Natasha Bedingfield Reveals "Touch" Music Video

British pop singer Natasha Bedingfield had a pocket full of sunshine, now she's back after a two-year hiatus with her phenomenal new video for "Touch," the Julian Bunetta and Steve Kipner co-production serves as first single from her upcoming fourth studio album "Strip Me," which she announced on her Twitter page earlier this month.
Originally from New Zealand, and grew up in southeast London, the 29-year-old is straight out of the UK school of "pop" pop star: antipodean, Anglophile and enviably attractive. "I'm not interested in lines that go 'blah blah blah.' I want something that provokes me as well as the listener," she said. In the tradition of British female singer-songwriters Annie Lennox and Dido, Bedingfield brings lyrical honesty and vocal clarity to her music: not surprisingly, record buyers throughout Europe and beyond have responded to those qualities in droves.
The dance track starts off reminding us a lot of Temper Tramp's "Sweet Disposition." The verses seem a bit rambling, but the catchy chorus of "we danced, and we laughed, and we touched" wins us over. The song is quintessential Bedingfield. Even though it has conformed to the current dance/electropop trends, it has an upbeat, sunny melody with inspirational vocals that only Bedingfield seems able to pull off. The opening lyrics that mesh with the sequence of images above are, "I was trying to cross the street when I tripped and spilled my coffee on a man who yelled at me, then he walked off in a hurry. Now he's gunna be late for work, so he called his secretary, said to cancel his appointment with the guy in the lobby."
While I find all her music perfectly blends into the background, this one is notable because she has created her very own literal music video! Yes, Bedingfield has taken all the fun out of it for us by creating one herself. Directed by Rich Lee , the video sees Bedingfield singing in front of a projector screen that plays out the lyrics to the song with showing everyone being connected in some way, and with some grainy film footage intercut of people enjoying life. All of which plays out in the most literal way possible, while the train of thought lyrics also call to mind the "In Living Color" spoof on Tracy Chapman.
2010 is all about electrosynths, and Bedingfield definitely knows so. "Touch" is quite a shift from her previous albums, delving more into danceable instrumentals. Actually, the verses are nothing special, but once "Touch" gets to the chorus, Bedingfield's amazing vocal prowess emerges in its full glory and it's so amazingly uplifting that I'm tempted to cut out the chorus and put it on loop for eternity. It almost makes up for the rap-ish verses, but all in all "Touch" is a great track that's keen on keeping our interest until the release of the album, which I hope will be soon because this new direction Bedingfield is headed has smash potential.

Steve Azar 'Sunshine (Everybody Needs a Little)'

Sunshine can be a metaphor for many different feelings, and in Steve Azar's case, it's the realization that after searching for so long, he's finally found his true love. For his new video, "Sunshine (Everybody Needs a Little)," he makes his way through the nighttime streets of Nashville to get home just in time to watch his sleeping beauty wake up. To him, her dark hair draped across his pillow means he finally got it right, while the morning breaking through his window reveals that she really is the one. With Azar's careful vocal delivery and a peaceful rhythm, this track would definitely be a sunny way to wake up.
The country musician Azar grew up along the silted riverbanks of Greenville, Mississippi, near the Arkansas/Louisiana state lines. His love affair with music began early. For Azar, a veteran who's craft likely still feels like new, making music is a compulsion. His songs come in spurts, and are often far between, but fans can sense the time, feeling and spontaneity put into the pieces he releases. The second single, is a ballad sweeter, softer and achingly powerful like few on country radio. It's a laid-back groove-filled number from his fantastic new album "Slide On Over Here." Following on the heels of the top 40 hit "Moo La Moo," a catchy and fun number, Azar changes attitude to a love song in the true sense of the word. The song is an ode to his Sunshine – a tome of what she means to him, and his words invoke images of the summer sunshine pushing away a bleak dawn. Azar channeled his softer side with this ballad about finding that special someone. "I haven't written many love songs, but this one feels really special to me," said Azar. "It can be about any special relationship that brightens up our life. Whether it's new, or one that's been around for years. And, who doesn't need a little sunshine now and then, especially in today's troubled world."
"It's playing in heavy and medium rotations in a lot of markets," he said about "Sunshine." After moving to Nashville to pursue a career in music, he has made a living with the kind of lyrical outpourings rare in the genre, both whimsical and lovestruck, heartfelt and party-going. His words sound of one who has been writing for nearly 20 years, and the ability to mix cliché with lyricism impresses even more. The now 46-year-old Azar proves that age has not stripped him of any of his vocal prowess, as he uses the soft guitar strumming and an oh-so-perfect harmonica to compliment to sultry cool that he brings with a half-spoken vocal. The song "Sunshine" is about a protagonist obviously in love, and the effect comes through not only in the lyric, but in the melody and vocal as well. The album "Slide On Over Here" is the most emotionally complex one the artist has ever crafted. The sweetly melodic "Sunshine" is as pretty a love song as Azar has ever sung.

VersaEmerge Lost In Forest For "Fixed At Zero"

The Florida-based Alt-Rockers VersaEmerge are out with the video to their new title track off their full-length debut studio album, "Fixed At Zero," is catchy modern dream rock at its most ethereal and entrancing, just released on Fueled By Ramen. Infectious and sexy this is most certainly worth your time. Not only does "Fixed At Zero" feature pristine production, it also has one of the best vocal performances I've heard in a while, female or otherwise. The lead singer Sierra Kusterbeck's range, from sultry to soaring, is fantastic, as she knows when to pull in the reins as well as knowing when to belt it out.
This Florida trio is the future superstar of the heavily superstar lead by powerhouse, cute-as-a-button vocalist Kusterbeck. Her electrifying vocals are the batteries powering this machine, which is already good in and of itself. So the combo of soaring vocals and quality, catchy rhythm and riffing are the prime reasons why this band is on the verge of "emerging" from the underground and rocket to the stratosphere! With their dynamic brand of rock music, has already been named by Alternative Press as "A Band You Need To Know." However what makes all of this even more impressive is the fact that the band pulled all of this off without the benefit having a proper full-length to their name, but all of that's about to change with the release of "Fixed At Zero."
VersaEmerge in a heavily art-directed forest set where director Spence Nicholson takes some visual cues from the "vulture on my shoulder" lyrics, but keeps the focus on Kusterbeck and the band's performance. Kusterbeck explains how the storyline/treatment for the video follows here as she is 'lost' and wakes up in nest occupied by a vulture and how the live performance is set in a majestic forest. The vulture represents all your demons and bad habits that lurk in the back of your mind. They haunt you and try to control you. It's not always a bad thing. We aren't perfect. We all have a little vulture inside us, and sometimes it makes us take chances that we can learn from. I chose a vulture not only because it rhymed with 'shoulder,' but because they're so evil and lazy. It waits for its food to die and isn't even a skilled hunter. Sometimes we get all get lazy. We feel fixed at zero, which basically means to be stuck in one spot, not able to move forward or in the right direction- in the sense that 10 is the greatest and zero is the lowest. I want to get the phrase 'fixed at zero' in the dictionary, so I'm trying to think of many explanations as possible.
"Fixed At Zero" is like a walk through wonderland. It's powerful yet dreamy female lead vocals with a hint of vulnerability, it's unique fantasy feel from the varied instrument sounds and it's varied tempo lend to a surreal sound that feels a bit theatrical. At some point I realized I was experiencing the music more than just listening. VersaEmerge has found the perfect pop-rock mix, it'll lend nicely to make a few radio hits while others are meant to be admired and appreciated by true fans. "Fixed At Zero" has the charisma to draw in your attention and the substance to keep it as well. Looking for a new obsession? Say hello to 2010's breakout band, VersaEmerge.

Julianne Hough Reveals 'Is That So Wrong' Video

Singer/dancer Julianne Hough reveals a more mature side to her music with the release of her new music video Friday on CMT to promote her latest single "Is That So Wrong," the first offering from her upcoming sophomore studio album, "Wildfire," tentatively scheduled to arrive in November. The ballroom dancer/country music singer is lingering alone in her home, singing her heart out about wanting someone to light up her day. Hough turns in a strong, able vocal performance and positively noted the influences of co-writer Sarah Buxton.
The radio-friendly track "Is That So Wrong" is a mid-tempo track complete with a strong, able vocal performance from Hough, who co-written with Blair Day and Nashville treasure Buxton, backed by electric guitar and percussion with steel guitar fills. It certainly sounds like a different, the tune shows an edgier, more complex side to Hough and her music. Buxton's influence is prevalent throughout the song, from the vocal phrasing to the lyrics of the track. The song's female narrator has just experienced a breakup and describes the longing for someone to fill that vacancy. Hough described the process of writing the song in a behind the scenes video. "Blair was playing this rift and I said 'let's write a song about how I just got out of a relationship, and I don't want anything really, but I just want to like have somebody there.'" Hough admits that the breakup with boyfriend and charting of a new course afterwards helped inspire the new single.
The music video is directed by "So You Think You Can Dance" judge Adam Shankman. Travis Wall, the runner-up of the dancing competition season 2, reportedly creates the choreography which is a bit steamy with Hough disrobing while dancing around the house. In the video, Hough is shown carrying some items from her car to her apartment, but on the way she bumps into a man walking his dog. They smile at each other and continue on, with Hough going up to her apartment, where she begins to dance on her furniture and all around her living space. Upon hearing someone at her door, she opens it to find the man she bumped into previously with a bouquet of flowers.
Hough was really trying to break away from the 'dancer' typecast and shows off her talents as a country singer. She came to national prominence as the two-time professional dance champion on ABC's Dancing With the Stars, but the 22 year-old says her ultimate goal is a career in country music. One of the reasons for the moderate instead of smashing success was the 'dated' production style throughout the album. The production on the single is handled by stalwart Nashville producer Dann Hough and he completely gives the song the 'current' sound that Hough needed to set herself back on the path to country music stardom.

T.I. And Keri Hilson Stay True In "Got Your Back"

Southern rapper T.I. brings the story of his life to the small screen by adapting it for "Got Your Back" music video. The track is the first official single off Tip's highly anticipated seventh studio album "King Uncaged" which is set to hit stores on September 28. The Keri Hilson-featuring new video is inspired by a chapter in T.I.'s life who spent much of 2009 behind bars for weapon possession charge, and the Atlanta rapper rhymes about a lover holding him down during arduous times, and he shows love to the women who stand by their man despite legal woes.
Got Your Back" is a female-friendly cut that essentially attempts to recreate the magic of "Whatever You Like." The song features a bright and bouncy electro/synth beat with a super catchy chorus provided by the ultra fashionable Hilson, while T.I. raps the verses and harmonizes in the song's melodic bridge. "[It's] basically just me showing my appreciation to all the ladies who got they man's back in the world, acknowledging the one who had my back and acknowledging the ones that got they man's back at the same time," T.I. explained about the song to Jamie Foxx. Tip's flawless rap technique with Hilson's incredible vocals makes for one hit fans won't be able to get out of their head.
The clip begins with a couple sitting in a sterile courtroom, the man seated before the judge and his love, tearful, sitting in the row behind him. The video then segues to another couple, showing the female love interest having lunch with her man at his loading-dock job. The visual transitions again to the pair making the best of what legal troubles have done to their lives: She shares a laugh with her incarcerated love during a visit to him in jail. Whether it's the easy bliss of one romance or the strain of another, the clip represents how both women get his back. The rest of the video shows Tip and Hilson performers grooving to "Got Your Back" in various well-chosen outfits, often while separated by a symbolic wall. At the end, T.I.'s real-life fiancée Tomeka "Tiny" Cottle makes a cameo, throwing her hand on the rapper's shoulder in support.
T.I., one of the biggest names in hip-hop, gradually came into his own and established himself as one of rap's most successful MCs during the early 2000s. Father, astute businessman, fashion icon, King of the South, future Hollywood A-Lister, and hip-hop standard bearer. With all these titles, no wonder Atlanta, GA native Clifford Harris needs two monikers to tell his whole story. And with the release of the year's most anticipated rap album, T.I. vs. TIP, we get both sides of one of contemporary music's most compelling characters, who carried a balance of smoothness and toughness.

Christina Aguilera Sheds Tears In "You Lost Me"

Christina Aguilera is back and better than ever! This time she's taken a much softer approach and looks great doing it, in the new video for her powerhouse latest 3rd piano-driven ballad "You Lost Me," which premiered Thursday on Vevo with an emotional and heart wrenching storyline of love. Both the song and its video are the polar opposite of Aguilera's first "Bionic" single, "Not Myself Tonight," representing a kind of return to form for the gifted singer. The 29-year-old singer goes natural beauty and is emotionally shook up over a seemingly perfect companionship tarnished by deceit.
The somber track is about a man who cheated on her and eventually left. It brings the honesty and emotion that have made Aguilera one of the premier balladeers of our time. The lovely ballad song shows off her amazing vocals, while the Anthony Mandler-directed video shows simplicity with pure passion and emotion. "This video will take you from a very dark place," Aguilera says of her new video. "What I wanted was a very raw and real feeling, kind of falling apart of your whole world." Aguilera says her goal was to capture the emotions that happen when "your relationship with this person is sort of being destroyed right before your eyes."
The video swapping her platinum pinup style for a softer image to suit the "Bionic" ballad. It begins with an extreme close-up of a gun barrel while the newly strawberry-blonde star wanders through a deserted bedroom and lays down in the dirt, but like a vintage Hollywood vixen, she always remains impeccably glamorous -- even while mascara streams down her cheeks. Mandler adds, "From the first keys of the opening of the track, we know that we are about to watch something that is going to move and transform us." The video will feature a series of connected vignettes. "In the end, we've traveled through Christina's world. One that is physical, mental and spiritually charged. Nothing is what it seems. Everything is fractured and evolving, falling away... fragile."
A leader in the parade of Mickey Mouse Club veterans who stormed pop at the turn of the millennium, Aguilera was the sexy, brassy diva of the bunch as it were. But by the time of 2006's third album "Back to Basics," it was clear that Aguilera was the most musically ambitious, and reliable, pop diva of the boom, and became a worldwide success. Although the blue-eyed Aguilera has matured and mellowed as she entered motherhood, it's won't be the last you'll see of her. She's a true talent, one of the best vocals in the industry today and a soulful singer worthy of all the praises and awards she has been credited at such a young age. Emotionally driven and visually beautiful, the video thrusts viewers right into her feelings, with the lightening and effects altering dramatically with each run of her stellar voice. Hopefully for Aguilera, "You Lost Me" will cast those doubts aside and remind everyone of what she does best.

Nicki Minaj Goes To Samurai War In "Your Love"

Hoping to keep her momentum going after the poor performance of debut single "Massive Attack," the 25-year-old hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj released the video Wednesday on MTV for her breezy mid-tempo follow-up "Your Love," from her forthcoming, as-yet-untitled debut album, slated to arrive November 23. Find out whether the Queens emcee and Young Money female rapper loses or wins in a love battlefield against fellow martial arts student in new clip.
After the leaked version started receiving heavy airplay on the radio because of its inclusion on her Barbie World mixtape. "Your Love" went on to become Minaj's most successful single so far, topping the Billboard Rap Songs chart, the first by a female rapper in eight years. She was initially reluctant to release the song, but was forced to after it leaked and eventually blew up on the Internet, according to MTV News.
"Your Love" is the downright business! While the actual track samples Annie Lennox's "No More I Love You's," the recently released and Hype Williams directed video pulls from inspiration like Lucy Liu's "Kill Bill" character and features a cameo from the smoking hot Michael Jai White. The music video was shot during July 4th weekend. Things really heat up when it turns out she isn't the only student with a crush on the teacher. The video shows an almost demure Minaj cooing for the affections of a irrepressible lover, and finally brings her into the center stage all by her lonesome, where she deserves to be.
In a line from the tune, the female MC says emphatically that for "your love she will 'Die Hard' like Bruce Willis." Her verbal word play is tongue-and-cheek yet undeniably addictive from first listen to the tune's throbbing backbeat. Minaj frolics throughout the clip in Asian-inspired garb, slaying any figures daring to challenge the love of her "samurai." The same figures Minaj slashes in "Your Love" could very well be her musical predecessors as the Queens, N.Y., rapper looks to conquer the entire hip hop industry, one chart entry at a time. And With killer curves she was obviously proud to flaunt plus a background in the performing arts, and with a winning number like "Your Love," the Queens rapper's on the right track. Currently, Minaj is also enjoying top-five status as a finalist vying for MTV's "Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010." She's earned plenty of fans with her over-the-top delivery and facial tics during her rhymes.