Clean Bandit show off something "Extraordinary"

Clean Bandit, the U.K. classical-dance crossover act unveiled the video for their latest single, "Extraordinary," features vocals from British singer Sharna Bass and is the fourth single to be taken from the London-based quartet's upcoming debut album, "New Eyes," due out Jun 17th in the U.S. Meet Clean Bandit, your newest crush, and get ready to fall head over dancin' heels in love with Clean Bandit, whose "Extraordinary" video, shot in Cuba and featuring choreography, some reckless behavior with a stringed instrument and a cameo by a piglet.
Just as Disclosure were to 2013, the Cambridge-based, classical-meets-dance foursome are quickly shaping up to be one of most game-changing arrivals to the dance floor this year. Having only dropped a handful of singles, the U.K. group hit the ground running this past January in a major way with their unbelievably successful No.1 smash, "Rather Be" featuring Jess Glynne. When jungle met classical... Clean Bandit are an odd, almost indescribable beast and the group set about matching breakbeats to classical flourishes. It was all rather unexpected. So unexpected, in fact!
Packed with alluring soft synths and an engrossing bassline, "Extraordinary" is another innovative cut and a flawless piece of dance-pop. Bass's vocal work fits like a glove, forging an epitomic example of commercial dance music done to the highest caliber. Drifting along a gentle piano and strings-supported melody at first, Bass smoothly pleads her case with a lover who might not be for very much longer. Then, in comes the chorus with an almighty rush of next-level electronic beats, combining snappy bits of '90s Brit Garage à la Katy B with R&B and even some steel drums. "Something extraordinary, something real/ To fill my days and nights with something that I can feel," she urges.
Clean Bandit's surreal self-produced videos are always something of a spectacle: they mastered the power of persuasion for UK Shanty by convincing Lily Cole to plunge into a freezing swimming pool, drummer Luke Patterson conquered ice-skateboarding in Dust Clears and multi-instrumentalist Jack Patterson taught himself CGI animation so he could create a golden snake for their A&E video. "We shot the official video in Cuba. It's an incredible country, unlike anywhere else we have ever been to," says cellist Grace Chatto. "We wanted to capture the euphoric feeling of the music in sunshine and dancing. We made the video ourselves, as always, with help from two Russian friends and some wonderful people we met out in Havana."

Josh Groban shows off full orchestra in "Brave"

Josh Groban has pleased the masses with his one-of-a-kind musical prowess. He's been able to merge different genres of music, and now he returns with a new video for his latest single, "Brave," the lead single taken off Groban's latest multi-platinum sixth studio album, "All That Echoes," which banked him his first No.1 album debut on the Billboard Top 200 chart. The superstar of "popera," has been flirting with more rock-like arrangements and edgier themes ever and with his new single "Brave," he continues to move toward a more rhythmic sound.
So, maybe we haven’t always been blown away by Groban's poperatic style in the past, but we gotta give credit where credit's due: "Brave," is radio-friendlier than anything he's dropped to date and he did it all without sacrificing his traditional vocal stylings. The 32-year-old explains this rhythmic, string-laden pop-rock number is about finding strength and conquering adversity. Appropriately, the song is about being in a relationship where you realize that you're doing all the jumping around and need to be a little more zen about letting the right thing come to you.
Co-written with longtime songwriting partner Tawgs Salter, the powerful ballad "Brave," is the latest example of Groban's continued move toward more guitar-based, rhythmic arrangements and steps away from the trademark Groban sound as it gradually builds, ending with a chiming electric guitar. "We wanted the song to have an intensity and an urgency, even if they're in more of a traditional style vocally," Groban told Billboard magazine. "The goal was to try and bridge those two worlds."
Filmed in a recording studio, the clip gives a behind-the-scenes feel, even showing off the full orchestra and choir heard in the epic track. As simple a concept as this may be for a music video, it's uplifting to see the intensity and passion with which each artist performs as they support Groban throughout the song. "It's an inspirational song of strength and breaking through adversity and finding strength in others to get through your day-to-day life," says Groban. It’ll satisfy his existing fan base with those big theatrical vox, and maybe win him some new ones with the pop hookiness, too.

Josh Groban Premiered "If I Walk Away" Video

The Grammy and Oscar-nominated singer Josh Groban has premiered his new, official visual for the Rick Rubin production, "If I Walk Away" exclusively on AOL Music Thursday. "If I Walk Away" is taken from singer's latest fifth album, "Illuminations." As Groban mentioned in his video blog earlier this week, his brother, Chris Groban directed and filmed the video during his latest tour, which 30-year-old told the camera: "I was very moved by it and I hope you are too."
With his flawless lyrical baritone, Groban is known around the world as a classically influenced pop singer. It seems no one knew what to expect when Groban teamed with super-producer Rick Rubin for album, "Illuminations." Fittingly, the results both defy and exceed any possible expectations as each of the collaborators stepped out of his zone and together they created an entirely new zone, one where folk meets classical, where art meets intimacy, where immediacy meets timelessness and where, most importantly, Groban was free to express himself more fully, more truly than ever before.
Fans are treated to a deeply personal side of Groban in his newest video for the track, "If I Walk Away." The visuals, shot by Groban's own brother during the singer's recent tour, capture Groban behind the scenes and in his own element as he travels from city to city. "My brother Chris shot this video during my tour this past year," Groban tells AOL Music of his newest creation. "It's my favorite video to date and I'm excited for everyone to see it."
The Rick Rubin-produced track is pure Groban, and we think the moody video is the perfect companion to the emotional song. That the New England Aquarium's harbor seals, sea jellies, Giant Ocean Tank and harbor view have a starring role in Groban's new video. The documentary-type footage for the brooding ballad was shot in July, and Chris filmed footage from on the road as we as live footage from the tour, and was shot in black and white.

Susan Boyle Unveiled "You Have To Be There"

A month after debuting her latest single on NBC's America's Got Talent, Susan Boyle has unveiled the official promo to support her underwhelming new single, "You Have To Be There." This stirring ballad is the lead single features on Boyle's upcoming third full-length album, "Someone to Watch Over Me," to hit stories and iTunes November 1st. The album features Boyle's interpretations of pop classics by George and Ira Gershwin, Joni Mitchell and others, as well as original material.
Unlike the other artists, the 50-year-old singer shuns elaborate costume changes, over-the-top choreography and dramatic storyline. She's doing what she does best; belting out the lyrics in high notes. "Well this song makes a demand on Gods presence, it raises questions as to whether or not he can be there when needed," Boyle said. "It's a powerful song. It was written by Benny & Björn from ABBA and originates from their musical Kristina and it's very evocative and emotional."
ABBA's Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus originally wrote the song as "Du måste finnas" for the 1995 popular Swedish musical "Kristina från Duvemåla." The show is based on a series of four novels by Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg set in the mid-19th century, which tells the epic story of an extended family's poverty-driven migration from Sweden to America. It's a really good song with a mighty chorus that roars in a Celine Dion sort of way. The essence and feel of the video is sure to grab your attention.
The clip was filmed during her rehearsals for major televised performances at London's Symphony Orchestra home on Old Street. It's classic Boyle in every way, too, as this Scottish singing sensation, who surprised the world and claimed her fame through "Britain's Got Talent," shows off her ridiculous vocal range, and keeps it simple yet classy in this black-and-white affair, backed up by a full string orchestra when showing off her pipes.

Josh Groban 'Illuminates' With "Higher Window"

The incredible crossover superstar Josh Groban has unveiled the brand new video for "Higher Window," the third single from his fifth album "Illuminations." The new video is true to Groban's signature style, simple and classic. Just Groban and his piano in an empty warehouse and some piano movers in this hope-filled, almost spiritual ballad.
The emotive, string-laden "Higher Window" was written by Groban with former Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson and Thomas Salter. It shows a different side of Groban. His voice has a sweet and tender quality on this piece, unlike the powerhouse ballads of previous albums. Accompanied by piano, acoustic guitar and strings it is simple yet beautiful. There is no question that it is Groban singing. However, it is not your grandmother's Groban. It is clearly evident that this has the touch of a new blood in the form of uber producer, Rick Rubin. Groban has definitely gone to a deeper place lyrically in writing this piece. The song appears to be about a man whose on the brink of losing the love of his life.
The internationally renowned vocalist and Grammy Award winner commented on this "imperfect" love song in an interview with Artist Direct: "All the love songs are written in the grey area of love, where you experience great love and you are thinking cheesily, and all the sudden, the big love ballads make sense to you, after years of being cynical about them. I was not in a love song mood; I was in a mood for the imperfect moments. For me, it's not the happy ending, but about being undeniably magnetized in an imperfect situation."
Groban has made a name for himself belting out operatic tunes, is one of the most successful musicians today. The 30-year-old classically-styled crooner has sold over 24 million albums worldwide with his four albums all going at least multi-platinum. The Los Angeles native gets his hands dirty as he exhibits more than just his piano playing skills, helping the crew load his instrument of choice, and then shows his new-found appreciation for the heavy workload, which he jokingly refers it to as "being men." The touching words in this new song "Higher Window" that are sure to melt your hearts.

Josh Groban Unveiled Video For "Hidden Away"

Josh Groban has unveiled his brand new music video on AOL for "Hidden Away," the first new original song from internationally renowned vocalist and songwriter's fifth studio album "Illuminations," which will be released on November 15 via 143/Reprise Records. Groban, who is Billboard's 14th top-selling artist of the 2000s" was free to express himself at his fullest by tapping into a new range of expression and emotional connection with lyrics drawn straight from the heart."
The song was recorded live with Groban singing and playing piano. It finds Groban making a heartfelt plea not to hide true love or one's true self. He wrote the cut with the former leader of the band Semisonic, Dan Wilson, who won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year along with the Dixie Chicks. So what message does Groban want his friends to take away from the song? "It's about people needing the kind of life shaken out of them," Groban explains. "It's about people who are waiting for that release. It could be somebody coming home from work, a friend, but the song itself is about people who need to be woken up inside."
As for the video, his first in more than four years, the 29-year-old Los Angeles-born singer wanted to convey that feeling without getting too intricate. "It's not overly complicated, but follows the stories of a few different people who are just simply waiting for that wake up," he says. "So I think the video represents that feeling, people seeing themselves the way others see them." Fans should expect more videos for tracks off "Illuminations." "I think these songs really lend themselves to music videos," he says. "They're very personal stories for me and so my quest in making videos in the future is try and make videos that visually more and more match the mood of the song."
Releasing albums around the holiday period has traditionally been good for Groban. For his latest album "Illuminations," Groban was working with famed rock 'n' roll producer Rick Rubin, and it took three years. A statement says Groban and Rubin stepped out of "their respective zones to come together and create an entirely new zone where art meets intimacy, immediacy meets timelessness." The result is a more personal album. "I'm definitely anticipating some questions from people in my life, whether some of these songs are about them. The first single and video for "Hidden Away" is one such example. "I can definitely pinpoint one or two people, at least in my life that I felt the song is for," he says. "It's also for myself as well. I think sometimes we sing songs that we'd like to hear ourselves and so in that way it can be very cathartic."

Josh Groban | "You Raise Me Up" (Video)

Josh Groban was born on February 27, 1981 in LA, to a Polish-Russian father and a Norwegian mother. "You Raise Me Up" cames from his 2nd studio album and 3rd overall album "Closer" which was subsequently recorded by Daniel O'Donnell, and released on November 11, 2003. This popular Christian-themed song was a hit throughout Ireland and the UK.

Groban uses his voice based on the first B flat above middle C. I love this song, it's so beautiful and powerful. Please visit his MySpace, and follow his Twitter for more info.