Kerli Reminds Us We Are "The Lucky Ones"

Known for her more fantasy-driven visuals, the Estonian pop singer Kerli takes a different turn with a contemporary look for her latest up-tempo yet heartfelt song, “The Lucky Ones.” The inspirational dance jam will serve as the lead single from her upcoming sophomore studio album, "Utopia," dropping in 2013. The 25-year-old fashion forward songstress has said that her new album would celebrate life's light and dark sides.
Kerli's best known for combining pop, dance, elements of goth, and electronic music, and her latest track is no different, adding yet another irresistible song to her "Bubblegoth" genre. "The Lucky Ones" is an electropop song, and its synthesizer influenced production contains electronic dance and trance beats, and the song proved a fitting bridge for a truly visionary presence on the trendsetting side of pop. The song's lyrics were inspired by a friend of Kerli's miraculously finding the cure and overcoming his cancer and encourage people to be thankful for what they have in life.
"The message of the song is for us to never ever forget that we are the lucky ones. That fact that we get to sit here right now and be healthy. It's definitely the most meaning song I've ever written," Kerli said in a live chat back in September. "The Lucky Ones" takes a page out of Kerli's underground anthem "Zero Gravity" book, charging forward with pumping electro dance synths and trance-like beats. But while the high-octane vibe may be out of this world, Kerli's heartfelt lyrics and powerfully belts bring the song down to Earth.
It's a celebration of life, love and living in the moment. Accordingly, Kerli is acid, grunge, early 90's inspired in the moment more than ever in her new promo, which was directed by Ethan Chancer. The clip portrays the colorful singer in black and white with slow-motion close-ups of her face as she dancing and walking down the streets of Los Angeles, running her hand against a wall while singing the song, mixed with clips of speeding traffic that emphasize the hyper energy of the song. Apparently, Kerli wanted to give her fans something more gritty and real this time that hopefully inspires them the way they have inspired her.

Leona Lewis Breaks Free From "Lovebird" Cage

Sometimes you have to break free from the bounds of dysfunctional love to feel liberated and in control of your life once more! As a melancholic Leona Lewis finds her inner-spirit while imprisoned in a birdcage with the stunning new visual for "Lovebird," the second single pulled from her critically acclaimed third emotional LP, "Glassheart," which has yet to be released in the United States. Unsurprisingly the 27-year-old complete with her trademark long ponytail the X Factor winner looks positively at home in the virtual prison.
After a host of dance-infused upbeat numbers, Lewis has gone back to her familiar territory roots with this big power ballad, "Lovebird," which allows her to show off her vocal range to full effect. While it's not the most inspiring or original effort you'll hear this year, it should certainly please the singer's fans. Full of pleading looks, colorful outfits and, perhaps unsurprisingly, dark moody lights and a bird cage, Lewis' latest offering is a sweet midtempo ballad which starts off with a organ-based introduction, similar to that used in Lewis' debut single "Bleeding Love," and is then layered with piano melodies in the chorus which critics compared to those used in her single "Better in Time."
What a catchy, passionate ballad, and it's the perfect tune to blast when feeling stuck or suffocated in a relationship. Although perhaps not an advert for feminism Lewis looks classically beautiful, the British diva looks positively mournful in an ivory sleeved dress and floats in a wrapped ensemble as she finds the strength and courage to set herself free. It gave the video a definite dark side, which suited the "Bleeding Love" singer down to a tee. The liberated flying bird was predictable but it nicely cemented the concept.
Given that the title of the song is "Lovebird," there's a metaphorical theme to this video as Lewis, clad in a long flowing dress and ruffled cape, is seen singing inside a giant cage in a large shadowy room. It's not all doom and gloom though since the caged monochromatic Lewis is intercut with shots of the singer in a bright pink floaty number and jeweled eye decorations. This goes on for quite some time until the Lewis in the cage realizes she isn’t locked in after all, and makes her bid for freedom as a dove soars into the air. All very meaningful, we're sure.

Girls Aloud debut "Beautiful 'Cause You Love Me"

Girls Aloud get seriously up-close-and-personal and bare their vulnerable sides in the stripped back seductive video for their emotionally-charged new single, "Beautiful 'Cause You Love Me," which follows hot on the heels of their lead comeback single "Something New" from their greatest hits collection, "Ten." Unlike their previous release which launched their 10 year reunion with a bang, this video takes an all natural approach pushing glitz and glam to one side in favor of nearly naked outfits, barely there make up and bath time singing.
So with Christmas approaching, Girls Aloud have decided to slow things down for their next single with a romantic emotional ballad with the empowering message behind it. Ballads were never why people loved Girls Aloud. This group's legend was built on dizzyingly complicated prog-pop bangers, which pushed the envelope of what a pop song could achieve, blowing fluoro-pink gum bubbles as they went. The gals have clearly been a bit clever with this one and appealing to our need for a big ballad, they've combined some awesome, soaring vocals with a video that involves everything necessary to get us well away on the festive bandwagon.
The "Something Kinda Ooh" hitmakers, who have reunited to celebrate their tenth anniversary, look elegant dressed in white gowns as they pose in white gowns and mime the elegantly-charged lyrics to their brand spanking new ballad, and the ladies do look breathtakingly stunning. Incidentally, it could be argued that Girls Aloud are beautiful 'cause of unfair genetics and the aforementioned nude lipstick, but that doesn't sound quite so catchy. So we understand why they went with a romantic angle instead, despite their fast-paced tracks tend to sell better than their ballads traditionally.
In bed and the bath with Girls Aloud. The English-Irish belles get all steamed up and dressed in next-to-nothing in sexy new clip, which was filmed in a big ol' mansion in West London. The song's musical visuals are just as soft, romantic, and gorgeous as the tune itself! The promo sees each of these lovely ladies roll around in between the finest silk sheets and a bath, posing in a series of artistic close-ups as seductively as they possibly can, until they are brought together to drape themselves across a lounge chair in a desolate house, and sing the touching words to the ballad.

Band Perry shows dark side in "Better Dig Two"

The Band Perry broke through with "If I Die Young" and now they return with a brand new video for their latest tune, "Better Dig Two," the lead single from the breakout country trio's upcoming much-anticipated follow up sophomore album, which is due out in early 2013. Another song which deals with 'death' in a sonically interesting way. It's great to hear the Perry siblings tweaking their formula, and it definitely raises anticipation for what surprises they might have in store for their second album outing.
The obsessive love song, was originally demoed by Kacey Musgraves, finds Kimberley Perry singing of her undying love for her spouse, and vow that she won't carry on should their union end in death or divorce. The overall tone of the song is one not of romance, but of desperation. The lyrics are spiced up with a few clever turns of phrase, but they could potentially have benefited from added specificity, as it's unclear why she sounds so fearful of the union coming to a heartbreaking end.
The siblings spoke to on-air personalities about the tune, calling it "the ultimate love song, the kind of love not even death can separate." Cast in the shadow of the dark and stormy production and the gesture isn't sweet and romantic, but sort of unnerving. It's an ambitious effort, but not quite as airtight as one would hope. "Better Dig Two," sports a cool and slightly eerie sound that makes it oddly addictive - a feeling that is nicely enhanced by low banjo plucking, leading up to a searing fiddle solo in the song's bridge.
Filmed in Nashville, the Declan Whitebloom-directed clip is a dark look at a couples love and death. It largely takes place in an ominous forest, where a newlywed couple is walking through the fog in their wedding attire. Eventually, the couple arrives at a reception site, where guests are toasting wine, and eating a feast, but it quickly becomes obvious that the gorgeous spread is defiled by worms and insects. It ends with the bride is digging a grave and running through the woods. Although it's just implied, it seems like this ceremony wasn't actually a wedding, but, rather, a funeral.

Ke$ha interrogated about her album "Warrior"

Ke$ha has premiered an interrogation for "Warrior," a really fun and amazing project she's prepared for the promotion of her just-released sophomore studio album. The singer is held in a jail cell and moved to an interview room, and is interrogated by the Metropolitan Police over her new album "Warrior" in a new promotional clip, as she confirms that her mother is "an alien" and her father is Alice Cooper when asked by a British policeman. Ke$ha later adds that she can "speak dinosaur" and that she "eats glitter" on a daily basis.
Having successful debut album, the self-styled bad girl Ke$ha has decided not to fix what ain't broke. When you need someone to rhyme "saber-toothed tiger" with "warm Budweiser," you know who to call. Thematically, "Warrior," incorporated rock genres and inspired from the music of the 1970s, is intended to be more personal than her previous albums with an overall theme of "magic." As the singer elaborated the album's underlying theme stems around embracing a person's inner warrior.
"I got hypnotized, and I just really wanted this record to be really positive, really raw, really vulnerable and about the magic of life," Ke$ha said. Taken as a whole, this is another surprisingly enjoyable album from a pop singer who has managed to broaden her approach without losing her unique selling point. "Warrior" is the most fully-realized and cohesive pop album since Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream," or Lady Gaga's "The Fame Monster." The difference is that this musical journey feels more authentic. Unlike those fabulous divas, Ke$ha isn't playing a character or channeling an alter-ego. This is her demented diary set to music.
In her recent autobiography, the 25 year-old Nashville native writes about the intense pressure of following up her massively successful debut album. The glitter queen lifted her game and invented her own genre and makes the transformation from electro-pop diva to intergalactic wild child with jaw-dropping ease. "Warrior," is a non-stop aural assault of fresh ideas and new sounds that document the singer's journey from being L.A.'s self-confessed worst waitress to chart-conquering pop titan.

Gavin DeGraw honors regular heroes in 'Soldier'

Gavin DeGraw is honoring everyday heroes in the new music video for his love-as-a-battlefield anthem, "Soldier," the third single from his remarkable latest fourth studio album, "Sweeter," which is more radio-ready, heart-on-the sleeve pop that is pleasant enough but feels too inconsequential for an artist four records into his career. The video builds to a climax as the group gathers for a silent march with candles in hand with the meaningful message.
DeGraw definitely has a female-friendly reputation as a lover, not a fighter. But he's got more moxie than his image might suggest. The 35-year-old acclaimed pop-rock and adult contemporary musician is an excellent singer, with a hint of grit in his tenor that tips power ballads like "Soldier" toward soul music. The devoted love anthem was described by DeGraw as a "really beautiful sentiment." This potential wedding song finds DeGraw promising his girl everlasting love, and when she needs someone he'll always be there fighting for her. "Soldier" sounds just a little too tailor-made to serenade tuxes and gowns with its promises of eternal protection.
DeGraw does make further attempts at breaking away from his constrained, melodic pop rock other than the album's title track. "Soldier" is a soulful, rousing number that really shows off the dexterity of DeGraw's vocals, simply relying on a clapping beat and the ever present piano. It is by no means a drastic departure, but it is evidence of DeGraw approaching his sound with more thought than ever before. The racier moments are balanced out by more emotionally transparent songs like the uplifting "Soldier." which convey vulnerability while still managing to feel distinctly masculine.
Despite its title, DeGraw's "Soldier" is not about war, but instead deals with going the extra mile to help someone you love. The Carl Diebold-directed video picks up on that theme by shining the spotlight on regular folks doing heroic things for people in need. DeGraw is seen playing piano in the rain and singing, "When you get worried, I'll be your soldier," but the focus is on the cast of heroes. Among those featured are a few extraordinary yet incredibly regular people who are leading by example. They're fire fighters, people caring for ill family members and school teachers - the soldiers you sometimes forget to thank but DeGraw is making sure you remember their good deeds.

Kate Nash explores her wild side in 'Death Proof'

The re-invention of Kate Nash continues apace. Taking a step back last year, Nash began focusing on new ways of making music. Gradually becoming more aware of Feminism and the legacy of Riot Grrrl, the 25-year-old British songstress  is back and she's wilder and crazier than ever, as strayed a long way from her sugary pop roots and debuted her new direction earlier this year, and now she's gone full-blown indie pop with her new video for the titular cut, "Death Proof," the lead single and title track from her most recent venture and fresh five-track EP.
Nash' new EP is an upbeat, snarky attitude and blunt lyrics are still there, but something raw and melancholy underlies. Each track is a step along the path of heartache, following her trail of loneliness after escaping a bad relationship that was driving her into the ground. The diverse range in this small collection demonstrates heavy experimentation outside of her British pop genre. It also finds Nash embracing an entirely new mode, her piano having been replaced for the time being by a bass guitar.
"Death Proof," a song metaphorically about heartache, is a complete 180, exchanging catchy pop hooks for a new rawer 'rock n roll' sound with a fun garage punk sound with a heavy bass riff leads back up to Nash' scratchy voice. This is about walking away from a situation with as little damage as possible. In every relationship, we leave behind a piece of our heart, but the trick is getting out of it before we lose everything, because who has time for that? The song mixes urgent bass and minimal surf licks with a tuneful chorus that could have been ripped straight out of the K Records or Slumberland catalogs.
As for the new Aram Rappaport-directed clip, inspired by Quentin Tarantino's signature aesthetic film, Nash fuses vintage imagery with circus grandeur and sideshow novelty, performs in a flashy outfit while surrounded by different entertainers, and gets a little brash and bloody in the medical tent. "I wanted 'Death Proof' to have a Tarantino feel," Nash explained. "But I also love this movie called Freaks so a lot of the inspiration came from that as well: old Bettie Page pictures, traveling circus people, and freak shows."