Priyanka Chopra's brand new single Exotic is finally out. What's more, it is certainly a cheap follow-up for her music career, post In my City. Unlike her debutant single, Exotic features PitBull - the singing sensation, who features in more than half the song.
In my City had a universal appeal to it, owing to its music and lyrics which every one in the world could relate to. Though it did not make sense to have Indian rickshaws on the streets of New York, the concept could be justified as PC's Indian nationality. However, the lyrics of this new number seem vague and do not do justice to the picturization of the video (or, the other way round)!
It begins with a sultry Priyanka emerging from the waters, wearing skin color swimwear. That explains the sex appeal aspect of the music video, but what follows is quite a disappointment.
To begin with, PC's voice is barely heard in isolation; the digitalization of music industry seems to have had a serious negative impact on her career. It is as though she is trying way too hard to carve a niche for herself, by adding layers of parallel voices; but that effort is only making a mess out of the music.
Her new single may be shot on a bigger scale and budget, but it lacks character and direction.
There seems to be nothing "exotic" about the video. The theme is all over the place, the music is not even half as catchy as that of In my city. Her costumes are way too many to grasp in the four and a half minutes.
The only exotic aspect in the video, is perhaps the use of Hindi lyrics, which only appear as an absurd insertion in the video. What's worse, they indicate an Indian woman's ecstasy upon being approved or accepted by an 'angrezi babu'! Hello! Are we back in the 80's? There is Bollywood style choreography that go in tandem with the Hindi lyrics.
Being an Indian actress, it goes unexplained as to why PC considers Hindi lyrics "exotic"? Or is the video meant to cater only to the overseas audience? If so, then why include International Pop star PitBull? PC could have just sung a complete Hindi song and named is "Exotic". Why did Priyanka make a fusion video and call it "exotic"?
It is not easy to gauge, whether the video is exotic for the English speaking American audience, or for the Hindi patrons back in India?
May be, next time PC should take into consideration the decades old idea of Globalization, before choosing a theme for her numbers. Stick to universal themes, (like In my City), if you are in fact aiming to become an international pop star sensation yourself, is the only advise we have for her!
In my City had a universal appeal to it, owing to its music and lyrics which every one in the world could relate to. Though it did not make sense to have Indian rickshaws on the streets of New York, the concept could be justified as PC's Indian nationality. However, the lyrics of this new number seem vague and do not do justice to the picturization of the video (or, the other way round)!
It begins with a sultry Priyanka emerging from the waters, wearing skin color swimwear. That explains the sex appeal aspect of the music video, but what follows is quite a disappointment.
To begin with, PC's voice is barely heard in isolation; the digitalization of music industry seems to have had a serious negative impact on her career. It is as though she is trying way too hard to carve a niche for herself, by adding layers of parallel voices; but that effort is only making a mess out of the music.
Her new single may be shot on a bigger scale and budget, but it lacks character and direction.
There seems to be nothing "exotic" about the video. The theme is all over the place, the music is not even half as catchy as that of In my city. Her costumes are way too many to grasp in the four and a half minutes.
The only exotic aspect in the video, is perhaps the use of Hindi lyrics, which only appear as an absurd insertion in the video. What's worse, they indicate an Indian woman's ecstasy upon being approved or accepted by an 'angrezi babu'! Hello! Are we back in the 80's? There is Bollywood style choreography that go in tandem with the Hindi lyrics.
Being an Indian actress, it goes unexplained as to why PC considers Hindi lyrics "exotic"? Or is the video meant to cater only to the overseas audience? If so, then why include International Pop star PitBull? PC could have just sung a complete Hindi song and named is "Exotic". Why did Priyanka make a fusion video and call it "exotic"?
It is not easy to gauge, whether the video is exotic for the English speaking American audience, or for the Hindi patrons back in India?
May be, next time PC should take into consideration the decades old idea of Globalization, before choosing a theme for her numbers. Stick to universal themes, (like In my City), if you are in fact aiming to become an international pop star sensation yourself, is the only advise we have for her!
Hi Sharvaani,
ReplyDeleteTo begin with, I thought it was a music review for the song, since the opening para talks about 'music' career. Later, though, I realized your focus was on video.
Anyway, the review is more or less good, since end of the day it's your personal opinion, still, the use of word 'cheap' in the beginning isn't suggested, as it's a strong word, and doesn't leave much reason for a reader to continue with the same level of interest. If you want to use the word, it'd be better if you do it after giving some reasons.
As for the opinion, I have heard the song a few times casually, and I felt the mixture of Hindi lyrics in the song is probably an idea taken from Selena Gomez's 'come and get it', which is brilliant, and in my opinion, Priyanka's try here doesn't seem too bad.
All that said because as far as I see, her focus is still the same international audience, and not the average Bollywood music listener.
I was thinking of one more point, but thankfully I have forgot what it was and won't try too hard, as the comment has already gone too long. But then you invited the trouble saying 'respond critically'. ;)
Thank you for time and interest. I agree with the usage of strong word comment. I should probably substitute itwith a more aappropriate word.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have chosen to critique both the music and the video of the song.
About the lyrics, well I have mentioned that she shouldn't play with the idea of exotic in the first place in the globalized word, wherein every language is accessible to everyone and it is very tricky to categorize any language as "exotic" anymore.
I like her effort and spirit but the concept could have been more worked upon.
Thank you for your valuable time.