Weekend Supplement ~ March 11th 2012: Video breakdown - Thundacub (Let Your Hair Down)

Settle down now people, settle down. Oi, you at the back, settle! Thank you. Yes i'm back. Or in the words of betty boo, it's me again yes how did you guess? Cos the last time you were really impressed... I don't actually know if you were impressed or not but that post about Danny Saucedo's Amazing was quite a nifty piece of work even if I do say so myself!! Anyway, Spain was lovely as always but now it's back to life (back to reality, back to the here and now tour featuring bananarama. Ooo paraphrasing Soul II Soul is fun). I may be a bit sun touched so I'll just get on with the blog today, and catch up on everything else i've missed out on tomorrow...

Thundacub ~ Let Your Hair Down:

I'll tell what I like about Thundacub shall I? Aside from being hugely photogenic and wildly enthusiastic about music in general, he seems to be an all round good egg and has created a instant brand for himself with the moniker Thundacub. It's a vibrant, often visual affair (see GT photoshoot; Money video) that never overshadows the music, merely complements it. His new single (available to buy on 30th March this very year) is the perfect example of that. His personality shines through over a throbbing electro-bass that propels the song (and you) to the dancefloor as he sings about shrugging off the working week, going out feeling like you look amazing, finding the one you love and shimmy all the live long night. The lyrics actually work really well as an all encompassing, universal theme and there are some really addictive swirling synths that totally enhance the music. Plus the chorus riff of "let your hair down - da- down, down - da - down" is one that will live in your brain for days. It's an energetic, compulsive, addictive track and one that you must play over and over again, loudly. And here's what happens in the video...

• It starts off with a nice shot of Mr T.Cub in his finest denim jacket and something quite large round his neck. It may be a cassette tape to give his 80s look a certain je ne sais quoi, or it may just be a lunchbox with his sandwiches in! Either way, his quiff is looking mighty fine...
• No, it's a cassette tape. He's changed into a leather jacket and hoodie with some vair nice glasses. I am currently looking for a new pair of specs and these would do perfectly...
• A silhouetted person with crazy hair frugs away in the background, before we are introduced to slightly geeky Thundacub. I'm loving his buttoned up look. When I try it I always look like I should be selling bibles door to door :(
• I like that it's raining as he sings "I know you've had a hard week". There is something about rain that makes a crappy week seem even worse. It's the little things like this that please me.
• Ooo another look - this time, it's a bit street kid as he sings in front of graffiti. It's like a whirl through his wardrobe! Even with all these hats and hoods, his hair remains perfect...
• Yay! Smiling! And dancing - as the chorus pulsates into life, T.Cub finishes the verse off with a little dance routine and some funky footwork. It's essentially marvelous and makes you want to join in...
• The chorus bit is mainly a reminder of all the outfits worn to date (plus a new gold jacket look), some shadow dancing and Mr Cub looking like he is having a whale of a time. Plus, the "baby let your hair down" seems more instructional in the video than mere encouragement in the audio. It's a subtle difference that I appreciate.
• As verse two starts, Mr Cub is a grey jacket with vivid yellow t-shirt and some fingerless leather gloves. There is something alluring about fingerless leather gloves but i'm not sure what. Once again, the small actions mirror the words - "you enter like an icon" as he looms closer to the camera with an instantly memorable look.
• He's got a very commanding stage presence hasn't he? As the chorus kicks in again, the hand movements to "down da down" fill the screen (2m) and yes, i joined in inbetween typing :D
• I think those cassette necklaces are made by Thundacub himself. Are they available on ebay??! They should be... If so, this is better self marketing than the queen of it, RuPaul!
• I imagine the dance routine that you see snippets of throughout would look quite quite tremendulent and thrillybots when performed on stage in one flawless set with a host of backing dancers...
• There's one final run through that glorious chorus that just gets more intoxicating each time it's played. Overall, a delightful accompaniment to a brilliant song...

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Scissor Sisters, Shady Love
20 ~ Jason Mraz, I Won't Give Up
19 ~ Madonna, Girl Gone Wild (NE)
18 ~ Olly Murs, Oh My Goodness
17 ~ Marcus Collins, 7 Nation Army
16 ~ Le Kid, Human Behaviour
15 ~ Christopher, Nothing in Common
14 ~ William Young, Losing Myself
13 ~ Little Jackie, 31 Flavours
12 ~ Nicki Minaj, Starships
11 ~ Carly Rae Jepsen, Call Me Maybe
10 ~ fun, We Are Young
09 ~ Eric Saade, Love is Calling
08 ~ Stooshe, Love Me
07 ~ Simon Curtis, Starlight
06 ~ JLS, Proud
05 ~ Madonna, Give Me All Ur Luvin'
04 ~ Marie Serneholt, Salt n Pepper
03 ~ Darin, Nobody Knows
02 ~ Danny Saucedo, Amazing
01 ~ Smash, Let Me Be Your Star (5 weeks)