Suddenly, there goes your love out of the window. OUT. Music video for When I Was Your Man. Bruno Mars - the well-known music charmer, comes again with Unorthodox Jukebox jumping out last year, rejoining the pop meta-game and there goes the re-ignition of his fame. But what will carry on - his name, or the success of his singles? In his previous album, Doo-Wops And Hooligans, there were plenty of successful singles. Namely, Just The Way You Are, Grenade, The Lazy Song and Marry You. Off-album, he has done songs with artists like Eminem, B.o.B, Travie McCoy, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. To say his fame is high and mighty, is correct to a certain degree, and thus his new album more than clears the air and signifies his pop reign still, with the recent single, Locked Out Of Heaven, easily peaking at number one of the Billboard chart. As people have answered their own question; if Bruno's fame hadn't reached a certain threshold, will his songs still gain recognition? Furthermore, with a very daring approach to the current pop meta with songs that flush in and out regularly, Unorthodox Jukebox is the kind of album you'd want last on your wish list. However, Bruno does it so beautifully crafted, that it is partially enjoyable, yet satisfactionally rigged. Though agreed, as Bruno had shown his true side with Jukebox being his first album, he would never gain the fame that will eventually shoot him to worldwide fame. So back to the music. And yes, when I first heard it right after Moonshine on Jukebox, it felt like magic. We all know Bruno's talents in singing - the direction, the voice, the songwriting - they just gush up together so strongly that When I Was Your Man, the real Bruno didn't show up. Don't get me wrong, I mean the 'he' in the song, as he lets slip the woman that he loves. And what I never doubted wrong was Bruno's ability to craft the song. Following the epic journey of the first one, this single is a great turnaround and exceptional that hits not only the radio, but also hits the heart. It is so true and relevant, proving that Bruno's competition is still hanging on thin air as his opponents drop down the grapevine. The songwriting skills were all showcased onto a platter, delivered and served with grief as he tells about his mistakes, showing remorse and hoping the girl returns to him. We all know what happens next, but what I didn't expect was that high emotional breakthrough when he sings the chorus. One of my favourite songs off the album, the lyrics show true intent and we can feel the sadness as it is being lifted onto us listeners. We feel for him, and only a true artist can do that. When the last chorus comes up, we all sang it. And the lines changed. That was the moment where I felt like this was the song that really changed my perception of Bruno. Though it is not much, it solidified my number 1 position of Bruno Mars' singles. The best Bruno Mars song ever made, and this is just the beginning of a roller-coaster luxury. Although it hurts, I'll be the first to say that, I was wrong-oh; Oh, I know I'm probably much too late; To try and apologize for my mistakes; But I want you to know-oh - Bruno Mars RATINGS:
ORIGINALITY: 9/10 - Bruno Mars hits the peak. And he is still going. SOUND: 9/10 - The piano and the raw talent here is just a cold case meltdown, done so engagingly well. LYRICS: 9/10 - It's a sad song. Very very sad song. Emotionally impressive. OVERALL: 27/30 - Kudos to Bruno Mars for another well made single, and to do one so beautifully well that is not only made for radio, but something with great sense, pleasure to listen to and to feel the song inside out. Play it for days guys, and let's hope it does justice in whatever way possible.
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I told myself that I was going to do Drinking From The Bottle's review. Then, I thought again. Nope. Music video for Sweet Nothing. What do you get when you put soul and art into a song? You get Sweet Nothing, the fifth single of 18 Months, Harris' recent album. The Scottish DJ had set his eyes on the target so underrated in today's music industry, that you can never forget Florence Welch, from the indie band Florence and the Machines (or Florence + The Machines). In fact, due to Florence's busy schedule, she still did time to record her vocals for Sweet Nothing. And here we are! But, as always, there's got to be some background information with the review. Sweet Nothing actually debuted as a single back in October 14, before the radio airplay launched the song's success into a spiral gateway up the charts. Florence, if not well-known for her band, is actually one of the most underrated singers that is currently in the pool of the music industry. For her signature in Harris' song, and with the single skyrocketing up the charts, it can hardly be known that Florence's identity could be well spread; her name on everyone's lips. And the main artist? Calvin Harris? Nothing could be said of him. With 18 Months, the singles had been all over the place. With featured artists like Example, Kelis and Ne-Yo, it instantly shot Harris back to cloud nine following the smash single with Rihanna's We Found Love. With the release of the new single with Tinie Tempah, it seemed that Harris' fame was currently stabilised. Sweet Nothing boasts spectacular performances from not only the female side, but Harris' work in production. Easily the best song off 18 Months, nothing could be said that this was a great pair to work with. Though some question the lyrics of the song, it still consisted the magnitude of the artists that managed to pull through with such effort. The standout of the song has not been noted, but it should be. Harris' beats continue to pound through the set and the way it moves you, partnered with sympathetic and yet unforgiving lyrics to love, it sets you apart on your own world to a dance revolution. And the key word here is 'flawless'. As always, the underrated singers are always left wanting, but this time Florence does the best that I feel is the greatest. Combining sheer tone and wonderful vocals on a club banger that is usually incorrect and largely based off wine and other drugs, it melts away within the song as the context rolls over with easy drumming. Special vocals, as critics have praised, I found it hard for Florence to ditch the way that she should sound like, as most artists have. Unlike any other artists, Florence can sing any type of genre, spread across multiple tones and notes, proving herself one of the best in her current generation. So I put my faith, in something unknown (I'm living on such sweet nothing); But I'm tired of hope, with nothing to hold (I'm living on such sweet nothing); And it's hard to learn, and it's hard to love when you're give me such sweet nothing; Sweet nothing, sweet nothing; You're giving me such sweet nothing. - Florence Welch This collaboration was almost a match made in heaven. With lyrics that sound depressing, mixed with beats from Calvin Harris, mixed with a joyous tune that you enjoy, they all add up to the simplicity of what dance pop should sound like. Throw in a dollop of Florence Welch's irresistible vocals and the great bite as she ends the bridge of the song, one which I feel was the best part of the song.
RATINGS: ORIGINALITY: 9/10 - Calvin Harris strikes back! SOUND: 9/10 - A dance vibe carries on a mournful tune, they add surplus to magic. LYRICS: 9/10 - Well-written, there's nothing more to say here. OVERALL: 27/30 - One of the best songs that I have heard in awhile, but could almost be made better as I felt that it should've hit the pinnacle which fans were expecting. As long as the radio is jamming, Sweet Nothing could still remain in the top 10 of the Billboard charts for now. In a nutshell, Florence's deep voice and tentalising tone pairs up with Harris bass-dropping beats, combine to a music heaven that must be heard to be inspired. Depressing lyrics and great vocals almost set this apart from most club bangers with a song that is relevant and not just wine, beer and... you know the rest. I will be playing it for days, and I hope you do too. See ya'. Pop perfection. I'm sorry, I was too busy with everything else. Music video for Just Give Me A Reason. P!nk's back with another single, and what better way with Nate Ruess, singer of the Grammy winning band, fun.. I know this was taken aback, but you have to give credits to P!nk for finding the right person for the verses. Nate Ruess absolutely dominates. But we'll get to that later. Before we begin, let's rewind back as I always do in my reviews. Coming off of a pretty sweet Billboard ride that included both the album sales and single sales dominating, it seemed to be P!nk's year in award nominations, with The Truth About Love being Grammy nominated. Sadly, she lost the Grammy to fellow pop artist Kelly Clarkson (Stronger). Still, P!nk's run of form earned her multiple accolades, with the album placing on high charts than Stronger even. Personally and truthfully, I myself felt that it was definitely one of my favourite albums off 2012. Not forgetting the singles, Blow Me (One Last Kiss) and Try were successful on the Billboard Hot 100, with both of them entering the top 10. It seemed to be that if Just Give Me A Reason would be as successful as the formers, but it seems tough at the moment with it being under the bubbling under charts. Back to singing, P!nk's voice was an astounding, pitch perfect and superb tone. When the piano starts playing, and P!nk's serenade easily falls into your lap like an enormous chocolate cake. But there is still the icing on the cake, and we will get to that later. P!nk has not been as beautifully raw as she had been in her other songs, and this was probably one of a few songs that featured a ballad (the other being The Great Escape). She did it so well that she could've easily out-sung almost half of the current pop artists, and she had to be up there with some of the best live performers for sure. What she had just done on this track was solidify her position even more, and even living up to her status. Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough; Just a second we're not broken, just bent - and we can learn to love again; It's in the stars; it's been written in the stars on our hearts; We're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again. - P!nk And that is when the first chorus collides with the transition of Nate's verses and voice. At that moment, a simple pop perfection exploded, and it required more than a smile to be understood that this was no simple duet. P!nk's choice paid off superbly and immensely - the right choice for Nate to be on the song turned out to be a fortune in disguise. Coming off the back of a victory at the Grammys, Nate's turn to shine could hardly come later. With even pacing that he carried on from P!nk, he did it so sublimely that their tone sets nothing apart from their talented voices. Rich in content and diversity, this had definitely been one of the best duets in a long time. The song is also very consistent throughout, and showing glimpses of glory and rave attitudes about it. With just a simple writing session, it became an absolute bonus. Nate's compelling voice, as others would call it, did not stutter and eventually became, what Simon would call, a 'pop perfection'. This song proved it very much. I'm sorry I don't understand, where all of this is coming from; I thought, that we were fine; Your mind is running wild again, my dear we still have everything; It's all in your mind. - Nate Ruess The lyrics, focusing on intentionally love and crying out for it, deserves respect as a forsaken conversation that is usually mistaken.
RATINGS: ORIGINALITY: 9/10 - P!nk's producers are definitely one of the best and the way this song has lifted, they had made no mistakes about it. SOUND: 9/10 - A great mix of Nate Ruess and P!nk, and this is all it takes. LYRICS: 9/10 - A conversation within a song turns out to be the greatest of it all. OVERALL: 27/30 - Just Give Me A Reason is the simple, subtle way of music that brings about the very likable thing of pop, with the duet of the two pop artists meshing up a simply astounding fashion that can hardly be denied as great. Play it for days! Fame, glamour and replaceable boyfriends. That's my neighbour for sure. Wait, what? Lyric video for 22. Yes, I will not be reviewing I Knew You Were Trouble. The song is too overrated and overplayed, thus I'm not touching it. This is the 3rd, wait, no, 4th single off of Red, Taylor's recent new album, which obviously earned her some good reviews and unwanted spotlight (if you know what I mean). Other than that, I could care less. So what the hell is 22? I don't know about you, but she knows what she do's. So it is a song written with Max Martin and Shellback, which are great songwriters and producers, who had worked on the song. And here we have the result. But let's rewind back. Taken away off from the dubstep-ish kind of meta that was parceled in her previous single, this was a welcome breeze of fresh air, as well as returning to what Taylor had done best. Her previous promotional singles, the album title as well as Begin Again, felt easily one of the forgettable songs if not for the slow pace. 22, in a light and cheery tone, was relatable in the way of the feminine. Though not exactly the condensed way, her lyrics highlights all of the things about being 22. But you know your artist, so I'm not going to post her sincere diary here. The sound of 22 was reminiscent to We Are Never Ever Ever Ever Ever Ever Getting Back Together (I lost count there), the regime pop and country mix feel that got her her number 1 entry in Billboard Hot 100's top spot. And to me, it felt some parts were overdid slightly too much, and made me lost a bit of listening consensus to it. However, it still regains it's pace in the chorus, but it felt almost as if you're in a different world with Taylor Swift's lyrics, with she thinking back on her 22 year-old experience, while others up and down the spiral. I don't know about you but, I'm feeling 22; Everything will be alright if you keep me next to you; You don't know about me, but I bet you want to; Everything will be alright if, we just keep dancing like we're, 22. - Taylor Swift And so, I thought this review would be quick, but let's just focus down on the lyrics. I know Taylor's forte is writing what would be, the romantic novels and the surprise of it, and whatnot. What I did get of the gist of it, however, was that she partied like crazy when she reached 22. Nobody could relate to that because not everybody is 22. Some 23, 24, 25. Others below that number even. Still, I had to go for a rating system as I felt I've done much enough for a 4th single that included almost (I lost count) all of the album as promotional singles.
RATINGS: ORIGINALITY: 8/10 - Taylor's originality may sound replied and repetitive, but there's always something in each track. SOUND: 8/10 - Fun, positive, crazy and dance like you're twenty-two. Or, 22. Who cares. LYRICS: 7/10 - No connection. And don't lie. OVERALL RATINGS: 23/30 - 22 felt overplayed in the way that almost all of Taylor's songs are, even though mainstream has heard of her singles almost a hundred times spread over. She's a pop darling. What else can I say? Well, I'll give her the recognition that I'll be playing it for days. I am back! And what better way to kickstart the review with a Pit... nevermind. Click here for the music video of Feel This Moment. And yeah, the title says it all. After a long break, I am back to reviewing music and I will do two in a row. It feels like Pitbull's songs are now like a whirlwind; he releases a single, people hear it, some hate it, some like it, gets on the charts, falls down the charts and never to be seen again. Ever since his new album dropped (Global Warming - should renamed it to Pitbull's Chirstmas Package), things have not gone as smoothly as it should've been. The album peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200. Despite this, it had a heavier sales on it's first week - an estimated 63,800 compared to Planet Pit, which only garnered 55,000 sales. The singles off Global Warming did not fare as well. Back In Time peaked at 11, while Don't Stop The Party peaked at 17. Get It Started, the collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira was the worst one, peaking at 89. So how did Feel This Moment, which featured pop diva Christina Aguilera do? To be honest, it surprised me to a very large extent. I feel that this single was probably the best one out Global Warming. While not everybody listens to Pibtull's rap verses or his rhyming words, it must be mentioned that Aguilera's feature was spot-on and she definitely nailed it. But, let's first talk about Pitbull. As boring and dull as his lyrics have always been, he has never been the stand out in his songs, but rather the featured artists have been the one taking all the fame and glory. However, Pitbull does have strong business in the music industry, allowing him to gain friends and fans, thus his collaboration with so many artists. From British pop boy band The Wanted, to even Akon and Chris Brown. However, in this song, he does put in effort I'd have to say. Still, no one can ignore the fact that Pitbull's signature hits do not include his raps. I see the future, but live for the moment - make sense don't it? Now I make dollars, I mean billions; I'm a genius - I mean brilliance. - Pitbull Now on to pop diva Christina Aguilera. What she never does is to disappoint, and so well she does it in this song that she overshadowed the fact that Pitbull's lines and verses are complete and utter trash. Even if we remove Pitbull, Aguilera shines on it's own. Her voice, compelling and simply brilliant, graced the song with her vocals that was simply powerful, beautiful and equally astounding. Always a top performer, she had just raised the bar for all singers in this date, as she had done a decade ago. One day when the light is glowing; I'll be in my castle golden; But until the gates are open; I just want to feel this moment. - Christina Aguilera And yes, I should probably talk about it, but I wouldn't want to ruin Pitbull's songs, but yes, it samples Take on Me by a-ha, and we all know how it has been for Pitbull. And yes again, the original is so so so much better than this version. But hey, it's Pitbull. We don't question him.
RATINGS: ORIGINALITY: 7/10 - a-ha. Yep. SOUND: 9/10 - Stunning. That is for Aguilera, but Pitbull doesn't seem to lack half of the attention in this song. LYRICS: 7/10 - Disappointing as always, but Pitbull's lyrics have been recycled over a million times, where else to find inspiration from? OVERALL RATINGS: 23/30 - If Pitbull's Global Warming were to achieve adequate success; if Pitbull were to gain back recognition; if the mentioned were to happen, it would be in the form of this song. Solid, excellent and amazing chorus from Aguilera with a couple of mistimed verses and wrong rhymes, this has to be one of the best songs off Global Warming I feel, and I'll be playing it for days. Hang on, people. |
AuthorBenny Ong: Just your regular guy who likes soccer more than most people, and also a little downtime is pretty nice. Archives
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