WOW! When two top Russian Eurovision representatives from different years, come together, magic happens! This is the result and it's absolutely incredible! I sure hope this isn't the one and only time Sergey Lazarev and Dima Bilan collaborate because we need more of this! One of them is from Eurovision 2008 which he won (he also previously competed in 2006 coming second), the other graced the stage in 2016, also coming second. Together they sure are a force to be reckoned with and this is beautiful and authentic. Watch Sergey Lazarev & Dima Bilan perform their collaboration song amongst a forest and on the beach before turning into animals at the end, in this music video for "Прости меня"
Sergey Lazarev is best known for representing Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, where he came third with the song "You Are The Only One"; during the votes, he came out on top in the public vote, but it was the jury vote where he didn't score enough points. Overall he scored 491 points under the new voting system. He has gone on to release more addicting music (including this song) and continues to prove he is one of the top male Russian artists in the industry. The same can be said of Dima Bilan, the collaborator on this track. He has also represented Russia at Eurovision, he competed at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 and the Eurovision Song Contest 2008; he came second in the former with his song "Never Let You Go" where he got 248 points, and won it in the latter with his song "Believe" where he gained 272 points; all of which was under the old points system. This is why this is a brilliant and epic collaboration! Surprisingly, the song didn't chart well in Russia, or in any other country, so it will definitely go down as a global treasure, one we all love but not enough to get it to chart well. The song translates into English as "Forgive Me" and is about asking a lover to forgive. It was written by Roma Kenga.
Directed by Leonid Kolosovskiy, the music video is displayed in black and white for no reason other than to stop colourisation and perhaps give it a solid sad feel to the song - which works but doesn't mean I have to like it. It's purely a performance video, that allows each artist to send out the emotion of the song.
The guys bring it for the visual, Sergey Lazarev is there bringing the passion in a forest-like setting, whilst Dima Bilan gives us all sorts of chills as he sings on a beach. He even drops a pocket watch with an image of a woman on to the sand - talk about hitting us in the heart.
There are some scenes that see them together, walking down a path that later splits off. There is also a whole performance scene in a totally different location against a black screen - it adds more depth because they are totally performing, but it looks quite odd mixed up in the other scenes.
I do love the final part, where Dima Bilan rushes into the water - we're very happy about seeing a wet Dima Bilan, but he soon turns into a dolphin which is more cute than sexy. All the while, Sergey Lazarev turns into an eagle as he runs to the top of a high-point. It's clever and cool, with some great emotional realness throughout. However, there's so much that could've been included, we needed more depth and the black and white visual doesn't add anything either.
It's Chart Mondays again for my back-dated review and it's the week that Ed Sheeran climbs up to the very top of the UK Chart with his addicting sweet song "Perfect". Since it is the UK number one, and still is three weeks later, I have to review the music video for Chart Mondays. It is quite a Christmas-themed video with his intention to have it as the Christmas number one, which he surely did that when he released "Perfect Duet" featuring Beyoncé as well as "Perfect Symphony" featuring Andrea Bocelli, combining all sales and streams - I expect this song to remain at the top for some time. Watch Ed Sheeran and Zoey Deutch go on holiday together to Austrian ski resort, Hintertux, where they spend some sweet time together in the snow, in this music video for "Perfect".
Ed Sheeran is a force to be reckoned with in the UK. His latest album sky-rocketed on charts all around the world, with all of the tracks charting inside the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart - an accomplishment that made the Official Chart Company change their rules so that such a thing could never ever happen again. This song, in particular, did well for itself, and is certainly one of those songs that many couples would choose as their first dance at their wedding receptions - it's just one of those songs, for sure. The one thing Ed Sheeran hadn't had, yet, was a Christmas number one, so the release of this song as an official single, with various versions released and this brilliant music video, certainly made the song stay at the top of the charts for the Christmas holiday season. The song was written by Ed Sheeran.
Directed by Jason Koenig, this music video stars actress Zoey Deutch as his love interest and was set in the Austrian ski resort, Hintertux. Ed Sheeran and Zoey Deutch really show off their acting skills as they display a loving relationship that's fun and full of sparks.
The completely narrative music video is beyond cute; it's actually adorable. They meet up in a restaurant after Ed Sheeran glances at an old photo on the train. We watch various scenes throughout; mostly, of them learning to ski before tackling the ski slopes.
There's a snowball fight scene and they create snow angels - I've still never done that. They later get pizza, treck through the forest and then eat the now-cold pizza in their log cabin. The box has a message from Ed Sheeran saying that he has a song for her, and that's when he sits her down and serenades her with this very sweet song.
There isn't a performance piece unless you count the serenading at the end. It's such a loveable music video that has lots of charming moments, but it doesn't bring anything new to the table and doesn't go anywhere. It's such an endearing visual that effortlessly relates to the song, but I just wanted something more.
As soon as this dropped, I knew I'd be using it as my New Release for this date, after writing up about it for CelebMix. The song has been out for over two weeks now, but this blog is backdated as I attempt to catch up on my blog posts. I have supported Sam Callahan since I stumbled across "Runaway Train", and have continued to support him as the years have gone by, he even became Artist of the Month on my blog, back when I was focusing on those posts. Now he's got another brilliant song out, and I can't get enough of it. Watch Sam Callahan walk through a forest as three women throw colour powder over him and cling to his tee, eventually ripping it from him in this sexy music video for "Burns Like Fire".
Sam Callahan is a UK male singer-songwriter who has been releasing music for many years. Most notably, he was a contestant on the tenth series of The X Factor, where he made it to the live shows and came seventh overall. Since then he has been working on new music and has been dropping a lot of teasers, we've already had "Bigger Things", which was then followed up with "I Love It When You", and now we've got "Burns Like Fire" which is an extremely addicting track. He later dropped a remix and a live acoustic version of the track. The song was written by Sam Callahan and Jamie Sellers.
Directed by Johnny Marchtta, this music video has to be Sam Callahan's best one to date, for sure. There's not a lot going on throughout, as this male singer-songwriter walks slowly through the forest. Acting as his three love interests are actresses and models Rebecca Liddle, Jo Marney, and Jazmine Martin.
Taking the "before it all blew up in my face" lyric and turning it into colour powder, this music video centres around that. As Sam Callahan walks through the forest, each girl approaches, throws the colour powder at him, clings on to him, and pulls at his t-shirt.
By the end, all three women surround him and throw powder before attempting to tear his t-shirt off him; they eventually do and we're treated to a topless Sam Callahan. We then see him wake up in bed - it was all some weird colourful dream, or so he thinks. He flings the duvet from him and we see that he's covered in the colour powder. What really happened then? Your guess is as good as mine.
Overall, it's a clever concept of a music video. It's addicting, enjoyable, and interesting in every way. They all look like they had great fun filming the video, although it's clear that Sam Callahan's necklace gets in the way at times. I hope the future music videos from this talented male singer is of the same high quality.
We have new music from Ashley J and a brand new music video to go with it - that I'm totally loving. She came to my attention recently when the music video to "Trapped" was sent through my email, now I'm a fan and I really can't help it. This music video, however, is probably one of her best to-date, and I literally can't stop watching. The song is crazily addicting too. Watch Ashley J show the process of songwriting, whilst she performs her passionate and emotional new single in this music video for "Unbreakable".
Ashley J, full name Ashley Jean, is building up her career and I am so loving her music to-date. This song is a fan-favourite, and it's not a surprise at all because it is brilliant in every way. Unlike her previous songs, this one is a bit more stripped back, fully exposing her emotions within the song. I was lucky enough to interview her for CelebMix, as well as write up an article on the song and the music video. She's definitely a rising star in the music industry and this song and music video is completely powerful. She plans on dropping an EP very soon - we really cannot wait for that. This song was written by Ashley J, whilst it was produced by Jamie Sellers and Warwick Matthews.
Directed by Ashley J - yes she directed this awesome music video all by herself - this visual is engaging from start to finish, fully showing off all sides of herself. She's beautiful, genuine, sweet, sexy, and focused in this confident visual.
There are various scenes throughout; our favourite is where she's in the woods as she is so confident and genuine during this scene. She expresses herself completely, to the extent where we wish we were friends with her as she'd definitely be an amazing friend to have.
The other scenes show her in her house songwriting. There's the casual day where she has a cup of tea with her - perhaps an ode to London where the song was produced since Britain is known for their tea. There's the sexy evening scene where she has a glass of wine as she writes her song, she then takes it to the piano, later on. Then there's the scene with the mirror as she sings to her reflection as she dyes her hair with Marilyn Monroe framed behind her.
Overall, this is one polished music video. Ashley J completely shows herself off as an artist and as a person in this visual. She displays her songwriting process as well as her confidence - relating well with the song. I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us in the future.
I struggled today finding a music video I wanted to review, mainly because I have had quite the down day (apart from one little surprise). I decided to review a Saara Aalto song because she inspires me. She's been attempting a career in music for many years and she has built it up and never gave up - and she was absolutely incredible at Birmingham Pride 2017. There are not many music videos from her to choose from, now that I've reviewed "Blessed With Love" and "You Had My Heart". This one is a very sweet ballad from her, that she totally nails, which I totally expected. Watch Saara Aalto pine after her lover who has gone away but she plans on finding him in this sweet music video for "Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind".
Saara Aalto is a singer/songwriter from Finland. She came second on the 13th series of The X Factor and also came second, twice, in Finland's national selection to Eurovision in 2011 and 2016; the former was called Euroviisut 2011, and the latter was called Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu. Not only that but in 2012 she competed in The Voice of Finland during season one, where she also came second. She will be a judge on The X Factor Suomi which returns for its second season in 2018. This song is a part of her debut album along with title track "Blessed With Love". It was written by Saara Aalto herself.
This music video was directed by Sakari Mäkelä. It's a pure performance visual with only a few scenes. Saraa Aalto works the camera even when she's not looking towards it; she's totally camera-friendly.
As per usual, Saara Aalto brings it for this sweet ballad. I love how she's missing her love while she's on the bed, holding his photo close to her. She can also be seen in a forested setting and climbing over rocks. She really gets into this character.
Unfortunately, we don't see the guy that she mentions in the song. Yet, budgeting might have been the reason behind this. The video may be low-budget, but Saara Aalto works with it, conveys the narrative along with a fully fleshed out performance visual and gives us a great video in every way.
At first, I thought I had so much choice when it came to my Thursday Revisit, this week, but it turned out that I didn't. I chose Nicki Minaj since I've never actually seen the music video to her debut single before today, and so I am definitely interested in what it's like. Are you ready? I'm not sure if I am. This is the failed single and is one people would rather forget, it was later dropped from her debut album altogether due to the very little radio play and hardly-there chart success. The music video is jungle inspired with many people commenting that this is the original "Anaconda". Watch Nicki Minaj and Sean Garrett perform her debut single "Massive Attack" in a jungle with visuals of a snake, tarantula, scorpion, and Amber Rose.
Nicki Minaj, real name Onika Maraj, started her career with this very song back in 2010. Earlier she had charted globally under label group Young Money, with the song "BedRock". Who would've thought she'd grow into this successful female rap artist? This was later scrapped as the lead single from her debut album "Pink Friday" in favour of "Your Love", which did much better commercially; however, this song will always be her debut single. The reasons it didn't work out the way they had hoped, was that they wanted something different and new, but it was too different and too new that it just didn't work. Featured on the track is Sean Garrett, real name Garrett Hamier. He is known for his producing credits, most famously Usher's "Yeah!". He went on to work with some top acts and lately some rising stars. This song was written by Onika Maraj, Sean Garrett, and Alexander Grant.
The music video was directed by Hype Williams. Nicki Minaj wanted contrast, something dirty like the jungle, and something clean and pink. It's quite the contrast and definitely makes her 'Barbie' style take a forefront. The visual also stars Amber Rose, Birdman, and Ringmasters of Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew. As well as scenes of a snake, a tarantula, and a scorpion - deadly creatures that people have phobias of.
The opening clip shows Birdman giving Nicki Minaj a stack of money before pointing to some far-flung place amongst the desert, suggesting that she takes it to where he's pointing. There's plenty of powerful scenes, but the one that stands out the most is Nicki Minaj and Amber Rose in a pink Lamborghini driving along a dirt road while a helicopter chases them; possibly a reference to Thelma & Louise.
Other scenes include her lined up with a Harajuku army; two guys from Ringmasters doing double-jointed dancing, and plenty of shots with her in the jungle in various costumes. Sean Garrett appears shirtless as he sings his part of the song.
Overall, this music video is definitely not your average debut visual, and that is exactly what Nicki Minaj wanted to do. It's bizarre but for all the right reasons because it's beyond memorable. Maybe the song was before its time and maybe the music video was too; but, looking back on it from now, it just shows that Nicki Minaj had some great ideas and knew exactly where she wanted to be.
Now this started off as a song I hated with a passion, especially when it was first announced, but as time went on and on and on it became a song I couldn't stop playing, and on both nights of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, NAVIBAND knocked it out the park with this song, right on the stage! It totally deserved a higher placing on the scoreboard; it managed to get to 17th with 83 points; 33 came from the televote, and 50 came from the jury vote. The song got a title change to make it easier for commentators to say, but the song remained completely in Belarusian. Watch NAVIBAND take us through the woods to a lake in this full-of-life music video for their Eurovision 2017 song "Story Of My Life", also known as "Historyja Majho žyccia".
NAVIBAND are a folk duo consisting of Arciom Lukjanienka and Ksienija Žuk. They have had a great career since they debuted in 2013, and have three albums behind them at the moment. I reckon another one will be released soon with this song being on the said album. If anything, they are setting the trend for folk music, just look how far Ed Sheeran has got with "Galway Girl", and now we have this epic Belarusian song that is totally fun-filled and has an incredible spirit and meaning behind it. I cannot wait to explore more of their music, and I just know their future music is what we need to hear! The song was written by Arciom Lukjanienka.
The music video was directed by Aliaksandr Taboĺski, and sees the duo walk and run through a forest, down towards the lake. Both Arciom Lukjanienka and Ksienija Žuk lights up the visual, creating a warmth and energetic vibe.
There's not a lot to the music video, although Arciom Lukjanienka loses his hat as he starts to jump and twirl, but he continues to give even more to the music video. As for Ksienija Žuk, her voice is beyond perfection and pairs up well with Arciom Lukjanienka, but on it's own, it's magnificent. This is one duo to keep your eye out for.
Overall the music video works really well. There's so much to like about the visual, whilst it's still basic and simple. NAVIBAND's voices are perfection and they displayed the exact same energy here as they did on the Eurovision 2017 stage. The song is definitely one of my favourites, it's completely jolly. I can't wait to see what new music they have in store for us, and I hope one day they come up on Ed Sheeran's radar and a duet happens at some point.
If there was one amazing vocalist and song that deserved to have been in the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, it was totally Albania's entrant Lindita, with her song "World". However, many Eurovision fans weren't impressed with the revamp of the song for the contest, I have to agree, I much preferred "Botë", on the other hand, "World" is just as powerful, if not more so because of the English lyrics. Unfortunately, Lindita placed 14th in the first semi-final with 76 points, 38 from the jury vote and an additional 38 from the televote. This deserved the Grand Final, but many people thought she oversung it on the night. Watch Lindita perform her Eurovision 2017 song "World" in a futuristic world destroyed by war, where there is a serene forest, many clocks and machinery space ships.
Lindita, full name Lindita Halimi, is mostly known for competing on the fifteenth series of American Idol. It wasn't the first Idol she took part in, she came tenth in Ethet (Albanian Idol) during the third series. She also took part in Top Fest, twice, and in 2009, she won it. Then, she decided to give Eurovision a go, by entering the 53rd edition of Festivali i Këngës where she came third; she later tried again in the 55th edition of Festivali i Këngës, winning it this time around and going on to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Unfortunately, she didn't get through to the Grand Final, but she gained many more fans, including myself, who will certainly help her on her way to success, because a voice this great should never be lost to the world. The song was written by Lindita, Big Basta, and Klodian Qafoku.
Directed by Kleidi Eski, this music video is a pure performance piece, only with a subtle narrative placed throughout. Lindita is in a futuristic world, that has been destroyed by war. Her acting throughout is superb all the while completely bringing it for the performance.
Within the visual, Lindita totally proves that she's a future star. It's such a shame she didn't have more of staging on the Eurovision 2017 stage, they could've easily put her in one of the spaceships. Regardless, they replicated some of the imagery onto the backing LED screen, which was a nice added touch.
Overall the video is cool and interesting. I love how different Lindita looks in each of the scenes, whilst easily getting the meaning of her song across and fitting in nicely within this war-destroyed future setting. It's big and engaging just like this song is.
We'll all be runnin' away with Rykka. This awesome song can be found on her album, and I'm so glad that it got a brilliant gentle music video to accompany the track. Filmed in Switzerland, the Swiss music video is engaging and interesting, with Rykka giving her all as usual, for this sweet and relaxer of a song. The "Runnin' Away" music video shows Rykka in the best possible limelight, she may not have done well at Eurovision, but we all missed out on the star she is.
Rykka, real name Christina Rieder, first came to my attention at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, where she represented Switzerland with "The Last Of Our Kind". The song was incredibly catchy, but her performance led to her not making the Grand Final. Yet, it gave her international exposure, and looking back at her released songs just proves that Rykka is someone we all should be keeping an eye on. This song was never released as a single, but it is available on her "Beatitudes" album. A music video has been released for it, which led to people thinking it would be the next single. I'm guessing it's a way of saying goodbye to this album; and, hopefully, new music from Rykka is on the way, instead. The song was written by Wayne Livesey, Christina Maria Rieder, and Ryan Carl Dahle.
Directed by Brianne Nord-Stewart, the video accompanies the song perfectly. It's gentle, peaceful, and shows Rykka off in such a positive light. I hope she continues to release music and show to the world she's a superstar, This music video practically proves it.
Filmed in Switzerland, in Lucerne and Meilin, the music video shows Rykka in some amazing profile scenes. The first scene is one of many where Rykka shows her performance vibes and her stunning beauty. The following scenes, Rykka is in a convertible car driving through a forest lined road. Then comes the empty swimming pool dance scene, which is completely on point throughout. Rykka nails the choreography in perfect sync with the dancers and adding a stand-out rhythmic vibe to her performance.
Then as the song switches up for an incredibly sultry verse, Rykka does the exact same in the visual in a very sexy outfit within a barn, she also poses with a lamb. Rykka proves with this music video that she is an allrounder, one we should all be watching, and one we will never forget. Great music to fit with a very catchy relaxer of a song. We're all runnin' away with you Rykka!
Okay, so I may have finished my Eurovision Wednesdays, but I feel like I should've covered Måns Zelmerlöw, especially since he won the Eurovision Song Contest 2015; however he's winning song "Heroes" doesn't have an official music video. So, instead, I chose his latest release, which is ever so catchy. Watch Måns Zelmerlöw climb up and down desert hills and mountains, whilst stumbling through a haunting forest, in this "Glorious" music video.
Måns Zelmerlöw came to my attention when he took part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015; he was a worthy winner with his amazing song "Heroes", which totally made me buy the rest of his music from iTunes. He has really settled himself as a top Swedish male artist, so it's no wonder he won Eurovision 2015. However, it's a shame he hasn't pushed into international success, his follow-up singles to "Heroes" just didn't chart as well globally, which is the same old story we hear time and again of past Eurovision winners. These people deserve global recognition. This song was a promotional international single for his new album but served as an official single in Sweden. It was written by Måns Zelmerlöw, Jez Ashurst, Emma Rohan, Paddy Dalton, and Phil Cook.
It was directed by Mikeadelica, and shows visuals of Måns Zelmerlöw being in different scenes, from a forest to a desert to a mountain. It's beautiful throughout and very relatable.
The forest is my favourite part, although I would like him to remove some of his clothes, wouldn't we all? The lighting is purely spectacular as the light technicians make it eerie and beautiful at the same time.
In other potential narrative scenes, we see Måns Zelmerlöw running up a mountain and desert hills as well as through a forest, before climbing back down.
Although this song isn't a cover version of Cascada's Eurovision 2013 song "Glorious", Måns Zelmerlöw has totally put all the emotion possibly needed and proved he is meant to be an international star. He deserves global success.
Why is it that every time this Friday comes around, usually the last Friday of the year, there is no new releases? How am I supposed to write a music video review on a new release, when no songs are released. It has taken me all day to find this one, and the song has been out as part of an EP for months, but the music video is new, so it counts in my world. This group first came to my attention due to Disney's Descendents Christmas Holiday EP, where they contributed a Christmas song. Since then I've been aware of their music. I think I kind or remember them on The X Factor (US) but I'm not so sure. They have released an EP and various singles. In this music video for "Compass", Forever In You Mind perform in a forest. Looking cute and sexy with their amazing vocals, they prove that they deserve to be in the music industry.
Forever In Your Mind are a three-piece boy band consisting of Emery Kelly, Ricky Garcia, and Liam Attridge. They were formed on The X Factor (US), back then Jon Klassen was a part of the group, but he left the band and was replaced by Liam Attridge. They made a name for themselves by mixing up songs in a medley; most famously they mixed up Disney Channel songs, which was later included on a Disney Channel album. They recently released their debut EP, and it looks like they are gaining quite a popular fan base. I cannot wait for what the future will bring for them. This song, "Compass", may seem quite simplistic, but the guys manage to fill it with passion and add perfect power and gorgeous harmonies. Forever In Your Mind will be part of a new Disney Channel TV series for 2017, titled "Forever Boys". Could they be the next Jonas Brothers?
The music video isn't anything massively entertaining. As much as we all wanted the guys to be in sailor outfits heading out to sea, much like the song suggests; the visual has chosen to be more performance-based, allowing Forever In Your Mind to show off their stage presence.
They obviously gel well as a group, and they certainly get on, but that could be due to Liam Attridge and Emery Kelly being cousins.
The group have fought to get to where they want to be, and it's probably been quite a fall not getting through to the live shows of The X Factor (US), but with the help of their fan base and Disney Channel, they will manage to prove their worth and the terrible mistake Simon Cowell made by letting this group go.
There's not a lot else to say about this. I would have preferred a more choreographed scene, just to pull them closer together in their shots, and definitely a narrative. Yet, they show their energy and their ability to show their emotion for this song, it clearly means something to them. The future is definitely bright for Forever In Your Mind, and I cannot wait to see what they release next. I also hope their Disney Channel show becomes a success.
My Eurovision Special continues regardless of the fact that I'm in the middle of a Halloween Special. I've been lucky recently with my New Release and Chart Mondays slightly relating to my Halloween Special, but this music video isn't haunting or scary whatsoever. So this looks totally out of place on my blog, although the thumbnail looks quite mysterious. The Common Linnets represented The Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. They came second with 238 points. For a country song to be in the Eurovision alone is an amazing feat, but for it to do this well is amazing! The Common Linnets walk around the woods and the beach in this black and white music video for "Calm After The Storm".
The Common Linnets are a four piece country band that have had a major line-up change since the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. They consisted of Ilse DeLange, Waylon (Willem Bijkerk), JB Meijers, and Matthew Crosby with the addition of Rob Crosby. Nowadays, Waylon and Rob Crosby have left the group and Waylon has been replaced with Jake Etheridge. The band was chosen through internal selection to represent the Netherlands. They went on to release a self-titled album which did well internationally, as well as re-releasing it with additional tracks. The song did amazingly globally, and at times even charted better than the winner of Eurovision 2014. The song was written by Ilse DeLange, JB Meijers, Rob Crosby, Matthew Crosby, and Jake Etheridge.
The music video is completely shot in black and white. We watch as Ilse DeLange and Waylon walk through the forest, in what looks like a barn, and along the beach.
As the song plays you can feel the emotions they have for each other flow between them.
There isn't an awful lot going on in the music video, a lot of suggestive relationship content, but it's more of a visual piece, a lot of close-ups but no performance or narrative. Shadows play an important role, but they're not developed enough. Not memorable, not relatable, and not engaging at all.
Literally ecstatic when this was released, not only because Bronnie is an amazing singer, but because I've been planning this Halloween Special, for my blog, for years now and I'm so happy to be including Bronnie within. My plan was to make this video kickstart this Special, but I have been behind on my blog since I went to Kiss Haunted House Party 2016. Now, I'm all caught up and ready to review the music video to my favourite 2016 Halloween song! Bronnie sends out gothic vibes with this haunting music video for "Scared Much". Including many Halloween-related objects whilst she performs in a forest; this can't become anymore spookier.
This haunting music video relates well with the song. At times there are exact translations of the songs lyrics which work well as visuals. It is a pure performance piece.
Bronnie is completely energetic throughout the video, not at all bothered that her head is floating above her body. She pulls off the floating head makeup trick perfectly. Her bright pink hair contrasts brilliantly.
The forest is entrancing, she manages to portray her love for this song as she heads towards the camera. Her stage presence is infectious, totally captivating and fully energetic throughout the video. This is exactly how she reacts on stage.
Other scenes include her dressing table that has a tonne of Halloween objects on, including a haunting mirror which allows us to see Bronnie get ready. Tarot cards, a crystal ball, candles and skulls complete the haunting visuals in this video. There is also a freakish ouija board!
Overall, this video has got it all going on; spooky, thrilling, haunting, what more could we want from Bronnie? The song was recorded at Edge Recording Studio. The video relates well with the song, with some great visual translations.
No one can deny the beauty of this song. His vocals are perfection throughout. Now he's the frontman of Kállay Saunders Band, bringing something completely new to the music industry table. He represented Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 and came fifth overall with 143 points. This year was one of the toughest since there were quite a few amazing songs entered. András Kállay-Saunders brings an emotional performance piece as we watch a narrative showing the life of abusive parents. This music video for "Running" is a stunning portrayal of the lyrics.
András Kállay-Saunders was born in New York City, United States. He is half American and half Hungarian. He spent time in Hungary in 2010 and saw a television commercial for Megasztár. He applied and came fourth in the fifth series. He went on to release some singles and started recording an album. He's album wasn't released and instead, he took part in and won A Dal 2014, the Hungary national selection for Eurovision 2014. Since then he created his band Kállay Saunders Band, who released a debut album. They took part in A Dal 2016 but came fourth, and therefore didn't represent Hungary in the Eurovision 2016. They have recently released new single "#GRIND" which I reviewed for CelebMix. This song was written by András Kállay-Saunders and István Tabár.
The music video is on point throughout. There's a performance piece and a narrative piece, both are flawless from start to finish. There is also a dance choreography scene which is developed into the narrative.
The performance side of things is so full of emotion, it's clear András Kállay-Saunders cares a lot about this song. The song was inspired by one of his friends who was an abuse victim. He feels every single word deep inside, whilst unleashing it for us all to see.
As for the narrative, we follow a group of kids walking through a forest. Focus is on a young girl who watches her parents have an argument that escalates to her father coming upstairs into her room and beating her. We watch as she struggles with her life and ends up running away and being with a group of kids in the forest.
The dance scene is intercut beautifully. We watch the contemporary dance which is inspired by being abused. It totally sets the piece apart, although the full scene isn't shown because there is so much in this music video as a whole. As the dancer is unmasked, we see she is bruised, another victim of abuse.
There's strength in unity and that is what this video shows. It definitely brings awareness to this issue and the fact that he brought it to the Eurovision stage is just something magical. I'm excited to see where his career will take him, no doubt Kállay Saunders Band will knock it out of the park in the next few years.
The DJ duo that just keeps coming back and back and back, with hit after different hit after completely different hit. This is nothing like the "#Selfie" song that we experienced a few years ago. The Chainsmokers are on a roll with their most-recent songs and the way they are going, they're not going to go down. With Major Lazer still happy sitting at number one on the UK chart with the "Cold Water" track which features Justin Bieber and MØ and still no music video, it opens my Chart Mondays up to the UK Top 10. This song looks like it's going to be in the chart for some time. Bouncing up and down in a hydraulics car, The Chainsmokers are not allowed to let Daya down, so instead they become stranded in the air, whilst Daya steels the car in this weird video for "Don't Let Me Down".
The Chainsmokers consist of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall. They have had various hits over the years and various not-so hits that definitely should've been. Every chart hit has been different from the rest, and they really are proving themselves as one of the hottest DJ duos around. These two definitely don't mess around, or maybe they do in the studio. Featuring on this track is Daya, real name Grace Tandon; she is the new girl on the scene. At just 17, she's already had a global hit called "Hide Away", which didn't quite make the UK chart, but got on the UK indie chart. her follow-up didn't fare so well. She released a self-titled EP. With this song blowing up worldwide, and her vocals killing it, she is definitely one to watch! This song was written by Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren and Scott Harris.
This video was directed by Marcus Kuhne, and it is definitely a low budgeted music video, that or they just spent the entire budget on a car that has awesome hydraulics.
A lot of editing clearly went into this, however the story line really isn't thought out, like why are The Chainsmokers walking into the car in the first place... If they were exiting a building or a house, fair enough, but it looks like they've just been out for a stroll and they've seen this car all by itself and decided to take it for a ride. Or they really did park there and stood around looking at the trees before hopping back in the car... Maybe, just maybe, they were playing Pokemon Go and had found a Mewtwo, we all would pull over to catch that.
Daya is just wondering through the forest with her girls. She's clearly not a dancer, but she is one hell of a performer, I mean this girl was meant to be on screen, although she seems totally out of place as the girls dance around her; it adds a bit more dramatic effect I suppose.
This entire video doesn't make sense whatsoever, apart from launching The Chainsmokers into the air so they are stranded and can't possibly let anyone down. Maybe they did let Daya down once upon a time and this is her revenge, whatever the meaning of this video is, it's something we'll probably never understand. Regardless Daya performs amazingly, whilst The Chainsmokers practise their stability in an extreme hydraulic car.
With no music video to Drake's "One Dance" yet, which is still at number one in the UK, my Chart Mondays is open to the top 10 again. This took it's time to become popular, no doubt popular music app musical.ly helped this become a charting success... Yet I have a feeling this may be Gnash's only hit. taking inspiration from G-Eazy with a similar style that many people have been comparing, Gnash does his best, but his relaxed style is quite annoying, especially with this amazing featured vocalist. Gnash and Olivia O'Brien collaborate in this emotional track accompanied by beautiful scenery in this music video for I Hate U, I Love U.
Gnash is known mostly as a singer-songwriter and DJ, having released a number of EPs and being quite popular on soundcloud, it isn't surprising that he managed to find success. This raw and gritty song is powerful in it's own right, unfortunately, I doubt he'll have more than this one hit, but I guess it's a wait and see situation. The song features Olivia O'Brien, just 16 she has her whole life ahead of her, her vocals on this track are stunning and her other songs she's uploaded to soundcloud is creating quite the buzz, this is definitely a star in the making and is one of the main reasons why this song has become so chart friendly. This song is a war of a love story, the battle fight we've all felt once in a while, apparently written by the singers themselves, Gnash & Olivia O'Brien.
A gorgeous landscape sets the scene in this music video directed by Mitchell Dequilettes. It fails to capture the beautiful emotion that the song portrays.
The singers fail to give the performance of their lives, gnash is way too relaxed, as if he doesn't care what he is singing and would rather hide behind his sunglasses. Olivia O'Brien does her best, but with her co-star not giving it his all, the emotion falls flat, her vocals are on form in the song, but her acting ability isn't.
The song is better heard without watching this beautiful music video, the landscape is an essence of the love hate relationship, portraying the crashing of waves relating in time with the music and the lyrics of the song and yet there's no substance to it at all.
Overall it is beautiful, but the video doesn't accompany the song all that well. Reminding me slightly of RHODES + Birdy's collaboration "Let It All Go" and yet totally different in style and in motive.
As soon as I heard this track was released this week, I HAD to review this music video. I came across it on YouTube after searching for Birdy's "Wings" song, and I saw the colourful thumbnail and knew this was going to be on my blog at one point. Colourful and on point the video shows the passion that isn't displayed in a narrative.
RHODES, real name David Rhodes, has appeared out of no where, amongst others who seem popular from London Grammar to Rufus Wainwright, from Laura Marling to Daughter, this style of music is really making an impact on the charts, and this collaboration is definitely going to further his career. Birdy, real name Jasmine van der Bogaerde has had a string of hits in the UK, mostly known for "Skinny Love" and most recently "Wings", she has yet to get a top five hit, although with a voice like hers, and the right collaboration or song, she will, most definitely, hit the top spot. At the moment she has yet to make the impact that we're all expecting from her.
Directed by Sing J. Lee, the video engages with the colourful forest and the use of the northern/southern lights used in the sky. I like the camera work on it, if only there were a forest like that, which were sunny, clearly it's cold with what they are wearing.
Birdy fails to perform, she looks like she's just singing and uncomfortably makes you wonder if you want to see her live, he vocal range is phenomenal, but I want more from her, especially in a music video.
Surprisingly RHODES stands out compared, and definitely becomes the star of the video. His voice travels across well, but it's his performance piece that makes you realise he means what he is singing.
Overall, great use of colour, I want to visit this forest, if only it was real. RHODES outshines Birdy, and yet there's just something completely lacking in the video on the whole.
Been ill for a week, hence why I haven't blogged, but I'm back now, with this surprising collaboration. Is this Nick Jonas' attempt at getting into rap and hip hop? Because it is a complete fail. Who is Sage the Gemini anyway? A typical music video featuring a lot of girls in a forest similar to Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda", with two singers who are ecstatic to be surrounded by all these women, only Nick Jonas looks more focused on singing and performing, whereas Sage the Gemini looks obsessed with the girls in the video. Reminds me a lot of Justin Timberlake's collaborations.
The Jonas Brothers broke up in 2013, and Nick Jonas has gone solo. His recent singles have done well in the UK. But this one isn't making an impact on the iTunes chart all that much. Could it be due to the shoddy release date? Amazon, HMV and 7digital released it three weeks ago, yet on iTunes it was pushed back until now. I surely haven't heard it on the radio, although it is kind of catchy.
Sage the Gemini, real name Dominic Woods, has had an all right career in the US. He has previously charted all over the world in a collaboration with Flo Rida and Lookas on the track "G.D.F.R.", but it'll be interesting if he has another hit.
Here is another typical music video, where girls are parading around wearing very little, we've seen this hundreds of times in rap and hip hop music videos, and yet a music video has failed to stand out above the rest.
Even the forest isn't a new thing as Nicki Minaj has done it before. Is there anything original about this video? Not really, and that is what really disappoints me as the song is on the catchy side.
Before I even start this, I have to say I'm sorry for not reviewing this video earlier, however I have just found out it has been released, although it's been on YouTube for a month now and there isn't that many hits to be honest. I am quite annoyed with the team behind this girl, it feels like they knew she was going to win and therefore decided to do a winning music video, similar to The X Factor UK's winner's single music video. It just is pretty out of place, and they've left fans waiting... Is this another winner who will disappear from the UK and Europe, only to release in her own country, Denmark?
Emmelie de Forest became the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, therefore bringing next year's contest to Denmark. She was the bookies favourite to win, and that is exactly what she did. This single and an album was released before the contest. Afterwards her album managed to hit the UK charts at 148, meaning she made a big impact, but will her second single "Hunter & Prey" get a worldwide release? And if so will she still maintain her fans, or will people just not realise it's been released, and therefore making her another winner who fails to keep in the limelight, guess time will tell.
"Only Teardrops" was written by Lise Cabble, Julia Fabrin Jakobsen and Thomas Stengaard. The song is extremely catchy, I have to admit that, but I feel that the performance at Eurovision was a little bit over the top, so much so that it looked like it had already won, on the other hand, that is exactly what happened and so I guess it worked for them. I just feel the whole team behind Emmelie de Forest were cocky and arrogant, and I'm sure that they weren't, but not posting a music video until afterwards puts this in the arrogant category. So it would've been interesting what this video would've been like if it hadn't have won.
Denmark came 1st easily. Emmelie de Forest gained 281 points. France gave 12 points, Lithuania gave 2 points, Moldova gave 6 points, Finland gave 7 points, Spain gave 8 points, Belgium gave 10 points, Estonia gave 8 points, Belarus gave 1 point, Malta gave 6 points, Russia gave 4 points, Germany gave 10 points, Armenia gave 4 points, the Netherlands gave 10 points, Romania gave 6 points, the UK gave 12 points, Sweden gave 10 points, Hungary also gave 10 points, Iceland gave 12 points, Azerbaijan gave 5 points, Greece gave 7 points, the Ukraine gave 5 points, Italy gave 12 points, Norway gave 7 points, Georgia also gave 7 points, Ireland gave 12 points, Austria gave 5 points, Slovenia gave 12 points, Croatia gave 10 points, Montenegro also gave 10 points, Cyprus gave 7 points, Serbia gave 12 points, Latvia gave 6 points, Macedonia gave 12 points, Bulgaria gave 2 points, Israel gave 8 points, Albania gave 1 point and Switzerland gave 3 points. San Marino were the only country not to give any points to Denmark.
This music video is similar to The X Factor UK's winner's single music video, with highlights of her win from Eurovision. This fails to interest me. I have watched this video once, and I shall not be watching it a second time. There's just nothing concrete that makes this amazing.
The song leeks so much potential for a video, I could imagine a perfect video in my head right now, as the song contains a lot of imagery. And when it started I had to admit that I thought a theatrical music video displaying most of the imagery in the song would be shown to us, yet we are left with Emmelie de Forest performing her song in a forest and lying down in the grass.
This is imagery to an extent but not at all what I expected. And then we had clips in black and white (I really don't like black & white all that much, so bad move on their part) showing her time at Eurovision, as well as winning. But it all makes it look like a fan video, something someone had pieced together to celebrate her winning. Failing to connect with the song and make something amazing.
The song has a lot of potential, and managed to get to number 15 on the UK chart. The accompanying music video could have been perfection at it's greatest, however it's a memoir music video, failing to capture me and keep me entertained. I hope her new single "Hunter & Prey" has a much better video, or she will go from a worldwide star to a Denmark star.
Mat Zo, real name Matan Zohar, is a British DJ, who has released a number of songs, remixes and mashups. This is his first charting song, as far as I can tell, but this song is extremely catchy, and I hope that his other songs are similar and it's quite possible that this song has helped to promote his others. Porter Robinson is an up and coming DJ from America. He has hit big here in the UK, with his song "Language" managing to get to number nine on the UK chart. The following single is this song, which also charted high... Is this one DJ whose name will become as highly praised as David Guetta and Avicii? Guess we'll find out in the near future.
"Easy" got to number 28 on the UK chart. Not as high as "Language" but still in the top 40. The song has been played a few times in clubs I've been to, it's infinitely catchy, but easily mixed up in this big mass of dance anthems we have coming and going. However I think this one will stay prominent.
The music video is animation. I have nothing against animation, and sometimes they are the best music videos because they manage to portray the song amazingly. But sometimes I feel it is missing something, and this is one of those times.
The song is all about loving someone and that it's easy. The video shows that near the start with what we would presume is her boyfriend calling her, or trying to get in contact with her. This sparked my idea that she loves him, but he just wants to be friends? Or maybe he's in love with her and she isn't? Who knows? It's not made clear.
And then she throws her phone and then blows up the town with this cool electric blue thing, which transports her to this place. She had a photo of this place in her apartment... I just don't get the video in connection to the song.
However that blue animal that can fly is quite cute, he is definitely a trustful, loyal friend that everyone would love to have in their life.
Overall, a song that should've charted higher, but can easily be lost in the amount of music available. And a music video that fails to connect to the song, and doesn't have much reasoning behind it. On the other hand, I think it is engaging and would make sense after watching it ten thousand times, guess that will never happen.
