Jason Mraz Unveiled "I Won't Give Up" Video

Jason Mraz is back and attempts at a hit around the acoustic guitar again with a new music video for latest single "I Won’t Give Up," the first official single from the acoustic pop singer's upcoming fourth studio album, "Love is a Four Letter Word," out April 17. The video appears to pay homage to people from all walks of life that have someone overcome adversity.
This largely acoustic emotional ballad is a poignant ode to a long-lasting relationship, which the 34-year-old troubadour says he won't give up on her whatever happens. It is likely that the song was inspired by Mraz's relationship with singer-songwriter Tristan Prettyman. The "I'm Yours" hitmaker got engaged with Prettyman in December 2010 after they'd dated for four years, before breaking up with her several months later.
The track is guitar led with some additional vocal landscapes towards the end of the song, which is not for weddings but rather for those moments when partners realize the effort is all worth it and are looking forward to a future together that stretches to the horizon. Being lyrically beautiful and inspiring, it's the kind of song that would make you open up about your feelings or comfort you when you're in a pretty bad phase in a relationship and it will probably be used a lot in weddings and romance flicks.
"The story of the video is that we all have our own stories," Mraz said. "We all have our own version of suffering and everybody has many things to NOT give up on." The Mark Pellington-directed inspiring clip showcases a faceless man and woman taking a trip down memory lane by separately sorting through a collection of envelopes, postcards and scraps of notebook paper; in the end, they find their way back to each other, stationery safely nestled in their hearts.

Jack White Debuts Video For "Love Interruption"

Nashville resident rocker Jack White released a self-directed cloudy, vintage-looking performance video for his acoustic guitar and keyboard-led track "Love Interruption," the first single from the uuber-cool rocker's upcoming solo debut effort "Blunderbuss," will drop in full on April 23. The former White Stripes man has a pretty large profile in the music world. But, he'll launch his solo career on March 3, when he performs on Saturday Night Live – an episode to be hosted by Lindsay Lohan.
"Love Interruption," is a sparse and breezy episode of empty air acoustics, where a few simple strums of the guitar are given dimension by subtle swirls of clarinet and electric piano. White's distinctly familiar voice is the undeniable center of the arrangement, but his simple man delivery is blanketed by the full-bodied brood of backup vocalist Ruby Amanfu, whose mere presence rightfully keeps the tune from turning too much into one man's desperate plea for absolution. The sound may be mellow but the lyrics sure ain't as we hear White and Amanfu singing intensely of love in a bitter way.
The lyrics are exactly what you would expect from White at this stage; a concise and clever meditation on the longing that comes with loneliness, albeit with a darkened twist that is as cynical as it is romantic. Not just anyone could have you feeling a sense of empowerment while singing along to lines about killing your own mother and turning all of your friends into enemies, but White pulls it off here, particularly when the been-burned-before defiance of the chorus becomes more and more redemptive with each repetition.
White's "Love Interruption," as its discourse is all love. White its understated melody hints at something simpler, White's love is not for the faint of heart, speaking to murder plots and doors slamming on fingers, to lost friends and fresh enemies. It's not a song that needs a catchy video, and with its ashy tones and simple backdrop, the vision is not particularly compelling. "Love Interruption" isn’t a track for everyone, and it is certainly not a track for Valentine's Day, but in the midst of winter skies and winter sickness and winter stay-abed love affairs, it will suit many of us just fine.

Brandon & Leah Premiered "Life Happens"

Brandon & Leah are ready to storm your beaches, biatches. The Malibu-based acoustic pop-folk duo (and couple) have released the music video for their album's first track and debut single, the upbeat "Life Happens." Brandon & Leah try to capture in their music the balmy summertime spirit of their hometown. Judging by their debut album and single, "Life Happens," they pull it off with ease.
"Brandon" is actually Brandon Jenner, son of Bruce Jenner and stepbrother to the entire Kardashian clan. And "Leah" is Leah Felder, daughter of guitarist Don Felder of Eagles fame. Brandon & Leah have been making music together since their high school days. Passing on the Sunset Boulevard nightlife in Malibu, the super-attractive power couple chose instead to spend their time surfing and singing on bonfire-lit beaches. "Everything is groove based," says Brandon. "We like things with a positive, beach vibe. If our songs don’t make you want bob your head, then we haven't done our job."
"Life Happens" is a cheeky, laid-back and sweet pop song with a vibe reminiscent of Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz. Vocally, Leah's sunny sound reminds us a bit of Colbie Caillat mixed with the sass of Karmin's Amy Heidemann. The new album showcases the duo's high, bright sound: plenty of ukulele and upfret acoustic guitar, Caribbean-flavored beats and Leah's honeyed lead vocals. They tend to write about the myriad connections and disconnections between people, but the mood is always light and fun.
In the video, Brandon & Leah do supercute coupley things: riding bikes together, frolicking on the beach, surfing and baking a homemade cake. They even pick fresh fruit from an orchard. Romance! As the video goes on, you quickly realize that you're in the presence of what is quite possibly the happiest couple on Earth and then you dump your mediocre boyfriend immediately. With the new album, single and "Life Happens" video, Brandon & Leah are set to take on the world. And with so much momentum going for the duo, the world had better get ready for a captivating new musical vision. "We can't wait on anyone to say yes," says Leah, who is fired up and ready to go. "We're responsible for our own future."

Chris Brown Hits the Club In "Turn Up The Music"

What with all the glowing publicity Chris Brown's been receiving these past few days, his management has decided to take advantage of all that momentum by releasing a eye-popping video for "Turn Up The Music," the lead single from his upcoming new fifth album "Fortune," which is due out March 16. "Turn Up The Music" is about as club-ready as a song can get, and the video is prime for repeat viewings, too.
Produced by the Underdogs and Fuego, the new track is a dance-pop banger, features synth-heavy production and a party beat, in which he urges on a night of drinking and loud music. It features squelchy synthesizers blasting off over canned percussion, and the R&B singer leading a handful of simple chants. Brown performed the song last Sunday at the Grammy Awards, where he has been nominated for Grammy awards for Best R&B Album for 2010's "F.A.M.E.," Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for "Look At Me Now" (with Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes).
The 22-year-old singer makes his directorial debut in the electrifying video which was co-directed with Godfrey Tabarez. The high-energy video follows a well-dressed Brown from drinking in the street, to hailing a futuristic hover-craft cab filled with masked creatures, to hitting a warehouse rave filled with even more masked people, all watched over by some woman who appears to be the queen of the party, gazing at everyone from her own perch. From there, the clip is an eye-catching spectacle of various dance routines with Brown displaying his signature smooth moves.
The R&B star busts out his trademark choreographed routines, reminiscent of his idol Michael Jackson. Brown's dance moves are aggressive and in your face, but he is still light on his feet. The camera lights, animal costumes give the appearance of some type of huge masked rave in the future, where he parties so hard he loses his shirt before finally resorting to his infamous distraction tactic of back flips. If Brown keeps this up, then he just might go down as one of the best to do it. At the end of the video, Brown breaks the lens of the camera and the video closes there.

The Pretty Reckless Released Video For "You"

The Pretty Reckless just unveiled a music video in support of their latest slow-paced moody ballad "You," the closing track from the post-grunge band's studio debut "Light Me Up." It follows its lead singer Taylor Momsen as she sits alone in an empty room while crooning the love lullaby and watching footage of her passionate makeout session with her lover during their happier day. She's quite impressive!
The 18-year-old, who's known for portraying Jenny Humphrey on the CW television series 'Gossip Girl,' is usually seen tearing up the stage in revealing outfits, belting out songs with the casual irreverence which has become her trademark. But the new video for "You" feature a rather softer Momsen. It's a departure from her usual hard-edged rock, where she's banging out tunes on stage, and Momsen is working so hard at being a “rock star,” she kind of grows on you. Anybody who wants it that bad deserves some sympathy.
Led by a simple acoustic guitar melody and string section, Momsen sends a soothing message and sweetly croons about love and proves she's got a serious set of pipes. The track is a sweet, beautiful and whimsical love lullaby - a complete departure from the band's hard-core rock music. A ballad about heart-break, the track has a country edge, which you'd be forgiven for thinking is a bit more Taylor Swift than the average dose of Momsen. The Meiert Avis-directed video finds Momsen packing her things after a break-up and stumbling upon happier memories of her relationship.
Momsen is uncharacteristically calm in new video, but retains her famous panda black eyeliner and scant attire. Perhaps this calmer image is something we can expect more of in the future. The clip is interspersed with back and white video flashbacks of Momsen with her lost love, and sees the former 'Gossip Girl' starlet walk into a bleak room wearing only a white vest and black knickers. She then strums away on her guitar, the more low-key feel of the video in keeping with the gentle tempo of the lullaby-like ballad.

Kaskade & Skylar Grey in "Room For Happiness"

Renowned DJ and record Producer Kaskade teams up with the alt pop-rocker Skylar Grey in his new video for his latest electro banger “Room For Happiness," the closing track appears on Kaskade's newest double CD, "Fire & Ice," which is an insightful prelude into what promises to be an even bigger 2012 for Kaskade. The synth-heavy, bass pumping complements the smooth vocals by Grey, sure to be a big hit for them in the dance world.
Penned by Grey with Kaskade supplies the frosty synths, the chill-out tune "Room For Happiness" was a gorgeous, progressive house track turned ballad. The original track was a little mellow for my taste, but the remix is big room house, containing a beautiful vocal breakdown prior to the build up. The song drops in to some powerful, bouncy, dutchy, electro house that is oh so satisfying. The remix serves to buff up the original, while still maintaining melodious piano chords, and an anthemic house drop.
Will turn 26 next week, Grey's voice makes it so damn angelic. The whole song is about depression, and lyrically oi takes on a gloomy subject, but the strength of “Room For Happiness” really lies within the lyrics, which Grey, handles the don't-despair vocals, is really able to make them shine in this euphoric dance beats over the top of the sleek, throbbing electronica of America's Best DJ. The angsty doom & gloom of Grey's usual lyricism sounds positively divine up against Kaskade's club beats, and the hopeful hook brings out that euphoric feeling that dance music usually delivers.
In clip, She does all this from behind bars in prison. The public service announcement's delivered from a bleak bed in a prison cell, and you thought you had a terrible Valentine's Day. Grey doesn't stay there for long, imagining herself in a winter wonderland, encircled by a ring of fire, and under a blazing sun. Kaskade spends the video leading a rave and watching Grey from a security camera, one of which is kinda creepy. Less creepy: He's totally using Beats by Dre! We'd buy a pair, but we're still holding out for Wubs by Skrillex.

Jessie And The Toy Boys Debuts "Runaway"

Served as a sweet Valentine's Day message to her fans, Jessie And The Toy Boys has released apositive, powerful new music video for "Runaway". It shows another side of the 22-year-old pop songstress, illuminating her gorgeous delivery and touching songwriting chops. However, there's a twist to the entire video. I don't want to ruin the surprise for you, but let's just say Jessie puts her money where her mouth is when it comes to her support of gay rights.
Jessie And The Toy Boys is the solo project of Jessie Malakouti, who is a big talent with enough proper actual popstarry xfactular 'star quality' to be a brilliant ambassador for her own tunes. “When I wrote 'Runaway' with DJ Skeet Skeet, we wrote it from the perspective of our 13-year-old selves, who felt pressure from our parents and society to be something that we were not," Jessie said. "The song is ultimately about breaking free and following your heart."
Jessie And The Toy Boys took a unique, politically minded twist to their new "Runaway" clip, which contrasts the parallels between wanting a relationship you know you're not supposed to, with the overturning of Proposition 8 (an attempt ban on gay marriage) in California. Jessie and her boyfriend are on a double date with pals in clip. It becomes clear that Jessie and her bestie's lover have the hots for one another, and their current significant others can see it. It begins with lingering stares over dinner and wine, and it continues with dreams and a run for it on the street. The scenes are cut with images of Proposition 8 protests and LGBT imagery.
The video also stars Mollie Thomas, the first openly gay Miss California USA contestant. “I was overjoyed to learn that Proposition 8 was recently over turned in my home state of California,” Jessie said of the video. "It's a step in the right direction, however for a country that teaches it's children to place their right hand over their hearts and pledge 'liberty and justice for all,' we still have a long way to go towards actually making that a reality." “All that matters is love,” she sings sings in front of an American flag, and ending with a simple but powerful message: "Everyone deserves love."