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A high brow look at pop music foolery.

Tag: Music Video

16 February 2012

Marcus Collins ‘Seven Nation Army’ Music Video

Nobody can step to me and say that Marcus Collins‘ funk pop swag doesn’t feel familiar in a pop climate heated by the likes of Olly Murs, Aloe Blacc and Cee Lo Green.

You guys know that I’ve always been proud of the UK X Factor stud but no tea, no shade – in no way do I feel like we’ve been served an acceptable debut single here. No, sir.

‘Seven Nation Army’ – as dignified as it is sounding for a White Stripes cover – really feels more like a buzz single than something I’m inclined to take seriously.

I’m just glad that the man’s album is not that far off because I am basically through with this single already. It probably took me two spins for ‘Seven Nation Army’ to grow on me and another one and a half spins to tire of it. We know he’s gotta have stronger shit coming.

So many X Factor stars have made a conscious move to launch quality original songs as their debut single that it kinda baffled me to see Marcus stepping out with something so quick-fix and underwhelming.

The horns-laden and more soulful reimagination feels right on point for the Liverpool stud so if there’s a silver lining to ‘Seven Nation Army’, I guess it’d be this sweet little assurance to his fans that Marcus is following up on the sound he made his name with on the X Factor.

Dirty hands, I demand.

The simple and stylish music video here effectively bonds Marcus‘ sweet boy-next-door image with an underlying sexiness my groins have never quivered for before.

It’s all in the way he moves and the bizarre female hands caressing his body from behind, which by the way, looked an awful lot like this panty-creaming Adam Levine photo shoot.

Watch Marcus Collins‘ debut music video ‘Seven Nation Army’:


 
Footnotes:

Marcus Collins will launch ‘Seven Nation Army’ in the UK on 4 March while the accompanying debut album will arrive there on 12 March.

The album contains mostly original material that Marcus had co-written, with three covers including one of Janelle Monae‘s splendid ‘Tightrope’.

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13 February 2012

Will Young ‘Losing Myself’ Music Video

Excuse me, you weren’t happen to be looking for the first truly amazing pop video of 2012, were you? Well, bitch, you’ve come to the right place.

Will Young is one of very few British male pop stars with a knack for consistently turning out top-shelf, classy and intelligent music videos.

‘Losing Myself’ – the third effort launched from his splendid Echoes era – is no different. Here the suave pop sire delivers a stunning representation of isolation and being lost in one’s thoughts.

Needless to say, it completely complements the song’s stark lyrical content, but what’s commendable is the level of production and choreography involved here. You know so many basic bitches would’ve settled for a video of them rolling about in bed for four minutes.

Slick, cool and precise.

I am detecting an element of Gattaca up in here. There’s a touch of classic gentlemen’s attire and grooming/daily practices – from shaving to getting suited up (using a shoehorn) and making coffee – but it is all rendered against a cool, modern living space.

I love the deliberate use of cool colours in Will’s attire from the greys and dull blue in his sleepwear to the charcoal two-piece suit and almost metallic blue tie. Even the home itself is deliberately angular, cold and very polished to match the character’s icy state of mind.

“Keep walking to my own beat.”

There’s a splendid moment halfway through the video where you see the four characters pause and mimic Will’s actions like the old school Windows mouse trail effect you set via Control Panel.

The dramatic sequence that followed with Will pacing and flailing about the darkened room, only to have his actions mirrored by one of the dancers is also pretty solid gold.

It would’ve been too easy to fork out an extra grand to get special effects that create “multiple Wills” but it’s just that bit more special to see the concept achieved with well practiced choreography.

Watch the flawless video for ‘Losing Myself’:


 
Footnotes:

Will Young will release ‘Losing Myself’ in the UK on 18 March.

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12 February 2012

Gloria Estefan ‘Hotel Nacional’ Music Video

Our favourite Latin pop glam ma Gloria Estefan is out to make a killing tonight.

‘Hotel Nacional’ is the second single lifted from the 90s pop diva’s newest album Miss Little Havana, which enjoyed some very modest success in the States when it was launched last year. Where her last single ‘Wepa’ felt more like an unapologetic Latin dance record, ‘Hotel Nacional’ is more of a continental affair blending heavy synths that recall the best of modern Europop and some 1920s swing music.

The music video itself is a reflection of the song’s hybrid soundscape, bearing a camp affair of lights, drama and shitloads of killer dance moves, courtesy of the massive cast.

Gloria herself is not looking a day over 50 as she oversees the whole procession from the stage. You can’t fault mama for trying with those lethal hooker stilettos and arresting leather jacket and skirt. The outfit actually looks like something Michelle Obama would wear to a fetish party, no shade.

This is Gloria’s hotel. You’re just in it.

I am so pleased to see Countess Gloria making an entrance like that. Did you see the way she flipped that coat and started strutting with the fervour of a supermodel going after the last free Victoria Secret sample?

Speaking of supermodels, I love how Gloria had her own drag queen competition to find the finest female impersonator to star in the video. You can spot the stunning competition winner, Puerto Rico’s own April Carrion here rocking a long ponytail, writhing on the bar and playing in front of the mirror. Werk! Look at Mama Gloria breaking drag talent all over the world.

While we’re on the subject of the cast, you might spot a certain former soap star Susan Lucci also making an appearance. Hell, if Gloria namechecked me in her song, you can bet your ass I’d be begging to be in the video.

You rock a hair hat, I rock a chandelier on my head. I win.

Well I’m certainly not here to play games with you about who’s rocking the wilder hat. Gaga evidently has nothing on Gloria‘s inspired decision to stand under a chandelier and pose wildly like it was a unique creation from Donatella‘s own jeweller.

It’s time for hoochie coochie.

I have to admit, the video looked like a fun but borderline tacky spectacle right up to this point. The dance breakdown complete with strobes and an extended instrumental bridge absolutely upgraded the experience. Right now, it’s all about the display at the 3:27 mark.

Watch the video for Gloria Estefan‘s ‘Hotel Nacional’:


 
Footnotes:

Gloria Estefan‘s ‘Hotel Nacional’ managed to make #1 on the US Billboard Dance/Club play chart a few weeks ago.

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4 February 2012

Kelly Rowland ‘Keep It Between Us’ Music Video

I know a lot of y’all would get up and excuse yourself to the bathroom like it was interval whenever a Kelendria ballad comes on but this, no, this is worth staying seated for.

‘Keep It Between Us’ is the fourth official single from Kelly‘s solid Here I Am album [Editor's note: Actually, seventh, if you include the ones she launched pre-'Motivation'].

It’s the first single Kelendria Trene has launched in recent history that isn’t tastefully referencing some kind of sexual activity or position. This is also the first tender, romantic ballad the girl has serviced to radios since ‘Train On A Track’ some eight years ago – so in many ways, ‘Keep It Between Us’ is a mild shock to the system.

The Christopher Umana-produced slow jam is simply gorgeous, intimate and effortless, with Kelly serenading her boo with some choice lines like “just a plain old girl, I don’t need nothing. They say ‘you got it all’, but they don’t know that all is you…”

L’amour, l’amour.

It’s totally fitting to see Kelendria shoot the ‘Keep It Between Us’ video in Paris – a city that’s universally recognised for its romantic atmosphere and beauty. I really wished there were more shots of the couple spending time together around town – like the scenes of them at the cafe, walking down the street and such.

This serves my own curiosity because I’m actually going to visit Paris for the first time this June, so bitch, I was counting on you to set the tone and pitch me some romantic ideals.

Watch Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Keep It Between Us’ music video, starring American actor Lance Gross who had previously appeared in other Destiny’s Child-adjacent music videos for LeToya Luckett and Solange.


 
Footnotes:

Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Keep It Between Us’ is coming correct for the Valentine’s Day season. Meanwhile over in the UK, her R&B single ‘Lay It On Me’ is climbing up the charts.

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26 January 2012

Paulini ‘Fireman’ Music Video

Gurl, I di’nt know you could get down like that. Hillsong, how your angels get down like that?

Ring the alarm! One of our beloved Young Divas is back in the game and this time she’s unapologetically scorching up the speakers and screens. Let me present now, the redefinition of Paulini Curuenavuli.

This new dance-inflected single – ‘Fireman’ – finally sees Paulini stepping out and delivering some much needed ferocity. I don’t know about y’guys but when I hit play and clocked her stepping out in that curve-embracing vinyl dress, my jaws just dropped and I thought, “dayum, woman! You finally reached into the back of that closet and pulled out your freakum dress.”

Everything about the ‘Fireman’ era, from the more commercial pop direction and sexier visual presentation, is shaping up to be a bold step forward for the terribly underrated Aussie singer.

“Baby, I’m calling for you!”

Paulini‘s loyal gay fan base has been hungry for years, desperate for the girl to render them stellar vocals to some club-ready cuts. I know we all wished she had launched her comeback last year with Wildboyz‘s ‘Touching A Stranger’ - a stunning vocal house track Paulini co-wrote and sang on that was released as a single without any “feature” credit to her – but ‘Fireman’ is pretty acceptable too.

I kind of approach this song in the guilty manner I take Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Down For Whatever’. It’s predictable dance/pop beats with a bit of sass and heat we’ve all heard before – but it’s just so wildly engaging, you can’t help but want to drop your bag of groceries and strut to it?

‘Fireman’ brings on some devastating Eurodance beats, a vocal performance that gives moments in every section, and a positively jumping hook – and that, kings and queens, is all you need to consider.

“There’s so much body going on.”

I don’t even know why y’all bothered reading all of the above when you’re really here to watch our girl get wet and grind with her entourage of topless, hunky firemen.

This is the first video where I feel like Paulini‘s actually making an effort to step out of her comfort zone and break free from the sweet, maxi dress-wearing image she’s left us with since the Superwoman era. She’s not only serving more skin, but there’s also a proper attempt at choreography and some video vixenry in front of the wind machine.

Just like it was with her former bandmate Ricki-Lee‘s ‘Raining Diamonds’ extravaganza, ‘Fireman’ brings us a promise of a more energetic, more visually stimulating new era in Paulini‘s music and performance style.

Watch the video for Paulini‘s sizzling new single ‘Fireman’:


 
Footnotes:

Paulini will release ‘Fireman’ on 10 February and her long-awaited third solo album is expected to drop mid-2012. Stay tuned.

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20 January 2012

Emeli Sandé ‘Next To Me’ Music Video

If this is the kinda quality you’re working with for your third single then, gurl, go right ahead and help yourself to that trophy.

Emeli Sandé has every reason to act like she’s dat bitch. The Scottish soul/R&B songwriter is off to a rather promising start with her solo career. Yes, she’s foremost known for featuring on Roll Deep‘s ‘Never Be Your Woman’ and Professor Green‘s ‘Read All About It’, the UK #1 hit that’s currently rising up the Australian ARIA Top 100 – but unlike most rent-a-vocalists, Ms Sandé‘s own material is solid enough to build a bankable career on.

‘Next To Me’ is possibly her most accessible release to date and given how close we are to the album drop date, putting out the more straightforward radio-ready track now might not be such a bad idea. Even though Sandé‘s last two singles – ‘Heaven’ and ‘Daddy’ – were great staples of modern soul, they’re nowhere near catchy or straightforward enough to be proper radio hits.

I’m not advocating for folks to dumb down their music – especially not when they’re as effective a songwriter as Emeli Sandé. All I’m saying is that, ‘Next To Me’ has the potential to reach further and appeal to a wider range of listeners than her more introspective first two singles.

‘Next To Me’ hears the Scottish chanteuse sing of a good man who’s faithful and who’s always there to support her. You know, it’s uplifting and inviting enough as it is without considering the lovely, driving soul music. Production wise, ‘Next To Me’ is a capable contemporary mix of Motown, urban and even a touch of gospel.

Enough about that. What about the video?

Ms Emeli is thankfully not testing our gag reflexes with saccharine depictions of a lovely couple enjoying a cosy night in on the couch.

‘Next To Me’ is a drastically low-key compared to her first two videos which were all flavoured with a bit of drama, grit and street realness. The completely in-studio production featuring a scene in a warehouse with two spotlights over a drummer and Emeli on piano really drives home the song’s simple message of companionship.

Colouration becomes a big deal in this video because there’s really nothing much on set to distract you. You’ll notice the contrasting switch from warm, earthy tones in Emeli‘s wardrobe in the scene with her male drummer to the glossy, V Magazine-ready bright colours of her solo shot. That to me symbolises the grounded, natural and homely state she’s in whenever she’s “next to” her man – a world that’s just the two of them and the beautiful music they’re making – as opposed to the glamorous editorialised version of Emeli Sandé, the chart-tearing pop singer.

Watch the music video for ‘Next To Me’:

 

Footnotes:

Emeli Sandé will release ‘Next To Me’ in the UK on 13 February, the same day her album arrives.

At this stage, there’s been no word on whether Aussies will get the single. But hey, Emeli‘s debut album Our Version of Events is confirmed to drop Down Under on 10 February.

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14 January 2012

One Direction ‘One Thing’ Music Video

Cancel all my appointments for the day, I’m joining millions of girls around the globe in a religious screen capping and gif making experience to celebrate the arrival of One Direction‘s amazing new video.

The British wonder boy band is set to become one of the world’s biggest pop groups by the end of the year, having already cracked the Australian and New Zealand market without even really trying. One Direction fever is going viral and I simply can’t wait to see them take over the American market. Lock up your daughters.

The boys’ debut album Up All Night was the fastest-selling debut album on the UK charts last year and their infectious first single ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ gave a decent indication of the kind of boyish fun and immediate pop melodies we can expect. ’One Thing’ takes us back to that point with summery guitar-riffs and punchy hooks, complete with a video that’s completely on message.

They’re serving modern cool Britannica, irresistible boy-ish charms and the perfect “one day with One Direction itinerary” any fan could dream of. Sans the romantic dinner bit, of course. That’s private, between me and Harry Styles.

Check out a few highlights of One Direction‘s fantastic new video:

Read the rest of this entry »

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