Critic Jonni

Paul Rey - Talking In My Sleep |

Easily one of many of my favourites from Melodifestivalen 2020, Paul Rey literally made me tear up the first time I heard this song. He performed it incredibly on the night, and this would've been a brilliant track to be sent to Eurovision to represent Sweden - to be fair, the Swedish national selection show is so incredible with plenty of amazing acts, that I'm pretty sure any of them would do well in the Eurovision Song Contest. This music video is so special, as I was given the opportunity to premiere the track on CelebMix, and interview Paul Rey, himself.

This music video is one of my favourites, I love how Paul Rey is in bed as visuals of him and his real-life wife during incredibly happy days are projected around him. We all rejoice in our happy moments and totally need to remember them when we're feeling down or away from our loved ones - more so than ever as we've been on lockdown and quarantine. It's a very weird time and true love will shine through if you let it. I do admit, I want to lye in bed all day and night and live in the dream world with the one I love until we can see each other again, and it has been so difficult - plus we're a long-distance relationship, so I feel like it's tougher and I just have to believe that we'll pull through and everything will be okay.

Although this music video is laid-back (literally with Paul Rey just lying in bed singing his song), it's cleverly done and relatable to many. I love how the projections work really well and suggest the scenes he has been dreaming about.

Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon

Sofia Carson & R3HAB - I Luv U |

Ever since I saw Sofia Carson in the Disney Descendants movie, I have followed her singing career and her voice just keeps getting better and better with every song she releases. The video opens with a short statement from Sofia Carson, setting the storyline with the words, "She fell for him like a petal falls from a flower until every piece of her was his. She loved him and now nothing will ever be the same." - Anyone who has ever been in love, who has ever taken another into their hearts, and made their world theirs to share, will fully understand this, it's how I feel right now and have been feeling for the last two and a half years, although the song takes on a different meaning, there are bound to be times in any relationship where you'll understand the meaning of this song, either slightly or whole-heartedly.

The video sees Sofia Carson posing for the camera in a warehouse, clearly, she's doing a photo shoot. She looks absolutely stunning from start to finish. It's the perfect setting for something so emotional whilst being emotionless, as when posing for photos you are meant to express yourself in a different way to the way you are feeling, which is what we see during the other scenes of the video where she is off-set from the photo shoot. There are black and white visuals spaced between the narrative, showing Sofia Carson in the studio with R3HAB, recording the song, adding the much-needed emotion that allows the lyrics to connect with the listeners.

Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon

Tion Wayne, Dutchavelli & Stormzy - I Dunno |

With the relaunch of my blog, I've decided to keep my Chart Mondays review, although I may have to switch up the rules for these reviews as the top-ten isn't as ever-changing as it used to be. DaBaby is number one this week with the song "Rockstar" featuring Roddy Ricch and since he previously got to number one, I'll probably write up a catch-up review on it and backdate it, so I've decided to choose Tion Wayne who has collaborated with Dutchavelli and Stormzy for this track "I Dunno".

Joy Club - In The Night |

This music video was sent through my email last week and it piqued my interest purely because Blu Hydrangea stars in the visual alongside many others, and the thumbnail certainly drew me in. What I didn't expect was a catchy '80s inspired club track, with a crazy addicted beat and one brilliant dance choreography that is clearly inspired by TikTok and one I so wish I could learn how to perfect.

The club-goers of the world - me included - are missing the nightlife, the culture, the dancefloors, and the awesome club tunes that you only love if you're in a club, while we're on lockdown. Joy Club decides to bring house clubbing to your screen with this music video, although I can't ever imagine a dance choreography hitting the clubs like this one - this is totally an at-home dance sequence.

As the first verse of the song kicks in, we rewind to 10 hours earlier where we see the stars waking up and getting ready for the day ahead of them, setting up their club-at-home set and dressing themselves up. It showcases the boredom many of us have felt during the lockdown.

Such a good video that more people need to see this, and the song itself is so very catchy! What's not to love about this? Fierce, strong, and funny, Joy Club's music videos are ones to keep an eye on, for sure.

Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon

Lady Antebellum - Ocean |

This song has quickly become one of my all-time favourite songs ever written, and I'm so glad that Lady A (previously known as Lady Antebellum) were the ones to record it. "Ocean" is one phenomenal song that makes me cry every single time I hear it because it means so much and can be interpreted into a number of different ways and can be related to being in love, having family relationships, and even friendships. We all have our demons, we all have walls (or should I say waves?), and we all push people away at some point in our lives - and this is even more relatable to me since I no longer have my office job and I'm worried about everything in relation to that, but I know that as long as I can stay positive, things will work out. This song is such an emotional track, that I really wish it had become an international success.

Every Saturday, I will be listing the new releases of the past week. For years, I have been using various sites to see what new music has been released in a certain week, but there isn't one list that has everything, and I'm always switching back and forth between different sites, and so I hope to create the best list every Saturday, with all the new releases I can find. I have also provided the links for Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and Amazon. If any of the links don't work or if there are any new releases I've missed, please let me know in the comments below.

Ruth Lorenzo - Miedo |

Ruth Lorenzo is back with an awesome rock-like ballad that is set to make you awe-struck. Clearly gaining inspiration from rock ballad classics, Ruth Lorenzo shines in every way with "Miedo" showcasing her beautifully stunning voice and her range capabilities. The X Factor and Eurovision star easily belongs in this music industry and deserves so much more success, and this brand new single proves just that. "Miedo" is the Spanish word for "Fear" and my rough Google Translate suggests the song is an open letter to Fear itself and Ruth Lorenzo is telling it that she isn't afraid anymore. It's one confident and inspiring song, that just builds and builds gaining strength towards the end.

Returning To My Blog - Critic Jonni

I'm back! Today, I've decided to start my blog again.

During the past three years, I have been writing for CelebMix, and I continually publish articles on the site; and as for the past two years, I have been working in an office for a recruitment company, although that is no longer the case.

I've also been struggling with unknown medical conditions which the doctors have yet to identify. Prior to the pandemic, I had been to see several different GPs who have suggested possible ideas as to why I'm getting certain symptoms but most of the time they've shrugged and said that there's nothing they can do. I'm determined to, at least be diagnosed with something relating to these symptoms I have, and then focus on a treatment plan, if possible. I'm pretty much certain it's something in relation to my coeliac disease.

Regardless, I've wanted to start blogging again for a while now, and since I no longer have an office job, I've decided to focus more on my writing. I plan to switch up the content, condense the amount I usually write and branch out to song reviews as well as music video reviews... We'll see what happens.

I've also added Amazon affiliates and adverts to my blog alongside my iTunes affiliates and Google ads if you are interested in helping fund my blog or supporting me in any way, it'll be very much appreciated. All the money will go back into the costs of the blog, social media posts, and the efforts of the team behind this blog.

If you're feeling generous, you can also gift a virtual coffee to me - I don't drink hot drinks but I am into my fizzy drinks and I am obsessed with Sneak Energy at the moment, so you'll be helping to fund those addictions, as well as my future career. If you'd rather support me directly, you can do so through my Paypal link.

Another way you can support me, if you so wish, is to subscribe to my book series, titled The Power Of Creatures, on Channillo. It's easy to sign up, and you will receive all seven books in the series straight away for just $4.99, and if you finish all of them within the month, you can cancel the subscription or explore the other books available on the site.

I currently do not have a stable income, which does terrify me - not going to lie, but I know I'm not the only one, and anything you can gift me, anything at all, would be much appreciated. I thank you all for reading my blog and sharing it with others - by doing just that, you inspire me to do my best every day.

An image of a coffee cup next to some flowers and a pad with a red pen lying on top.

It's been way too long since I last blogged, but I have now returned to blogging, purely because Sam Callahan has released this awesome new music video that has definitely impassioned me. Well, it's not just the music video, it's the absolutely incredible song that is all about getting back up after feeling so low and ready to give up on everything. I've been fighting for my writing career for a number of years now, and I still haven't reached the goal and the dream I've envisioned since I was a kid, and I still feel like I'm a long way away from getting there, but I will continue to push and put in all the hard work that is needed to get me to that moment - because I will get there. That is what I take from this song and music video and that's the whole intention. Watch Sam Callahan walk the streets to the top of a car park where he lights up a purple smoke flare, while scenes of four professionals training in their chosen fields are intercut throughout.

Sam Callahan is a singer-songwriter I have been following ever since he released his debut single "Runaway Train" back in 2012. For those of you who have been reading my blog for years will know that I've reviewed pretty much all his music videos on here. He followed his debut up with "Crazy" before becoming a contestant on the tenth series of The X Factor, where he made it to the live shows and came seventh overall. After the show, he released "Bigger Things", formed a rock band (which split not long afterwards), and released a club track titled "I Love It When You". In 2017, he released the incredible song "Burns Like Fire" and followed that up earlier this year with "Say Something". Today, he has released "Stitches and Scars" and it's his most emotional track to-date whilst taking it back to his roots. The track reminds me of "Runaway Train", only with more emotion and passion - Sam Callahan is still a star in the making and deserves success in all forms, he even wrote this track all by himself. The producer of the song was Jamie Sellers.

Directed by Sam Callahan & Gareth Mangan, the music video is mainly a narrative piece with the occasional performance scene throughout. It is certainly the best music video from Sam Callahan to-date, and I completely believe that. The visual stars professional MMA Fighter, Mike ‘Pretty Boy’ Hales, professional gymnast, Sophie Brace, British MX Championship contender, Tommy Lee Morris, and, world champion minibike racer, Robbie Daly.

The slight performance piece is gentle and basic as we follow Sam Callahan who is walking along the streets with his guitar, which he occasionally plays. We also watch scenes of him performing on stages from festivals to arena concerts. He leads us to a car park, and when he arrives at the top he lets off a purple smoke flare whilst acting confident.

As for the narrative, we watch these four professionals training. Mike 'Pretty Boy' Hales is running along the shoreline before a young kid decides to join him and helps him to work out; this professional MMA fighter can also be seen training up in a gym, similarly, Sophie Brace is also training in a gym - we watch her perform floor gymnastics. As for Tommy Lee Morris and Robbie Daly, we watch them ride their bikes on a track and their preparations beforehand. The ending sees them all achieving the goal they set themselves.

What more can I say about this music video? I've already covered it on CelebMix and Fuzzable, and it is set to be published on Outlet Magazine soon. What we've only just discovered is that Sam Callahan filmed this music video using his iPhone 8+ and he also edited and produced it himself. He put his all not just into the song but into this music video, and it's not a surprise that it is absolutely incredible. This music video is one I won't be forgetting, in years to come, and it just goes to show that hard work really does pay off. This is a masterpiece, and I'm beyond proud to give Sam Callahan his first five stars for one of his music videos! I hope he releases more incredible music videos in the future.

Buy on iTunes
Stream on Spotify

Barking - Ramz |

I've been avoiding this for one for some time as it has always ranked highly in the UK Top 10; however, it's dropping down, and since this is a backdated blog, I do know that it will drop out in a couple of weeks. At the time of this backdated blog, Drake is at number one with "God's Plan" and so that opens up the UK Top 10 to my Chart Mondays review, hence why I chose this. The song has done incredibly well, just missing out on the top position for weeks. It is a catchy song, but it's not my sort of thing, which also explains why I've been avoiding it; I am so far behind on my blog, it is now getting ridiculous, but I'm not one to give up, at all. Watch Ramz spend time with his lover around London as he sings his song after visiting a barber's shop to get his hair done in this music video for "Barking".

Ramz, real name Ramone Rochester, is an English rapper from London, who went to the University of Plymouth to study Sports Development before dropping out to focus on his music career. This track is his official debut single, and what a way to launch in the music world. He has released a few other follow-up singles that haven't managed to chart. This song clearly did go viral, it managed to chart at number two in the UK, number four in Germany, and number eight in Ireland. The main question is whether he can gain another hit, or he could just be a one-hit wonder. "Barking" was written by Ramone Rochester.

The music video starts off with a narrative but includes a prominent performance piece throughout. It was filmed predominantly in Barking, London, and features a wide range of co-stars and extras. His love interest isn't named, as far as I can tell, so if you know who the actress is, feel free to comment her name below.

There's not a lot to this music video to be fair, but it is wholly related to the song. Ramz fully brings it to the performance side of things, expressing a relaxed style whilst nailing it with his energy.

The song is titled "Barking", so of course it is set in Barking, London and this is made clear throughout the video. There's complete relation to the lyrics at times, including his teeth. The opening scene seems unrelatable since his friends peer-pressure him into having a line put into his hair.

The narration seems cute as we see him meeting up with his girl and taking her out on a date. There's nothing else to this music video though, and I can't really fault it, apart from him not really explaining the opening scene, and the narration kind of needs to be fleshed out a little bit more. The music video is now the most-watched video on GRM Daily - the YouTube Channel that the music video was released on.