A couple of days ago, Swedish house DJ Avicii released the lyric video for his second single off his upcoming debut studio album True. The second single, entitled 'You Make Me' follows the massively successful 'Wake Me Up' and features vocals from the Swedish singer Salem Al Fakir. Accompanying the new track is the lyric video, which thankfully doesn't feature some poorly constructed text whizzing across the screen, like some lyric videos have. No, instead the video features a 'miniature city', which is far more exciting.
The track itself is upbeat and is the sort of song you might play on your car's radio whilst driving along in the sunshine. It's a fresh sound, it's uplifting and the vocals possess an interesting tone. It's certainly a suitable follow-up for 'Wake Me Up' and if the rest of the tracks off the album are up to this level of quality then I'd imagine it would be very successful indeed. If you fancy checking out the lyric video, then watch below:
As previously stated, the lyric video showcases several 'miniature settings' (farms, city centres, rural areas) at various different speeds and paces (fast-forward) and also includes several images of scenery. These comprise of mirrored waves, sun rising from clouds, and time-lapse to portray the change to night-time. It's beautiful at the very least, and adds to the bright, upbeat feel of the track.
The various images contribute to the relaxing feel of the song and the video has a certain novelty to it to see everything move around at a fast pace at angle (tilt-shift) which makes it look like a toy-city; it puts things into a different perspective. It's highly likely that this song will prove to be another hit for Avicii, whose work is very much a hot topic at the moment. If all of this has persuaded you to listen to the track and watch the music video then let us know what you think. Do you think this new addition has the potential to be as successful as 'Wake Me Up'? Track and lyric video reviewed by Mel.
Another new promo for popular fantasy-drama series Once Upon A Time entitled 'Find Neverland' has been released, and the upcoming third season is set to follow in the dramatic footsteps of it's former seasons. The new promo is available below, and sees the gang from Storybrooke uniting for a common goal - to save Henry (Jared S. Gilmore) from Greg (Ethan Embry) and Tamara, (Sonequa Martin-Green) and soon to be new villain, 'Peter Pan' (Robbie Kay).
The 'gang' comprising of old time series regulars for team 'good': The brave and determined Snow White/Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin), Snow White and Prince Charming's strong and plucky daughter Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) and Prince Charming himself, (Josh Dallas). Teaming up with team 'good' it's team 'not-so-good' which comprises of the formidable Regina Mills/The Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla) and the mischievous and calculating Mr.Gold/Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle). Joining the old gang about the ship bound for Neverland also is Captain Killian 'Hook' Jones (Colin O'Donoghue), who has a long-term rivalry with the aforementioned Mr.Gold.
Also featuring as part of the regular cast this series are Rumplestiltskin's lover, Belle, (Emelie de Ravin) who is set to remain in Storybrooke and long-lost-then-reunited-and-then-lost-again son of Rumplestiltskin, Baelfire/Neal Cassidy (who is also the father of Henry) portrayed by Michael Raymond-James. Just about got it? Well in this season you can expect to see appearances from new characters such as Ariel, Prince Eric and Tinkerbell. Sounds like this is going to be quite a cruise. So what kind of antics will the gang get up to this season? Do you think Regina and Emma can finally work together to save Henry? Will Rumple and Hook be able to put killing each other on hold throughout the whole lengthy boat ride there?
I'm very interested to see how everything will get along when they're all forced onto a boat within close proximity to one another, considering how well they've fared together before. It'll certainly be an entertaining watch. If you're excited to see this new season, it premieres on ABC on the 29th September 2013. Set your clocks folks, it's going to be one long sail. Trailer and television news reviewed by Mel.
A recent chart hit, the Cedric Gervais remix of Lana Del Rey's 'Summertime Sadness' proves that sometimes, remixes can fare better than the original. The track features a much more upbeat and dance-esque tone to it, which adds to the initial alluring nature of the song. The remix is rather infectious and catchy, featuring vocals from Lana Del Rey and the formidable Cedric Gervais overplaying a remixed beat and sound. Del Rey's voice is as sultry as ever and she hangs on almost every word, giving the track a drawn out and almost lazy edge to it.
The change in the tone and beat transforms what could be a rather depressive track (more in-keeping with the original) into an easy to dance to, whimsical piece which enables the song to have much more wide-spread appeal, ascending Del Rey into the Billboard Hot 100's and gaining her critical and financial success with relatively little effort. The track and it's video retain it's sombre feel but the whole track comes across as slightly nostalgic and reminiscent of the way we all feel in a way.
Whilst the lyrics are fairly simplistic at times, the accompanying beat and Del Rey's voice add that special something to a track that could have been overlooked if produced by any other singer. The video that accompanies the remixed version of the song is unsurprisingly, a remixed version of the original, and can be seen below:
We're aware that this track has had an elongated stay amongst the charts, so it seems only fitting considering it's proven staying-power that we review it amongst the latest music. I think I might slightly prefer this remixed version opposed to the original, and the whole feel of the video certainly has that 'Instagram effect' with a fusion of filters and colours, complete with imagery of sky lines, awkward angles and 3-cross section panelled imagery. This has become a personal favourite of mine and it's fresh but almost forlorn feel really offers something different to music audiences. If this sounds like something you'd enjoy or you just fancy checking out the remixed video, then watch above now. If however, you'd prefer to watch the original version (of the song and music video) then watch below:
With the release date of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire eagerly approaching (22nd November for anyone who is out of the loop), a colourful new promotional banner has appeared. So, for anyone who hasn't read the books, which one do you think is going to die the most vicious death? Who will be the first to bite the bullet (or arrow)? Which ones are standing out for you the most? This sequel to the popular The Hunger Games follows the anarchic consequences of Katniss and Peeta winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, and sees the two aforementioned characters being thrown back into the ring again, as the contestants for the 75th Annual Hungers Games (Quarter Quell) are reaped from the existing pool of winners. Yikes. Things are heating up and god only knows what's in store for Katniss and poor old Peeta in this next film adaptation of Suzanne Collins novel of the same name. Below we can see feisty Katniss and attempting-to-look-strong Peeta in more promotional images.
Katniss in her silver and black wet-suit looking all tough and determined, meanwhile I can't help but feel Peeta isn't so well-adjusted.
So, what do you think of this sequel? Are you a fan of The Hunger Games or has this one failed to grab your interest? We think it's being set up to be quite dramatic and action-packed. Movie posters and promos reviewed by Mel.
In for this week's addition of the Latest K-Pop videos, we have former member of the girl group 'Wonder Girls', Sunmi, with her individual debut single '24 Hours' which shows off a more mature and sensual side to the Korean Pop singer. The track itself is sultry and features beautifully soft vocals from Sunmi and the essence of the track and the music video is sexy and sophisticated. The video matches the song superbly (which some videos by recent solo artists fail to do) and features expert choreography from Park Jin Young. The video is particularly interesting, and follows Sunmi exploring her female sexuality and incorporates an alluring violin instrumental when Sunmi is dancing in a white bodysuit which then turns black. For a more in depth video analysis, and to watch the music video for the track, see below.
The video features a recurring theme around a clock and time, (hence the 24 hours) whilst Sunmi sits on a bed at the beginning of the video, which then switches to her sitting on the floor of a red room, complete with chandeliers, red drapes and backing dancers dressed in black. Sporting a black and white bodysuit, Sunmi moves rather elegantly and sensually around the room.
The video then switches to Sunmi wandering around in the rain in a white over-sized top, while simultaneously performing highly choreographed dance moves in the previous red space. She's certainly got the whole focused facial look down to an art in the video, and I like the switches between settings that change up the pace of the piece and make it entertaining to watch. It helps capture the feel of the video and really encourages you to get in the mood of the video; Sunmi has a couple of intimate moments with her 'partner' for the video as they glide and writhe between rooms.
As previously stated, the break in the track with the violin instrumentals is a nice change to the pace of the song and the video, and features an array of sensual dance from Sunmi and her 'partner' as they glide and float across the spot-lit dance floor. Sunmi then has a raven-esque transformation, turning her previous white bodysuit into a striking black ensemble.
It's certainly a sight to behold and the understated simplicity and elegance of the video really aligns well with the song and proves a suitable debut track for Sunmi which will surely please her fans from her 'Wonder Girls' days and possibly gain her a few new ones as well. Track and music video reviewed by Mel.
