Monday, September 12, 2011

Review: G.NA–“Top Girl”



G.NA’s on top with her new music video.


Did you like the song?
Until I heard the end of the chorus I didn’t care for this song, but, man, the ending of that chorus goes exactly where I wanted it to. (“Boo!”) But the best part for me…

What was your favorite part of the song?
The musical bridge part that we hear right after the fire hydrant explodes and drenches everyone in water. There’s this awesome key change and a kickass section where G.NA (who has wet hair) and two dancers (who do not) dance in the fire hydrant water. Best part!

Does the English make you want to rip your eardrums out?
G.NA was born in Vancouver, and her English is pretty good. Some slightly off pronunciations at the beginning, nothing major. Still understandable. (My only issue was that when she said “sad endings all day” I thought she said “seven days all day,” which doesn’t…quite make sense. I’m still not sure “sad endings all day” makes sense, either, but oh well.)

Did you like the video?
I did, though I’m a bit uncomfortable with the implications of the video when put to the main lyrics. G.NA’s on top, but the video makes it seem like the point of being at the top of the world…is to buy things. There’s so much of an emphasis on luxury and credit cards and sports cars and buying random fancy goods. I guess it’s difficult to portray being “on top” in a music video, but somehow I didn’t mind when 2NE1 did the exact same thing in “I Am The Best” (they even had a poodle!), but it’s jarring when G.NA shows off a luxurious lifestyle in this song. Maybe it’s because I was worried 2NE1 would trash my apartment with baseball bats. Still, I wish they could show that there is more to being famous than fancy things. I guess for me 2NE1 gave off that feeling of “I’m powerful!” whereas G.NA doesn’t so much.

G.NA Top Girl

I guess you can use jewels to hang from the ceiling.

Was there a storyline? If so, did it make sense?
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF G.NA:

G.NA walks into an upscale boutique with the paparazzi on her heels (and a random hissing cat). The boutique is labeled “Top Girl: The Magum Dynasty Show,” and I will give an internet kiss to anyone who can plausibly explain what that means. There, people show G.NA outfits to pick out and put glittery makeup on her. They also have this irritating habit of flinging jewels into the air.

G.NA Top Girl

Where did they find a diamond that big?

Cut to G.NA and her backup dancers performing in front of a studio audience. I think the best part was that the camera operators looked like attractive girls— complete with with glossy hair and pink dresses. And they seemed to be having fun.

G.NA Top Girl

Not your typical cameraman.

G.NA drives to her next appointment…by taking up two lanes…going backwards down a highway…in New Mexico.

G.NA Top Girl

Albaquerque, Santa Rosa, Roswell…

Then she hangs out with her friends, who look like backup dancers and thugs. Continuing in this theme, they bust off the top of a fire hydrant and are magically transported to a place where they can dance in the water. Finally, there are fireworks to signal the end of her day.

Was the dance cool and distinctive?
When we could see the dance, it looked pretty generic, not really distinctive, but seemed to fit the music nicely. The “top top girl” dance looked like G.NA was kind of tipping her top hat, so that was good.

Do the members look good?
G.NA does look very pretty but also very…tired? I mean, she’s 24 but looks much older in this video. It’s something in her eyes. And I don’t think it’s her in general, I think it’s just the way she looks in some shots in this vid. Get some rest, G.NA!

G.NA Top Girl

She’s still a top girl, though.

Which member stood out the most?
I’m going to have to give this to G.NA’s eye makeup artist, especially the person who decided to put sparkly diamond things on her eyes. In every shot.

G.NA Top Girl

Sparklies!


G.NA Top Girl

Money will buy you everything!


G.NA Top Girl

Even more sparklies!

Do you like it enough to buy the song?
It was a close call, but that chorus and key change bridge sold it for me.

Any ending thoughts?
I liked this song better than G.NA’s Banana, but both are good songs.

Boyfriend’s one-liner, on which I am not commenting:
“I also like my girl on top.” ;)

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4 comments:

  1. Well, 2NE1's I'm the Best was pretty toungue-in-cheeck. It was so exaggerated there that you couldn't take it as a real message even if you were a 14-year-old fan :)

    I've never managed to listen to this song to the end but I'll give it a try, after your description of best part :)

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  2. You know, I think you hit the nail on the head of the difference between the two videos: I would have liked it better if G.NA were more tongue-in-cheek. And the fact that 2NE1 weren't taking themselves 100% seriously was what made that video so fun! :)

    I can't guarantee you'll like the song even with the cool parts, but they definitely help! I'm still just barely over the edge on buying it, though...

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  3. I didn't like it. :/ Well, lots of new songs every day, lots of things to like. I'm looking forward to your review of JYJ's In Heaven :)

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  4. Yeah, this song could definitely be better. Oh well. :(

    Also, I just saw the JYJ video and will review it as soon as I can! I was really looking forward to the release of the full music video! :)

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