Starting off my X Factor Special, is LITTLE MIX. They were the winners from the 8th series of The X Factor UK. They are the first and could quite possibly be the only band to win The X Factor. They all auditioned separately, and the judges, during boot camp didn't think they were strong enough to go through individually, so the judges put them together, and made an unstoppable band, who was mentored by Tulisa. They consist of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall. I can see Simon promoting these here, there and everywhere, and that is exactly what he has been doing. But could these girls be the next Spice Girls? Who knows but they are definitely spreading their own little message and I can see them being unstoppable and liked all over the world. The 8th series of The X Factor UK has actually spawned quite a lot of artists so far, all the following has managed to get a recording contract, and I bet there will be more to come. So far we have: Little Mix (winners), Marcus Collins (second), Amelia Lily (third), Misha B (fourth), Janet Devlin (fifth), Craig Colton (sixth), Kitty Brucknell (seventh) and 2 Shoes (joint thirteenth). It will be interesting who will do well and who will not...
"Wings" was written by Little Mix, Iain James, TMS, Erika Nuri, Michelle Lewis, Heidi Rojas and Mischke. The song is all about beating bullies and not letting anyone hurt you with words. It reminds me of the Sticks and Stones Nursery Rhyme, but not only that the song pattern seems similar; furthermore there is many references to other songs and sayings, and when I first heard this song I could name a few, there's the saying "Water off a duck's back" but the song changes it to "Water off my wings". And I always think "Mama told me..." reminds me of "The Clapping Song".
The music video isn't amazing, but it's not dull either. It's a pure performance piece, edited well and intricately. There is choreography that does remind me of the Spice Girls. I also like how close of a group they are, you can really tell how much they have connected, and how much this song clearly means to them.
I like how this song is telling the world not to let anyone bring us down, it's a perfect message, that I hope they manage to spread throughout the world. I like the British flag they put in and the editing shots used, however it does leave me with little to comment on, personally I wouldn't go out of my way to watch this video alone, however the music totally makes up for the video and I can't stop singing the song. I also like how the video appeals to children because it's colourful and eye-catching, meaning their message can be spread much quicker.
Overall, an amazing song that will surely soar to the top of the charts... Will it stay at number one? Who knows, we'll just have to wait and see. As for the video their is not much going on, but I like how it's edited and has been made, obviously a lot of thought went into it, especially since the video may not have had a big budget. And what would have been the point in an amazing music video, if the song is perfect anyway? If I was reviewing the song, it would've got 5 stars, but since I'm reviewing the video I have to be honest and give it this rating.
The Spice Girls are my revisit today, purely because I don't think I'll have another opportunity to review their music videos again. Unless requested or a surprise reunion starts up again. They were a 5-piece girl group who all had little aliases to their names. They were Victoria Beckham (née Adams, Posh Spice), Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice), Mel B (Scary Spice) and Mel C (Sporty Spice). They were worldwide superstars, that made the biggest impact ever in the 90s. They spread Girl Power across the globe and were famously known for some of the dresses they wore, or the projects they went on to do. Apparently another reunion tour is going to start soon, but I believe it's highly doubtful.
"Wannabe" was written by Matt Rowe, Richard Stannard and Spice Girls. This song was written really quickly, apparently, and the girls came up with various parts of the song along with "zigazig-ah". They were having fun and they all just got hooked to this one word, which I have to admit is a great word and should appear in more songs, shame it hasn't. The song is more about friendship than anything else, and also has an in-direct link to their most recent single: "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)". This video is their most memorable, and the song got to number one in lots of different countries.
This music video shows the girls having fun. I love the start and the end where you hear them laughing and jumping about and then singing Wannabe a cappella. I also like the setting, they are obviously in this posh hotel, and they are singing and showing how street they are compared to the people around them.
Now you'd think Posh Spice (Victoria) would fit in, and it looks like she's trying to do just that, flirting with the guys and stuff, but we don't see much of her at all, and funnily enough she doesn't even get a singing part, which is quite surprising to be honest. I also like how Melanie C does a back flip, showing her sporty side, but can she do that now? I doubt it...
Overall a great video that shows how young and free they were, I didn't like it when they broke up, and when Geri left the band, but I totally understood why, their schedule got too hectic and there was just no way around it. The accompanying music video is fun, lively and there's only one word I can use to describe it: "Zigazig-ah".
Cover Drive has featured on my blog a couple of times, first time was for "Twilight" and then their follow-up single "Sparks". This is their fourth single overall, and I wasn't that keen on it, like all their singles, but since their performance on Red Or Black, how could I not review this song today? This Barbados band consists of 4 members who are Amanda Reifer (Karen Reifer), Thomas-Ray Armstrong, Barry Hill and Jamar Harding. It took me some time to get into this band, but Tink09 was hooked immediately and kept telling me to review them, eventually I did and this band will not stop appearing on my blog. This song features Dappy, real name Costadinos Contostavlos, who used to be a member of N-Dubs before they broke off, he is also the cousin of Tulisa. He has had a UK number one along with a few more chart topping hits that just missed out on the top spot. It will be interesting where these 2 artists will go in the future.
"Explode" was written by Karen Reifer, Thomas Ray Armstrong, Jamar Harding, Barry Hill and Steve Mac. The song is about falling for someone, and then Dappy comes in and adds something extra to the mix. This song is definitely similar to their other songs, but it is so catchy you can't help but like it. The theme to it is exactly what is enticing people into buy their album, even I want to listen to their album now. I can't wait to see what the future will bring to Cover Drive.
This music video is quite clever, Dappy is a judge and they are holding open auditions, after a bland band the crowd is restless and really bored, then Cover Drive comes along and perks them all up again, Dappy even decides to sing with them. Personally, I think it's a little jibe to Tulisa since she is a judge on the UK X Factor, but it's insignificant.
It is a performance based video, and I like how Amanda comes off the stage and dances while Dappy is rapping. I like the scenes of the band as they get into the groove of Dappy's rapping. I also like the other shots of the band just generally having fun, it kind of reminds me of the video for "Twilight".
Overall a great song that is definitely stuck in my head. And a great music video that I cannot fault. It's both performance and narrative and just seems so effortless that makes you question if there is something missing, but I can't find a problem anywhere, so I have no choice but give this the rating it clearly deserves.
Owl City is one of those singers that you hear again and again, and you just know that he will be getting hits here there and everywhere, he's just that sort of guy. His real name is Adam Young, and Owl City is his electrical project. He does various other projects, some I have heard of, others may not be so well known, and it'll be interesting to see if any will come to light any time soon. Owl City stormed the charts a few years back with "Fireflies", since then he has released a few of his singles in the UK, but has had limited success, however I can totally see this song being the thing that turns his luck around, it has already got quite a few high chart numbers from other countries, and with the addition of Carly Rae Jepsen, how can anyone not like this song? She auditioned for Canadian Idol, which is where she got her big break. She came third overall in the 5th series and also got a chart hit in the UK with "Call Me Maybe" which also has one of the best music videos I have ever seen. I'm interested where her new found fame will take her, let's hope she never fades away. This song was written by Adam Young, Matthew Thiessen and Brian Lee, it's all about having a good time obviously.
The music video definitely captures the essence of what the song is all about. Both artists are quite young and therefore it wouldn't be too difficult to aim this video at a young audience, which is exactly what they do. Believe me I have had fun camping with just friends and doing what I want. It was the best weekend of my life, and that is exactly why I did it again this year.
There is not much of a narrative, but there doesn't need to be. There isn't a lot going on either, there is much more fun things they could do, and maybe they were filmed doing those things, but they decided to cut it out.
Overall a catchy summer song that is definitely going to chart well, it's accompanying music video is exactly what you would expect and more, it relates to the song perfectly. I just feel that some scenes are a little on the long side, and there's just something missing, but what that is I'm not too sure. But taking everything into account, this is clearly the rating the video deserves.
Alyssa Reid stormed the charts not long ago with "Alone Again" just missing out on the number one spot. It has two versions out, one featuring P. Reign and another featuring Jump Smokers. However they have totally gone overboard with this one. There are currently 3 different versions out, there is the original which is just Alyssa Reid on her own; then there is one that features JDiggz and then the UK version which features Snoop Dogg. Guess they can't decide which one they like best, or maybe they are too lazy to make a whole new song and just decide to add new things to already made songs.
"The Game" is a song I'm not too keen on the be honest, it's different from her previous single, and it takes a while to get used to it. It's becoming catchy to me now, but it did take some time. However the original song also features lyrics that can be found in her previous single. This is what surprised me the most, clearly they are struggling with this girl. There are a few obvious differences, like this one is confident Alyssa where as the one before showed her vulnerable side. I haven't got a clue where they're going with her, and the album.... Well I'm dreading what it's going to be like as there is clearly no theme, maybe it will be a bunch of random tracks.
This music video is performance based, they could've easily added a bit of a storyline but, there's no sign of one, which makes the video similar to the first one, which is slightly on the annoying side as I want to see something new.
I like how she's singing in a club, it suggests this song is more of a dance tune, which it actually is. It shows her being very confident but not arrogant. However there's nothing of significance going on in this video. I've already watched it 3 times now, and I still can't see anything to comment on.
The best bit about this video is they way they have added Snoop Dogg, which is through her phone, but then again it doesn't make him shine out, and it's clearly lacking something. You kind of expect Snoop Dogg to rap perfectly because he tends to make us feel every word as if he truly means it, like he does in Katy Perry's "California Girls" but here, he sounds bored, as if he's been told to rap these words and he can't be bothered to do it.
Overall, a song that takes some listening to finally like it, and an accompanying music video that fits with the song to an extent but is clearly lacking a lot. I hope for narrative music videos in the future from this girl, we want it to be spiced up a bit. Hoping for a better video soon, I have to give it this rating.
