Today's Pick

British blue-eyed soul singer James Morrison has teamed up his fellow countrywoman, the always colorful Jessie J to release their brand-new collaborative video for their soft, dreamy and romantic ballad new single "Up," the second single from Morrison's recent chart-topping album "The Awakening," which he told the news site is different enough from his older work to let people know what the new album will sound like, but not so different it will alienate fans.
The soft-focus pop soul duet with Jessie, is simply a repeat run of his collaboration with Nelly Furtado, right down to the lack of chemistry between the two singers. Morrison said he was honored the pop heavyweight had teamed up with him for the ending of the guitar-driven number. Morrison recently told Digital Spy of working with the 'Who You Are' star: "[It was] pretty intense. I was s**ting myself to be honest! She's sassy and an amazing pop star. She doesn't normally record tracks that she hasn't written herself, so I felt pretty privileged that she agreed to do it."
The video for the collaboration features the pair playing an estranged couple, as described in the pop ballad's lyrics. The clip follows Morrison wandering his way 'Up' through an abandoned-looking building while Jessie is seated in her top-floor apartment, singing and looking serious. At one point, they are back to back in the same room, singing. The video sets up these varying moments of tension and preps for them to eventually head up to the rooftop where they sing their heartfelt lines to one another, and try working out whatever issues which drew them apart.
The singers emote quite a bit and call for each other to stop doing "parade of excuses." As the sun begins to set, so both are drenched in sunlight for a few seconds, and household objects in their room begin to spontaneously explode, and the two singers end things by staring off into the sky at the edge of the roof. This video certainly shows us a more muted side of the normally rainbow-ish Jessie. She's subdued and muted, but still conveys plenty with her beautiful voice. She and Morrison have voices that mesh well together and the video's sad nature will get you thinking. It's not a super dramatic climax, but it still works.