Blog: arjanwrites music blog

Soul-pop crooner Francesco pdelivers his music with a poise and gusto that is truly remarkable for his age. At 17 years young, the Canadian singer is a bit of an old soul who has the innate ability to convey subtle emotions with a finesse that is far beyond his age. He just premiered his debut single, entitled "The Way You Were," that firmly positions him as one of the most exciting new voices to keep your eye (and ear) on.p Francesco's storytelling emphasizes the joy and heartbreak of young love which is a topic people of all [...]

In anticipation of her highly anticipated performance of "Birds" at the Eurovision Song Contest finals on Saturday, Dutch superstar singer Anouk unveiled a special video series on YouTube this week to celebrate her forthcoming new LP. The series of four short films includes the official video for "Birds" that is taken from her ninth studio album "Sad Singalong Songs" that will be released on May 19 via her own Goldilox label (distributed through Universal Music Netherlands).p "Birds" and the other tracks on "Sad Singalong Songs" show off a different side of Anouk. [...]

Warner Newman wears his heart on his sleeve when he sings, "I'm ready to go to war/I want to pursue this," on his highly-anticipated debut single, aptly-titled "War." The song chronicles his journey from the bottom to coming back on top despite the challenges life has thrown at him ever since he was a little kid.pThe track was produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Brian Paturalski (Outkast) and remixes come courtesy of people like The White N3rd, Lewis Fuller and Gainsford. Born and raised in New Zealand and now living in London, Warner Newman's life has been far from easy. [...]

pBy Steve Siegel (London) Vincent Frank, aka Frankmusik, has had an eventful 12 months. After spending three years in Los Angeles working on various production projects and his second album, Do It In The AM, he relocated to his hometown of Croydon, just outside central London. Locking himself away in his gran’s apartment, Vince unleashed a flurry of creativity that resulted in not only his recent EP "Far From Over," but a totally fresh album, "In Between." Late lastpweek, at London’s exclusive member’s only club Soho House, ArjanWrites.com was invited to an intimate gathering where Vince [...]

Frequent readers of this blog may remember that I first introduced you to rising California pop trio Drop City Yacht Club when I wrote about their debut single, "Crickets." It's a hot and happening slice of hip pop that blends a radio-ready pop hook with a retro-styled groove and a sunny California attitude that has hit, hit, hit written all over it. Drop City Yacht Club (formerly The Freshmen) is the teaming of A. Wolf, Kristo and THX who make music for the Playlist Generation that is not confined to one singular genre or sonic aeshtetic. "We're [...]

It is no secret thatpSwedenpis the home of some of the greatest pop and dance music on the planet. Artists, singers, songwriters and producers like Robyn, Max Martin, Sebastian Ingrosso, Avicii, Alesso, Icona Pop and many others continue to rule the pop charts and dancefloors everywhere with their big melodic hooks and finely tuned productions. Fortunately for fans, Sweden continues to be a fertile breeding ground for a lot of new dance-pop talent that is about to emerge. Two newcomers you should keep a steady on are Callaway & Rosto who just released the anthemic house-pop stomper " [...]

• uniformbeat - Callaway & Rosta - Rest Of Me (Radio Edit)

While we're eagerly awaiting new music from Kylie Minogue, the Aussie pop superstar took some time out of her recording schedule to film something special for Funny Or Die. Minogue is featured as She-Ra in a live-action reboot of the classic cartoon that also features Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones) as Skeletor. This should give you good chuckle to start your work week with. Enjoy.

Most often the best discoveries are those that come completely unexpected and Claire is one of delightful new finds. Hailing from Munich, Germany, Claire is the teaming of singer/songwriterpJosie-Claire Bürkle,pMatthias Hauck, Nepomuk Heller and Florian Kiermaier. The four met by chance when they were all were working in the same studio building to score a track for a film a friend was producing. That recording session sparked a lot more creativity and ideas that ultimately made them decide to join forces as a band. Claire likes to describe themselves as a "band that finds itself somewhere [...]

With artists like Jessie Ware, Disclosure, Rudimental and Duke Dumont ruling the dance-pop scene, let's not forget that Katy B was one of the first to popularize 90's styled house music in the pop charts. Following the release of the brilliant "Katy On A Mission" and her critically-acclaimed mixtape, the Croydon singer/songwriter is about to return in a big, mighty way this summer with her new single "What Loves Is Made Of." The song is another slice of pumping, soulful and seductive '90s house-pop that is taken from her new album that is scheduled for release in October. I'm very [...]

• Katy B - What Love Is Made Of [radio edit]

Fenech-Soler embrace their knack for pop on their excellent new single "Magnetic" that perfectly blends memorable hooks and punchy synths that Calvin Harris would salivate over. The song captures the essence ofpFenech-Soler’'s niche– electronic-based music delivered with a beating human heart. The song is taken from the group's forthcoming new album, entitled "Rituals," that will be released on September 2 on Warner Bros. Records in the U.K. The album was largely produced by the band themselves though thepBritish indie-electro outfitpchose to also collaborate on certain tracks with the likes ofpTim Goldsworthyp(LCDpSoundsystem, UNKLE) and the innovativepSwedishpproducer/DJ pStylepofpEye. "I think the [...]

Special Features specializes in crafting remixes that are intensely melodic, deeply emotive and pack heaps of energy. His massive new remix of Ellie Goulding's "Only You" is a perfect example. He boosts the emotional intensity of Ellie's original by adding a splashy kickdrum, a driving bassline and a soaring new synth line that brings cheer to Goulding's transparently raw lyrics. Special Features' remake is without a doubt an anthem-in-the-waiting that is already firing up SoundCloud. The British dance music producer (born Eden Anderson) writes me that was very excited about remixing the track for Ellie. "I had [...]

• Ellie Goulding - Only You (Special Features Remix)
• Special Features - Illusions [OUT NOW!]

For years, Seattle's Leah LaBelle dreamed about a career in music and when she heard that Pharrell Williams would be in town to perform with N.E.R.D she took the opportunity to try and sing for him. She sweet-talked her way into a backstage meet-and-greet, and when Williams appeared, Belle marched up to him and said, "I’m a singer and I just want to tell you that I’m a huge fan and you’re going to produce my album one day." Courageous, bold and confident, LaBelle just went for it and sparked Williams' interest. Now, a couple of years later, [...]

Rising pop sensation Katy Tiz serves up a brand-new single this week that has all the making of a massive hit for summer. Produced by none other than hitmakerp RedOne ( Lady Gaga , Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Nicki Minaj), " Red Cup " is an instantly catchy and mightily delicious pop stomper that is all about celebrating good times and good friends while pouring stiff drinks. "Red Cup" follows the release of "Famous" and "Heart" that laidpthe foundation for Tiz's breakout success in the pop charts. Word is that Clear Channel Radio is a [...]

• KatyTiz - Red Cup (Explicit)

p Peter Rauhofer with Madonna at the Roxy in 2005 ( source ) Dance music lost one of its greatest today when the legendary Peter Rauhofer passed away at age 48 from the complications of brain cancer. The gifted Austrian-born and New York-based DJ, producer and remixer leaves fans with a rich legacy of music, dozens of remixes and critical-acclaim including a GRAMMY win for his remix of Cher's "Believe" in 2000.pRauhofer also leaves his extensive fan community with many nostalgic memories of sharing unforgettable nights [...]

p After her success with girl group Play, Swedish singer Janet Leon popped back onto the scene with the gloriously catchy "Heartstrings" that she performed on Melodifestivalen in Stockholm earlier this year. With an American-inspired show and clothes designed by Project Runway-winner Naim Josefi, she ended up in fifth place during the semifinals. But despite not making it to the Eurovision Songcontest, "Heartstrings" became one of the most popular songs on iTunes from the competition. Riding high on that momentum, Leon now returns with her brand-new single, entitled "New [...]

pBy Steve Siegelp What happens when you take two of dance music’s rising stars and bring them together on one track? Absolute magic. London by-way-of Cleveland trance producer Mat Zo recently combined with American complextro powerhouse Porter Robinson to release what is undoubtedly the greatest EDM record of 2013: " Easy ." Zo is no stranger to collaborations as two years ago he released "Rebound" with Arty. For me, “Rebound,” is an absolute classic and contains the greatest 'drop' of all time. Two years later, it still hits you like an absolute wall of sound (and [...]

With half a million SoundCloud plays racked up in less than 5 months, Lorde pis a bonafide star in the making who is about to emerge in a big way internationally. It's been a wild ride for the 16 year-old New Zealand singer/songwriter prodigy who first formally emerged on the scene when she released her five-track debut EP, entitled " The Love Club ," late last year down-under that flew to the top of the charts. Lordep(born Ella Yelich O'Connor) got her start when she entered into a talent contest in high school a couple of years [...]

With half a million SoundCloud plays racked up in less than 5 months, Lorde pis a bonafide star in the making who is about to emerge in a big way internationally. It's been a wild ride for the 16 year-old New Zealand singer/songwriter prodigy who first formally emerged on the scene when she released her five-track debut EP, entitled " The Love Club ," late last year down-under that flew to the top of the charts. Lordep(born Ella Yelich O'Connor) got her start when she entered into a talent contest in high school a couple of years [...]

• LordeMusic - Royals

Frequent readers of this blog may remember that I first introduced you top Peter Thomas back in 2011 when I posted his remixes of Miguel and Britney Spears. Since then, the 22 year-old songwriter/producer has attended the Berklee College of Music and continued crafting more remixes while also creating his own original productions. Most notably, he produced Betty Who's brilliant debut EP that shows us exactly why he's such an exceptional talent. Thomas just unleashed a brand-new remix of Phoenix's "Entertainment," the first single taken from the French outfit's highly-anticipated new album. He gives the track a [...]

• iamPeterThomas - Entertainment (Peter Thomas Remix)

It's hard to believe that Jacob Banks started singing only less than two years ago. "I started singing around August 2011," the gifted British soul crooner explains in a recentp interview . "Prior to that I used to sing in my shower. I was a professional shower singer. I've always loved music but I never tried to be an artist. One of my closest friends always used to push me to do it. He'd take me to shows and be like "that could be you up there you know.'" In a tragic twist of faith, that friend who [...]