[Music Video] Lorde Bases "Team" Video On A Dream.

Lorde is still riding that counter-culture with new single Team and its accompanying video. The singer-songwriter offered up this explanation on the visuals via her Facebook page (which thankfully means I don' t have to spend all day trying to decipher the meaning behind it):

“This video was borne from a dream I had a few months ago about teenagers in their own world, a world with hierarchies and initiations, where the boy who was second in command had acne on his face, and so did the girl who was Queen. I dreamt about this world being so different to anything anyone had ever seen, a dark world full of tropical plants and ruins and sweat. And of this world, I dreamt about tests that didn’t need to be passed in order to be allowed in: sometimes the person who loses is stronger. Enjoy.”

Source: Facebook

Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan and Evelyn “Champagne” King Rock 2013 Soul Train Awards

Soul Train Awards time! Opening the star-studded show was a medley of songs brought to us courtesy of Divas Jennifer Hudson, Evelyn “Champagne” King and Chaka Khan.

Built around Hudson's own disco-inspired track, I can't Describe (The Way I Feel), the medley saw Elveyn and Chaka's songs (I’m in Love and Do What You Feel ) worked into the arrangement, giving the impression of it being one seamless composition. It did seem an odd choice to have Hudson's less known song being the linchpin of the performance- especially considering the iconic tracks the veterans on stage have in their catalouge- but I enjoyed it none the less!

[Watch] Tamar Braxton Delivers A Rough Around The Edges Medley @ Soul Train 2013

Tamar Braxton has been suffering from a few vocal problems recently, and her medley at the 2013 Soul Train Awards left me feeling that things still aren't quite right when it comes to her instrument. On the plus side, the Diva wasn't having problems reaching the notes (as has been the case previously) during her medley of Love And War, All the Way Home and The One. It was more the tone that was exhibiting a change, sounding "brassy" throughout the range.

More distracting than the slightly off vocal was the performance itself, which was all kinds of messy. From the awkward choreography to the moments Tamar was visibly out of breath, the whole thing was lacking polish and finesse. And I'm not even going to comment on the outfit choice!

Tamar Braxton has the potential to be something spectacular, it's just a shame she doesn't seem to want it enough to put in the work.

[Free For All Friday]

In this scenario you guys are the cat and I am the box.....:-D

Free For All Friday! Brother's wedding this weekend so expect lean times to commence! But don't let that stop you guys from having a good ol' chinwag in the comments! Much Love XX

If you don't know the score, here be the rules:

• Try not to get too perverted-this site still needs to basically be "safe for work".
• If somebody starts a controversial subject, try keeping it civil when dealing with it. If things get out of hand please flag the conversation.
• It would be nice if it stuck to music, but it's not a requirement! So talk about news, current events, how you're getting your hair done next time you hit the hairdresser! Whateves, really!
• No nasty comments aimed at other users.

Inappropriate hugs to all y'all, and wishing you an awesome weekend!

[Music Video] London Grammar- "Nightcall"

Possibly my favourite song from London Grammar's début album, If You Wait, has been given the video treatment. Hooray for Nightcall!

The original Nightcall was record by Kavinsky and was a synth-pop extravaganza that notably featured a distorted, robotic main vocal. With a voice like Hannah Reid's it was no surprise London Grammar chose to forgo this effect on their cover. They also "naturalised" the production somewhat, substituting most of the electronica for live instrumentation. The result is a melancholy and brooding ballad that fits perfectly within the trio's catalouge.

Take a listen to it, and the original, below!

[New Music] Candice Glover - "Cried"

Are we all remembering last year's American Idol winner, Candice Glover? If not, it doesn't really make much difference to anything, but let me tell you this is one lady who can SING! So make sure to take a listen before you exit the post!

To those who do remember her, I'm sure you're pumped to hear her first single and see the direction the American Idol team have decided to take her in! Well wait no longer and take a listen to Cried, below.

This was certainly a brave, and grown choice for a first single!  It's the kind of gut-wrencher I could imagine hearing Jazmine Sullivan record. Piano, strings and plenty of room for Candice to stretch her Gospel-infused voice, it certainly gave me my RDA of angst and pain. I'm just not sure how well it will fair, chart wise.

[Watch] Ariana Grande Saves 2013 AMA (Vocally) With "Tattooed Heart" Performance

Thank Pizza for Ariana Grande! Between Christina Aguilera's yawn-inducing performance of Say Something and TLC's continued desecration of my cherished memories, I was ready to give up on the 2013 American Music Awards altogether. [Note: This was before I saw Gaga and Katy Perry's offerings]

Okay, yes, the intro to Tattooed Heart was unnecessary and showy, but I'm guessing that was the point. Ariana is a new artist that I'm sure still feels has a lot to prove, vocally, to her peers and the audience. I can forgive her for that, as long as it doesn't carry on into her career once she's established. Besides, after that little indiscretion, she hit her stride quickly and gave an accomplished vocal. The song itself isn't one of my favourites, I should add, but I can't hold that against her delivery of it.

My only criticism is that I wish she'd have backed a little away from the microphone on some of the big notes, just to make them sound a little softer. But that was a tiny issue in an overall fantastic performance.