Galantis is back, and is my Chart Monday review this week, because Drake is still sitting at number one with "One Dance" with no official music video. Setting the world alight, this Swedish electro duo are banging hit after hit after hit. This one focuses on bullying, a worldwide problem that will never stop, however Galantis shows that you can overcome bullies. Galantis uses their power in the music world to get across the message to stand up to bullies.
Galantis consists of Christian Karlsson and Linus Eklöw. Christian Karlsson is known as Bloodshy as well as a part of Miike Snow; Linus Eklöw is mostly known as Style of Eye. They have had banging hits "Runaway (U & I)" and "Peanut Butter Jelly". The former peaked at number four on the UK chart, which this song has matched this week on the official UK charts. Both members are established in their own right, behind the scenes, but together they are after chart domination, and are surely a global success, the future is bright for Galantis. This song is the first single from their upcoming second studio album. The song was written by Christian Karlsson, Linus Eklöw, Henrik Jonback, Nicholas Gale, Andrew Bullimore and Jimmy Koitzsch. Reece Bullimore provides the vocals to the track.
The music video is directed by Andrew Donoho. It plays on the whole bullying theme, not caring at all what others think. This is the perfect video to be played on music channels to get kids not worrying about being bullied.
Bullying is one of the top problems children have to face in the world. Either you are the bully or you're the bullied, either way it's in insecurity, and they are both very similar, it's just how you deal with it. Personally, I was bullied constantly. Enough that I didn't want to go to school, didn't want to leave the house, didn't enjoy life one bit. But I grew a backbone, realised this was happening to me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it, so I stop caring about it, it didn't make it stop, but it happened a lot less.
This is an inspirational video, and I wish it were out when I was a child to inspire me to keep going, to not let bullies stop me from continuing life.
The children are confident as they walk to the meet-up with amazing face paints. I hate face painting, I never wanted one as a child, but if the artist did face paint like that, then I'd be first in line.
A cute dance music video featuring children. A strength song and visual video, an inspiration to us all. Confidence should always be rewarded as well as courage. Galantis has once again proved themselves.
Australia took part once again in the Eurovision Song Contest, and did even better this year. Dami Im is definitely a future international star, she's ready to conquer the world and no doubt about it she will get there, hence why she's a part of my Eurovision Special. Proving they deserve to be in the competition, Australia won the Jury vote, and came an extremely intense second overall with 511 points. Dami Im performed amazingly on the Semi-Finals and at the Grand Final, definitely a front runner with that amazing beautiful voice, so much better than the sound of silence, a visual experience, the video doesn't match up as well as the staging on the Grand Final.
Dami Im is one of the top stars in Australia, originally born in South Korea, she moved to Australia when she was nine. Australia is taking the Eurovision Song Contest so seriously, that that is why they are doing so well, they are sending amazing act after amazing act and are definitely destined to win soon if they keep it up, and are allowed to continue entering (obviously). Dami Im was chosen by internal selection, winner of fifth season of The X Factor (Australia), she was thrown into the music world, a number one self-titled album soon followed with hit single after hit single. Causing waves around the world, she slammed into the South Korean charts. She is the future international star, she's has a taste of global fame with this coming second in the competition, now she just needs to ride the waves, because this amazing vocalist deserves to be heard worldwide. This song was written by Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci.
This music video is nothing compared to the amazing staging in both the Semi-Final and the Grand Final, the latter can be viewed below.
A pure performance piece, Dami Im is truly beautiful, destined to become an international star, her vocals are one point, she looks stunning and truly knows how to capture everyone when singing.
Encased in her world, you start to believe every word she's singing, missing a loved one, wishing they were beside her.
A contemporary dancer is shown in this video, perfect choreography mastered freestyle. The dancer breaks this video up, giving it the sense of lost and longing in which Dami Im is singing about.
A beautiful performance music video, that is lacking a lot considering the staging of her Eurovision Song Contest entry. Stunning, Dami Im sings effortlessly. This is one female singer we can't afford to lose, she needs to become a global superstar.
The viewer's winner, if it weren't for the jury this song would've won the competition. Part of my Eurovision Special. Amazing graphics in both the staging of the Grand Final as well as this music video. Sergey Lazarev had an amazing production team behind him, everything was on point, perfect for Russia to win. Yet they came a close third with 491 points. The song is what let them down, it's weak on first listen, but ever so catchy nonetheless. Sergey Lazarev is getting excited as he claims that you are the only one, his only one, in this extremely visual video that's sexy, dangerous and amazing!
Sergey Lazarev is a Russian singer, dancer, actor and TV presenter. He started his music career with Vlad Topalov in duo Smash!!. At the height of their career, they disbanded and Sergey Lazarev pursued a solo career. A total success in Russia, Sergey Lazarev has had hit after hit, music award after music award. It's unsurprising why this did so well, apart from the amazing visuals, Russia sent one of their top artists, a risk that was pulled off to perfection. Russia wanted to win this year, and hell did they do their best. Russia chose Sergey Lazarev through internal selection. The song was written by Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos, John Ballard and Ralph Charlie.
Directed by Konstantin Cherepkov this video is amazing, out of this world, surreal and definitely stands out. This is a game changer when it comes to music videos. Ultimately brilliant and completely unforgettable.
Using 3D imagery, editing and mapping, thanks to Illuminarium3000, this awesome video must've taken hours upon hours to make and edit. This is perfection personified. Produced by Irina Morozova, with 3D mapping by Yuri Pelin and Evgenia Godunova, with DP by Anastasiy Mikhailov. As well as the beautiful Vladislava Evtushenko, who is a model and was runner-up for Miss Russia 2015, and represented Russia in the Miss Universe competition, plays the love interest, I hope she appears in more videos in the future, as she's stunningly beautiful and is a great actress on the set.
The narrative works perfectly adding thunder and lighting within visuals. This easily messed with my head, the 3D imagery is beautiful and well crafted. Sergey Lazarev and Vladislava Evtushenko perform to perfection, every detail is included.
Confusing the hell out of the viewers, it's hard to imagine that all of this is imagery. Such a complicated set, yet works effectively. I love the narrative, I love the design, and I hope many more music videos use this idea over green screen, as it more than works. Catchy song, perfect vocals and an amazing visual, what more can you want?
Bulgaria retuned after a two-year absence and did extremely well with Poli Genova. Getting fourth with 307 points, Bulgaria did much better than we all expected. Poli Genova was definitely the dark horse in the race.Now a part of my Eurovision Special. No stranger to reality TV, she was a judge on The X Factor Bulgaria series one, and appeared on the fourth series of Your Face Sounds Familiar (Bulgaria Version). Poli Genova is fighting to get her music heard, and I'm sure she'll be globally known soon enough. Poli Genova watches memories of a love she has in a torturous chamber claiming she'd be a criminal if love was a crime.
Poli Genova is no stranger to the Eurovision Song Contest, she represented Bulgaria back in 2011 with "Na inat" which failed to make it past the semi-finals. Returning stronger than ever, Poli Genova was selected by internal selection, this was the song that gave Bulgaria their shot at winning. The only problem they have is doing just as well next year. As for what the future brings for Poli Genova, she has a chance to ride the success of this song, whilst promoting a new single or album, but whether that is on the cards just yet is something no one knows. Her vocals are amazing and she has so much love and passion for this song, it's clear she means ever word she is singing. The song was written by Borislav Milanov, Sebastian Arman, Joacim Persson, Johnny K. Palmer and Poli Genova.
This music video relates perfectly to the song, the not-so black and white visual gives a haunting effect that really works to add depth and meaning into this video.
Poli Genova sits down and watches memories of loving someone, instinctual moments that put people into a state of euphoria. These moments can't be shared with a single person apart from your lover. It has a Clockwork Orange feel to it, as if this is some sort of punishment if love was a crime, therefore making her a criminal.
Other scenes in the same effects suggests how these two meet. Poli Genova is a photographer at an event where her future lover is possibly famous. She gets up and sings at the event and he whisks her off her feet at the end. Sweet, romantic and everything I want, but I can't sing so that happening to me can just stay in my dreams for now.
Performance wise, Poli Genova is on it! She works the camera to her ability, and we can't keep our eyes off her. Everything is a distraction that fails to capture our attention, because her beauty, her vocals and her performance vibes keep us glues to her. Perfection personified.
Overall a great faultless music video, haunting like the song, very deep and meaningful. A beautiful narrative with an extremely strong performance. Poli Genova has a new fan in me and in a lot of other people too. If she never becomes internationally famous, Bulgaria will be lucky to have her all to themselves.
Alan Walker is back with another banging tune. This new release is one of those songs that will do well on the UK chart, especially after the amazing previous hit "Faded". Alan Walker wastes no time, keeping up with his style, this follow-up single to "Faded" is just as good, if not better. Another search is on, set in Hong Kong, with freaky visual tones, everything is not as it seems, Alan Walker collaborates with Iselin Solheim once again for this perfect tune, that won't be singing me to sleep.
Alan Walker hit the charts hard with single "Faded", but the question on everyone's lips is whether he will be a one hit wonder. Guess this English/Norwegian star has proved everyone wrong. This tune is just as good and although may not chart as well as the previous single did, it will still make a global impact. The vocals come from Iselin Solheim, once again. This is quite the team and her vocals perfectly matches the song. She is a singer in her own right in Norway, but this collaborative effort might bring more popularity to her.
The music video was directed by Rikkard & Tobias Häggbom. It features four actors who are Shahab Salehi, Zenobia Hamrin, Henry Tang and Yam Wai Sang.
The video is weird, and difficult to follow as we navigate the streets of Hong Kong. Four characters are clearly on a mission, They are scouted to meet somewhere, to which they connect some unseen items that brings light to the city.
If that isn't confusing enough, scenes are distorted either through infrared or a visual waver. These characters are seeing something different to us, and at times it looks like someone is following them. Although this never is the case.
Overall it's a confusing narrative that fails to connect to the song. This could literally be paired with any song and it wouldn't make a difference. However, it is clear that Alan Walker has a theme going on when it comes to his music videos... Or maybe it's just the directors' ideas, guess we'll have to see what happens in future music videos.
