Tag Archives: music video

30 Seconds to Mars shines a light on the “City of Angels”

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Jared Leto and his 30 Seconds to Mars have released a music video/short film hybrid for the band’s single “City of Angels,” a track off their latest album Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams. It’s an ode to Los Angeles, a place where dreams are born and made everyday, at least according to the lineup of celebrities, celebrity impersonators, and street performers that pop up in this 11-minute clip. Leto and his bandmates set up shop near LA’s Griffith Observatory and play the uplifting track as Kanye West, James Franco, Lindsay Lohan, and others open up about coming to and living in the City of Angles.

“As I got older I realized I wanted to make some of my creative dreams come true that I need to go west,” spills Leto. From the sweeping, grand shots of the city to the vitalizing track and the inspirational tales told by the featured guests, Leto has directed quite the PSA for California’s capital.

Justin Timberlake is out for the count in “TKO” music video

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Sexual tension takes center stage in Justin Timberlake’s latest music video for “TKO,” the second single off The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2. Elvis’ granddaughter actress Riley Keough stars opposite Timberlake as she takes him for a not-so-pleasant ride. The clip is visually stimulating but not nearly as engaging as JT’s previous efforts “Mirrors,” “Tunnel Vision,” and “Take Back the Night.”

Download the full 20/20 Experience at iTunes today, and read SpeakSonic’s glowing review of Part 2 right here.

Peter Jackson calls on Ed Sheeran to create “Hobbit” closing track

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Peter Jackson handpicked English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran to compose and produce “I See Fire,” the softly bold track that will close out the second Hobbit film when the credits roll. Jackson posted this video on his Facebook page and here’s an excerpt from his accompanying message to fans:

We have a tradition in our Tolkien films of having a song over the closing credits. It’s very important that the song feels right for the world of the movie – and also carries the emotional resonance of the end of that particular film. The Desolation of Smaug is no different. The ending of this film requires a voice and sensibility that will allow a viewer to process what they have just experienced. It’s always tricky to think of the right person to create and perform these songs. Someone who shares our passion for Tolkien, and somebody who is prepared to respect the film. This year we are thrilled to have Ed Sheeran write and perform our closing song, “I See Fire”.

It was a great experience, and what you will see in this video are moments captured by our behind the scenes team during the creation of the song. But the images are only supporting Ed’s wonderful song. This is his direct emotional response to seeing The Desolation of Smaug, written and performed on the same day he saw the movie.

And his “direct emotional response” turned out to be a thing of beauty. The song balances strength and grace and it’s easy to imagine it play as the second chapter of Jackson’s three-part journey comes to an close.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug hits theatres December 13. Download “I See Fire” at iTunes today.

Eminem’s ‘MMLP2’: new single + tracklist inside

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Eminem’s ninth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (aka MMLP2) will include 16 tracks, featuring singles “Berzerk,” “Survival,” and his latest release “Rap God” (listen to the third single after the break, along with them music video for “Survival”). Skylar Grey, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Nate Ruess round out the record’s guest artists. Click after the break to view the tracklist. Above, eye the album artwork that is similar to 2000’s MMLP cover art–it features an image of Em’s now-boarded up Detroit home he grew up in.

Eminem performs on SNL November 2 and this will lead into MMLP2‘s November 5 release date. Continue reading Eminem’s ‘MMLP2’: new single + tracklist inside →

Music videos: John Legend serenades his wife in piano ballad “All of Me”; Britney Spears is back in EDM-inspired “Work Bitch”

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At the end of August soul singer-songwriter John Legend dropped his fourth studio album Love in the Future and here’s a music video for the third single off that record. In “All of Me” Legend sings to his new wife, model Chrissy Teigen; they were married in Italy last month. The beautiful, subtle direction by Nabil complements the piano heavy tune; Legend sings, “Cuz all of me loves all of you; love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections.” The GOOD Music artist is a pure talent; watch his latest in the black-and-white clip embedded above.

After the break, Britney’s back. Continue reading Music videos: John Legend serenades his wife in piano ballad “All of Me”; Britney Spears is back in EDM-inspired “Work Bitch” →

Music Video Monday: Katy Perry, Eminem & Coldplay release their latest

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Three music videos for you this week!

Kitty Purry Katy Perry stars in the video for her mega-hit single “Roar.” In this quite literal interpretation of the song, Perry transforms into queen of the jungle after surviving a plane crash. You can tell she had loads of fun putting this all together. It’s very cartoonish in nature–from her overreaction to a spider crawling up her arm to actual animated sequences–and if you’re a fan of the catchy track it’s pretty much guaranteed this vid will thoroughly entertain you. This lead single is off Perry’s upcoming album Prism due out October 21.

Two more clips after the break! Continue reading Music Video Monday: Katy Perry, Eminem & Coldplay release their latest →

Watch the latest & greatest viral sensation right here, RIGHT NOW!

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Feast your eyes and ears on this truly bizarre and admittedly catchy…well, I’m not sure what to call it. It gets more ridiculous as it goes on, but in the best way possible. There’s just no way to properly hype what you are about to watch–words simply cannot do it much justice. So mash play and ask yourself, WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? Side effects of that question are extreme confusion and plentiful laughter to the point of tears. This is quite possibly the greatest thing to come out of the Internet. Like ever.

When you’re finished, download the MP3 here. You’re welcome.

In case you’re wondering, the EDM-inspired song and accompanying music video “The Fox” was imagined by Norwegian brothers Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker. Together they are known as Ylvis and the musically-inclined comedic duo concocted this stroke of genius to promote their talk show that airs in Norway.

Jay Z’s “Holy Grail” gets new lease on life in bold new music video

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Here we have the music video for “Holy Grail,” the Justin Timberlake assisted track that gracefully eases listeners into Jay Z’s recent release Magna Carta… Holy Grail. Director Anthony Mandler was clearly given creative freedom during the construction of this visual spectacle. The track is heavily remixed here with verses out of order (Jay spits his rhymes before JT’s hook rings, for example) and certain parts are slowed down significantly. It’s hard to say if this version is better than the original creation, but there’s no denying that this newly polished version works. It’s like listening to the song again for the first time, and in my opinion, that’s an interesting experience.

Watch Jay rap in a ghoulish mansion and JT croon amongst the flames in the clip embedded above. In a sharp move, Hova teamed with Facebook to exclusively launch the “Holy Grail” music on the social network.

Jason Sudeikis, Jason Bateman, Ed Helms & Will Forte ARE Mumford & Sons in the band’s “Hopeless Wanderer” music video

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If you aren’t laughing out loud with happy tears streaming down your face by the end of this video then something is clearly wrong with you. English folk rock band Mumford & Sons have enlisted funnymen Jason Sudeikis (SNL), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Ed Helms (The Office), and Will Forte (SNL) to play far-out versions of the four bandmates in this twisted, self-deprecating parody. The music video for “Hopeless Wanderer,” a track off M&S’ album Babel, gets sillier and sillier as it goes on and by the end you want to watch it all over again. From the unsuspecting start to the full on make-out sesh between Sudeikis and Forte, this is one unforgettable clip that proves Mumford can take a hit, laugh at themselves, and enjoy the ride.

Jay Z spontaneously performs “Picasso Baby” at NYC gallery, waxes lyrical about the art of performance

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On Friday night Jay Z (rest in peace hyphen) premiered his music video for “Picasso Baby,” a track off his latest album Magna Carta… Holy Grail. But it’s more than just a music video, claims the rapper. He calls it “a performance art film” as it incorporates more than just him rapping along to his rhymes. Jay introduces the clip with reflections on performance and hip-hop as art. It’s a music video/documentary hybrid, if you will.

Last month Hova took over  Chelsea’s Pace Gallery in New York City for six straight hours where he rapped “Piscasso Baby” in front of a crowd consisting of excited fans off the street as well as famous artists, actors, dancers, and performers. Mark Romanek, who previously collaborated with Jay on his 99 Problems music video, directed this eight minute video (the final two minutes or so is all credits) and shot it all using eight different cameras. Celebrity cameos include Alan Cumming, Judd Apatow, Michael K. Williams, and Wale.

It’s definitely one of the most candid and straight up fun music videos I’ve ever seen. Jay seems to be having a genuinely good time amongst his people and his high energy is contagious to the viewer. So, enjoy this performance art film music video documentary, or whatever you want to call it.

Justin Timberlake takes back the night in music video for “Take Back The Night”

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JT keeps the party going with his latest music video for his new 20/20 Part 2 single “Take Back The Night.” The creatively-edited clip bounces back and forth between Justin dancing in the street, headlining his Legends of the Summer tour in Yankee Stadium, and tearing up the dance floor at a NYC nightclub. Go on, listen to the MJ-inspired track again, this time with some fun and sweaty visuals.

The Weeknd readies new album ‘Kiss Land’ with lead single & fall tour

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The Weeknd is back for more. After dropping three mixtapes for free–namely House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence–he packaged them all together in his first studio album Trilogy and released it last November. Since then, Abel Tesfaye has been hard at work on prepping his followup album that will consist of all-new tracks this time around. Kiss Land is the forthcoming record, and it shares the name with the album’s lead single. It sounds like The Weekend, or what you’re used to at least, but there’s no denying the sheer amount of musical growth that’s embedded inside the track. Everything sounds better, clearer even: from the popping production value to the sensual-as-ever lyrics. After signing with Universal Republic Records he promised fans that his sound would not waver from its original mentality. “You will continue to get what you fell in love with, and I will continue to give you what you ask for,” he wrote in a note. “Kiss Land” the single delivers; it’s classic The Weeknd infused with a spurt of musical maturity. Jump after the break to preview the 7 minute 41 second introduction to the next phase of The Weeknd; download it at iTunes. Kiss Land is due out at the end of the summer. And in other news, The Weeknd going on a 28-date tour called The Fall; dates and locations are listed below. Continue reading The Weeknd readies new album ‘Kiss Land’ with lead single & fall tour →