The often lovely and talented Florence Welch showed us some different sides of herself in a music video for ”Sweet Nothing,” her collaboration with Calvin Harris.
Playing the role of an abused woman in the video, we see Welch rocking an androgynous look with her hair tied up and wearing suit during a performance in a club.
While Welch sings the song’s lyrics, “I’m tired of hope, with nothing to hold / I’m living on such sweet nothing / And it’s hard to learn and it’s hard to love / When you’re giving me such sweet nothing,” we are then introduced to the back story that explains the pain Welch is singing about.
With the video going back and forth to a man sitting in a diner to Welch singing, it is revealed that they are involved in an abusive relationship.
It’s an interesting look and feel for the often glamourous singer of Florence+ The Machine. But with her powerful vocals set to a darker tone and beat, her collaboration with Harris definitely shows Welch’s ability to expand as an artist.
We’re obsessed with all the covers Kelly Clarkson does at her concerts. Each show, she accepts audience requests and then chooses a song to belt out. We recently saw her do unexpected renditions of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.”
This time she took on Florence + the Machine’s “Shake It Out.” And it ROCKS. “If I screw this up, I’m sorry Florence and Youtube,” she said. We think she did Florence proud!! What do you think?
“Princess of China” — Coldplay ft. Rihanna
Princess of China, the much-anticipated collaboration between Coldplay and Rihanna, was finally released last week with a dramatic, eye-popping music video. I never thought Rihanna and Chris Martin’s voices could complement each other so well but RiRi impressively holds her own with the alternative rockers. The R&B songstress looks amazing in her sexy Asian-inspired outfits, and Chris Martin is a dreamboat as usual, playing Rihanna’s star cross lover. With flying ninja sword fights, desert landscapes, and some amazing on screen chemistry between Chris and Rihanna (hopefully Gwyneth Paltrow wasn’t too hard on Chris), the video definitely does the song justice.
“Run” — Flo-Rida ft. RedFoo
Once again, our friend Flo-Rida has taken an 80s classic and turned it into a sexualized pop hit (“Right Round,” anyone?) His new single “Run,” featuring LMFAO’s RedFoo, is a four-minute club banger that samples Bryan Adams’ “Run to You.” It includes Rida’s usual catchy hooks that will get stuck in your head for days, and of course, the chorus is ridden with some clever sexual innuendos. Somewhere, I’m sure Bryan Adams is shaking his head in shame, but the song makes me want to pour myself a shot, throw on some heels, and go out dancing, so it’s an A+ in my books!
“Spectrum (Calvin Harris remix)” — Florence + the Machine Read more…
“Reunion (Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. remix)” — M83
From Detroit indie-pop duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. comes this remix of M83’s “Reunion,” off their recent album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. The remix is a great, toned down version of M83’s heavily 80s-inspired track. Dale Earndhart Jr. Jr. keeps the essence of the track with M83’s signature atmospheric vocals, but adds their own twist with some synth, and a driving beat. Reunion will be officially released later this month and serious fans who buy the disc will be treated to six remixes of the single, including this Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. version.
“Blood Brothers” — Ingrid Michaelson Read more…
Florence + The Machine guitarist Robert Ackroyd kissed a girl over the weekend and it just happened to be Katy Perry. Not that she’s easy to miss with her blue-purple ombre hair.
The rumoured couple were seen canoodling at Coachella over the weekend, the music festival where hipsters wear peace flowers in their hair, Tupac is resurrected and romances bloom. It’s a place where magic things happen.
Though his friends poked fun of him about “KP” he tweeted: ”Best Coachella ever. Scratch that, best weekend ever. Dre, Snoop, Pac, Nate, Fiddy & KP.”
The pair were spotted while Rihanna performed during Calvin Harris’ set. We’re not sure if they’re official, but it’s probably safe to say he kissed a girl and liked it.
Here’s your weekly dose of music to help you get through a rough week, as prescribed by Azra Kassam.
Neon Trees –”Everybody Talks”
There’s nothing like watching a guy in a pink suit jamming on Ellen. Neon Trees went on Ellen today to perform their hit “Everybody Talks,” which is a fun, summery jam about people gossiping. The song is from their new CD Picture Show.
Feist – “Bittersweet Melodies”
Feist’s video for her latest single Bittersweet Melodies features some pretty unique photographs. Argentinean photographer Irina Werning, who juxtaposes pictures of people recreating images taken of them in the past, lends her talents in this nostalgic video/slideshow. My favourite re-creation is the wedding couple who look just as happy now as they did then. The photos are amazing and complement the soothing, wistful song perfectly.
Adele vs. Fun – “We Are On Fire”
How do you make a great indie pop hit even better? You mash it up with Adele, of course. “We Are Young,” the first single off indie pop band Fun’s second album Some Nights, was an unexpected hit. Even Glee covered it! The song is a power ballad with a great chorus, but isn’t very danceable. So DJ Tripp mixed in Adele and a faster beat. This, my friends, is how magic happens. I’m in love. Read more…
Dragonette – Let It Go
After lead singer Martina Sorbara’s stints with Martin Solveig offering her distinct vocals on “Hello” and “Big in Japan,” Canadian electronic band Dragonette is back with a new single “Let It Go” and an upcoming album with the same name. We know we’ve got a hit on our hands since Laidback Luke has already remixed the track. If you’re a Dragonette fan, you won’t be disappointed.
Mayer Hawthorne ft. Rizzle Kicks – The Walk
Off Mayer Hawthorne’s second studio album How Do You Do, “The Walk” is a mashup of funk /soul and indie pop, and is pretty much about telling a heartbreaker to f**k off. The harsh lyrics combined with smooth vintage trumpets and old school beat makes this song absolutely charming. British hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks appear on the record lending their sweet English accents as well. One listen and I guarantee you’ll fall in love. Read more…
Victoria Abraham defines one up and coming artist each week so you can impress your friends with your musical brilliance. This week, she tackles Azealia Banks, a rapper from Harlem, New York.
If the name Azealia Banks doesn’t ring a bell, then you’ve probably been living under a rock. Good thing I am here to enlighten you. This 20-year-old up and comer recently appeared in the GQ Style Bible, and on NYLON magazine’s website. And she’s worth the hype.
Her new EP 1991 is due out on April 17. She recently moved to London, England to work on her debut album with Paul Epworth, the producer behind Adele and Florence and the Machine. Watch for her album Broke with Expensive Taste next September.
Origins: Harlem, New York
Full name: Azealia Amanda Banks. Yes, Azealia is her real name. However, she was formerly known as Miss Bank$ and her Twitter name is ”<3 Yung Rapunxel <3.” So I’m guessing she likes braids and princesses.
Known for: She’s known for her no-nonsense, dirty, unapologetic, in your face rhymes.
Used in a sentence: “Azealia Banks brings street cred back to the female rap game. Nicki Minaj, take notes.”
File next to: Missy Elliott and Nicki Minaj
Download now: Listen to the viral hit “212” NOW if you haven’t. For shame, where have you been?
Listen to it here:
Here’s your weekly dose of music to help you get through a rough week, as prescribed by Azra Kassam.
Nick Santino – Call me Maybe
Anyone who doesn’t live under a rock has probably heard Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call me Maybe.” The kids love it, Justin Bieber loves it, and apparently, A Rocket To the Moon’s Nick Santino loves it too. He decided to record an acoustic cover of the song so it would stop playing over and over in his head. I can’t guarantee that the song won’t get stuck in your head, but hopefully this mature version of the song will tickle your fancy.
Miike Snow — The Wave
“The Wave” is Miike Snow’s second single off the new album “Happy to You.” Listeners beware, the only thing in common “The Wave” has with Miike Snow’s first smash hit “Animal,” is the return of lead singer Andrew Wyatt’s beautifully laidback vocals. Haunting lyrics combined with an entrancing rhythm and repetitive piano chords give the song a somber tone. Watch the new video for “The Wave” above.
Clams Casino remix – Florence and the Machine’s Never Let Me Go
As if Flo needed a remix to bring out her angelic voice, Clams Casino takes “Never Let Me Go” to a whole new level. Clams Casino re-interprets the single, transporting the listener to a lush rainforest with distorted background sound and ethnic drumbeats. The highlight of the remix is Florence Welch’s muffled, pitched down voice halfway through that is simply eerie.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – Never Go Back
From their upcoming fourth studio album The Lion The Beast The Beat, (release date June 12) comes Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’ brand new single “Never Go Back.” The single is co-written by Potter and Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, and is a bluesy, flute infused jam that the two musicians came up with while “fucking around” in the studio. Definitely worth a listen.
The Jezebels – Rosebud
The Jezabels transport me back to the 80s (not that I was alive then) with the video for their latest single “Rosebud.” Directed by Ben Reed, the low quality footage, picture layering, and fake snow complement the song’s retro vibe perfectly. Unfortunately, the Eurythmics do not make a special appearance as I was hoping for!
Florence and the Machine’s new video for “Never Let Me Go” is dark and captivating. It features a dark haired Florence skating with a blond hunk on a foggy rink. That blond hunk just happens to be Jamie Campbell-Bower who plays Caius in Twilight.
The two lovers balance each other: she’s the dark to his light, but when he leaves her things start to get trippy and blood starts gushing from her forehead. She sings: “And it’s over, And I’m goin’ under, But I’m not givin’ up! I’m just givin’ in.”
The song is the latest single from her gold-certified “Ceremonials” album. Although the video was on YouTube, it was promptly taken down. However, a behind the scenes video captures the vibe of the song.
The ethereal beauty, Florence Welch graced the X Fact stage last night to perform “Spectrum”.
Florence and her power vocals stunned the audience as she sang a track from her newly released album “Ceremonials”. The British beauty wore an elegant, sparkling gown as dozens of interpretive dancers shimmied behind her.
It was a truly breathtaking performance and it’s found to give you shivers once you watch the video. Florence never gives a bad performance, does she?
If you are not interested in the Academy Awards and were less then enthused with the Grammy Awards, perhaps the British Shockwave NME Awards will be more up your alley.
NME is a British music taste-making magazine much like Rolling Stone. The magazine covers everything from mainstream pop to indie bands.
Canadian band, Arcade Fire and British band, Foals lead the nominations this year. The award show also promises live music from My Chemical Romance and Foo Fighters.
Here is the full list of nominees:
Best British Band:
Arctic Monkeys
Biffy Clyro
Foals
Kasabian
Muse
Best International Band:
Arcade Fire
Kings Of Leon
My Chemical Romance
The Drums
Vampire Weekend
We are always trying to come up with unique interview concepts at andPOP, and today we are trying a speed date interview. Jordan and Florence from Florence and the Machine had a speed date/interview to talk about love and the connection with music. Unfortunately for Jordan it turns out Florence has a boyfriend.
