Zara Larsson sings about having a "Weak Heart"

Zara Maria Larsson better known as Zara Larsson is a Swedish singer-songwriter and potential international star who rose to fame by winning the 2008 season of the talent show Talang, the Swedish version of "Got Talent." She is currently signed to TEN Music Group (For Sweden) and internationally to Epic Records. The 17-year-old Swedish beauty is ready to blow up worldwide and have released a new music video for her brand new Rihanna-esque track, "Weak Heart," the fourth single of her utterly fantastic debut album, simply entitled "1."
Larsson's Rihanna-lite phrasings are distracting on the verses, and her thrilling chorus isn't just effective at fusing slo-mo bass drum hits with twinkling keys - the classic beauty & the beast ballad - it's rhetorically clever. Larsson sings about a having a weak heart, but the song thumps along  with an incredibly strong pulse. It's a relatively uncommon trick, given how satisfying it is, but it places "Weak Heart" in the esteemed company of "This Old Heart of Mine," which similarly thrills at the heart's inefficiency in matters of love.
written by Robert Habolin, Patrizia Helander and Marcus 'Mack' Sepehrmanesh, "Weak Heart" is a mega ballad with a soaring melody that gets bellowed out over the top of some properly dramatic beats. And the lyrics are somewhat genius in that they're perfect for a girl of Larsson's age, yet at the same time quite grown up and so therefore really clever. An epic chorus and a popstar on horseback. You cannot ask for more. In the David Soutar-directed video you’ll see Larsson in a treehouse, riding a horse and more. Watch it below.

Jessie Ware captures photo of 'You & I (forever)'

Jessie Ware's sophomore album "Tough Love" mostly dealt with heartbreak and unrequited love, but on some songs, the tone was much more hopeful. One such track, "You & I (Forever)," was perhaps the LP's most uplifting offering, and now, it's received a touching music video to boot. Ware issued an invitation for her family members, friends, and fans to shoot footage in a photo booth for the video, which was subsequently placed alongside performance shots of the singer.
The track opens with Ware admitting, "For me, 'You & I (Forever)' is celebrating the person you love being by your side. This is what it means to others." UK singer wrote this song after childhood sweetheart Sam Burrows proposed to her on the Greek island of Skopelos. She explained "(It) is me celebrating the memory of the fact that he's proposed to me and that we'll be together for ever." The song finds Ware singing about her frustration regarding Burrows' delay in proposing. "We waited such a long time, we've been going out forever," she said. "I wanted it to be this motorbike riding song, lots of yearning on an open highway."
The video’s director, Adam Powell, chooses to take us back to those 1889 vibes by putting treating the video to be grainy and black and white, which featuring Ware singing in a photo booth spliced together with shots of various couples, of all sorts. Straight, old, LGBT, young, mother and child, and a few singles who are simply interesting characters, getting their pictures taken. The sugary sweet video is a simple, but truly compassionate and effective concept. Strike a pose with Ware in this tender "You & I (Forever)" video.

Hozier Leads a Life of Crime in "From Eden"

Hozier is known for his boundary-pushing music videos, and with his latest for "From Eden" the boundary in question is once again ethics and morality. As the 24-year-old Irish singer takes the family on a nice, carefree crime spree. It's a modern family bonding. The soulful tune is really mesmerizing and too pretty, and the cinematic clip is definitely an interesting watch and the final slow-motion shot is just heart-warming.
The uplifting indie-rock song "From Eden," is the official fourth single from Hozier's critically-acclaimed self-titled debut album, although it was originally included on the Irish musician's second EP also named "From Eden." The track is a simple love song, seemingly concerned with that time when love begins and a relationship is uncertain.
Hozier, who directed the video himself, takes us on a divergent visual path. He casts himself as the father figure in a young family of three who appear to be on a fun road trip until it becomes apparent that their gas stop is actually a stick-up and he runs out to the car with his approximately 5-year-old child and his significant other, with a paper bag full of money.
No firm back story is offered to the viewer, but between the hold up and the time the cops arrive at their home, we are treated to sunny visuals of a happy family, although clearly not well off, having a nice day together. This is not Bonnie & Clyde, this is the traditional, American nuclear family. It creates a disconcerting effect, in which you find yourself rooting for the criminals with absolutely no reason. In the end, Hozier goes to jail and his son is left without a father. Eden is left in jeopardy. The ending and supporting song make the video surprisingly tender. Again, a roller coaster of emotions here.

K. Michelle's at her fiercest state in 'Love 'Em All'

K. Michelle is everywhere and killing it. After debuting her new VH1 reality show "K. Michelle: My Life," she's back, breaking hearts and flirts with some black mannequins in the new music video for her new heartbreaker anthem, "Love 'Em All." The R&B-dance slut anthem is the lead single from Michelle's upcoming sophomore album, "Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart?," due in stores on December 9th via Atlantic.
"'Cause they think I love 'em/ But I love 'em all/ I need another one to get over the other one," sings Michelle in the infectious chorus of her newest single and further confirming her 'sluttery.' She's a slut and proud of being one. The Memphis songstress dons her fire red hair as she belts out her latest song about playing the field, making all the boys feel special and when she's done, discarding them. While she admits to breaking a few hearts, she also reminds you as a single woman, she can do what she pleases.
This sexy and sultry new video doesn't see the "Love & Hip Hop" alum at her fiercest state and acting like a slut with men, though. Taking a page from Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" and J. Lo's "Booty," Michelle highlights her voluptuous asset, of course, her glorious rear and shows off her sexiness and curves. With a driving beat that'll get you moving, the red-haired R&B chanteuse lets the booty meat hang all kinds of out and shows us her moves as she does choreography with a chair and flirt with male mannequins, show some booty and tits in a sluttylicious outfit and sit on her throne because she is the queen (of sluts). Watch Michelle in her fiercest video yet below.

Sister Cristina Covers Madonna's "Like a Virgin"

Breakout star Sister Cristina Scuccia, the singing Sicilian nun who won The Voice of Italy, reciting the Lord's prayer at the final in June and signed a contract with Universal, debuted the first track, from her upcoming self-titled album, out on November 11, a cover of Madonna's 1984 pop classic "Like a Virgin." Ode to Madonna, her love of one Madonna is no secret, but her appreciation of another may come as a surprise.
Scuccia first rose to fame as a contestant on the second season of The Voice of Italy in March with a powerful version of Alicia Keys' "No One," which went viral online, racking up more than 62 million views on YouTube. She went on to win the singing competition after she lifted everyone's ears into the heavens with her angelic voice and made us all throw our hands up in the air while proclaiming, "Sister Act is real." Scuccia dipped "Like A Virgin" in holy water and scrubbed all the sex innuendos from it and changed it from an anthem into an inspirational ballad.
Scuccia told Italian Catholic newspaper Avvenire that she wasn't trying to be controversial when she chose the song. She chose it, because to her, the song is about cleansing yourself of your past with the help of love. "I chose it. With no intention to provoke or scandalize." Her version, she said, is "more akin to a secular prayer than a pop song." If you read the lyrics without any bias, she explained to Avvenire, "it's a song about the capacity of love to make people new again, to release them from their past." She added, "This how I wanted to interpret it. That's why we've transformed it from the pop-dance track it was into a romantic ballad a bit in the style of Amos Lee."
In comparison to Madonna's controversial video of 30 years ago, the devoted Catholic avoids any animals and stays away from the signature white pearls the Material Girl donned in her project. Instead, clad in her dark religious habit and crucifix throughout and refrains from reclining on boats, the 26-year-old nun stands tall and extends her arms to the heavens on the checkerboard-tiled rooftop of a Venetian palazzo, casting angelic shadows and yodeled her heart out a slowed-down version of Madonna's No.1 hit. The black and white clip captures a few decadent views of Venice.

Pharrell Williams & Daft Punk for "Gust of Wind"

Pharrell Williams has reunited with electronic music masterminds Daft Punk and filmmaker Edgar Wright to create a fun music video for their collaboration "Gust of Wind," off Williams' latest album, "G I R L." Autumn is here, so take a stroll through the woods with Williams and his the French DJ duo pals Daft Punk as they entering some kind of enchanted forest full of fairy-like girls who dance around majestically.
The vibe on this new track is just what you'd expect from Williams and Daft Punk - electropop. It finds Williams in love with a lady who lifts him up mentally and emotionally like a force of nature. The song was inspired by Williams' wife, model and designer Helen Lasichanh. He explained to The Sun: "That song came to me in a dream. It's the only time it has ever happened to me in my life."
The 41-year-old entertainer continued: "I woke up and sang them to my girl and said: 'Babe, this is about you. It's about the divine force you have which could be compared to a gust of wind.' I told her: 'Like a gust of wind, you remind me there's someone out there who ushers in the air as I need to power in myself. And my wife was overjoyed when she first heard that song," he added. "She was also a little teary-eyed but then we have the Robots on there. It was like, 'Wow! Those guys are like, the next level."
Throughout the vibrant visuals, "The Voice" coach rocking huge colorful safety pin strolls walks through a fall-covered forest with groups of interstellar gymnasts performing choreographed maneuvers where he comes across two giant boulders in the shape of the Robots' helmets hover around him before final takeoff. The Baes dance alongside Williams and the autumn leaves before the boulders light up and ascend into the sky. This is simultaneously a very simple video and one stuffed with a bunch of effects and complicated choreography. Despite all that, Wright's direction really serves the song here. The song's a smooth jam, and so is the video.

Jessie J shows off her fiery moves in 'Burnin' Up'

Jessie J sets the screen ablaze as she brings the heat and shows off her raunchier side sharing a steamy kiss in a gold bikini for her latest 2 Chainz collabo jam, "Burnin' Up" new video. Her sex appeal is turned all the way up for the visual, which is perfect for the sultry tune. It shows the singer frolicking at a pool party as she's surrounded by hot male eye candy, and she also throws in some fiery dance moves.
Written by Jessie and produced by legendary Swedish producer Max Martin, "Burnin' Up" follows the 26-year-old's recent success of "Bang Bang," with Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, and has that same R&B-pop-hip/hop feel. It's all about those diva-sized pipes, as Jessie struts through the fire and loses her mind due to the heat of her lover. While her vocals flirt with ostentatiousness, Chainz is all chill, smoothly rhyming 'corridor' with 'Oreo,' as he adds some fuel to the fire with his scorching rap verse, stir.
This tribal-influenced dance anthem is the second single to be taken from the British beltin' babe's upcoming third studio LP, "Sweet Talker," which is full of slick production and showcases Jessie's incredible vocal range and her divisibility as a power-player on the global music scene, will be released on October 14. Jessie's signature vocals shine bright over the high octane, stripped back beat before the track erupts into an epic chorus. Chainz adds his own cool twist to single before Jessie breaks it down as the song comes to a close.
Shot in a luxurious LA mansion with a slew of buff men and talented back-up dancers on hand to step up the glamour, the Hannah Lux Davis-directed clip features a cameo rap from Chainz who makes an appearance in the performance scenes, adding his swaggerific edge to the video. Jessie shows off her incredible figure while lied down on a bed in an intricate embellished gold bikini as she reclines on a pool lounger, surrounded by crystallized water and glistening, shirtless men, Jessie seduces and flexes her dance moves in black latex and can really slay a choreography.

Pixie Lott portrays young love in 'Break Up Song'

He recently welcomed her into his world when they collaborated in a Photoshop for agency Select Model Management. Returning the favor, Pixie Lott cast her real-life boyfriend Oliver Cheshire to play the love interest in the steamy music video to her new single, "Break Up Song." Giving a glimpse into their relationship, the pair get steamy in the three minute long clip as they portray the highs and lows of young love.
"Break Up Song," taken from Lott's new self-titled album, is a ballad made up of bittersweet lyrics which the singer has said is one of her favorites off the LP. The 23-year-old singer wrote this song with English singer-songwriter Jim Irvin, and producer Rami Afuni. When asked by You magazine if her model boyfriend Oliver Cheshire minds her writing songs about breaking up like this one, Lott replied: "I don't think he minds, because it makes great music; we are really strong. I think real emotion makes a better song. I just love writing about tragedy and heartbreak."
Directed by Nick Bartlett and filmed at London's Waldorf Hotel, the pop starlet and her 26-year-old beau tell the tale of a couple who have an intensely dangerous and passionate relationship, which basically sees the couple snogging and getting into mischief throughout the video. The action kicks off with the pair running through a hotel restaurant, cheekily grabbing cookies from leftover dinners. Showing off their mischievous side, the pair break into the posh establishment where they are chased around by security before finally escaping and end up in a huge open room as Lott belts out her huge notes, and shows off her tiny figure while lying flat out next to her man.
With some scenes shot using a hand held camera, the duo get hot and steamy and embrace one another as they lock lips and frolic between the sheets. However, the twosome are torn apart when Lott spies Cheshire talking to another woman at the bar and she loses her rag. The video comes to a close with Lott ends their romance by removing what appears to be an engagement ring from her finger before he storms off. The drama then cuts back to the bedroom where they stage make-up sex through Lott's tears and live happily ever after.

Jessie Ware got her feelings in 'Say You Love Me'

Jessie Ware has revealed the video for the Ed Sheeran-co-written single, "Say You Love Me," the second official single from Ware's upcoming sophomore album "Tough Love," which is out October 21 in the U.S. and October 6 in the UK via PMR/Island. The 29-year-old  Ware recorded the video with award winning directors Tell No One, the creative duo of artists Luke White and Remi Weekes, who won the Golden Lion at last year's Cannes Festival for their short film "Metamorphosis."
Ware has always been an emotional and expressive singer, but it has never been more obvious than on her new single, "Say You Love Me," which she wrote this song with Sheeran in about 45 minutes in New York and it is somewhat of a sonic departure from her past record. The "The A Team" songwriter also plays guitar on the track. Ware told MTV UK, "it was one of those serendipitous moments where somebody somewhere was on our side." Speaking to The Daily Star about her collaboration with Sheeran, Ware said: "The way Ed writes and his work ethic is incredible. I have to give him so much credit for being able to write something that's so right for me and elevates the way I sing - he really pushed me hard."
"Say You Love Me" was bigger and bolder than anything we'd yet heard from her and the touching "Tough Love" song gets an effective and lovely visual treatment. The rather simple video takes a similar approach with its directness - just singing and feelings. It shows the British soul singer sits atop a large rock on a set with a beachside backdrop behind her, and the camera simply films her in extended takes the entire time as she lets the words do the storytelling and sings the heart-wrenching yet beautiful lyrics of her new song "Say You Love Me."
The most exciting moment in the video is when she lets a bird land on her hand before it quickly flutters away. It's a quiet and lovely treatment for a standout song from Ware. There's nothing else, but you'll see that there really doesn't need to be. For such a passionate ballad, the video is just enough. Ware's expressiveness is overwhelming, and she reacts to each line as if she were in the middle of a conversation. It's a stunning performance!

Alicia Keys pleads for peace in "We Are Here"

Alicia Keys revealed an uplifting video on Facebook page for her powerful brand new song, "We Are Here," The pregnant songstress wants her child to grow up in a better world than the one we occupy now. Those feelings of world peace and equality spawned the meaningful lyrics to "We Are Here," a new song the R&B artist preaching about the need to rid the world of war, violence and discrimination. The clip is simple, with the focus on the inspirational anthem's message, as Keys pounds the ivories and sings about violent current events.

The stripped-down, piano driven track provides her with ample excuses to put her famous pipes through their paces. "The day I wrote this song, I was sitting in a circle of people of all ages and we were asked, 'Why are you here.' Why am I here?? This really hit me on a deep level. I realized no one had ever asked me that question before," explains Keys. "As I prepare to give birth to a new child, I can't help and think about the world I'm bringing my baby into. No matter where we come from, when we see the state of the world today, we can all feel the growing frustration and desire to make a difference. And we all have a voice - we just need to know how to make it heard."
"We Are Here" is a song with a beautiful message and Keys using music to heal and inspire amid the chaos in the world. Keys is inspired by her desire to make a difference and create a kinder and more peaceful world for ALL children. Keys is using her voice to reinforce her vision of an empowered global community in which all people are heard, respected, equal, and treated with dignity. She's rallying fans and challenging them to raise their voices for the causes they believe in - because real change begins with all of us. Keys said, "It's not about me, it's about WE. This is OUR world. And we are here."
Rocking her signature throwback braided and beaded hairstyle straight out of her "Fallin'" days, the Grammy-winning singer uses her voice to spark change and stands for peace, love, and unity on the marching anthem, while reflecting on the current global and political turmoil in Chicago, Israel, Gaza, and Nigeria. "Our souls were brought together so that we could love each other, brother/ We are here /We are here for all of us," Keys croons out on the power ballad from behind the piano on a rooftop overlooking her hometown of New York City in the empowering video.

Jasmine V gets cozy in "That's Me Right There"

Jasmine Villegas has been fully entrenched in the entertainment industry since the age of 9, appearing in various television shows and music videos throughout her adolescence, including a leading role in Justin Bieber's "Baby." Now under the stage name Jasmine V, the 20-year-old L.A. songbird has her sights on a music career. After signing a record deal with Interscope Records last year, Jasmine shares her fresh hip hop new single, "That's Me Right There," which features Compton's own Kendrick Lamar that oozes confidence and star power.
"That's Me Right There," which has smooth R&B vibes and a killer booty-shaking beat, will be the first single from Jasmine's upcoming EP this October, with her full-length debut to be released in early 2015. Hailing from San Jose, the rising R&B pop songstress providing some smooth vocals and a catchy hook, while hip hop master Lamar comes in and steals the show with a vicious verse, as expected. As the title implies, "That's Me Right There" is all about Jasmine; backed by Harmony Samuels's trap-tinged percussion and lumbering synth-brass, the singer celebrates her own poise, self-assurance and realness.
"'That's Me Right There' is talking about being confident in a relationship," Jasmine told Rap-Up TV. "Basically saying you can leave your man or girl wherever and at the end of the day, nobody can take them from you." Even so, the cut is a team effort as fellow west coast native Lamar grabs the mic to deliver some characteristically masterful guest bars on the back end. Jasmine was excited to collaborate with the Compton MC. "He's amazing. So low key and he's so quiet, but he's such a humble guy," she said. "I was definitely honored and blessed to be on the same set as him."
But her new flick is pretty grown up. Jasmine keeps her love locked down in the Gil Green-directed video as she heats up the screen with a new man. Most of it features Jasmine dancing suggestively and woos the fellas on the court before portraying a budding romance with a handsome basketball player. They cozy up on the basketball court and on the hood of an old school Chevy, while Jasmine busts out some fierce moves suggestively. With a hoodie covering his eyes, Lamar makes a dark, creepy, and Slim Shady-esque appearance seated behind the wheel of his four-door car. There is no storyline to speak of, other than the basic romance-in-progress. The couple isn't unhappy, but they are clearly meant to be lower income and ethnic.

Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj "Bang Bang"

One bangin' Sunday! It was a big wild night for Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj on Sunday night, when the three celebrated performers took the stage to open the  MTV's 2014 Video Music Awards, performing a medley of their own singles and their new hit "Bang Bang," and later dropping the music video, which is set to go off like a bang and shows the most glamorous sides of all the ladies. Despite the song's message, it's the kind of song, you put on when you want to dance and let loose and that's exactly what the three manage to do.
The chart-topping track, which is produced by Max Martin, serves as the first cut off of Jessie J's upcoming third studio album, "Sweet Talker," due out on October 14th and also appear on the deluxe version of Grande's sophomore studio album, "My Everything," released today. Backed by clap-heavy production, and built over big bouncy beats and horn blasts, the up-tempo soulful and powerful song is composed of piercing vocals courtesy of two contemporary crooners, as well as rapid-fire spitting from the hottest female MC on the planet who really steals the show with her verse.
The video for "Bang Bang" was shot on the Paramount lot in Hollywood by Hannah Lux Davis who said: "The concept of the video is really about girls coming together and partying it up." Takes us to the streets of New York and beyond, the retro-inspired clip (with shades of the '60s and '70s) opens with Grande, 21, hangs out in her neon apartment as she applies makeup and prepares for a performance; Minaj, 31, then enters a shot, strutting in stilettos and leopard print and takes us above the concrete jungle, as she climbs into her private helicopter drops her off on the helipad on top of one of NYC's skyscrapers.
And finally Jessie J, 26, makes her appearance on a steamy NYC street, driving down a busy thoroughfare in a hot rod and shakes her groove thing with her friends. The trio of divas then break it down in respective scenes shine and shake their booty while singing they turn the streets of Manhattan into a pink paradise." While they take their 'bang bang' action out on the middle of the NYC streets and into the room, the video is certainly not a let down as the dynamic pop trio then come together on the rooftop, wearing brightly-colored skimpy outfits. It makes us wish summer would never end!

Sam Smith drops emotional 'I'm not the only one'

Sam Smith debuted his scandalous, fiery and heartbreaking music video for his latest track, "I'm Not The Only One," the fourth single off his soulful debut album, "In the Lonely Hour," which tackles Smith's lack of a love life, debuted at No.1 on the UK charts and has sold over 1.3 million copies. The 22-year-old British crooner's new video features two TV stars depicting a unhappy married couple's tortured relationship and portrays the effects of a husband's affair on his devastated wife.
We've featured Smith's angelic falsetto many a time, but his latest single employs it to devilish effect, "I'm Not The Only One" is a smooth, slow-burn revenge ballad and further proof that Smith is primed to make a big splash with his debut album. He wrote this song with Jimmy Napes, who explained: "I wanted to make a Norah Jones-esque record with a heavier beat. This is the same chord pattern again and again. It's complex in its simplicity." Infidelity is an ugly, wretched subject, but at least Smith has given it a beautiful soundtrack. "I'm Not The Only One," makes revenge sound very, very sweet.
The Luke Monaghan-directed steamy and emotional clip features "Glee's" Dianna Agron as a scorned bride and "The Mindy Project's" Chris Messina as the cause of and cure for her heartache. While the gorgeous couple's life seems perfect on the outside, Agron's character knows she's "not the only one" in her husband's life. Agron delivers a powerful performance as a stepford wife onto his adulterous schemes and trying to keep it together after realizing her husband is cheating on her. "You say I'm crazy," Smith's lyrics echo the anger and frustration Agron's character feels about her husband's cheating ways and pieces together her husband's indiscretions.
"'Cause you don't think I know what you've done/ But when you call me baby/ I know I'm not the only one." Messina's clandestine encounter is intercut with Agron's furious reaction, as she weeps at their home, proceeds to uncork a bottle of white wine in a liquor store, drink away her problems, and then eventually set fire to Messina's possessions. Not the most original imagery, but Smith's soulful vocal lends it some feel-good power. For reasons never explained, she welcomes him back into her home at the end of the video. Maybe her soul has been assuaged by Smith's sweet crooning?

John Legend | "You & I (Nobody In The World)"

John Legend delivers a compelling message of acceptance, beauty and self love through various women in the music video for "You & I (Nobody in the World)," the fourth single, serves as the follow-up to his chart-topping ballad "All of Me," to be lifted off Legend's fourth album, "Love in the Future." Legend is known for making the hearts of women melt with his love songs. Think his "All of Me" took all the tears out of you? Think again. The delicate master of soul's newest simple-but-beautiful clip is as exquisite and heartbreaking (or heartwarming) as you'd expect.
The emotional number highlights various life occurrences in the everyday life of a female. In the song, the 35-year-old Legend is telling the woman in his life that he believes she is perfect just the way she is. The song lyrics read, "You fix your make up, just so, Guess you don't know, that your beautiful, Try on every dress that you own, You were fine in my eyes, a half hour ago." Adding, "All of the stars, they don't shine brighter than you are, Ain't nobody in the world but you and I."
Legend helps promote positive body image with the powerful and stirring video, which begins with a familiar scene. As he sits on his bed, waiting, supermodel wife Chrissy Teigan stares straight ahead as she tucks her hair behind her ears, as if in front of a mirror before this scene cuts to others of women of all races, ages and sizes with their respective flaws looking at themselves in the mirror and trying to adjust their already perfect selves. The video shows clips of women from all walks of life and taking in their reflection.
A cancer patient removes her wig, a topless pregnant lady shows off her belly, a woman trying on clothes, a young girl getting her ears pierced, a pregnant lady showing off her baby bump and another woman crying while removing her bra to reveal her mastectomy. "Orange Is the New Black" star Laverne Cox also stars in it and wiping off make up from her face. Some look dismayed by what they see, which is heartbreaking. Others look pleased, as if they can hear Legend sing his words of encouragement: "You were fine in my eyes, a half and hour ago." Their sad faces turn into smiling faces as they embrace their differences, flaws and all. Watch the celebration of individuality.

FKA twigs Rocks a Goddess Look in "Two Weeks"

FKA twigs (literally, "Formerly Known As Twigs") may just be the coolest, most mysterious "it" girl of this year. And after her "Water Me" video had piqued our curiosity in 2013, the music lovers want to know more. Lucky for us, the Jessie J's former backing dancer has just released the music video for "Two Weeks," the first single from Tahliah Barnett's upcoming first full-length, "LP1," due out on August 12. The song is a sighing, soaring bit of electronic pop with her breathy falsetto and magnetic presence, and its lush slow-motion video matches the song's regal, ethereal beauty.
“Two Weeks” a beguilingly straight-laced cut of silken R&B, is a commanding blast of raw sexual power. It captures everything that her unapologetically sexual music is about. "My thighs are apart for when you're ready to breathe in," she declares on the compelling, ecstatically filthy "Two Weeks." This is a song purely about lust, sex, and ecstasy delivered with the subtlety of a dime-store romance novel and it's enough to make you melt. Thankfully, "Two Weeks" is a new age sex jam that even luddites like us can comprehend. Filthy as sin and wholly aware of its own pomposity, it's a bawdy taster of FKA twigs' upcoming "LP1," and she is set to reign over the changing attitudes toward sex.
Of course, this isn't the first time Tahliah Barnett has luxuriated in the realm of carnal pleasures. "Water Me," "Papa Pacify" and "Weak Spot" are all pretty much concerned with doing the nasty, and by that we do mean the nasty. FKA twigs isn't much concerned with love. Lust and vulnerability are her songwriting vices, and on "Two Weeks" she exploits them with slow percussive intent. Falsetto sighs are rolled on top of rasping snare fills in extravagantly brash fashion so that you can't help but gurn along.
And FKA twigs' new video for "Two Weeks," directed by Nabil, is the same way, starting off with a simple focus on the British singer and then panning out to see that she is an empress looking over other small, little twigs dancing beneath her. As we see FKA twigs herself takes a seat on a throne to star as a Hindu goddess who can shoot water from the tip of her finger. The intensely choreographed video mirrors the disjointed otherworldliness of the track itself. The audience is not meant to feel bad for her, but rather be intimidated. It reminded me of certain Björk videos from the Vespertine era: an era of self-actualization through sexual experimentation.

Pixie Lott soaking up the sun in "Lay Me Down"

Pixie Lott showcases her trim physique in retro swimsuit as she frolics around Cannes in new music video for her new single, "Lay Me Down," the second official single and the follow up to Top 10 UK hit "Nasty" from her upcoming third self-titled studio album, scheduled to be released on digital retailers on August 4 via Mercury Records. She was spotted among the many stars in Cannes during the film festival last month. And now Lott has revealed exactly what she got up to in the South of France as she unveiled the official music video for her new single, "Lay Me Down."
The pop starlet drops the upbeat bluesy-pop single with sass and soul, while delivering one hard to forget hook.She wrote in a message to her fans: "I absolutely loved shooting this with a fabulous team. I shot it with the same company who did my video for 'Heart Cry,' because they captured the perfect vibe before. It was my first time in the south of France and I was in awe, so beautiful. I think the track is a perfect second single because it still has an upbeat vibe you can dance to, but with a meaningful lyric in a soulful way. I love performing this live with the band because we can really get into it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it!"
The release of "Nasty" back in March signaled a new era in Lott's career and it harked back to her roots, and number one inspiration - Motown. Even the fact that her upcoming album will simply be called "Pixie Lott" indicates that Lott is ready to lay herself bare in her most personal work yet, that reflects who she is now as a musician. But before the full extent of her renaissance becomes clear with the album's release in August, there's "Lay Me Down," to contend with first. Shot in Cannes, the video stars a Bardot-esque Lott opted for retro glamour and echoes her 60s influences in both fashion and music.
Echoes her 60s influences in both fashion and music, the Ben Falk-directed cinematic visual shot in Cannes, sees the 23-year-old British pop princess oozed old Hollywood glamour while having a glorious day and soaking up the sun on a Mediterranean getaway as she wears big hats, bright red lipstick, a series of retro sexy outfits including a red and white high-waisted bikini and lays down by her hotel, the pool, and even a fabulous yacht against the stunning backdrop of Cannes. Lott seemed to be channeling Bridget Bardot's effortless class in one shot which saw the singer sitting atop a sun lounger with a large black hat on.

MØ busting some moves in "Don't Wanna Dance"

On the eve of the release of her debut album, "No Mythologies To Follow," Denmark's songstress MØ, aka Karen Marie Ørsted, whose name means "maiden" or "virgin" in Danish, is easing the anticipation a little by releasing a badass video for infectious lead single, "Don't Wanna Dance," which is a misleading title and sees the 25-year-old Danish queen of seductively brash power-pop herself and busting some moves in a pretty sweet furry pink coat with a lots of girls in experimental outfits dancing in a junkyard in this one.
With her unique take on music that lies somewhere between experimental R&B and pop, "Don't Wanna Dance," is a jazzier, soulful turn from the edgy electropop we're used to hearing from her; here Danish electro-pop princess delightfully veers into what's almost Scandinavian Amy Winehouse territory. A neat, less synthy production allows "Don't Wanna Dance" to really showcase her crystal-clear vocals. The track is the most straightforward pop song the Danish singer has released so far. MØ trades in her dark synths for handclaps and it's a lot more light-hearted than what we're used to from her, bordering on saccharine, but it's catchy enough to balance that out.
Yes, "Don't Wanna Dance" gets a blissful summery dance floor make over. Yet rather like a sexual experience with someone you weren't quite sure about, yet they end up knowing exactly what they're doing, all you can do is give yourself up and lose yourself to the moment. "It's the sunny side of being young and confused," MØ says of the song, which she wrote one morning after going out with her hometown friends and then dreaming of the chorus. "I grew up in the suburbs, in a small town, and I wanted [the music video] to have that trashy vibe-while you know, being fabulous at the same time."
Just like the track itself, the video gives off a vibe of sweetness mixed with an undertone of total sass, but features a lot more dancing than the title would have you believe. Set predominantly in the curious setting of a car scrap junkyard, the functioning industrial machinery in the background provides the perfect juxtaposition to MØ and her girl gang jumping around in a 'girls dancing in their bedroom at a sleepover' type of way. The kicked-up pop track is turned on its head with MØ lip-syncing in a cloudy junkyard and um, dancing. Definitely dancing. Check it out below and  pick up some groovy new dance moves just in time for the weekend.

Sam Smith crushes object to "Leave Your Lover"

Back in March, just before his impressive performance on Saturday Night Live, we declared the 22-year-old rising British singer Sam Smith deserving of the Adele comparisons frequently thrown his way (as Katy Perry recently tweeted that he's "a male Adele.") With his debut album, "In the Lonely Hour," is set for release June 17 stateside, he's released another love ballad "Leave Your Lover," along with its beautifully filmed video, and confirmed that earlier impression and he's worthy of all those Adele comparisons.
Smith made his name singing smooth, gliding dance-pop songs, but he seems to be changing course and moving into slick but emotive blue-eyed soul territory. His new single "Leave Your Lover," like "Stay With Me" before it, is a soft-focus piano-soul ballad. Smith said he allowed himself to experience heartbreak to inspire material for album, and it seems to have paid off. He really has it out for our feelings, and much like his last video for "Stay With Me," which saw him trudging through a gospel-powered walk of shame, "Leave Your Lover" tells a devastating love story and treads over some very emotional territory.
As its title suggests, the song is a passionate plea for Smith's crush object to leave their lover and be with him instead. "Pack up and leave everything/ Don't you see what I can bring," he sings over a gentle acoustic guitar and depicts falling in love with someone who doesn't share the same feelings for you. On its own, the song offers an honest take on what it's like to be in love with someone who's taken. The video, directed by Luke Monaghan, brings those heartbreaking lyrics to life and the video's unexpected ending adds depth to the love story. Unrequited love sucks.
Set against a series of gorgeous Parisian backdrops, the vulnerable clip finds Smith navigating a love triangle relationship among two close friends: fashion model Daisy Lowe and another man. There's clearly some sort of love-triangle dynamic going on, As he croons: "We sit in bars and raise our drinks to growing old/ Oh, I'm in love with you, and you will never know," ultimately pleading, "Leave your lover, leave him for me." The story develops it becomes clear one of his friends has other intentions, which leaves Smith heartbroken and alone, but also wiser from the experience. The evocative visual handles the subject matter with subtlety but the narrative is still fairly obvious. And if there were any doubts, the gut-wrenching final scene puts it all into perspective.

Sara Bareilles sings lifelong love in 'I Choose You'

Sara Bareilles released a tear-jerker of a Video to her heartwarming newest song "I Choose You," following the success of her hit single “Brave,” is the second cut off of Bareilles' 2013 album, "The Blessed Unrest," which was successful for the singer, peaking at No.2 on the Billboard 200. The serotonin-raising effect of "Brave" demands scientific research, while new single "I Choose You" could be the happiest song of 2014. As such, the engagement-themed, heartstrings-pulling video feels completely and utterly appropriate, and the cutest thing you'll see this week!
The mid-tempo ballad speaks of finding lifelong love, even when at times it seemed unfathomable. This soaring romantic declaration finds the 34-year-old singer/songwriter singing of a "lifelong love letter." She told VH1: "This song, for me, was about really claiming my belief that there is true love out there." The ballad is perfect for all couples and is a lovely mixture of intimacy and sheer positivity. Bareilles' voice makes the song that much more passionate and is the best tune for an impending engagement or even marriage reception! Plus, it's all real!
The video is just as touching as the song itself, shows Bareilles plays cupid by assisting two real-life couples - one heterosexual couple from Los Angeles named Matt and Chelsea, and one same-sex couple from Denver named Aly and Andrea - for the visuals, taking to her Facebook account in March to write to her fans, "Let me help you plan the best engagement ever!" The video is a compilation of footage leading up to the big proposals intertwined with Bareilles belting out the love song. Aly is shown prepping to pop the question by making paintings that tell their story of romance. As for Matt, he makes a literal memory lane of dioramas made from colorful Post-It notes.
"Tell the world that we finally got it all right/ I choose you," Bareilles sings in the ballad at the special proposals and watched as both couples started their happily ever afters. "I will become yours and you will become mine/ I choose you./ There was a time when I would have believed them/ If they told me you could not come true/ Just love's illusion," she croons. The touching video culminates with the two big proposals that lead to lots of loving tears from the couples and their family and friends. It's all heart-warmingly adorable and genuinely touching. Watch the video and grab your tissues.

Usher gets lipstick on his leg in "Good Kisser"

After teasing new music for a few weeks now, Usher finally delivers his new 'ode to oral sex' single, "Good Kisser," the lead single from his upcoming as-yet-untitled eighth studio album expected to drop later this year via RCA. And just moments ago he's liberated the official music video for streaming on VEVO. The 35-year-old R&B crooner has been steadily working on his new LP for awhile now and the old-school feel of "Good Kisser" is fitting.
After experimenting with bits of electronic and dubstep with his last 2012 album, "Looking 4 Myself," Usher returns to a more straight-forward blend and R&B, soul, and funk rhythms. Produced by a team that includes Pop & Oak, it's a stripped-back soul-funk number in which Usher suggestively describes his lover's skills that tows the line between '60s pop innocence and slightly naughtier, early '90s R&B fare a la Bell Biv DeVoe. She makes him holler. She gets lipstick on his leg. She prepares steak and eggs at 5 in the morning. And that's just for starters.
Usher has "lipstick on (his) leg," and that's no accident. It's one of many seductive boasts on his funky new single, "Good Kisser," which finds the R&B phenom celebrating the art of the smooch over a nimble, uptempo groove that's a bit retro without sounding like a total throwback. "I done been around the world / I done kissed a lotta girls," Usher sings at the top. He then spends the rest of the track praising one particular set of lips, setting the scene with lots of specific imagery as jazzy keyboards and handclaps roll into the chorus.
A stylish new music video, directed by Christopher Sims, lets Usher Baby serenade you in person. In the "Good Kisser" visual, which found the 'Confessions' singer unleashes his trademark glide move in a group choreography with the perfect mood lighting and channels in on the dance scene over some funky up-tempo production, croons with his shirt off and watches a mysterious freckles lady, only wearing underwear lick an ice cube. The director giving us close up shots of many girls puckering up their colorfully lip-glossed lips.