warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Lucy Hale Goes Country: Music Video Roundup

Mara Hyman |
January 20, 2014 | 1:24 p.m. PST

Associate Entertainment Editor

Every other week, Editor Mara Hyman takes a look at the buzz-worthy short films coming from the music video universe. Here are her latest picks:

Lucy Hale - "You Sound Good to Me"

I know what you're thinking - Lucy Hale sings?? Best known for her role on ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars," Lucy has decided to try out a singing career. But rather than go the stereotypical Disney-pop route, she has entered the world of country - and her voice fits it pretty well! She has a deeper, rich tone that works with this first song, which is lighthearted but with intricate lyrics. It's easy to tell that she enjoys singing, so it'll be interesting to see how the rest of her debut album sounds.

The video isn't too unique, which is fine, but shows Lucy having fun with her friends driving and chilling out by a campfire. Overall it's a very cute and feel-good video - nothing too special or over-the-top, which Lucy doesn't need because she doesn't have a weak voice that needs bells and whistles. What do you think about actors who enter the world of music?

Lea Michele - "Cannonball"

Speaking of actors who dabble in music, Lea Michele has now stepped front and center. Yet this is much less of a shock, since she displays a powerhouse of a voice on "Glee" and started out on Broadway. This song is very fitting as her first single, because while she didn't write it, she obviously felt a connection due to the passing of her boyfriend Cory Monteith. It's an inspirational song about being in a dark place and entering the world again with a new perspective on life. It's a bit repetitive, but she sings it flawlessly.

The video is interestingly shot because it plays with light to fit the ambiance of the song. She starts out in a dimly lit room, which is gradually filled with more natural light. Towards the end she stands in front of flashing neon lights almost representing a disco ball. It has a very uplifting feel and, like Lucy's video, isn't overly staged because it didn't need it. Are you happy to see Lea starting a singing career outside of "Glee?"

Foster The People - "Coming of Age"

Foster The People is back! They recently announced that their sophomore album, "Supermodel," will release in mid-March. As their first single off of the album, "Coming of Age" is upbeat with a heavy focus on guitar riffs - a slightly different sound from their mega-hit "Pumped Up Kicks." It has dynamic lyrics about growing up and making mistakes along the way. The track has a slight The Killers vibe as well.

The video is interesting because it has practically nothing to do with the song, but it stands out because it's artsy. The entire video is a time-lapse of a mural being drawn on a side of a building. It gradually becomes more and more complete as the artists work into the night. The next morning, the mural is revealed in all of its glory. Are you happy to see them break out of one-hit-wonder status?

Austin Mahone - "Banga! Banga!"

Oh boy. Austin Mahone, who is often compared to Justin Bieber, is back with his latest single. While the song is slightly catchy, the background instrumentals combined with the chorus are a bit irritating. While the song has mixed reviews, he came off of his mega-single "What About Love" which was surprisingly good and had a strong '90s boy band feel.

The video is very fast-paced with frequent cuts between shots. It takes place in a skater park surrounded by tons of colorful graffiti-filled walls with the word "Banga" on it. The video puts more emphasis on Austin's dancing skills, showing him and his backup dancers doing a choreographed sequence during the chorus. Overall it's not bad, but he could've done a lot more with the video concept. Are you an Austin Mahone fan?

Ellie Goulding - "Goodness Gracious"

Coming off of the success of "Burn," Ellie is back with a new track that shows off her famous high-pitched falsetto. The song is about a complicated back-and-forth relationship - it's not as catchy as some of her past hits, but it works. Surprisingly her voice sounds very autotuned and overprocessed on this song, especially in the chorus, which unfortunately takes away from her natural talent.

The video takes place in LA and has a strong '80s feel. There are a lot of neon colors, from the clothes Ellie and her friends wear to the hues in the sky. Every inch of the video has great attention to detail. It might seem a bit chaotic and even dizzying in some parts, but it looks like she's having fun. What do you think of this compared to "Burn?"

Reach Associate Entertainment Editor Mara Hyman here.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.