Today's Pick

Australian alternative rock duo Empire Of The Sun have released the music video for their latest tune, "Alive," the lead single from their upcoming sophomore album, "Ice on the Dune," which follows their  award-winning 2008 debut, and will be released on June 17th, two weeks after they premiere the entire shebang at Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House. Yet another wonderfully creative video finds the Australian electro-pop act in an all-out fantasy-mode.
The band's imminent return to the scene through their new LP, "Ice on the Dune," and the group members Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore have kept their fans entertained with a novel market campaign which has included a perplexing Hollywood-groomed trailer, a motion poster, online puzzles and near-indecipherable messages from their support team. The Australian dance duo sport cosmic costumes and an extraterrestrial aura, and bring living things together with glistening, soaring electro-pop.
The Aussie boys of Empire Of The Sun always find a way to take their weirdness up a notch, and their first video off of their "Ice of the Dune" album, keeps that tradition alive. Much anticipation has been brewing for the indie electro-pop duo’s sophomore effort. This Charles Scott and Alex Theurer-directed video reveals dramatic desert scenes in a series of sci-fi Indiana Jones events. Supposedly taken place on another planet, the video also sees the song title being taken rather literally as the duo seemingly resurrects fallen individuals and they spring to life upon the futuristic powers of Empire Of The Sun.
In a desert-jungle situation, many dressed as wild animals, the clip for "Alive," sees the band in their usual casual with outfitted in garishly futuristic costumes, outdoorsy Empire Of The Sun attire singing atop mountains and deep in the forest, as the pair embark on a sci-fi romp traverse through various stunning locations, from sprawling dramatic desert landscapes, beneath towering hidden canyons, and luscious forests and on the edge of the deep-blue ocean. The combination of crazy futuristic outfits and breathtaking scenery is just the right balance of weird and beauty that we like.

The up-and-coming artist Ginny Blackmore laments a less-than-perfect relationship in a new video for her debut single, "Bones," which is giving chills and making a name for herself. Her Facebook biography commence with a phrase like the following "Ginny Blackmore is a singer who writes songs so searing they hit your soul instantly." As someone who grew up listening to writers like Mary J. Blige, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Celine Dion; I find her music touching, real, and nothing except musical. Her future in being or becoming a name such as these great artists is not far-fetch.
Her debut single, "Bones," written in a painful moment of her love life, drastically altered Blackmore's journey, transforming a 27-year-old struggling singer and songwriter from Auckland, New Zealand, into one of Epic Records' most captivating pop newcomers. "The music is as honest as I could make it," she says. "It's my perspective on life. I really hope people can hear themselves in it somewhere. That's what I care about." With a debuting single "Bones," the musician stamps listeners with a title that is unforgettable and metaphorical in the sense that her music itself have the power to reach one's heart and soul.

Having the ability to move others is compelling as a musician and with an album set to be an emotion filled one, Blackmore looks to cause much noise in 2013 as a breakthrough musician and rising entertainer. The songstress wrote "Bones" in one night during a "girly, emotional moment" which may or may not have involved a bottle of wine. There is no denying that Blackmore is an incredible songwriter with a gifted voice that is also captivating at the very first tone she utters through her lips. This means that not only is Blackmore our actual spirit animal, but even if her "Bones" video wasn't a gorgeously shot emotional roller coaster, we would be still be obsessed with her.
As her soft and gentle ballad plays in the background, Blackmore sits on the floor and looking incredibly sad as she laments a boyfriend who clearly does not appreciate her as much as he could: "All I've ever wanted was for your damn arms to wrap themselves around me/ And say, 'Hey girl, you're the prettiest thing I ever seen.'" Later, after watching several other couples act out the same loveless scenario, the camera settles on Blackmore and her man as she hugs him from behind and practically begs him to love her. Blackmore's powerful voice shines through on the track and the video radiant emotion.

Janelle Monáe is back and spotlighting her hyper-stylish in her new tasty black-and-white schemed video for the equally impressive single, "Q.U.E.E.N." the first single from Monáe's upcoming sophomore effort, "The Electric Lady," expected for a fall release. Channeling the retro swagger of Elvis's "Jailhouse Rock" video, the 27-year-old soul-funk pioneer jams while surrounded by six dancing ladies rocking bold black-striped looks in this old school soul feeds new school funk.
The powerful Erykah Badu-assisted jam, "Q.U.E.E.N.," is an irresistible art-funk strut, and also, is terrific - a punk cabaret groover that drops back on Badu's verse to highlight an incredible, funky bass lick and then makes a string-heavy transition into Monáe's unexpectedly relentless rap. It's exactly the type of stylishly futuristic and playfully absurd aesthetic we've come to expect from Monáe, and the dystopian intro perfectly sets the tone for the defiant and quirky jam that follows. Its sexy, slinky, impossibly funky grooves demanded a next-level video, and the forward-thinking Monáe has certainly delivered.
Directed by Alan Ferguson, "Q.U.E.E.N." and takes place in an alternate future, the clip depicts Monáe and Erykah as frozen human sculptures in what could easily pass for an interactive Soho pop-up art gallery. As "Q.U.E.E.N."'s funk-tinged bass line kicks in, the sculptures flicker to life with Monáe twerking in her chair and singing about haters and their snap judgements: "I can't believe all of the things they say about me/ Walk in the room they throwing shade left to right." The clip gives off a very artistic, grown woman, sophisticated fun type of feeling.
The funky Alan Ferguson-directed clip, an absolutely deadly early-'60s mod mook, and explores a witty concept, sees hipster artist Monáe teams with Badu where the two star as a museum exhibit comes to life. Instead of her predictable black-and-white tuxedo, Monáe throws on some Givenchy heels and shows off her shapely figure and  some crispy dance steps while claiming her QUEEN-status. Backed by an aesthetically stunning bevy of mod '60s dancers, Monáe finally sidles up to a sexy look Badu, who's looking terribly regal in all white and gold. Together, they sing about female equality and loving oneself despite social pressure.

Hunter Hayes gets wet and wild in his most compelling music video for new single, "I Want Crazy," the fourth single from the forthcoming deluxe "Hunter Hayes (Encore)" edition of his major-label debut, out June 18. His choice album cut, giving fans some insight into what it might be like to be Hayes' leading lady, and the new video captured his the long-distance romance, and cuts between adventurous dates for the 21-year-old singer/guitarist and a surprise cross-country trip.
The uplifting tune finds the country crooner crazy about a girl. "I don't want good and I don't want good enough," he sings. "I want can't sleep, can't breathe without your love... I don't want easy, I want crazy." Hayes told Radio.com he is honest about his emotions when penning such songs as this madly-in-love tune. "I'm a big fan of just letting everything out on the table. That's why I write songs, that's why I do what I do," he explained. "I'm a big fan of just saying whatever is on your mind. My filter's not that great. That's how I think through everything."
Filmed in St. John, New Brunswick (Canada) by director Ends, Hayes explained how the video is supposed to embody a fun, summer vibe despite being shot on a rainy 40 degree day. "This was my first time getting to shoot a video with a storyline," he said. "This was my acting debut. This is my first time really getting into a character. It was awkward to act with someone I never met." But, Hayes showcases his bubbly personality and acting ability. "I relate to the song because I wrote the song. I've totally been there in some form or fashion lived something like this."
"Maybe distance is a good thing," Hayes' pretend girlfriend says to him over the phone at the start of his new music video. "I've heard people say that," Hayes responds. "I don't buy it." The video follows Hayes and his sometimes teary-eyed love interest as they throw caution to the wind, trying to make time for one another, even when Hayes has to be away from home. "The video is about a long-distance relationship and the toughness of having a long-distance relationship, 'cause that's what kind of the song is about," Hayes said "It's about the crazy things you do for someone when you're crazy about them." By the end of the video, the young country star proves that he can make his long distance relationship work.

Jason Derulo is back! After breaking his neck during tour rehearsals last year, the Miami singer turns his friendship with a female into an intimate relationship in the just-dropped video for his new surprisingly dark turn, "The Other Side," the lead single off of Derulo's upcoming third studio album, due in stores in September. The friends-to-lovers anthem about falling for a girl showing off the singer's impressive falsetto and ability to make a catching pop song with substance. It's about a one-night stand turns friends into lovers and it may hit close to home if you have deep emotional.
He falls in love with his best friend on the dance record, produced by Ammo and Dr.Luke. The upbeat song's lyric focus on the pair were themselves friends before they became lovers, Derulo pulled inspiration from his real life relationship with Jordin Sparks for "The Other Side." "This song is basically about taking that next step. You know, having this friend and taking it to the other side, which is turning into lovers. You know, sparks fly," Derulo recently shared with Ryan Seacrest. "I felt very comfortable and I tell her things that men would probably not tell their girlfriends, [We have] heart to hearts and just let it out on the table."
The song explores the situation where two friends decide they want more from a platonic relationship. People always say that it's better to start out as "friends first" when embarking on a brand-new relationship, mainly because it cuts out that pesky "interview-dating" feeling. Who needs that awkwardness when you already know the person, right? And even if all new relationships don't necessarily begin that way, the 23-year-old Pop/Soul crooner is the living embodiment of what a successful "friends-first" relationship looks like in his new video for "The Other Side."
Directed by Colin Tilley, the sexually charged video shows Derulo and his love interest taking their relationship to the next level of 'the other side.' The romantic portrayed the time he and his woman became more than friends with an ultra sexy bedroom scene, exchanging passionate kisses, as Derulo at the bottom of an emotional spiral, he breaks out some intense choreography and twerks it out with some near-impossible, body-twisting dance moves and fancy footwork. Straying from the upbeat energy of the song, the couple show what happens when friendship turns to love and then to hate.

Ivor Novello Award winning singer-songwriter and guitarist KT Tunstall unveiled her stunningly simple new music video for her soft ballad, "Feel It All," the lead single from 37-year-old Scottish songstress' upcoming and much-anticipated fifth album, straight from her heart, "Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon," which set to be released on June 10 in the U.K. and August 6 in the U.S., and will feature a more country folk sound than her previous album, "Tiger Suit."
Tunstall recently separated from her husband of four years, drummer Luke Bullen, and lost her father last year, new personal circumstances she hints at a more country folk sound from her. "So much has changed. I've followed my path and ended up in a different place" and she describes the album as "full of songs from the heart." This new single speaks of death, the memory, and how it will eventually cure the pain. It's a simple song, almost acoustic, in which the voice of the singer sounds more heartfelt than ever. An intimate production issue that moves between country, folk and blues.
"Feel It All" appears on the album in two versions; the original album version, with PJ Harvey collaborator John Parish on drumming duty, and the 'band jam' version, recorded live in the Arizona desert. Tunstall says of the track: "It's probably the most personal song on the album, it was really medicine for me, that song." The new album has been divided into 2 parts. The former, 'Invisible Empire' is the dark side, filled with mortality, a subject close to her heart following the passing away of her father last summer. The latter, 'Crescent Moon' included "Feel It All," evokes an ethereal mood, more reflective of deeply felt changes in outlook and shifts in her personal life. Together, they add up to Tunstall's most cohesive and affecting album to date.
This soft ballad reminds us of the Canadian Feist & the Georgian Katie Melua. Surprising but striking too. It's great to see Tunstall back on form with this gorgeous folk track and a beautiful video to accompany it. The video for "Feel It All," is 4 minutes and 10 seconds in length and shows Tunstall walking on a plank over the desert of Tucson, Arizona and it clearly shows she wants to "Feel It All". Warning - vertigo sufferers be aware! If you're a fan, check out the new video underneath.

Dido has just released the brand new music video for her soul-bearing account of a breakup, "End of Night," the second single and third overall from English singer-songwriter's latest fourth studio album. "Girl Who Got Away." Over the span of four albums she's been committed to a singularity of vision and emotional purpose that flouts all traditional boundaries set for female artists. It's a feat in a music industry that constantly seeks to silence women from expressing 'ugly' emotions that Dido's never broken a sweat including them in each of her albums.
After a five-year absence, the 41-year-old pop veteran finally returns, and her voice sounds exactly as you remember it, soft and effortless, and her music remains quintessentially pleasant. One of the most interesting tracks, though, is herself and Greg Kurstin-produced synth pop magic, "End of Night," a cool and witty f**k off to a past lover. There is enough going on here to please old fans and just the right amount of experimentation for newer fans to appreciate. Welcome back girl!
This barbed wit of "End of Night," is a perfect example of that. It rumbles with dispassionate condescension over a lover too willfully careless to keep the beat of the emotional tango that was their relationship. Dido's voice is righteous in its arctic delivery. The self-emancipation song sees a stronger braver girl who is to face up to the reality of who her lover was and get away to celebrate the end of night. Speaking about the inspiration behind her new single "End of Night," she said: "Someone had really p***** me off, which is rare. It's about that moment of liberation when you finally realise you're not bothered anymore."
It was only a matter of time before English songstress Dido would crossover into EDM; god knows she has the vocals for it. This dynamic track might sound upbeat, but lyrically it is a rather vicious song about the breaking up of a relationship. On Twitter, Dido said "#endofnight the person i wrote this about is, well was, a friend... they have heard the song and love it and have no idea it's about them!" On Twitter @ShanLovegood_TW asked "what is your favourite part of #EndOfNight ?" Dido said "#endofnight you were ugly when the beat kicked in and ugly when it left... and the chorus! i wrote it in 2010 but i still love it. x."