MV Review 3: Gnchu (Lilit Hovhannisyan)

Lilit Hovhannisyan is an Armenian pop singer who came in 4th place on the Armenian version of American Idol (called Hay Superstar).  She is underrated in Armenia, but as an Armenian-American, I enjoy her music very much.  She is notorious for her flashy fashion and changes her wardrobe more  than Cher does during her farewell tours.  Lilit reminds me a lot of Jennifer Lopez.  She resembles her a bit, loves fashion, etc.  Nuff said.  Let's talk about this video.

Here is a link to the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRa_elGcEVo

The video starts out with a shot of what looks like an outhouse.  It's actually where Lilit (the gypsy) sleeps.

So basically, this song/video is about a gypsy woman who falls in love with a gypsy boy/man-thing.  In several of Lilit's music videos, the male lead always looks half Armenia and half something else.  I'm not sure why, considering most male leads in Armenian music videos look EXTREMELY ARMENIAN, but I find it refreshing.  As you can see, she tries to make him want her...it kind of works.  

Look boo, I'm reading this guy's palm. 

If he's jealous of her reading some other guy's palm, I can't imagine how he'd feel about taro cards...but then again, we all have to pay dem bills. 

There were some really gorgeous shots in the Armenian countryside that went well with the gypsy theme. After being in this country for 10 weeks, I can affirm that this was shot in Armenia.

Lilit's dolma-eating entourage

There are later group shots of the gypsy boy with his boys and the gypsy girl with her girls. 

*Nasal Severus Snape voice* Off to score some hot babes.

The fabrics used for these costumes are so on point!

A brotherhood/sisterhood is being emphasized by these gender-based groups.  From what I could tell, there are some strong bromances/sisterhoods in Armenia as it's a big part of culture there.  As you can see, the gypsy clan spans several age brackets.

The cutest tiny human ever!!!

So once again, Lilit is trying to make the gypsy boy want her, and I think he's getting grumpy about it.  I honestly don't see why he wouldn't just go for another pretty gypsy in the group [who is of age].

Those earrings though...

So at this point in the video, we know that Lilit stole the gypsy boy's necklace and he is looking for it.  He starts talking to one of the other girls...

You look a lot like Lilit...and where is my bling?

Cue gorgeous open field scene with glamorous shots of what would normally be unglamorous...laundry!

So basically, I'm going to spoil the end of the video for you. Lilit thinks she lost the gypsy boy's necklace and starts freaking out by the fire.  Turns out, he had it all along because he asked that other gypsy where it went [she ratted out Lilit, oh well].  Lilit starts pelting fruit at him and misses every shot. She ends up hitting him and tending to his "head wound".   

Work on your aim Lilit.

How did you hit him when you missed every shot? How?

Overall, I enjoyed this video, but IMO Lilit doesn't need to wear so much makeup.  The fashion was excellent, the song is fantastic, and the plot wasn't bad either.  The acting needed work, but the bells and whistles of this song that I just described carried them through.  I'm not sure how well this song/video would translate to an international audience, but anyone who does enjoy international music would probably have fun with this one.  :)

MV Review 2: Kamikaze (In Yan)

I'm continuing my first post with another In Yan video.  This one is called Kamikaze, which I am sure we all know, is a Japanese and not Russian word, though the song is in Russian.  This song is uber catchy and makes a great dance track or something you would blast in the car if you were by yourself.  This song really fits with the ABBA concept In Yan is going for as well.  Enough bumbling...on to the review!

Here is a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3JJxfeXLJA

Once again, In Yan is an aesthetically pleasing 4-member group tied to a large revolving object by a microphone wire.  I cannot imagine how long it took to film this video.  I would never be able to stay tied to something that revolves for more than a few seconds without having a panic attack or getting the strong urge to barf... yikes.

I could use some dramamine...

Ukrainian Jessica Alba is not amused.

The real Fabio would probably set this revolving thing off kilter...

Let's call this dude Chad Michael Murray.

The aspect of bondage is in there as well with the microphone cord.  It really gives this band more scandal points than they deserve for this one.  They themselves are not doing anything really provocative, but that camera man is getting paid to make it look as though they are...

At least 15% of this video is just shots like this.

More evidence that the blonde girl is the money maker of this group and the camera man loves to creep on her hardcore. Seriously, you aren't fooling anyone. 

The video also commits blondecest and brunettecest.  Am I the only one who feels uncomfortable from these blonde-blonde brunette-brunette pairings? Ukranian Jessica Alba has no chemistry with either of the guys, but she looks better with the brunette and Chad Michael Murray actually dated brunette girl and has way more chemistry with her ahh Russia get it right >.<

Just stop it.

This makes me uncomfortable, and not in a good way.

So basically, the brunettes and blondes are in these weird abusive relationships.  Fabio keeps trying to pin the brunette girl against a wall where knifes are uncontrollably sticking out.  Chad Michael Murray keeps pushing Jessica Alba in front of moving cars.  This is all supposed to be a representation of the song's lyrics (maybe) but I don't think it was effective.  And of course, the women are unaffected by the men treating them like dirt.

What even is this?

That's a moving shot of her post-shove on the ground.

You gonna take that?

Let's simultaneously snap each others' necks!

Here is a translation of the lyrics:

Jealousy overwhelmed me like an avalanche
And starting from yesterday there is only a part of me left
I turned into your shadow, and cannot find myself
Only the love hurts more and more like a splinter.

Already knowing what's gonna happen, I turn my plane straight to the sky
Just so I won't have to feel the tears.

Chorus:
Kamikaze, kamikaze, eternity for the sake of one day
Kamikaze, kamikaze, my skies love me
Kamikaze, kamikaze, I've ought to leave you now
Kamikaze, kamikaze, have no fear, have no fear, have no fear!

I didn't want to accept you and the changes
But the love didn't just come, it started running through my veins
And even in my wildest dreams and fantasies I wouldn't dare to come near you
I escape this unrequited love by falling.

Already knowing what's gonna happen, I turn my plane straight to the sky

Chorus (3 times)

Kamikaze, kamikaze, my skies love me
Kamikaze, kamikaze, have no fear, have no fear, have no fear! 


If you really look into the lyrics, this song could be of a rather serious nature.  If we consider that a Kamikaze is a suicide bombing attempt via aircraft, the lyrics are comparing the singers' desire to kill themselves over a failed relationship in order to not feel the pain of a breakup... over dramatic much?
I will take this song for what it is, a great dance song that I love to sing giberish to in my car when I am alone because I don't speak Russian.

Overall, this video is not that stellar.  I'm not surprised, but I know that this group, especially as a 4 member group (Ukrainian Jessica Alba left the group in 2011) could have made some awesome music videos if given better story lines and direction.  They have an interesting group dynamic, but it seems as though they are always suppressing their personalities on camera.  You're not robots!  Give us something other than face punching and bondage, Russia! Despite the lackluster aspect of the video, I still enjoyed it.  These people are interesting to watch.  I just wish they were given better scenarios. 

Okay, it looks like they are both doomed now.  Is that any way to end a video?

Brunettecest will get you nowhere.  Just stop!

Music Video Review 1: Pofig (In Yan)

For my first blog, I will be reviewing "Pofig" by the Ukranian band In Yan.  In Yan is a 4 member group that sings in Russian. They came in 3rd place on the Russian TV show "Star Factory 7." The group was put together to resemble the 70's Swedish band ABBA, including 2 men and 2 women, 2 with light hair and 2 with dark hair, resembling the "ying yang" that they are named after [In Yan, I see what you did there].  Enough rambling, on to the review!

Here is a link to the MV.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njywne4GbPU

The music video starts out with some sexually charged images to prove to you that regardless of what these people sound like, they are in fact better looking than most people [subject to debate, but let's be real, they are better looking than your average Joe].

I'm pretty sure these two have dated in real life. 

Read her face...go!

Fork seduction...right.

Ukranian fairy princesses have nothing on this girl.

The beat of this song is pretty solid and everyone in the group has a pretty good voice.  The blonde dude is the bass voice, the brunette guy is the tenor, the blonde lady is the alto, and the brunette female is the soprano.  I noticed in their other songs as well that their lines are evenly distributed and the harmonies are usually split evenly.  Sometimes the blonde girl will get an extra line, probably so they can give her more camera time.  She's clearly the money maker of the group, 3/5 of their official  music videos on Youtube use a still of her for the cover image. 

What do you mean we all get paid the same? Don't you see my face on all those thumb nails?

This video gets weird really fast.  Weird in an unexpected way...  I have noticed that Russian pop (R-Pop) music videos can be a bit more violent than pop music videos from other countries.  Usually the atmosphere is light, upbeat, or sexually charged.  R-Pop music videos aren't gory per say, but they do resort to a lot more than one would expect for a song with shallow lyrics and a catchy beat  I have noticed that the sexually charged aspects are still there though, as as a result, I think that Russian media portrays aggression and sometimes violence as sexy/hot/attractive. I can't speak for all R-Pop videos, but this video is definitely following that format. 

That hurt..teehee!

When he throws things at me #justgirlythings.tumblr.com

Around the 0:33 second mark of the video, the blonde girl is annoyed with the brunette dude (let's call him Fabio)  because he is texting and not paying attention to her. I highly doubt that any other guy would be texting if that girl was sitting across the table from him, but I digress.  Maybe he was committing brunettecest with the other girl.  She gently throws a fork at him from across the table.  This is where the video takes a turn for the scandalous. Fabio then chucks his cell phone at the blonde girl's face, practically giving her whip lash (it looks like he had a Nokia, that's gotta hurt).  The strangest part of the video is that the girl immediately bounces back with no consequences, she is not crying or bruised, she looks more aroused than upset.

Fabio endorsing Nokia at the dinner table.

After he chucked the phone... that's gotta hurt...

Serves you right for trying to have a conversation with the person sitting across from you instead of the virtual reality on your phone. 

 Now, in America, this music video would probably get a lot of flack, not only for the extreme violence, but also at how the violence isn't portrayed as anything consequential.  Domestic abuse is clearly not taken seriously in this video.  It's really just exaggeration, just as cartoon characters getting hurt is unrealistic/exaggerated.  

Also, Fabio missed the brunette girl (0:54 sec) and hit this poor bird instead.  Seriously, what's with the random bird?

 *For more unusual acts of violence, watch at 1:26, 1:41, 1:52, 1:58, 2:19-end

Hi, you're in my way Fabio...

Can you please move? I said move!

 

 

FABIO SMASH TV IN YOUR FACE!

Also to be noted, the blondes are usually paired with the brunettes.  A few of the videos have the blondes paired together and the brunettes together, but I feel like I'm watching blondecest or brunettecest or weird legal inbreeding...

You are the ying to my yang.

We're so beautiful.

Blondecest makes me uncomfortable.

Overall, this video is void of a serious plot.  The formula is really just SEX-VIOLENCE-SEX- VIOLENCE-BIRD-SEX-VIOLENCE... and don't forget to roll your R's, it's Russian!  The song is catchy, but clearly not very deep.  I've had Russian friends tell me this is a bad song, the lyrics suck, and why am I listening to this.  To prove the integrity of the lyrics, here they are:

"You pierced my heart with a poisoned arrow
You loved me, you played with me
You yourself looked for me, you lost me yourself
It was difficult not to go insane.

Chorus:
Don't be so happy, I'm not your foe
I just don't give a damn about anything, I don't give a damn about anything, baby
Full face, profile, I don't give a damn about anything
I read you between the lines, I don't leave and I don't become hindered
I just don't give a damn about anything, I don't give a damn about anything
You are a pro in this, but I don't give a damn about anything, get the point.

Little by little I'm getting used to not having your love
A tear fell, you said: "don't weep"
I'll never forgive you for that
My tears - they're not water."

Yeah...so I can see why Russian speakers don't respect the song that much, but I enjoy it for what it's worth.  This song and music video are both cheap thrills, the purpose of this video definitely trying to get attention for the song and band, which it did. A few closing thoughts:

Doesn't he look a bit like Raj from the Big Bang Theory?!

This guy barely emotes.  He has a good soccer kick though!

BAM!

My favorite shot in the video.