I have been waiting for this music video, and I'm so glad this song has jumped back into the top 10 to allow me to review it for Chart Mondays. Lukas Graham is still at number one with "7 Years", hence why I'm reviewing this music video. Major Lazer take us to Ghana and documents their traditional funeral, educating us through the music video medium. Inspirational and enlightening, bringing something new to the music channels, along with artists Nyla and Fuse ODG.
Major Lazer are a three piece group consisting of Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire. They have had a number of hits, more so lately than early on in the career of this group, as it was first founded by Diplo and Switch, the latter left the band because of creative differences. The group's biggest single to date is a collaboration with MØ with "Lean On", which got to number two in the UK. It seems this single is attempting a shot for number one, although with so many amazing songs higher up the chart, it doesn't seem like this will climb much higher. Nyla, real name Nailah Thorbourne, is from Jamaica, this is her biggest single to date, although she has released a few other singles, both as a solo act and as a featured act. Will she be pushed into mainstream success with this song? Or will this be her only hit? As for Fuse ODG, real name Nana Abiona, he's already made his name for himself here in the UK, no number one as of yet, but I bet he's not far from hitting the top of the charts, This song was written by Thomas Pentz, Philip Meckseper, Nailah Thorbourne, David Malcolm, Sidney Swift, T-Baby and Nana Abiona.
Directed by Sam Pilling, the music video is a documentary showing us the traditional funeral in Ghana. There is also a Twi poem quoted at the start and the end by Kwado Nkita-Mayala called Kae (Remember).
Showing Ghanaian culture makes this documentary music video educational, showing us something we've probably never seen before, managing to convey the meaning of the song over beautifully.
The traditional Ghanaian funeral ceremony includes the entire community, they firstly mourn together, and then they celebrate the life that was lived.
The black and white visual effect doesn't help the music video, although it does bring sadness. I hate black and white music videos unless the effect is used for a specific reason, since the music video and song isn't about dwelling on the sadness of the funeral, it should've switched to colour as the community celebrated the life that was lived.
Overall a nice educational music video, giving us something new to watch in a new media. However it's not entertaining enough, compared to the song, and it doesn't inspire me to watch it again. The poem brings something beautiful to this okay music video, allowing us to understand the words of the poem, the lyrics of the song and the meaning behind the whole music video. As a whole it is beautiful, and yet not amazing.
I'm claiming this right now, she is the new Inna or Alexandra Stan, she'll have one big global hit, and then will disappear from the limelight, much like many stars before her, only her true hardcore fans will buy her new music after her big hit. This music video has blown up on social media sites where they've compared her voice to Sia and Rihanna. Her vocals are amazing, and this video originally got over 30 million hits before the video got set to private as she has signed to Ultra music (a record label that was associated with Inna and Alexandra Stan, once upon a time). Era Istrefi shows off her voice and her body in this wintry music video. Encompassed by a fluffy pink and green coat, Era Istrefi struts her stuff, dances her way through the song and acts sultry towards the camera.
Era Istrefi, who is sometimes known as just Era, is Kosovo Albanian and has been releasing music since 2013. Her mother, Suzana Tahirsylaj, was a well known Albanian singer in the 80's and 90's, she stopped singing when Era Istrefi's father died. She clearly passed on her vocals to two of her daughters as Era Istrefi has an older sister, Nora Istrefi, who had a short but popular stint in the music industry, but it seems Era Istrefi will be the one who has international fame. Era Isterfi sings in Gheg Albanian, but she often uses English phrases as well. This song was written by Era Istrefi, Ergen Berisha, Cricket, BigBang and Toton. BonBon means It's Okay, It's Okay in English.
The music video was filmed in one shot, it's an extremely basic performance piece that demands the attention of the audience.
Set in a beautifully snowy road, Era Istrefi has a colourful bright pink fluffy coat on that definitely highlights her against the grey setting.
Her choreography is sexy to say the least, and she pulls it off with so much sass that it looks like she's totally freestyling; yet, as we all know, it's not that simple in the music video world.
Her style, her image, her make-up, her hair; it's all on point in this video, it makes us ignore the entire setting, we are exclusively interested in her singing this song. The song of which is in a different language, and yet nowadays we no longer complain; many songs in different languages have been worldwide hits, it's mainly the vocals that are most important, and it's refreshing to see music sung in foreign languages become popular. However this video is too simple for my liking, and yet it shows her as an independent woman, she doesn't need anyone beside her, she can do it all by herself, and she sure has with this song and video, Era Istrefi's time is coming, and it's coming now, just like she predicted at the start with these lyrics.
A total random for me, this was first played on my iTunes a few minutes ago, it is part of a compilation album I have called Музыка В Дорогу, which I bought purely because it had quite a few Inna and Alexandra Stan songs on it, and it was a cheap price. Surprisingly, it is no longer available on the British iTunes store. I instantly liked this song, and had to see if there was a corresponding music video, which leads me to this post. I love it when my iTunes chooses a song and music video for me. Enter a club where this song would be played and everyone will be raving it up, singing along to Pompo Nelle Casse, easy lyrics although we would have no idea what we are saying, but it's all fun, clubby and sexy! Power Francers are a three-piece Italian hip-house band consisting of Davide Di Martino, Antonio Pelusio and Caterina Di Sciascio. They each have names within the band which are Pacchiani, Goldentrash and Katerfrancers respectively. This is their biggest hit, although they have had plenty of other singles as well as released two albums. This group is bringing something new to the table and it is refreshing to see something new, with more hard work and plenty of promotion, they could make it big, if they pushed. D-Bag, real name Riccardo Marchi, has released a number of EPs, singles and remixes under this pseudonym, nowadays he can be found producing under the name Reech. He claims to be the producer behind many of Power Francers' hits. This song, as I previously mentioned, is their biggest hit to date. It's catchy and would definitely get people on the dancefloor and could easily be played in the UK clubs.
The music video takes us into a club where this song is really hitting it off. Perfect mouth movement line up, so much so that any one of them could be singing the song, although it's obviously Katerfrancers who has that amazing voice.
The camera makes me remember all those times I'm drunk on the dancefloor singing my heart out whilst dancing like the spotlight is on me, I'm pretty sure this hazy music video is exactly what I see when I'm in that state.
The video is sexy, sultry, full of alcohol, clubbing, raving and people clearly having a good time! Pompo Nelle Casse indeed, which doesn't translate well in English. The rest of the lyrics is about being in a club, so I'm guessing it's something that relates to that. Overall, it's relatable and goes well with the song. I'm actually interested in where these guys will go, Katerfrancers has started a solo career whilst still being a part of the group, but what the future brings for all of them is anyone's guess.
Martin Garrix makes his debut on my blog today with this song that should be a hit around the world. but according to iTunes charts, it doesn't seem likely. This is the sort of song I would expect to climb the chart much like Shawn Mendes' "Stitches" and Zara Larsson's "Lush Life". Martin Garrix is back with a hit I love, although many prefer the original song without the vocals. The video is independently strong and yet confusing all over.
Martin Garrix, real name Martijn Garritsen, had a global hit with "Animals", since then he hasn't come close to getting another number one in the UK, but he has recently split from his label Spinnin' Records and so he isn't being promoted as much, although this song definitely deserves to be a worldwide hit. This song features John Martin, real name John Martin Lindström, who has had a number of hits both solo and as featured, he is definitely one to look out for when he sets off on his music domination, because he will be a global sensation, he pretty much is already. As for Michel Zitron, he has had lots of uncredited vocals on tracks we all know and love, will he always be behind the scenes? Or will he take the risk and enter the spotlight? Only time will tell. The song is definitely catchy, one I love. It was originally known as "Don't Crack Under Pressure" before the vocals were added.
The video was directed by Peter Huang, and is a full narrative video. It features main character Jules, who is a backpacker travelling from one place to another. I don't know who the actress is, if anyone knows feel free to let me know by commenting below.
Whilst on her travels alone she bumps into a guy, who she falls in love with, I also don't know his actor's name, so comment below if you do. They clearly enjoy their time together, and have plenty of fun experiences.
However the ending is more sad than anything, he clearly did something wrong because in the voice mail he mentions that he 'made a big mistake', the only thing that comes to mind is that he cheated, although there is no suggestion of such a thing in the video, nothing to suggest he made a big mistake.
Jules goes back to her old life, backpacking and exploring, and she clearly enjoys it.
It relates to the song because she is practically taking on the world, going solo and visiting different places. There are clips of them doing things together which is what the song is about. I totally relate to this as I want to be with someone, I want to go and do things with someone, but I know that isn't going to happen any time soon, and I also feel like I'm going it alone just like she is, my plan is to get to London this year, and I'm sure I'll feel just like she does in this video, as I start my life in London, that's if I get there sooner rather than later.
Thought I'd put my Thursday Revisit review to use and review the second single from the Fast Food Rockers, because the chance of this group making it on my blog again is next to none, and I can't believe what I've just watched... I could understand the "Fast Food Song", but this follow up single is just bad, and not in a happy smiley good way. The Fast Food Rockers attempt to spread cheerfulness and happiness in this cheesy song that even has cheese in the title. Too happy, too cheesy and way too over the top for my liking, just not good overall.
I very much doubt this group will ever reform, they're pretty much look and sound like they've walked right off a holiday camp site such as Butlins, they do act like they're redcoats and they've even got their mascot with them at all times, who is called Hot Dog. The Fast Food Rockers consisted of Martin Rycroft, Lucy Meggitt and Ria Scott. This is their second single, the follow up to the "Fast Food Song". This song, surprisingly, peaked on the UK chart at number 10. It was written by Mike Stock, Steve Crosby and Bob Patmore.
To say this music video is cheesy is an understatement, this has extra cheese on top, if that's even possible.
Filled with dance routine that is a little bit more complicated than the previous one for the "Fast Food Song", as well as showing off slightly, this music video just fails, it feels totally fake, and extremely annoying.
The song isn't that catchy so I have no idea why it charted so high. Some scenes are just dire and fails to keep me entertained, let alone anyone else, and although it totally relates to the song, it still fails as a video, because I definitely won't be watching this again.
