Justin Beiber -- Fa La La ft. Boyz2Men

Got the fever?

Justin Beiber finds himself at the TOP favorited spot once again among Youtube’s music videos from this week.

(Excerpt from previous blog)

“Justin Bieber—Youtube sensation—was discovered in 2008 and has since become the latest teen heartthrob. The pop/R&B singer released his debut album in 2009 and has since won acclaim nearly everywhere—including the box office for the 3D movie Never Say Never, which follows the singer on tour. His music video for the single "Baby" is currently ranked as the most viewed and most discussed YouTube video of all time.”  

The single is very chill, very soulful, and feels like sippin’-on-some-cider-and-watchin’-the-fake-fireplace-on-my-flatscreen type of music. Just in time for the holidays.

The video is shot in black and white. Beiber croons to his ladylove in a puddle of spotlight and cheery light bulbs float in and out of screen throughout the vid. It’s about half way through when you realize that Young Justin is hanging out in a… ballet…studio? Yeah, not sure why that is. Three large black men enter the picture (bet you didn’t see that one coming, either) and start bluesin’ this single out with some honey-like vocal performances. Boyz2Men leap off the screen in this one, while poor Bieber sputters to a halt with some jerky dance moves and pained, “I’m-SO-sincere” expressions. Sorry, girls, even a case of Beiber Fever can’t excuse those strange, intense stares Little B throws at the camera. For all their cool-ness, however, there is one confusing moment when one of the Boyz pulls a Carlton right out of absolutely nowhere. (Flash back to the Fresh Prince o’ Bel Air days!)

Overall, the singles very Christmas-y, has some nice back up vocals from the Boyz, but unfortunately the videos not that great unless you’re looking for a laugh.

LINKS:

Want to read more? Check out other blogs about this video:

MTV Blog: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1674939/justin-bieber-boyz-ii-men-fa-la-la-video.jhtml

ClevverTV Blog: http://www.clevvertv.com/justin-bieber/29524/justin-biebers-fa-la-la-music-video-with-boyz-ii-men.html

Selena Gomez & The Scene - Hit the Lights

 HIT THE LIGHTS! (Yep...You'll be hearing that alot in this one.)

Selena Gomez is the 19-year-old, Disney-star-turned-singer from the Emmy Award winning show, Wizards of Waverly Place. She has since expanded into movie roles, such as her part in Ramona and Beezus and Another Cinderella Story, and started a pop band called Selena Gomez & the Scene. Her new single, "Hit the Lights", is this weeks TOP favorited music video on Youtube.

The music video opens with a close up of the singer’s face, a few shots of people on a road trip, and the outdoors. Suddenly, Selena and a gang of dancers are running and playing around a farm for fun… Bunch o’ hooligans. The music picks up and there are people doing aerials out of cornfields and handstands on giant pumpkins. Strange? Yeah. The video then jumps to a club scene, where Gomez is dancing and rockin’ out to the chorus. More dancing, a lot of flashing lights, and suddenly you have the singer in a room with a heck of a lot of pink balloons and wearing hipster sunglasses. This sort or strange combo of quirky behavior and odd settings continue throughout the video. Frankly, it seems like someone cut and paste several different music videos together with the exceptions that Gomez is continuously posturing and lip-syncing to the song throughout the whole thing and there’s constant, shaky camerawork.

Strange. Random. And Quirky. Check. If you're a fan of all three, you've come to the right place.

LINKS:

BEHIND THE SCENES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6efw7hPb_Dc

Check out other blog’s about this music video –

MTV blog: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1674598/selena-gomez-hit-the-lights-video.jhtml

ZAP2it: http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/11/selena-gomez-hit-the-lights-music-video-watch-here.html

Katy Perry - "The One That Got Away"

Katy Perry. If you haven’t heard her name by now, it’s time to invest in a T.V., computer, Internet, or radio and come out from beneath that rock you’re hiding under. Pop icon and singer/songwriter, Perry has won numerous awards since entering onto the scene with the single “I Kissed a Girl” in 2008. From then on, the woman has dominated a portion of the world's T.V. and radio. The single “The One That Got Away” is the sixth single off of her latest CD and this weeks TOP favorited music video on Youtube.

The song is just what you’d expect from the singer: shallow pop/rock, heavy dance beat, and extremely (almost obnoxiously) catchy.

The music video, however, is less Katy Perry-esk. The pop star-- through the use of movie magic-- is transformed into an elderly woman, rich, married and settled down. Throughout the video, she wonders around her expensive estates, and experiences a number of flashbacks of her youth.

POOF!

In enters the Perry we know and love (or love to hate). Young Katy is in the early, romantic days of love, swept off her feet by an aspiring artist. The two have a cute-fest of memories together – painting, dancing, crashing senior-center parties—and meanwhile Perry twangs out the chorus again and again. In another life, I would make you stay. So I don't have to say you were the one that got away. The one that got away…

You know this ain’t gonna end well, folks.

                       

Overall, the storyline is a bit predictable if not Perry-type material-- but no doubt the flocks of die-hard, almost-foaming-at-the-mouth Katy fans will be satisfied with the results anyway.

LINKS:

Check out other blogs about this video:

(WARNING! Both contain video spoilers)

MTV Blog: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1674246/katy-perry-one-that-got-away-video.jhtml

Daily Mail Blog: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2060557/Katy-Perry-debuts-One-That-Got-Away-video-Singer-transforms-old-woman.html

Kina Grannis - "In Your Arms"

Kina Grannis (this weeks artist of the TOP favorited music vid. See above.) is a singer/songwriter who recently found fame through the Youtube spotlight. She won the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Contest in 2007 after posting a video of herself singing her song “Message from Your Heart.” As a result of winning, she earned a recording contract with Interscope Records and her video was played during the Superbowl game. Her  videos have received over 77 million views and she’s propelled to become one of the top recognized faces on Youtube. Her record Stairwells was released in 2009, and the single “In Your Arms” was one of the previously unreleased tracks.

The song has the cute factor along with a catchy chorus. Trust me, you’ll find yourself humming it soon enough.

The video? Well, are you a fan of sweetness and overall adorability? Grannis’ whimsical stop motion video delivers on both accounts, along with adding a bit of quirky flavor. Literally. Kina warbles to a stationary camera as the scenery behind her morphs, changes, and reads a lot like a storybook. The pebble-looking objects that make up the background are actually thousands upon thousands of jelly beans. That’s right, folks. JELLY BEANS! On her Youtube channel, Grannis posted this about the vid:

22 months
1,357 hours
30 people
2 ladders
1 still camera
288,000 jelly beans

If you’d like to see how the video was made, check out the link below.

LINKS:

Want to see the making of? Follow the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIH4MJAC2Tg&feature=youtu.be

Taio Cruz -- "Hangover" ft. Flo Rida

The TOP spot this week is claimed by Taio Cruz’s “Hangover" ft. Flo Rida!

As so elequently put by Wikipedia, “Taio Cruz is a British singer-songwriter, record producer, occasional rapper, and entrepreneur” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taio_Cruz). He’s also the man who brought you Break Your Heart and the smash hit Dynamite (“…I wanna celebrate and live my life, sayin’ ayy-oo, baby, let’s go. ‘Cause we gon’ rock this club, we gon’ go all night, we gon’ light it up like it’s dy-no-mite”—remember him now?) Cruz’s latest album, TY.O, was released in early October, the lead U.S. single off of which is “Hangover.”

The single is catchy, clappy, and has a heavy beat. The song opens with the lead verse: “I got a hangover, whoa-ooo, I been drinking too much fo’ sho.” Yeah, that pretty much tells you the direction the rest of the song goes in. Glorifying throw-up isn’t your typical lyric choice—but Cruz pulls it of in a club-worthy chorus.  

This video’s the typical rich boy gone wild(ly drunk) story. Cruz wakes up near a panda mascot suit, shuffles around the remnants of his apartment, and finds a few scantily clad women and a strange, mustached Asian man lying around. In-between discoveries he has a series of flashbacks to the bash the night before, shown in Hitchcock-esk style. Hangover fans will rejoice. A number of the singer’s inebriated antics are shown, including driving a boat down a city street and breaking into airport tarmac. Flo Rida comes in and slams a few rhymes in our face while surrounded by a gaggle of woman. Same old, same old. The music video ends with an awkward attempt at a comedy shtick between Asian Man and Cruz.

LINKS:

Want to read more about this video? Check out these blogs/articles below—

Idolator article: http://idolator.com/6055042/taio-cruz-hangover-video

MTV NEWS:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673395/taio-cruz-hangover.jhtml

Justin Beiber - "Mistletoe"

This weeks number one spot on the music video’s of Youtube was none other than “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber.

Justin Bieber—Youtube sensation—was discovered in 2008 and has since become the latest teen heartthrob. The pop/R&B singer released his debut album in 2009 and has since won acclaim nearly everywhere—including the box office for the 3D movie Never Say Never, which follows the singer on tour. His music video for the single "Baby" is currently ranked as the most viewed and most discussed YouTube video of all time.

The song is a mellow blend of pop and R&B with snappy (literally) beats, and (if you’re not already) is guaranteed to get you thinking about Christmas.

The video is a mini-drama, complete with the romantic undertones and unacknowledged true love. As snow drifts from the heavens, Bieber croons to the camera about being “under the mistletoe.” He and a girl float around town, sampling coffee shops, looking at vendors, and spending time at a Christmas party or two. The cheesy set up isn’t exactly original, but it’s pop music we’re talking about, here.

In between shots of the pair, Biebs stands in the middle of a deserted city street, singing and throwing in a dance move or dramatic gesture every now and then. The video closes with the couple kissing “under the mistletoe.”

Surprise.

LINK:
check out the MTV News blog about this video--

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672827/justin-bieber-under-the-mistletoe.jhtml

David Guetta - "Without You" ft. Usher

Snagging the TOP favorited spot on Youtube this week is "Without You" by Guetta, featuring Usher.

At age 17, Guetta began his career as a DJ in nightclubs throughout Europe. In the 80’s and 90’s, his DJing career took off, and he co-founded the studio Gum Pruductions. Since then, he has released five studio albums, sold over 3 million albums and 15 million singles, and won numerous awards, including Best International DJ, Best Producer, and Album of the Year. He is currently one of the most sought-after producers worldwide. “Without You” is the third single off of his latest albut, Nothing But the Beat, which was released earlier this year.

The track, featuring R&B singer Usher, is half dance-worthy techno, half crooning ballad. Guetto himself recently described the single to MTV News as “totally emotional.” He also suggested it was the "biggest record" on Nothing But the Beat.

"It's just totally emotional," he said. "Some of the record is a proper ballad, and then it goes to that crazy dance beat…”

The video itself is one, worldwide dance party. Literally. The DJ hosts a bash in continents around the world. Halfway through, the countries start to shift. Forget about plate tectonics and all that jazz, Guetta moves all seven continents with song. In the end you have a giant dance party on the beach, a happy-looking DJ, and Pangea. Oh, and let’s not forget about Ush. The singer is green-screened into the shots, dramatic posturing and all. Overall the video is fun, if not as good as the song itself.

LINKS:
see other blogs about this video--

MTV NEWS: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1670301/usher-david-guetta-without-you.jhtml

Idolator:
http://idolator.com/6044611/david-guetta-usher-without-you-video

Cher Lloyd - "With Ur Love"

Cher Lloyd has the TOP favorited music video on Youtube this week with her new video “With Ur Love” featuring Mike Posner.

The British 18 year old claimed fame after her run in the in reality TV series The X Factor. After coming in fourth, the singer/rapper signed with Syco Music and started work on her debut album. Lloyd confirmed via twitter that this yet-to-be-released record, Sticks + Stones, will be available starting November 7^th. “With Ur Love” is the second single off of the album.

The song is a mix of synths and a heavy beats. Caked with Lloyd’s sugary vocals, it’s a feel-good track that you’ll probably find yourself bobbing your head to. It’s a shame, then, that the video reads a bit like a bad Payless commercial.

The video opens with an iPod playing the opening “da da da da dum dum da dum dum” of Lloyd’s track.

And so the little jamboree begins. 

Lloyd  and two of her girlfriends strut around town, sassily lip-syncing to the lyrics. Balloons suddenly invade and float around the city. Flocks of people are drawn by the site and hover behind Lloyd as she stomps down the block. Giant heart and circle-shaped blimps float between buildings and careen around town. The parade of people seem to have raided a balloon store, because suddenly they come shooting out of buildings carrying a bunch of colorful balloons and skip cheerily after the singer.

Most of Lloyd’s solo shots consist of sultry stares, closed-mouthed smiles, head-bobbing, and batting her false eyelashes at the camera. Posner cuts in with his rap solo and then Lloyd is off on the chorus again. The video ends with her and her back up singers collapsing in girly giggles as the song comes to a close.

Adele -- "Someone Like You"

Adele, the singer/songwriter from across the pond, debuted her first album, 19, in 2008. Since then, she has released a second album, 21, and won the awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in the 2009 Grammy Awards along with topping charts virtually everywhere. “Someone Like You” is the second single off of her latest album and is a musical, bittersweet treat.

A simple melody of a piano backs up Miss Adele, wringing our hearts of every ounce of pity. Adele bares her songwriting soul in a way that guarantees at least a sniffle from audience members if not a full-out cry fest. (Warning: GRAB THE TISSUES NOW!) Thoughtful and solemn, she stares calmly into the camera as she drifts around an abandoned Paris. Simple, black and white camerawork with a home video quality give this music video a vintage-tinged feel. The majority of it is captured in a single shot as Adele serenely strolls down a path while she recounts a story of love, loss, and heartbreak. Not exactly cheery stuff, but hey, life’s tough. The video closes with Adele looking in the mirror and watching the reflection of the man who got away.

Fans seem like they can’t get enough pain and heartache, anyways, as the video has climbed steadily up the music charts and the video has claimed the TOP favorited spot on Youtube this week.

LINKS:

Read similar blogs and reviews about this video! –-

MTV review: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1671762/adeles-someone-like-video-queen-pain.jhtml

CELEBUZZ article: http://www.celebuzz.com/2011-09-29/adele-amazes-for-someone-like-you-video/

Idolator Blog: http://idolator.com/6029891/adeles-someone-like-you-video

Joe Jonas - "Just In Love"

This weeks TOP favorited spot on Youtube was claimed by former brother boy band member Joe Jonas and the music video for his new single “Just in Love.”

Joseph Adam "Joe" Jonas announced that he would be releasing a solo album, Fast Life, in May of 2010. However, you may recognize Joe as the fellow brother and front man for the band The Jonas Brothers. The 22 year old launched his carrier sharing the stage with Kevin and Nick in 2006, but has recently found a foothold in the door to fame on his own.

The song “Just in Love” is the second single off of the new album. The initial tune kicks the video off nicely, but from there, it’s like a descent back down to the Dark Ages of 90’s Boy Bands (complete with an electro beat, synths, and whiney vocals). Jonas explained his attempted strategy to Details magazine, saying, "Those fans that say have moved on, gotten a little bit older and were introduced to new artists, I feel like I want to be able to catch their ears again." However, this song appears to be more of a throwback than an ear-catching single.

The music video itself starts out with a French woman’s voice following Joe down a dark street. “We talk love, and they say it sounds crazy. I don’t understand. Why do you want to change it? Do you hear what I say?” (A snippet of material from the song itself). Events jump backward and we’re shown a retro-style, home video of Joe and a French woman’s tryst throughout Paris. The pair travel the city—sampling coffee shops, slow dancing in clubs, boating down the river, and touring the city hand-in-hand—all while Jonas croons the chorus “Girl, I’m just in love with you…”

Filling the gaps between scenes is a soulful Joe singing along on a balcony (smoldering stares, pained expressions, and all). After what appears to be a number of weeks together, the two part ways. Joe leaves the woman’s apartment with his suitcases in hand and walks down the dark street we saw in the opening. And so ends another budding romance.

LINKS:

Check out other articles and blogs about the video--

MTV News: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1670612/joe-jonas-just-in-love-music-video.jhtml

AOL Music Blog: http://blog.music.aol.com/2011/09/13/joe-jonas-just-in-love-video/

Jennifer Lopez -- Papi

Jennifer Lopez debuted her singing career in 1999 with her first studio album, On the 6. Since, J-Lo has had an immensely successful career as a singer, actress, record producer, dancer, television personality, fashion designer, and television producer. After a brief hiatus, she recently revived her singing career with the track "On the Floor" featuring Pitbull, which achieved worldwide success and peaked as No. 3 on the music charts.

 

The single “Papi” is the third cut from the star's seventh studio album Love? and is the highlight of the record. The track combines the flavor of electro music with a bit of Latin spice, topped with what Rick Florino from Artistdirect.com called a "majestic hook." The heavy drum beat and synthed vocals make for a club-ready song. 

  

The video starts with Jenny pining over her absent man while at the mail counter. The attendant offers her a magical love cookie meant to bring her “love back,” and the next day Lopez starts a man frenzy. As she struts unsuspectingly down the city streets, men go cuckoo-bananas over the singer-- tossing themselves out of windows, scaling down walls, diving off of buldings, and literally throwing themeselves at Jennifer in attempts to win her affection.  Soon J-Lo is trailing a flock of vying suitors who have become obsessed. It isn’t until a fellow has launched himself at Jennifer’s car that she realizes the mob of love-struck males in her rearview mirror. A failed get-away leads to an inevitable dance sequence and Jenny is soon being flung around in aerial stunts. In the nick of time, Jennifer’s man, “Papi,” sweeps in and rescues her from the clutches of the overzealous male public. Proving that magical love cookies really do work.

Overall, this video is humorous and fun, if not oh-so-original.

LINKS:

Check out other blogs about the music video—

 

MTV Blogs: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1670990/jennifer-lopez-papi-music-video.jhtml

 

Entertainment Weekly's "Music Mix": http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/09/19/jennifer-lopez-papi-video-fiat-commercial/