Music Video Review | Karmin - I Want It All

Karmin
I Want It All - Single
Epic
Release date: January 28, 2014 (Single) / February 26, 2014 (Music Video)

Karmin finally released the music video for their latest and abso-catchy-lutely new single, 'I Want It All'. To be honest: I hate it. 

First of all, I keep on imagining fun and colourful stuffs when I'm listening to this single. It is so catchy, danceable and in my head, I keep on imagining they're skating in a lively night-club-ish ambiance with a very retro feel to it. Most of the points I've given are already in the video, but the end product seems a little too urban, not groovy. Plus, Amy got too much make-up going on (on that note: please bring back your signature bun and brunette hair).

Despite the oh-so-failed music video, I still love the song and I'll keep on singing it for a very long time. I am quite stoked for their upcoming debut album, Pulses, which will hit the stores in late March and I am dying to know what they'll bring in the record. More pop, less experimental, please!

Plus, we really wanna see Karmin in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! Make it happen, y'all! 

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Music Video Review | Katy Perry - Dark Horse (feat. Juicy J)

Katy Perry
Dark Single (feat. Juicy J) - Single
Capitol
Release date: December 17, 2013 (Single) / February 20, 2014 (Music Video)

'Dark Horse' is Katy Perry's third single off her third album, Prism. The song, a blend of pop and trap, is different from Perry's usual bubblegum pop as it features minimal production (hip hop? Like, seriously?). In a way, 'Dark Horse' is kinda a witchy song as it is about a witch warning a man not to fall in love with her. I'm not a huge fan of the song 'cos I think it doesn't suit Perry's vocal style. 

But, cinematography wise, 'Dark Horse' did pretty splendid in its music video. I love how she created all those Illuminati-esque on-your-face type of iconographies. From the undone Pyramid, black magic, and how she resembles Cleopatra (in this video, Perry is Katy Parta) and she's the embodiment of Apep (God of Darkness). It's a very beautiful video.

But, I hate the fact that there's some kind of racism in this video. Where? Where, at 1.15 mark, you can clearly see Katy zapped a man who's wearing a necklace with 'Allah' written on it. Perry should've aware of all that and yea, instead of banning the video, she could remove that part right away. After all, as a celebrity and role-model, she should respect other people's religion(s). 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

Single Review | Bastille - No Angels (feat. Elle Eyre)

Bastille
No Angels (feat. Elle Eyre) - Single
Virgin Records
Release date: December 2012

Gosh where do we even begin? The intermittent dialogue from 1960's Hitchcock's classic, Psycho, perfectly synced to the lyrics? The fusion of XX’s saturnine 'Angels' with TLC’s feminist anthem 'No Scrubs'? Bastille's lead singer Dan Smith’s delectably raspy voice? Or diva Ella Eyre ripping the track to shreds? Help us!

Aptly titled 'No Angels' – paying homage to the two songs that served as inspiration to this insane collaboration between badass Bastille and the regal Ella Eyre – the song was one of the eleven tracks on the English band’s second mixtape, Other People’s Heartache, Pt. 2. Well by the time you are done listening to the song you'll be left with this impression: there are no angels in this world that are not crying in joy listening to this track!

Giving a unique spin to the classic favourite, Bastille and Ella Eyre successfully imprinted their own stamp onto this number unlike many other covers out there that come off like nothing but a knockoff. Ella of 'Waiting All Night' fame is a beast and you know she slew it the moment she came in calling out the man for what he is. Plus the recurrent excerpts from the horror-thriller contrasts perfectly with the message of the 90s anthem, leaving you with a question: now is that man really a loser or actually a serial killer in disguise? Oh, the horror of that thought!

Know what’s the best part of the whole song though? The accent! Be sure to leave your comments on this song below while we sign up for some classes at the nearest British Council. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

This awesome review above is submitted by our reader, Vimal Esvaren. If you’d like to have your review(s) in our blog, do send ‘em over to therecordblog@gmail.com and do include a copy text of the review, main image, and the cover of the album or single. Just follow the format above and you'll be fine! 

Single Review | The Neighbourhood - Sweater Weather

The Neighbourhood
Sweater Weather - Single
Columbia
Release date: December 3, 2012

Valentine's Day just came and left, without a doubt leaving many hearts broken. The clichést thing to say would be to forget about the lost love and get into your party mode since the Future Music Festival Asia is just right around the corner. However, we're sure there are some lost souls out there who still can't let go of the long hours on the phone, intimate spoonings on the bed and skinny dips in the local lake just yet. That's when the American alternative rock band The Neighbourhood come in handy with their soul-wrenching number ‘Sweater Weather’.

Though you might think it's ironic to feature a song about winterwear and the cold during the current Malaysian heat, think about it, what better way to offset the pain than by freezing it? In the song, lead vocalist Jesse Rutherford croons about the sacrifices he makes for his beloved and every other romantic thing imaginable. Mainly however it's about how it's sooo cold and him inviting his lover to share a sweater with him. The video is just as alternative as the band but ensures viewers a good watch nevertheless and gives future fans (read: you) an idea of what the band is about. Excuse us while we put on our sweaters.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

This awesome review above is submitted by our reader, Vimal Esvaren. If you’d like to have your review(s) in our blog, do send ‘em over to therecordblog@gmail.com and do include a copy text of the review, main image, and the cover of the album or single. Just follow the format above and you'll be fine! 

Single Review | BANKS - Brain

BANKS
Brain - Single
Harvest
Release date: January 29, 2014

There's not much to know about this new arising singer who goes by her surname, Banks (stylized as BANKS). According to Wiki, she's an R&B artist but in my opinion, she's more of an electronica artist. Her debut EP, London, is pretty much critical acclaimed! Plus, she spent 2013 touring with The Weeknd, so, it's been amazing for her so far.

This one, 'Brain', is her latest single released a week ago. Honestly, I LOVE IT! There's something euphoric about how it sounds in my ear. After discovering it in Spotify, I directly fell in love with her. I might calling her the vibrant version of Lorde.

Anyway, listen to the single below and tell me what do you think of it!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Music Video Review | Jason Derulo - Talk Dirty (feat. 2 Chainz)

Jason Derulo
Talk Dirty (feat. 2 Chainz) - Single
Beluga Heights / Warner Bros
Release date: August 2, 2013 (Single) / August 7, 2013 (Music Video)

'Talk Dirty' is Jason Derulo's second single off her third album, Tattoos. This is probably my favorite Derulo's song ever released. Honestly, most of the songs he released previously, apart of 'Watcha Say', are not that memorable. 

Despite the culturally ignorant lyrics, the song is pretty much a very cool track all thanks to its sick beat! Oh I love how it transition from verse to chorus with a very snake-ish beat that will get you dancing and repeating it all day long! This horn-heavy track is addictive and a 'lil bit controversial unlike his previous efforts! 

For the music video, there's nothing much to say about it. There's nothing to it except colorful images, hot babes, more asses and cool dance moves from Derulo himself. I'm not a fan of the video, but the song is still cool without the need to watch it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Music Video Review | Shakira - Can't Remember to Forget You (feat. Rihanna)

Shakira
Can't Remember to Forget You (feat. Rihanna) - Single
Ace Entertainment
Release date: January 13, 2014 (Single) / January 29, 2014 (Music Video)

Sexiest superstars in the world, Shakira and Rihanna, mixed together and they came up with the hottest video of 2014! 'Can't Remember to Forget You' is so sexy, some might get a heart attack just by watching this video.

Both ladies grope and grind on each other, smoke cigars and twerk all over the classy mansion. Oh yea, the temperature in indeed rising! Eventhough the song is not sexy enough, but the video is certainly sexier than Shakira and Beyonce's duet, 'Beautiful Liars'. Steamy affair, indeed! 

What do you think of it? Give us your review in the comment section below!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Single Review | Karmin - I Want It All

Karmin
I Want It All - Single
Epic
Release date: January 28, 2014

YouTube sensation, Karmin, released their latest single, aptly titled 'I Want It All', off their upcoming debut record, Pulses. 

First of all, I am completely in love with this single. 'I Want It All' filled with minimal production that sounds a lot like Justin Timberlake's 'Take Back the Night'. This is an interesting departure off the duo's usual rap-filled sonic. Honestly, this single might be a radio-ready hit! If this is any indication, Pulses will be worth the wait. 

The music video is not released yet but according to them, the lyric video is actually the storyboard for the actual video. Hmm, rollerblades and disco ball? Perfect! 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.