Buy Life Is Hard here (Amazon UK)
Punk has influenced pop in many ways over the years. You had the brash exuberance of the early days of Bananarama. The devil-may-care attitude of (We've Got A) Fuzzbox. Even the "girl power" chants of Spice Girls stood up for half the population in a patriarchal society. These musical veterans taught a new generation that punk isn't about a pin through your nose or tall, spiky hair - it's an attitude that helps you break down polite societal constructs with a raucous glee and delicious mischief. It's abundantly clear that the baton for this has been passed to London based pop star extraordinaire, Dorian Reland. Over the past year his music and videos for Sinsation and Oversexual have raised eyebrows, prompted a few *tuts* and engendered discussion, but never at the cost of eye popping visuals and sinfully good melodies (both of which linger with an emphatic impact long after the song has finished). Dorian is who he is, likes what he likes and wears this so openly on his sleeve that there's no dirty little secrets or shame - he's gloriously in touch with his sexual desires and what makes him happy and wants you to be the same. It's one of the reasons I admire him so much as a person and as an artist. His latest single, Life Is Hard, continues this seductive quest with intoxicating results. Co-written with Ido Flax, it's an ode to the struggles one faces when launching a burgeoning music career - all your money being spent on creating sound and visuals. It may sound self-indulgent, heck it is self-indulgent but that's the whole point. There's a brash exuberance and cheeky charm to the song that crafts together a heady blend of early Gaga and Spice Girls in their prime. This gives an endorphin rush that is more titillating than any poppers as Dorian ably guides you through his life - an open book for you to peruse. His chatty style of singing during the verses welcomes you into the song, lulls you into a false sense of security before - like a blast of icy cold water or an unexpected but welcome spanking - that indelible chorus squirts it's melodic genius all over you in orgasmic waves of crunch guitar and dominant beats. It's the type of song that has you pumping your fist - uh, to the sky (you filthy lot) in triumphant anticipation of Dorian's worldwide success; the type of song that reminds you that fame isn't instant as a sob story on X Factor but blood, sweat, cash, tears and hard blooming work; the type of song that reminds you that pop can be irreverent, fun and a rollicking good time. Most importantly, alongside it's unforgettable, insanely catchy refrain, there is the continuation of Dorian's message for us all - don't apologise for being who and what you are. Accept it, embrace it and (to borrow a phrase for someone else who subscribes to this scripture) remember - what anyone else thinks of you is none of your damned business. Amazes. Now here are some of my favourite bits of the salacious video:
- Someone muzzle the hound! OH I see that's already been done. Dorian is off to the club and gains entry in the best way possible. It's exactly the type of door policy every club with a hot bouncer in leather should have...
- That is one extended kiss. Imagine the 12" version. I mean, I managed to sing all of Olivia Newton John's Soul Kiss in my head while the tonsil hockey was being played out. Hashtag Jealous :D
- The club is full of whips, chains and goodies, the smell of lust and jockstraps so potent that it practically osmoses through your computer screen. Pause at 47s exactly and ponder who the hottie with the smile is...
- Is that Ms Hollie Would giving our rising popstar a good thwacking? El Scandalo. My safe word is YES PLEASE :)
- Gaga references (nails, crown, glass skull) a-bound. Also bound? Dorian! Well you gotta give the gas mask gimps something/one to do I suppose...
- That chorus really is phenomenal isn't it? I can't get the bloody thing out of my head!
- Verse two starts with exactly the type of dinner party I want to go to. I've really got to work on my "f**k me, where's my glass of champagne" though because I'd be all "ooo if it's not too much bother could you have the lovely chap in the fuzzy felt fetch me another flute of bubbly? Thanks awfully".
- 1m59s - me.
- Middle 8 - Dorian giving it modern day It's Heaven It's Hell (Being Geri Halliwell) realness. AND I LIVE FOR IT.
- Final thought - I wanna go to the same dog walking park as Hollie Would :)
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