I kept hearing this song, wishing I knew what it was so that I could review its music video for my blog. After weeks and weeks, I've finally remembered some of the lyrics so that I could google it, and here it is, finally. I'm surprised that it's a RAYE song; YAS! It's about time she gets the recognition she deserves, but my big question is whether she'll perform well in this music video, especially considering the ones I have seen of her. I am still rooting for her though, and I really cannot wait to click play. Now that I have, I certainly am disappointed. I was really hoping this would be better. Watch RAYE and Mr Eazi perform their song as she shows off various fashion styles and her true visual potential but not quite grasping it whilst Mr Eazi outshines her slightly in this music video for "Decline".
RAYE, real name Rachel Keen, is a singer-songwriter who has been focusing on music for a handful of years. With a killer voice like hers, it's no surprise that she's got some great hits behind her and has featured on some of the best tracks recently. She is definitely one to watch, especially since her vocals are off the chart; she just needs to do better in music videos, because I've seen her perform on TV and that's the sort of energy I want to see from her. The song is a collaboration with Mr Eazi, real name Oluwatosin Ajibade. He comes from Nigeria and has released two mixtapes thus far. He relocated to Kumasi, Ghana to continue his education. He is signed to Wizkid's record label Starboy Entertainment, and I'm sure it won't be long until we hear more from him. This song samples "Always On Time" by Ja Rule featuring Ashanti. "Decline" was written by Marcus Vest, Jeffrey Atkins, Irving Lorenzo, Rachel Keen, Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith, Janee Bennett, and Oluwatosin Oluwule Ajibade.
Directed by Sing J. Lee, this music video is a pure performance piece, something we were hoping not to get from RAYE or at least something that would show off who she is. There' nothing going for this music video, from the old square style to RAYE not giving any energy whatsoever.
At times she does give some potential to the clips; we see her dancing and grooving to the beat, but there's not enough and she never really lets loose. It's because of this that Mr Eazi outshines her during his parts as he brings movement that links to the lyrics he is singing; whereas RAYE has this attitude that comes across as slightly arrogant mixed with an air of not wanting to be there filming a music video. Maybe she isn't that passionate about the songs she's singing?
Overall, this music video deserved to be a lot better since the song is undeniably catchy and certainly takes us back to Ja Rule's "Always On Time" which features Ashanti. I just wish RAYE would bring it like we know that she can. I caught her on Top Of The Pops Christmas Special last year and she was buzzing with energy; that's the woman we want to see in her music videos.
How have I not reviewed this yet? I just watched Top Of The Pops from Christmas Day (this is backdated to the 3rd December, so I am weeks behind at the moment - but I will catch up), and I seriously didn't know there was a music video to this song. RAYE and Jax Jones certainly brought it to the TOTP stage, although this music video certainly falls short in comparison. Watch a young girl dance around a house as RAYE sings the vocals to this amazingly catchy Jax Jones song "You Don't Know Me".
Jax Jones, real name Timucin Aluo, is a DJ from London who has certainly made some incredible waves in the music industry this year; no doubt 2018 will see plenty of hits and collaborations, and hopefully an album. He's released some amazing songs and worked with some big stars. Yet, it was this track which is his biggest solo hit, although I reckon it won't be the only one for long. This track features RAYE, real name Rachel Keen, who is certainly a rising star. She's released some catchy tracks and has received support from a whole range of stars. She's determined to make it in the music industry and you can't knock her for trying as she continues to drop amazing track after amazing track. Watch out for RAYE! This song samples M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade's 2005 track "Body Language" hence the songwriting credits. "You Don't Know Me" was written by Walter Merziger, Arno Kammermeier, Peter Hayo, Patrick Bodmer, Uzoechi Emenike (MNEK), Phil D. Young, Timucin Aluno, Janee Bennett, and Rachel Keen.
Directed by Remy Cayuela, this music video stars a young girl of between 8 and 10 years old who dances around her house - this certainly takes us all back, we've all done this once in a while, haven't we?
There's nothing special about this, the young dancer is incredible in some of the dance sequences however at other times, it's quite average and childish. This would be okay if the song was a children's song, or a song aimed at children or even a song about children dancing, but it isn't.
RAYE appears in the background singing the song whilst relaxing, which loses any chance of a performance part of the music video - imagine going to see her live and see her just sitting there singing this song; yes, I know she wouldn't do that, but this literally just shows how beautiful she is.
The ending is comical to an extent as the girl breaks through to Jax Jones' home where he totally digs her dancing. Regardless, this doesn't work and I don't like it at all. I was going to give kudos for the Jax Jones appearance and the good dancing in some scenes, but upon second look, it's totally not worthy. It does get a few very small kudos for having the cereal box in the kitchen!
Hard choice today when I had to choose one of RAYE's songs for my Birmingham Pride Special; I almost, almost, went with the Jax Jones collaboration titled "You Don't Know Me", but I decided on this song and music video instead, purely because this is her own song, and the sort of music she wants to sing, whereas a feature isn't necessarily her song and can be used just to get her name out there. I can definitely see her bringing this song passion and emotion on the Birmingham Pride 2017 stage. This song has some serious R&B vibes going on and it's definitely one that easily gets stuck in my head. Watch RAYE perform on an ice rink with her guys around her, bringing it throughout in this music video for "I, U, Us".
RAYE, real name Rachel Keen, is a British singer who has been able to get her name out there thanks to two awesome collaborations, one with Jonas Blue on the song "By Your Side" and the other with Jax Jones on "You Don't Know Me". She has yet to manage to chart with her solo songs, even though she has released four so far, and two EPs. This song is her latest, and I expect that she has many more releases planned, and one has got to be a hit - surely. This song was written by Fred Gibson, Rachel Keen, Charlotte Aitchison, and Jonnali Parmenius.
Directed by Charli XCX - yeah, I'm just as surprised by you are, seeing this name as director - the music video is set at an ice rink. It's a pure performance visual, with RAYE totally standing out, what with being the only female amongst the group.
There are some great profile visuals where she certainly brings some passion to the table with this song, Yet I feel like she has more to give, like there's just something missing.
It's nice to see her relax and spend time ice skating. And towards the end, a guy falls over, which is kind of funny. Clearly, they had a great time on set, it's just a shame Charli XCX stayed behind the camera the whole time. These two must be close friends for Charli XCX to direct the music video. There's not much substance to this, and I would've liked to have seen something more.
Continuing on my Birmingham Pride Special is Jonas Blue, although RAYE has also been confirmed for Birmingham Pride 2017. So I am kind of expecting to see them on stage together at some point, that's if I'm at the main tent when either of them are on. Jonas Blue would be an incredible DJ to see live, and I hope I get the chance to see him at Birmingham Pride 2017. This song hasn't faired so well on the charts compared to his previous singles, I just don't think it's as catchy as say "Perfect Strangers" or "Fast Car". Another music video that doesn't exactly relate to the song, which sees a woman dancing like no one's watching to this awesome club track by Jonas Blue featuring RAYE titled "By Your Side".
Jonas Blue, real name Guy Robin, has really made quite the name for himself with his awesome hits. He's definitely a DJ worth keeping an eye on, and I'm interested in what his Birmingham Pride 2017 set is going to be like, especially since he has released "Fast Car" in the past which was a reinvention of a classic song. I also love "Perfect Strangers", but this song just doesn't do it for me, and I hope he releases another awesome song soon. Featured on this track is RAYE, real name Rachel Keen; she's definitely a rising British star, with some amazing songwriting credits behind her. She followed this song up with another feature on Jax Jones' track "You Don't Know Me" which has charted much higher than this one. It's clear that RAYE is ready to make her mark in the music industry, so be prepared. This song was written by Guy James Robin, Grace Barker, Jason Pebworth, George Astasio, and Jon Shave.
Directed by Arni and Kinski, the music video doesn't relate to the song all that much, if at all. It just looks like we're watching the wrong visual.
I feel like they attempted a narrative at the start, but it didn't go according to plan. We watch a woman get up from beside, what looks like, a campfire. It looks like she's waited all night for a guy who hasn't turned up - there's the start of a potential narrative.
But then the rest of the music video loses any sign of the narrative as we watch her run on the road and dance freely while the editors impress with the background imagery. There's also a water scene that looks serene and freeing but doesn't relate to the song.
I just feel like this music video as a whole is out of place, with no thought gone into it regarding the song itself. Sometimes a good music video will ensure a song is a hit and vice versa. Maybe if the video was better this song would have charted much better globally.
