The 1975 - UGH!



Another suggestion from work. I still don't get the obsession with The 1975, although I have to admit, this is probably the first song by them I actually like, so I guess they are doing something right, even though this hasn't exactly charted well. This is the follow-up to "Love Me". A pure performance piece, sending out electric vibes in an 80's style, The 1975 proves that you surely won't be disappointed if you saw them live.

Sometimes all you need is good stage presence, and this is what these guys have. The 1975 consists of Matthew Healy, Ross MacDonald, Adam Hann and George Daniel. This song is the second single off their new album titled: I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It. It charted at number 42, although it deserved to be a bigger hit for them. I am guessing they will release a third single to coincide with the February release of the album, in the hope it charts better.

Directed by Adam Powell, the video has the same style and feel as "Love Me", especially with Matthew Healy topless. Although this time, it's more appealing, he isn't being quite as wild, and is definitely focused on performing the song.

Since the song is about his cocaine addiction, you would expect a narrative video with a droning depressing song, instead we have an appealing video that is full of colour, light and stage presence, and an uplifting catchy song.

It works well, no gimmicks, no belittling other artists, just The 1975 performing. Along with amazing lighting and production by Tobias Rylander. Although, not a video I would be inclined to watch again and again, it's something I wouldn't skip over on the music channels.
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Slaves - Sockets



I've been getting some suggestions at work, and this band have been mentioned a few times, although not any particular music video. And so I picked this one at random due to the peculiarity of the thumbnail, which is quite gruesome to say the least. After watching the music video I'm still not sure what to make of it. What the hell have I just watched? Slaves are bringing back punk music, updating it and giving us weird music videos to go with their songs.

Slaves are a British duo consisting of Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman. Before today, I hadn't heard a single song from them, to be honest I hadn't even heard of them. Although, they have been receiving a lot of radio play on Radio 1 recently, so maybe I've come across one of their songs in the car or something, wouldn't exactly surprised me. Their most recent album Are You Satisfied? charted on the UK albums chart at number eight, and continued on the chart for 22 weeks. This song is taken from that album.

This was directed by Ciaran Lyons. This freaky video gives vibes of the originality of punk music, with the old fashioned style as well as the weirdness. It's quite disturbing, although it is relatable somewhat to the song.

The song is all about a girl who doesn't have any money so she uses guys to get what she wants. She acts so sweet, but she tastes like salt... These lyrics don't really make all that much sense, and the guy's eyes are rolling around in their sockets. Taken literal, plugs go into sockets and everything works, or in this case tries to attack our main character.

I guess it's suggestive of the media and how they manipulate us, such as the girl in the lyrics. However the girl is clearly a grim reaper in this video, and is clearly into a bit of bondage and BDSM of sorts, especially since the guy gets tied up and attacked.

Overall, definitely out of date, this should've been released years ago, around the same time as when the Kaiser Chiefs released "Everyday I Love You Less And Less". Although a good concept, only just a little too freaky for my liking, it works well with the song, and has a slight connection to the song.
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Chart Mondays: Coldplay - Adventure Of A Lifetime



Justin Bieber is still dominating the charts, and he is still at number one with "Love Yourself", which is an amazing song, I have to admit. So again Chart Mondays is open to the top 10. Since One Direction has not released a music video for "History", all I am left with is this song, which I have been avoiding as much as I possibly could, now I have no choice but to review this music video. In my personal opinion, Coldplay is overrated, I have never liked any of their songs, they're just not a band for me, and I don't see why they're so popular. When you have an opportunity to monkey around, why not eh? Coldplay are transformed into unrealistic animated monkeys, pulling off the same dad-moves that leaves you embarrassed and quite surprised.

Coldplay are a four-piece band consisting of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion. They are a dad-band in my eyes; they're the type of band who you'll buy their album just to give to your dad for Christmas or his birthday. However there's clearly a market for these types of songs, and Coldplay are the only ones releasing them, they're unique and are giving them the chart hits. The song was written by the band, as expected and it has charted well worldwide.

The music video used motion capture, similar to which Avatar, the film, uses. The director is Mat Whitecross, and the idea was formed after Chris Martin and Andy Serkis met on a plane.

After watching the behind-the-scenes video, I realised that they originally used more lifelike monkeys in the music video, but apparently they didn't have enough charisma and feeling to their actions. And so they recreated the monkeys to have more of a personality.

The monkeys don't really go on an adventure of a lifetime though. They discover a Beats Pill in the jungle and they start to like the music that is being released. They form their own band, after working out what the drums and guitars were for, although where they came from I do not know, also what is a Beats Pill doing in the jungle in the first place? And where did the hat come from for that one monkey?

Overall, a great concept, however there could have been more of a narrative to the music video. It is mainly a performance piece, and you can really imagine that this is what you will get from a Coldplay gig, dad-dancing and a lot of swaying, and maybe a bit of monkeying around. Not something that I'd go out of my way to see.
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Hayden Panettiere - Telescope



A bit of Nashville for you, for those of you who don't know me, I'm into my country music, but only the recent country music stars such as Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Cassadee Pope, the list just goes on and on. There is a TV series that I'm obsessed with called Nashville. This is one of the songs that is performed in the second episode of the first season. They are recording the music video for this song by Juliette Barnes. It is not this video, whereas the one shown on Nashville looks like a Hannah Montana copy of a video. This music video has Hayden Panettiere sexy, revengeful and definitely sultry; boy, who would cheat on her? Well clearly the guy she is tying up, proving that nobody messes with Hayden Panettiere.

Actress, singer, model, all round performer, is there anything Hayden Panettiere can't do? She's starred in many TV series and films, mostly notable for playing Claire Bennet in Heroes, and definitely as Juliette Barnes in Nashville, as I previously mentioned. She has also appeared in video games Kingdom Hearts and most recently, Until Dawn. Her music career is slow going, nothing she has really pushed for as of yet, but her vocals are stunning, and the songs on the Nashville compilation albums that are being released, proves exactly this. If she doesn't go for a record deal any time soon, the charts across the world will be missing out. The song was written by Hillary Lindsey and Cary Barlowe. It's catchy and lyrically memorable, it works well in the country genre, although doesn't stand out compared to established country music stars' songs; it'll always be one song I'll sing-a-long to.

This telescopic music video is directed by TK McKamy. Full of revenge, this is how you get your own back. Hayden Panettiere is an inspiration to us all, you do sometimes need to get revenge, but the best revenge is subtle and nothing major, just a little tying up, and definitely not the BDSM type.

Some people have commented about sexism, and I can see their point, a guy would be looked down on if they had done the same thing to a girl, but that is besides the point, guys mainly cheat, women are usually much nicer, or so we all believe thanks to TV series and films.

There's inclusions of telescopes which helps to relate to the music video, well... more like the title, and yet everything works. Hayden Panettiere emphasizes how much I need to see her live, her performance is full of passion, emotion and intensity that you would definitely feel in the audience.

Overall the video relates perfectly, a full narrative that is sexy and revengeful, you do not cheat on Hayden Panettiere, or she'll tie you upside down and leave you there to hang while she looks gorgeous. What more do I want from this music video? Zilch!
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Christina Milian Featuring Snoop Dogg - Like Me



Christina Milian is OFFICIALLY back in the music industry. She has only just released her EP, which this song is on, and WOW, this is a hit, if it gets the popularity it definitely deserves. Christina Milian proves you don't knock her down, in this sexy, classy and stylish music video, you won't find anyone better.

Christina Milian has had a nice little break from the music industry. I have followed her career since she first came out with "Am To Pm", I loved "Dip It Low" and I've watched a few of her films. I'm not a massive fan, but I do go out of my way, when I can, to listen to her music, to watch her films and TV Shows, and I am aware of her wines Viva Diva and her clothing range We Are Pop Culture. I also follow her on Snapchat. This song was released on her four-track EP called 4U, it was originally called Like Me with five tracks. EP's are usually a snippet to give to fans to excite them for upcoming music. Although Christina Milian has a lot going on right now, I am really hoping a new album is on the horizon, as we need Christina Milian batting out chart hits once again. Featuring on this track is Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Broadus Jr. He is a classy, relaxed rapper. He's made it and yet he still performs with style. Although my only problem with this song is that he ends the song. Christina Milian should've repeated the chorus one last time, after his final rap.

Directed by Mike Ho. This music video could've been flawless. It's full of style, imagination and perfection, yet there is one crucial problem and it just gets worse towards the end, but I am so going to overlook it as this should've been a masterpiece.

Full of narrative, the video is off to a good start. Promotion for We Are Pop Culture and Viva Diva is not only unsurprising but something we've seen done before, Avril Lavigne's "What The Hell" definitely comes to mind. The video is set in Milian Heiress Inc., a fictional workplace where Christina Milian is the boss. The start and the opening reminds me a lot of The Saturdays' "Notorious".

The video continues with Christina Milian making important decisions, in her office, in the meeting room, clearly decisions for Viva Diva and We Are Pop Culture. There is also advertising for Christina Milian Turned Up, which is a documentary reality TV series on E! channel.

The twins are included throughout, these twins have been popping up in a few music videos recently, so it'll be interesting where the future will lead them to. The performance piece is flawless, Christina Milian is looking sexy, stylish and with attitude, boy this is what you're missing and you ain't getting it back. Snoop Dogg, is looking smart and dapper, and is definitely enjoying Christina Milian beside him.

The dance choreography is faultless, but here comes the main problem with the video. In this bit, especially, the camera has too much movement. I have no clue what the cameraman was doing, he could have been battling the wind, but there doesn't look like there's any gusts of wind whatsoever. So why was the camera shaking so badly? This messes the entire dance choreography up, and some of Christina Milian's lyrics doesn't match her lips in this clip, this definitely knocks this video down. Was the cameraman dancing along? Something was clearly going wrong.

Overall, this was supposed to be polished to perfection, and it is stunningly beautiful. But the camera at the end just messes the entire video up. Just when she's about to the finish the video with a bang, with perfect choreography, the camera ruins it, yet I'll only knock one star off. I remember her recording the video because she constantly updated her Snapchat story at the time, as well as releasing snippets of the song. If you're not following her yet, you need to start! What should've been a sensational video, drops slightly due to stupid camera movement and editing.
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New Release: KSI Featuring JME - Keep Up



I'm kind of cheating once again, this was released on 13th November on iTunes, it was pushed forward due to the song appearing on compilation album Now 92. However on Amazon, the EP is released this week, which on iTunes is released the week after. All confusing and not released as originally planned, but just like last week, I've had difficulty finding a new release, so technically this is a new release. KSI and JME are asking if you can keep up, in this catchy song with plenty to sing to, and a good relatable video to match!

KSI, real name Olajide "JJ" Olatunji, is a YouTuber, rapper, comedian and a bunch of other things too, he's a great inspiration to prove to people that you can be whatever you want to be. He has had chart hits, and I imagine his future songs will keep appearing on the chart, as they are unique and extremely popular. In this song, he has collaborated with JME, real name Jamie Adenuga, who is also making quite the name for himself, appearing on the charts multiple times, and his most recent album hitting at number 12. This is where the music is at, and this new wave for grime music is going to hit the charts hard!

The music video was directed by Jack Delaney. It's a good start, I love the three girls, with the one saying about YouTubers and asking the repeated line "all we really want to know is can you keep up?" They're the stereotypical girls who get confused at the simplest thing, and it works so well here. I love how they appear once again to introduce JME.

The rapping from KSI and JME are on point, although I am not keen on the studio recording bit, it wavers the song and although a good idea, they should've stuck to the original recording, as the studio recording is so much quieter.

KSI is surely set to push the competition to the side, with the momentum he is going, I definitely wouldn't be surprised if he has a hit that settles in the top 10 of the UK chart soon, if he pushes himself, I know he can do it, just hearing this song alone proves it. Watch out for both KSI and JME! Can you keep up?
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