Marina Diamandis (Marina and the Diamonds) has released the music video for her third track 'Immortal', which is taken from her third upcoming studio album. The album, entitled FROOT, is set to be released on the April 6 next year (In the US and UK). 'Immortal' is the third track from the album to be released, with it's predecessors 'Happy' and title track 'Froot' garnering much attention online. 'Immortal' has the familiar solitary, slow-paced sound as 'Happy', and is the ending track on the album, which sounds more than fitting for the nature of the song - which talks about wanting to be immortal.
But 'Immortal' has that kind of brashness to it with it's lyrics, as Diamandis sings rather openly "everybody dies, everybody dies/ If I could buy forever at a price/ I would buy it twice, twice". Despite its slow pace, and the fact that the song takes a rather long time to build (compared to your average song), it does possess a catchy chorus even it is surrounded by a certain sense of solemness but also enlightenment. This is of course aided by Diamandis' vocals which sound rather angelic in tone and soar above the slow rhythmic beat. So far, the album is shaping up to be a rather emotional affair of mixed feelings (from the burst of sexuality in 'Froot' to the self-discovery and emotional journey in 'Happy' to this new life-reflecting 'Immortal').
Have a listen to (and watch) 'Immortal' below - what's your favourite track so far?
Another new Lana Del Rey track? Oh yes, also from the upcoming biopic Big Eyes, is the airy 'I Can Fly'. The song sees Del Rey's ethereal vocals be put to their limits in this dreamy ballad. It's all very reminiscent of the 'Born To Die' era, with sweeping vocals and core strings and piano instrumentals. So this is definitely one you want to check out if you were a fan of that particular Del Rey style.
Once again, 'I Can Fly' has key lyrics which reflect the nature of the film; "I had bright wishes in the summer, I was bathing in sunlight/ I was painting in the garden like a ghost in Mid-July/ Running fast from something with my eyes wide like/ Saucers spinning in the sun". Whilst the lyrics of the songs are filled with a certain poignant sadness, the acoustics are particularly heavenly, and reminds an eager listener just how well Del Rey can perform these kinds of ballads. Listen to the sickly sweet 'I Can Fly', below:
Big Eyes. Tim Burton. Lana Del Rey. Yes, the sultry songstress has lent her entrancing voice to another movie - Tim Burton's Big Eyes, starring Amy Adams. The title track by Del Rey is very much in-keeping with the feel and theme of the biopic, which revolves around Artist Margaret Keane and the fraud of her husband Walter, who allegedly passed off Keane's work as his own (although this is still heavily disputed). Nevertheless, 'Big Eyes' is a real number, a crooning ballad that features some killer string instruments. Del Rey certainly has that classic aura and gravitas, and these types of tracks always showcase her talent best. It's certainly one to listen to.
The track is set to be incorporated into the film at some point, with another of Del Rey's songs for the movie ('I Can Fly') being used for the ending credits. With memorable lyrics focusing on the main themes of the movie "With your big eyes, and your big lies/ Is it me was I wrong to have trusted you" the track is a haunting affair and Lana Del Rey does a chilling job of portraying the movie's key emotional aura. Listen to 'Big Eyes' below:
Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding have teamed up again on their newest track, 'Outside', after their collaboration on 2013's 'I Need Your Love'. The duo certainly produce great work together, and 'Outside' is your classic dance-pop track with a sort of house music flair. The build-up to the chorus helps to engage listeners in the song, and Goulding's vocals are impressive and unique. 'Outside' will undoubtedly be your new break-up anthem, and its electronic vibes really help set the mood, with Goulding and Harris proving that they make a dynamic pair.
You've got Harris' EDM and Goulding's wistful airy vocals that have that unique edge, and the result is a track that is easy to listen to and a killer to dance to. You know the tempo is going to build and the bass come in, and this is perhaps one of the most engaging things about the track, it sets you up with subtle synths and then really lets you have it when the chorus comes in - "I'll show you what it feels like/now I'm on the outside/ We did everything right/ Now I'm on the outside".
The video itself sees the pair in separate relationships and features some stop in time motion, with bikes hanging in the air and mirrors crashing everywhere. Goulding spends most of her time 'outside' (how fitting) and kneeling down in the street as she bursts out her lyrics about the deconstruction of relationships. It's a catchy song, and Goulding's vocals provide a suitable balance of instrumentals to actual lyrical content.
Watch (and listen to) 'Outside', here:
Taylor Swift is back and crazier than ever in her new music video for 'Blank Space', which makes fun of the media's portrayal of herself. For so long a relationship with Swift has been equated with a nightmare as, if you broke up with her - you could be pretty sure a song would be wrote about you. But, Taylor is taking things to a whole new level in this mocking video, which sees the singer act like a psychopath with a new lover.
There's phone breaking, car smashing, food poisoning and, of course - the classic shirt cutting. The whole video is one of the most genuinely funny in the way it takes on this portrayal and Swift really gets into her role on screen. It's just one of those things where you hear something and you think, "Oh no, she'll never do something like that, or reference this 'man-eater' image in her songs or videos", and then she goes and does it. 'Blank Space' is the quintessential mocking song, and its darker undertones really make for captivating viewing. We reviewed the song itself over in our 1989 album review, but the music video is so outlandish and extravagant and completely fitting to the track that it would be foolish not to comment on the affair.
The sets and costumes are top notch, and the whole persona that Swift is giving off is incredibly on point; starting off as a seemingly innocent girl residing at a large estate to a full-blown manipulator who reaches breaking point and takes it out on her lover.
As music videos go, this is certainly one of the more interesting ones and its refreshing to see a singer-songwriter that doesn't take themselves too seriously and can have a laugh at times when it's appropriate. Swift's really pushed the boat out on this one, and it's safe to say she won't be coming back to shore any time soon.
Check out the hilarious video for 'Blank Space', below:
