from her ever; it's infinitely catchy and seriously tests her vocals, which she nails throughout.

Directed by Ásgeir Helgi Magnússon with Nazar Davidoff acting as director of photography. The video features The Mountain from Game of Thrones, who is played by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. It is set in a gym, as we watch The Mountain and Greta Salóme train together.

We see them work out on a few things, including chin-ups or pull-ups, weight lifting, sledgehammer training, and tyre flipping. The best is the push-ups where Greta Salóme can be seen doing push-ups on The Mountain's back as he does push-ups at the same time - you can see his strength as she attempts to stay on his back. The ending is hilarious.

There's not a lot else I can comment on with this video, although it's intense throughout and gripping as a viewer. It's interesting to watch them work out together and watch their relationship unfold in the video, they get on so well.
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Chart Mondays: Ed Sheeran Continues To Dominate The UK's Top 10 Singles Chart 17th March 2017 - 23rd March 2016

Ed Sheeran is still obliterating the UK chart, two weeks on the trot. It's all because he released his new album almost three weeks ago, yet it's still dominating the UK Singles Chart, with nine songs in the top 10.

As I explained last week, the inclusion of streams into the UK charts has become the most annoying this about the chart, since the top 10 rarely changes week on week, with some prolific stars not getting a look in at all. This has ruined the chart recently, and they really need to decide what they are going to do about it, as they can't keep going on as it is.

Ed Sheeran's Facebook Cover Picture

I reviewed the album for Outlet Magazine, adding my own streams to this chart, but my one stream of each track clearly combined with everyone else's which made this impressive album get an equally impressive chart record.

Here's the current UK Top 10 Singles Chart:

2) Ed Sheeran - Galway Girl
4) The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This
5) Ed Sheeran - Perfect
6) Ed Sheeran - New Man
7) Ed Sheeran - Happier
8) Ed Sheeran - Supermarket Flowers
9) Ed Sheeran - What Do I Know
10) Ed Sheeran - Dive

Canaan Smith - Love You Like That


Love You Like That - Canaan Smith |

I've had quite the country music listening weekend this week, and my iTunes decided to play this song randomly from one of my many owned country compilation albums, and I'm so glad it did because it's one of those effortlessly catchy country songs that we'll never forget. On first watch of the music video it made me cry, I want someone to love me like that, someone who will make me pack up and leave for good without a care in the world; I think we all want a guy like that, right? Watch super hot country music artist Canaan Smith serenade a city girl in this music video for "Love You Like That", that inspires her to actually stick around.

Canaan Smith is a Nashville, Tennessee male country music artist, who has only recently came into prominence. This song is his biggest hit to date. In 2009, before he became a country singer, he took part in the 15th season of The Amazing Race, where he and his 'newly dating' girlfriend - Mika, came seventh. He broke up with Mika at the Elimnation Station and went on to marry Christy Hardesty. He went on to release a debut album in 2015. Canaan Smith is currently on his Back For More tour in the UK, but his already performed in my home city and I didn't even know. I'll have to try and catch him the next time he visits, because I need to hear this song live. I hope he is planning on releasing new music soon, and I'm sure a bigger hit than this one is prepared to be released in the future. This one was written by Canaan Smith, Brett Beavers, and Jim Beavers.

Directed by Marc Klasfeld, this music video shows Canaan Smith's loving marriage between him and Christy Hardesty. That's right, his real life wife plays the love interest in this music video; no wonder their passion for each other is astronomical - enough to make us all jealous.

A performance piece and a narrative combined together, this music video has it all. Canaan Smith is proving that a country boy can be so much more romantic than any pretty city boy.

It's clear that Cristy Hardesty is visiting him, and he shows her around, whilst spending intimate moments with each other. At the end, tears did fall from my eyes due to the overall sweetness of the cute ending; as if, she decides to put her car up for sale and stay with Canaan Smith. Although, we totally don't blame her, we would be doing the exact same.

As for the performance scene, Canaan Smith shows why he is worthy of being on a stage. He gives off perfect country energetic vibes, and it's clear this song is close to his heart. I'm excited for any new music he might release, but for the time being I shall explore his other songs and start to listen to him more.
Buy on iTunes

Rascal Flatts - Yours If You Want It


Yours If You Want It - Rascal Flatts |

Taking me back to the days when I used to work for a well-known fast food restaurant, the Rascal Flatts' new music video for their most-recently released single is a very loved-up cute visual. This is exactly what we needed to see to restore humanity's ideology on love. It's quite the flip to the song I've had stuck in my head all day, which was Cassadee Pope's "Piano", but since she never released a music video for it, I came across this other country song instead, and I honestly like the Rascal Flatts' a lot, so this was the next best thing. Watch the Rascal Flatts' perform in an American diner, while we watch a loving relationship visual play out in the "Yours If You Want It" music video.

The Rascal Flatts are a country trio consisting of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney. They are one of the biggest country music acts in America, who has had occasional success internationally, notably with "Bless The Broken Road", "What Hurts The Most" (a cover of Jo O'Meara's "What Hurts The Most", later covered by Cascada, also titled "What Hurts The Most"), and "Backwards". They need a massive international hit, but it's hard to send country music outside of America and Canada, it's not impossible, but it's just completely rare. If others can do it, then the Rascal Flatts can too, it's only a matter of a time. This song is completely lovely, but it's just that. It's the first cut from their new album titled "Back To Us", which sounds like the album we all cannot wait to hear. The song was written by Andrew Dorff and Jonathan Singleton.

This song and music video is in honour of country music songwriter Andrew Dorff, the co-writer of this song, who passed away last year. The song is full-on country, just the way we like it, allowing Andrew Dorff's legacy live on, as Jay DeMarcus stated in a Rolling Stone interview.

The video was directed by Billy Zabka and has two parts, a full-out narrative and an energetic performance piece. The narrative stars are actor Kevin Farley and actress Kristy Swanson. Kevin Farley plays a customer at an American diner, whereas Kristy Swanson plays a waitress in the said American diner. Both stars are well known from various films and TV shows, hence why you may recognise them.

The narrative unfolds seeing Kevin Farley asking Kristy Swanson out on a date after her shift. The story continues with some incredibly cute loved-up moments, some we'd love to have ourselves one day. We even see him propose to her. All before returning to the American diner, finding out that it was all a daydream.

Luckily, that isn't how the narrative completely ends. Kevin Farley's current girlfriend tells him to hurry up, and Kristy Swanson gives him her number, letting him know that she is actually interested in him. Could that so-called daydream have been a premonition of what is to come?

As for the Rascal Flatts' performance, it links in perfectly with the narrative, as the trio are acting as the part of the restaurant's staff. Gary LeVox, the vocalist and frontman, can be seen flipping burgers and singing the song under his breath. Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney also take part in the narrative as well, with individual slight scenes.

Their performance of the song, is completely energetic, as usual, with their constant positive vibes. Imagine seeing this trio live on stage - that would definitely be one night we would never forget. However, there is too much focus on the narrative and not enough showcasing the performance piece. There is much more that could've been done with this music video, and it's just missing that oomph, that special something that can be seen within most music videos.
Buy on iTunes

New Release: Clean Bandit Featuring Zara Larsson - Symphony


Symphony (feat. Zara Larsson) - Clean Bandit |

Well, I wasn't expecting this when I chose my New Release music video review; to be fair, I wasn't expecting there to be one for this song. You have no idea how happy I am that Zara Larsson actually appears in this featured music video, especially after the disastrous "Girls Like" by Tinie Tempah. Yet, here she is, with Clean Bandit, as it should always be when there is a featured star. This song isn't really my sort of song, although it is highly emotional, I just don't think it's either of the artists' best song, and I think they could've created something much better; regardless, this is what we've got. Watch Clean Bandit perform as part of an orchestra, whilst Zara Larsson fronts it with the vocals, all the while a heart-breaking gay narrative plays out in the LGBT+ pro "Symphony" music video.

Clean Bandit are a trio consisting of Grace Chatto, Jack Patterson, and Luke Patterson. They are one of the most defining British electronic music groups around at the moment, with a tonne of hits behind them. They made their name known, when they collaborated with Jess Glynne on the song "Rather Be", the rest is pure history. The group will continue to dominate charts around the world. This new collaboration is with Zara Larsson, the Swedish female sensation who has released her international debut album this week. She gained fame when she won the second season of Talang, the Swedish version of Got Talent, in 2008. She gained success in collaboration with MNEK on the song "Never Forget You", which then launched "Lush Life" into international success. This song will, no doubt, storm the charts globally again. It was written by Jack Patterson, Ina Wroldsen, Steve McCutcheon, and Ammar Malik.

Directed by Grace Chatto & Jack Patterson, this music video is engaging from start to finish, much like Clean Bandit's other music videos. They are including in every video that they create, and considerably consider everything and how to properly represent their song in a visual aspect. It's admiring how much thought they put into it. The conductor is played by actor Michael Akinsulire, whilst the love-interest and cyclist are played by actor Josias Bertrand.

There are two parts of this music video, a narrative and a performance. The performance shows Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson at the front of an orchestra with Michael Akinsulire acting as the conductor. He takes up a lead role in the story, therefore linking the performance and the narrative together.

The performance piece isn't all that impressive. There's only so much an orchestra can give, along with a conductor. You would think Zara Larsson would channel her amazing performance vibes, but they're just not there. Clean Bandit brings their usual energetic vibe, but they're definitely lacking something. Maybe performing with an orchestra overwhelmed the performance aspect as a whole.

Regardless, the pro-LGBT+ narrative definitely makes up for whatever is not there in the performance scenes. We watch a cyclist, played by Josias Bertrand, have a traffic accident, that clearly leads to him passing away. We then watch a very upset Michael Akinsulire, grieving for his boyfriend. We watch scenes of them two together as if Michael Akinsulire is reminiscing over the lovely moments the gay couple shared.

These scenes are lovely to watch and we see how Michael Akinsulire goes on to become a conductor, channelling the upsetting energy into his passion. The ending scene sees Josias Bertrand sitting in the audience, watching the orchestra.

What a lovely music video. Once again, Clean Bandit has smashed it out of the arena; another great music video and a perfect one to follow on from "Rockabye" which featured Sean Paul & Anne-Marie; yet didn't quite top it. This is completely emotional and heart-breaking and inspiring, but it's all down to the narrative. Just wish the performance was to my liking to give this a full rating, but I can't justify it so it'll have to settle just short. Great video nonetheless, though.
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Sharon Doorson - Fail In Love


Fail In Love - Sharon Doorson |

Again, I have a lot of music video reviews to catch up on, so bare with me for the next few days. This was my Thursday Revisit, and I was interested in Sharon Doorson's earlier releases and it just shows how far she has come in the last few years, from her debut single to her most-recent newly released song "Golden Trophy". Watch Sharon Doorson be all sexy in this typical music video for a club song "Fail In Love". Her performance is still complete fire throughout, she brings it!

Sharon Doorson first came into prominence in The Voice of Holland, where she was eliminated during the semi-finals. She was also a part of girl group Raffish, alongside Eva Simons. She recently released "Golden Trophy" which steps away from the dance upbeat tracks that she released earlier in her career. She's charted internationally here and there, and I'm sure she's on the verge of her big breakthrough, all she needs is a popular hit song.

This music video is a pure performance visual that has Sharon Doorson acting completely sexy throughout.

The problem with these sorts of videos is that they've been done a thousand times over; not just that but Sharon Doorson doesn't exactly look comfortable in the scenes, apart from the last one. She brings total fire in the last scene where she's wearing a futuristic metallic costume. She struts down the walkway and completely brings it.

Overall the video is just your average club-song music video, we've seen it so many times. It's unoriginal. However, Sharon Doorson has this performing quality to her which is only found in some of the biggest stars, she can work a music video, and she definitely brought it when she needed to.
Buy on iTunes

White Lynx Featuring Radu & Ivana - Feel My Love


Feel My Love (feat. Radu & Ivana) - White Lynx |

Since I've reviewed Global Records' project G Girls with "Milk & Honey", I thought I'd review another one of their artists, and this one has been waiting for me to review for a little while, so why not? This music video is one that resonates deeply and really pulls at the emotional heart strings. I was so caught up in the narrative that I actually forgot to listen to the song, so it was a good excuse to watch it a second time. Watch this cute love story unfold between two people who speak sign language, their love for each other is dream-like in this "Feel My Love" music video by White Lynx feat. Radu & Ivana.

White Lynx, real name Andrei Prodan, is a new producer on the scene and this is his debut single and it's total fire. If you're going to start on an incredible career, then a first single like this one is a great start. Radu, full name Radu Farclane, features on the track, and he is fairly new on Global Records too, having previously released two singles. Then there's Ivana, full name Ivana Farc, who has had mild success especially with her latest single "Wanna Be One". This collaboration for Global Records is brilliant and really showcases all three artists, even if they don't appear in the music video. This song was written by Claudiu Taut and White Lynx.

Directed by Sergiu Margaian and Tiberius Margaian, the music video stars two people who we presume are deaf due to the opening scene. These two lovers are played by actress Oana Carmaciu and actor Tudor Andronic.

The opening scene hits home even before this amazing song kicks in. The two lovers are talking to one another through sign language. She's a little down because she can't hear him say the words "I Love You", but he says that it doesn't matter because she can feel it. This scene just makes my heart melt, it's so cute and well thought-out; I want that love with someone, I want to feel that sort of love with someone.

The visual continues as we see the ups and downs of their relationship, from the extremely cute moments to the arguments, from the adventures they go on, to the passion and the emotions they feel for each other.

As the video comes to the end, we see him go down on one knee. Our instant reaction is that he's going to propose, but how wrong were we? It's way better than proposing... He's got her a hearing aid so she can hear him say "I Love You". This scene literally brought a small tear to my eye, talk about ticking every box she wants in a man.

Such an adorable visual, that deserves nothing less than the rating I'm giving it. Even though there isn't a performance side to this music video, the narrative just blasts other music videos out of the water, and this feels so real and is a great relatable story to the song. What more could we possibly have wanted? This is incredible.
Buy on iTunes

G Girls - Milk & Honey


Milk & Honey - G Girls |

The G Girls are back, with a slight change in the line-up yet still completely awesome nonetheless, this is their newly released single "Milk & Honey". It's a banging tune that should be an international hit, much like many of the other songs that are released on the Global Records label. This just proves how amazing the artists on the Global Records label are and you so need to discover all the songs from these girls. We do miss Alexandra Stan in this line-up, but G Girls is a project consisting of girls from Global Records, so line-up changes are allowed since they aren't a full-on girl group as they all have solo careers; if a third single comes along, who knows if the line-up will change again. Watch Inna, Antonia, Lori, and Lariss come together for G Girls' new single "Milk & Honey", as they all compete for the attention of a photographer.

G Girls is a project from Global Records that consists of female singers from the Global Records label. This is a slightly new line-up, with the G Girls consisting of Inna, Antonia, Lori, and Lariss (actual names: Elena Apostoleanu, Antonia Iacobescu, Loredana Ciobotaru, and Larisa Borza). The latter has replaced Alexandra Stan from the original line-up when they dropped their debut single "Call The Police". Lariss fuels Lori's RnB vibe, which adds a whole new flavour to this track. Imagine if G Girls ever released an album, that would just be pure versatile, yet still with the G Girls stamp. Maybe Global Records should just release a compilation album, now that is something we need. Anyhow, I previously wrote an article about this for CelebMix, and then later an article for Outlet Magazine, make sure you check them out by clicking the links. According to the composer notes attached to the iTunes digital download, the song was written by Sebastian Barac, Marcel Botezan, Isaac Breyan, Larisa Borza, David Ciente, and Elena Apostoleanu.

Directed by Ionut Trandafir, with Khaled Mokhtar acting as Director of Photography, this music video is more relaxed than their debut "Call The Police". This has a nice relatable setting and isn't as high-end as the other one was before.

There is one main love-interest, I don't know the actor's name, but he plays the photographer in the music video. In various settings, he plays different roles depending on which G Girl he is with. With Inna he's a fashion designer, measuring her up. With Antonia, he's a hair stylist. With Lariss, he's a beekeeper, giving her honey whenever she wants it. And with Lori, he's a teacher or a tutor. Throughout we see snapshots of the girls together posing for their pictures to be taken.

The video is completely fun from start to finish. The girls are teasing throughout, all the while having a great time on set - they clearly enjoyed the photo shoot, even if there is a lot of shadow at the forefront of the visual, obscuring our view.

The only problem is that there's no milk in this video, although Inna's costume is a milky white, and maybe the love-interest is a milkman when he's not taking photos, maybe there is an underlining message of what they want with their honey. Who knows? Regardless the song is fire and the girls are fierce throughout. It's a brilliant performance piece with a lot of happy energetic vibes and a spirit of fun.
Buy on iTunes

Chart Mondays: No Review. Ed Sheeran Has Taken Over The UK Top 20 Singles Chart 10th March 2017 - 16th March 2017

Let's be honest, we knew this was going to happen last Monday, as we saw; Ed Sheeran was dominating the iTunes and Spotify charts. It's not a surprise at all that his songs from his album charted in the UK, but what it was a surprise to see his entire album, including the bonus tracks on the deluxe version, chart inside the UK top 20.

Ed Sheeran's Facebook Cover Picture
Even if I changed my Chart Mondays to include the UK top 20 Singles Chart, I still wouldn't have a music video to review this week, since I've done "Shape of You" and "Castle On The Hill" by Ed Sheeran, and the other songs inside the top 20 either doesn't have a music video, or I've already reviewed it.

This is why I hate streaming at the moment, it's literally messed up the UK Singles Chart, and subsequently messed up my Chart Mondays review. Last year, Drake's "One Dance" dominated the charts and was never uploaded to YouTube which led to everyone listening to the song on Spotify or other similar streaming sites, therefore allowing him to stay at number one for 15 weeks. It's not even his best song, just saying.

So how has streaming done this? Well, someone decided that 100 streams are equal to a sale, they've changed that for 2017 to 150 streams, yet it's still affecting the chart majorly. However, one person can only contribute 70 streams a week towards the chart so it would take one person over two weeks of listening to the same song to contribute a sale, yet it clearly mounts up and affects the charts majorly.

Just take a look at the top 10 for the past few months, it's rare that there was a new entry, and on the occasion that there was, they stayed in the top 20 for far too long. The top ten rarely changes nowadays and the chart just isn't exciting.

The problem is due to Spotify playlists, people just listen to the UK top 40 over and over again; not only that but people create playlists that other people play, those playlists have many songs from the top 40 in them. It's not the same as someone going on to iTunes and parting with their money to download a song.

In America, they also count YouTube plays, could this be something the UK needs to do switch up the chart? We definitely need to change how the chart is recorded, and we need people to care about it again. It needs to be current and interesting; otherwise, it might as well be dead especially since someone like Ed Sheeran can dominate it, and other new rising stars can't get a look in edgeways.

Here is the current UK Top 20 Singles Chart:

1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
2) Ed Sheeran - Galway Girl
3) Ed Sheeran - Castle On The Hill
4) Ed Sheeran - Perfect
5) Ed Sheeran - New Man
6) Ed Sheeran - Happier
7) The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This
8) Ed Sheeran - Dive
9) Ed Sheeran - Supermarket Flowers
10) Ed Sheeran - What Do I Know
11) Ed Sheeran - How Would You Feel (Paean)
12) Ed Sheeran - Barcelona
13) Ed Sheeran - Nancy Mulligan
14) Ed Sheeran - Eraser
15) Ed Sheeran - Hearts Don't Break Around Here
16) Rag'n'Bone Man - Human
17) Katy Perry feat. Skip Marley - Chained To The Rhythm
18) Ed Sheeran - Bibia Be Ye Ye
19) Ed Sheeran - Save Myself
20) Stormzy - Big For Your Boots

Sweet Female Attitude - Flowers


Flowers - Sweet Female Attitude |

I'm still obsessed with this song after Leanne Brown from Sweet Female Attitude sang it on the LRV stage at Staffordshire University, this was totally my jam from way back when. But, hearing her sing it live blew my mind, she's got some amazing soulful power in her voice, Leanne Brown can truly sing, and I'm totally excited to see what she has got planned with Platnum. Don't forget to check out my gig review on CelebMix. Watch Sweet Female Attitude bring it in this music video for their debut single "Flowers", which was an instant hit. Adding club vibes and a party lifestyle, it's not a bad video.

Sweet Female Attitude were a duo consisting of Leanne Brown and Catherine Cassidy. Now Leanne Brown is fronting the name all by herself, and she is doing it justice, because she knocked it out of the venue last Friday, and don't even get me started on when she collaborated with Platnum on a cover of Jade's "Don't Walk Away", she was pure fire! I am totally a new fan of Leanne Brown. The future definitely seems exciting for her and Platnum. This song was written by Mike Powell and Martin Green. It charted at number two in the UK and is totally considered a garage classic. It was the Sunship Remix Edit that totally launched the success of this song.

The music video, directed by Pete Nilson and Ryan Davids, takes place in a club with the duo performing the song on a set of stairs. Throughout the music video, there are visual clips of flowers, cutting up the video nicely, although it can be considered a bit of a distraction.

There are some great scenes from the girls, with Leanne Brown bringing fire every time she performs the song in the clip. She just has this quality about her, like star-presence. Whatever it is, she's got it and she stands out throughout.

There's not a lot to this music video, but considering it was 2000, and clearly wasn't a big budgeted music video, they did really well with what they had. It totally unleashes a club vibe to the audience watching and it's just a shame that Sweet Female Attitude didn't have more success after the release of this song.
Buy on iTunes

Platnum - Do It Different


Do It Different - Platnum |

After seeing Platnum perform for the second time in my life, on Friday, I just had to revisit their previous songs and watch their music videos. They have announced a new single and there will be a music video, which totally excites me, check out my gig review on CelebMix for all the details. They are now going as a duo, collaborating with Leanne Brown from Sweet Female Attitude, and they were totally incredible. They have not released an album yet, although they were planning on releasing an album called "Lost In The Music", as the description of this music video indicates. The song is actually called "Do It Different" and it's total fire just like all their other songs. Watch Platnum totally switch it up and "Do It Different" in this music video, set on a very gorgeous sandy beach, bringing it completely. Just like they did Friday night at their gig.

Platnum used to be a three-piece group consisting of Aaron Evers, Michelle McKenna, and Mina Poli. The latter has left the group, but Aaron and Michelle has continued on as a two-piece, completely bringing the garage vibe, which we totally love in their recent song "Just For Me". They have major plans coming up in the next few months or so, and we all can't wait to see what the future will bring for them. Their new single was showcased at their gig on Friday, in collaboration with Leanne Brown from Sweet Female Attitude, and it sounded amazing. The future is exciting for Aaron Evers, Michelle McKenna, and Leanne Brown. This song should've been a hit, it's one I love playing at any predrink party.

This music video opens with comets falling to Earth and hitting the beach, then Platnum comes on screen, questioning what has just happened. Fire is around them everywhere, but they don't care because they're doing it differently.

They make it look like they came down on the island with the comets; especially when the natives of the island start to surround them. Platnum are natural performers, really giving it their all in every single scene, so much so that the central narrative is pushed to the background. It's totally clever and Platnum oozes personality and fire in this video.

The scenes later change to night time, where we see the natives perform fire tricks, but none are impressive as the energetic vibes come from this group. They deserve to be on stages up and down the country, they deserve to at least have an album out, one I'll no doubt play on repeat for hours every day.

If anything, this music video proves that Platnum are a group that should have success, and apart from their two amazing first singles: the feature on H2O's "What's It Gonna Be" and their own single "Love Shy (Thinking About You)"; for whatever reason their follow-ups just didn't have the impact that they should've done. These follow-ups are lost hits, ones people are still discovering today and completely loving. Platnum are still going, and are ready for a comeback like no other.
Buy on iTunes

New Release: Sharon Doorson - Golden Trophy


Golden Trophy - Sharon Doorson |

I was looking around for a New Release music video to review this week, and I'm so glad I stumbled across Sharon Doorson's "Golden Trophy", she's got some killer vocals and a heart-filled-passion in this song that I can't believe I've never reviewed any of her songs on my blog before. I'm totally captivated by this song and it's interesting music video, so much so that I've been watching it over and over again. Watch Sharon Doorson give an emphatic performance whilst sitting at the piano during the music video of "Golden Trophy" as athletic men circle around her looking back on their achievements.

Sharon Doorson is a dutch singer-songwriter. She made a name for herself when she competed in The Voice of Holland, where all four coaches turned during her audition. She was later eliminated during the semi-finals. Before The Voice of Holland, she was in a girl group with Eva Simons called Raffish. Now, she's been building her musical career, having collaborated with Mischa Daniels, as well as releasing many singles and a debut album. This single is her latest cut, and it's one of her strongest to date. It deserves to be a hit. It was written by Jalise Romy, Tevin Plaater (Spanker), and Simon Gitsels.

The music video was directed by Steven Kuijs. It's dark and mysterious but totally works as an influential visual. Not many people can captivate the audience by sitting down and playing the piano, but Sharon Doorson exudes fire. It's clear from the start that this song means a lot to her and she oozes performance in every scene. Plus, that stunning jumpsuit by Elisabetta Franchi, really makes this artist look incredibly gorgeous.

There is a slight narrative throughout, that sees various men come out of the shadows and up to the piano, they reminisce about their past achievements that gave them the golden trophy that she is singing about. The first guy gives us a bit of man-candy as he walks up shirtless, looking back at winning a belt probably from his wrestling career.

Later we see people circling the piano in formation. This makes it slightly eerie, especially cut between the wispy scenes of material. But it totally works, and Sharon Doorson is a talent that we cannot wait to become big; she just has to keep fighting for her dreams, use it as her oxygen just like she says in the song, and she'll get that golden trophy, at the end. I expect a worldwide hit in the near-future.
Buy on iTunes

Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are


Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars |

Wow, I'm really behind on my blog posts this week, so here I go trying to catch them all up... Bruno Mars takes up my Thursday Revisit this week due to there not being much choice. This was his debut single, and it impacted the charts globally. It's no wonder because it was so current at the time with his emotional vocals hitting all the right notes. This launched Bruno Mars, and he'll continue being successful. Watch Bruno Mars melt us in this extremely cute serenade of a music video for his debut single "Just The Way You Are".

Bruno Mars, real name Peter Hernandez, is one of the biggest male pop artists in the world. He is currently blurring the lines between pop music and old-school funk music; totally making the latter extremely current, and it's totally working, just check out "24k Magic" which is a song we still haven't had enough of yet. But, it didn't start that way, he launched himself in the pop world, focusing solely on great written tracks and songs that are super cute, just like this one. This charted well globally, including hitting number one in the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia. It was written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Khalil Walton, and Khari Cain.

Directed by Ethan Lander, the music video has a simple cute narrative to go with the sweet song. Although, credit to the editors of the music video, especially the animators, who totally rocked the animated tape scene. For those of you who recognise the love-interest, I sure did, she is played by actress Nathalie Kelley, who is known for various roles, namely Sybil in The Vampire Diaries, Dani Alvarez in Body of Proof, and Grace in Unreal.

The video sees Bruno Mars distracting his girl, played by Nathalie Kelley. She's sitting down listening to music on a tape player - do you remember those? We all totally had one of them! Anyhow, he takes the tape out of the player and starts messing with the tape inside, creating crazy drawings that are clearly created by the animators of the music video.

The ending sees him performing the song at a piano. It's very cute and very simple, yet totally magical at the same time. I love the quirky teasing going on between them as they each change the drawings to their likings. It's clever, it's witty, and extremely cuddly, just like the song. Maybe too simple and too sweet, though.
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Tori Kelly - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing


Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing - Tori Kelly |

Today, I've still got Sabrina Carpenter's "Thumbs" stuck in my head; what an awesomely catchy tune that is. Regardless, I searched through my YouTube recommendations again and found Tori Kelly, and I thought: 'Why not?' So here is this fantastic minimalist soundtrack music video to the animation film Sing, which Tori Kelly also stars in. Watch Tori Kelly perform like no one's watching, whilst fully interacting with the geometric shapes that appear in the music video for the Sing soundtrack music video "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing".

Tori Kelly is an inspiration to us all, she once was eliminated from American Idol, but she never gave up, regardless of the not-so-good comments given by the judges of the show. She has proven that if you never give up your dream, you'll get there. She is now one of the hottest up-and-coming female singers in the world right now, and she's ready for international success, that's for sure. She released a killer debut album in 2015 titled "Unbreakable Smile". This song features on the animated film Sing and is a cover version of the Stevie Wonder song of the same name "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing". It was written by Stevie Wonder.

The music video is completely stripped back, relying on Tori Kelly's amazing performance ability and creative animation editors to make the video engaging; and that is exactly what happens.

As we expected, Tori Kelly nails the performance of this music video. She's full of life, clearly honoured to be singing an official cover of this song. The song itself is technically brilliant with her vocals way past the amazing scale. Her voice sounds incredible and if she ever were to duet with JoJo, we know that would be a match-made-in-heaven collaboration. If you're lucky enough to see her live, then you are in for quite the treat, and will definitely leave me jealous.

As for the animators, they do a good job of painting shapes onto the walls and columns within the music video. However, I was totally expecting more; like, the characters from the film to pop out of the walls and perform with Tori Kelly. It was disappointing that didn't happen, and as many commenters noticed, Tori Kelly seems to expect that to happen too.

Overall, it's a great visual representation of Tori Kelly, perfectly showing off her incredible voice and performance energy. However, there is so much more that could have been done to make this perfect, and yet it's too stripped back.
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Sabrina Carpenter - Thumbs


Thumbs - Sabrina Carpenter |

This has been popping up in my YouTube Recommendations for the past month, so I thought it was about time I reviewed it. After first listen, I'm in love with it, such a catchy number with very true lyrics, it deserves to be a hit, but it's a shame that it hasn't made it onto charts internationally. The lyrics are shockingly real, that it's surprising that she's singing this song, and yet it works perfectly because it's usually the young people who realise this is happening. Watch Sabrina Carpenter on a subway train dancing and singing her song "Thumbs" in this music video; with great person identification.

Sabrina Carpenter is mostly known for playing Maya Hart in the Disney TV show Girl Meets World, which concluded earlier this year. She can also be seen alongside Sofia Carson in the Disney Channel Original Film remake Adventures In Babysitting. She has been trying for a career in music since 2014 and has released two albums, both of which has charted on the US Billboard Hot 100. This song was originally a promotional single for her second studio album, but later became an official single, hence the music video. It was written by Steve Mac and Priscilla Renea.

The music video is set on the Girl Meets World subway. It looks like it was taken in one complete shot, making it intricately detailed.

We watch Sabrina Carpenter move about the subway train, adding extra dancing flicks and hanging from the pole. I did kind of expect her to do some pole dancing, but I guess she didn't want to give it a try.

The video displays various background characters who are just general people, who can dance. They're the sort of people you expect to see if you go on a subway train. During some parts of the video, they become the main characters, showing off their dancing abilities, or taking over Sabrina Carpenter's lyrics - lip syncing along to the song.

The final shot sees Sabrina Carpenter back in the place she was previously sitting at the start of the video, delivering the powerful last line of the song. Although, she is missing her jacket that she left behind at a station stop.

Overall, a great intricate music video that is engaging from start to finish. Sabrina Carpenter fully shows off her stage presence with this visual. She's completely energetic and is having a great time shooting the video. I also like how the background characters are your typical train travellers.
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Chart Mondays: Ed Sheeran - Castle On The Hill


Castle on the Hill - Ed Sheeran |

Literally had no choice but to review this music video for my Chart Mondays, purely because his "Shape Of You" is still at number one, and every other song in the top ten of the UK Singles Chart either has been reviewed already or doesn't have a music video. I have a feeling it will not go my way next week, and we'll have to skip Chart Mondays again, but let's hope that that doesn't happen. Ed Sheeran is currently dominating on an international scale, and can we blame him? Just listen to his recent songs, his album (which I reviewed for Outlet Magazine) titled "÷", pronounced "Divide", He's truly knocked it out of the park. Watch this awesome music video that has Ed Sheeran reflecting on his life, whilst we watch his childhood adventures over the "Castle On The Hill".

Ed Sheeran has literally made the biggest album masterpiece of his career. "÷" or "Divide" beats everyone's expectations, and every song is set to chart in the UK Singles Chart this Friday, which isn't a surprise at all. I reviewed it for Outlet Magazine, and I was honoured to be hearing this music because it really is a masterpiece. This song was released alongside "Shape Of You" as a duo single. It was written by Ed Sheeran and Benjamin Levin (Benny Blanco).

Directed by George Belfield, the music video was filmed in Suffolk, which is where Ed Sheeran grew up; making the scenes even more personable and relatable. The young Ed Sheeran is played by high school student - clearly turning actor - Hugo Fairbanks Weston, who also attends the high school that the artist once went to.

There's so much going on in this music video, so I'm going to try and keep it short. We see Hugo Fairbanks Weston hang out with his mates, doing various normal things that they get up to, all the while relating it to the lyrics of the song. Some parts are perfect translations of the lyrics, and it's clear they had a lot of fun on set.

There is also a brilliant performance visual from Ed Sheeran, who is clearly thinking about the past events mentioned in the song as he sings it. I hope he manages to express all the emotion into this song whenever he performs it live. This one is definitely close to his heart, and it's nice of him to share this with everyone else.

Overall, the music video is fully relatable to the song. It's fun, it's clever, it's interesting and a complete match. Although, Hugo Fairbanks Weston is going to be called Ed Sheeran for the rest of his life now, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. The music video couldn't have possibly been any better.
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Bruno Mars - That's What I Like


That's What I Like - Bruno Mars |

Whenever I think about my blog, I think of how many female artists are on my blog; so I've decided to switch it up a bit and try to feature more male artists; hence why I've chosen Bruno Mars' new music video today. This song came to my attention after Relley C did a cover version, to which she totally smashes! Regardless, Bruno Mars' original version is just as good, and the music video is technically brilliant even if it does have a simple concept. Watch Bruno Mars give an engaging performance piece whilst drawn items relating to the lyrics interact with his dancing in the music video for "That's What I Like".

Bruno Mars, real name Peter Hernandez, is one of the top male artists in the world at the moment. He has had a solid career and has really pushed R&B and Funk into mainstream pop music, this is what you call an artist. This song is the exact same style, and it's highly addictive. It's the second single, the follow-up to the internationally successful single "24K Magic", from his latest album 24K Magic.. The song was released at the start of this year, but the music video has just been released, which will definitely give much-needed promotion for the song. It was written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Johnathan Yip, Ray Romulus, Jeremy Reeves, and Ray McCullough II.

Directed by Bruno Mars and Jonathan Lia, the music video is a pure performance visual with a creative but simple visual drawing effect - switching the music video up to make Bruno Mars' choreography turn into an out-of-this-world experience.

In the simple music video, we see Bruno Mars dancing his funky choreography, nailing every move as we expect. We believe he'd be an amazing artist to see live on stage. However, that is not all this music video is.

Switching the choreography up completely, are simple drawings that are superimposed on the video. The various drawn images completely relate to the lyrics and totally keeps the audience engaged as Bruno Mars' dancing is incorporated with the lyric-based images. It's a beautifully edited music video, that is enticing from start to finish. Simple but effective!
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LORIS - Dirty Bass


Dirty Bass - LORIS |

I had planned to review this last week for my New Release, since it was released on 24 February, but Era Istrefi's "Redrum" was also released then, so I shifted this back a week, and I'm glad I did, as it's given me a fresh new look to this music video. I previously wrote an article on CelebMix for this group, then one for Outlet Magazine; so it's now time for it to feature on my blog. Watch LORIS perform their amazingly catchy "Dirty Bass" song in this music video that features a pole dancer.

LORIS are a three-piece electronic band consisting of Frances Mitchell, Tommy Keery, and Michael Mormecha. The band has had a lot of support from BBC Introducing, with their song "Yeah" becoming Track of the Week. They already have a debut EP out on their website, along with three singles. This group is building up their fan base, and with this amazing new track, how can anyone not become a fan? Be ready for their follow-up songs, because if this one is anything to go by, this band is ready to be heard.

This music video is a pure performance piece; it shows a black and white visual, as well as showing a pole dancer. Frances Mitchell is fully feeling the bass whilst suggesting us to feel it too. She bounces the energy around to the other LORIS band members, who are just as energetic.

The pole dancer cuts this black and white visual music video up perfectly. She stuns us with her incredible flexibility and amazingly technical pole dancing.

But, what really stands out is the performance vibes from LORIS. They definitely deserve to be on a stage, and it's clear that anyone who sees this band live will be in for a real treat. They completely ooze enthusiasm, they clearly love "Dirty Bass" and they want you to love it too. If they can bring such a passion in a performance-based music video, imagine their potential on a stage.

Overall, there isn't a lot going on in the music video, it's a pure performance piece, with a pole dancing visual segmented throughout. Although a narrative is lacking from the video, the band makes up for it with their vigour for the song and the music video. LORIS are definitely a band we all need to keep watching and keep our eyes on. The future is definitely bright for them.
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New Release: Lorde - Green Light


Green Light - Lorde |

Well, I have been gearing up, all day, to review Barei's "I Don't Need To Be You" music video for my New Release blog post; instead, I am reviewing Lorde's "Green Light", because Barei's music video has been exclusively released on Vevo, and not YouTube - not yet anyway. So, instead, here is Lorde who wants the green light, and we're so ready for her to have it. Such a catchy song, that deserves to be an international hit, regardless of the surprisingly mean comments on the video. Watch Lorde fill this song with such a passionate emotional performance, it's clear "Green Light" is close to her heart.

Lorde, real name Ella Yelich-O'Connor, became a global superstar overnight with her debut single "Royals". Just as she started to disappear from the world, lasting as a one-hit wonder, she's returned with "Green Light", which is a complete hit and deserves to chart all over the world. The song is about all the silly little things you gravitate towards when your life changes. This is the girl who is dancing wildly in a club crying about her ex, the one we all think is a mess but she will get a hold on her life tomorrow. That is what Lorde said in an interview on Beats 1 interview with Zane Lowe. The song was written by Ella Yelich-O'Connor, Jack Antonoff, and Joel Little.

Directed by Grant Singer, this music video is a pure performance visual. Lorde is giving off a bunch of emotional vibes and lashes out with her stage presence.

The opening scene sees her in a bathroom, singing to her reflection - imagining it's her ex she's singing to. Scenes follow that show her in a club, exiting the club, getting into a Chevrolet car, that we could presume is a taxi. Then the bridge of the song happens, and she hangs out the window, feeling the air whipping by.

The chorus kicks in and she's on top of the car, dancing on the roof. As the next verse kicks in, we watch her walking the streets, she puts in her earphones and starts to dance like no one is watching, dancing to a beat all to herself. The video is not at all polished, it is a mess, but it's a well shot, erratic mess that we can't help but love. Lorde pulls it off perfectly.

This song and music video is for all the girls (and guys) who look a mess, crying over their ex's in clubs. This one is for them, the one clubs should play to give them life, to add a bit of sass to their clubbing experience. We've all been there and, hell, we all need it. Nice one Lorde, a brilliant single and music video, that deserves global recognition.
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Carrie Underwood - Blown Away


Blown Away - Carrie Underwood |

I had quite a few options for my Thursday Revisit today but decided to go with a bit of Carrie Underwood since she hasn't appeared much on my blog, and this is another awesome song from her. I don't understand how her songs don't quite make it on the UK chart; they're incredibly catchy with a hell of a lot of promotion she could chart internationally. Country music is just difficult to sell to the UK, but I'm sure she can get there if she pushes just a little bit harder. This should've been an international hit. Watch Carrie Underwood save herself from a tornado, but let her drunken father get taken by the storm in the "Blown Away" music video.

Carrie Underwood won the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Since then she has established herself as a country music female artist. She's at the top of her game but hasn't managed to crack the UK market, just yet; not lack of trying, though, she even performed on The X Factor. This song is one of three singles that has charted in the UK, but none have been in the Top 100; this one in particular charted at number 155. This song was written by Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear. It won a GRAMMY award for 'Best Country Song' in 2013.

Directed by Randee St. Nicholas, the music video is, once again, a brilliant translation of the lyrics, completely developing the storyline of the song into a brilliant narrative; all of which is set amongst a Wizard of Oz theme. There is also a killer performance piece throughout, which totally knocks this video out of the park. It has got it all. The video won 'Female Video of the Year' at the American Country Awards and 'Video of the Year' at the CMT Music Awards, both in 2013.

The opening scene sees Carrie Underwood working on some homework, whilst her father pours alcohol into his coffee. He imposes on her work, and says that he can help, then grabs her arm. All before saying: "I am your father, young lady." He is played by actor Pepper Sweeney. The opening scene was completely unscripted and, apparently, very intense. Carrie Underwood's arm was left bruised afterwards.

The first scene is displayed in black and white, showing that it is a part of her past. The song starts up and we return to full colour. Carrie Underwood and the viewers watch a storm start to brew. Which links in with the opening lyrics, right from the start. She also walks through a graveyard, where we're to presume her mother is, due to the lyrics at that point.

She runs into the house, in an attempt to wake her abusive drunken father, but he has drunk too much and is asleep on the couch. She's not sure what to do; considering her options, she then decides to hide out in the basement, just as the lyrics suggest. We see flashbacks of how her father has treated her, and how this all leads to revenge; karma if lack of another word. When the storm is over, she comes out the basement and walks away in the beautiful sunshine; now free from her father.

Throughout, there are references to the 1939 Victor Fleming-directed film The Wizard of Oz; which can be seen on the TV inside the house. There are also yellow bricks embedded in the road, leading to her house; and at the end, there is a dog, although it looks nothing like Toto.

Not only that, but the music video is segmented with a performance piece, which Carrie Underwood nails throughout, as expected. The narrative also becomes part of the performance when she is in the basement, upset about her father being taken by the storm and yet it's much-needed karma. She is one of these singers that I need to see live and anyone who does get to see her, are definitely in for a treat. She puts so much heart into every song she sings, it's no wonder she's one of the biggest female country stars in the world.

Overall this music video has got it all. Once again, Carrie Underwood stuns us with her visual performance. "Blown Away" is out-of-this-world incredible. It blows the audience away and totally hits home with everyone who watches it. Amazing, Brilliant. Stunning.
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