Blog: arjanwrites music blog

By Jose Iniguez ( bio ) Super PACs , countless debates, open marriages pandpKelly Clarkson? Oh my. It's safe to say the U.S. Presidential election season has heated up. Three separate candidates (Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich) have each won one of the first three contests (Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, respectively) in the Republican race for the nomination. The only candidate still in the race who hasn't been victorious is Ron Paul, the Representative from Texas. Not good news for Kelly Clarkson, who represented Texas well in another American popular vote, [...]

When Yuna started working with Pharrell Williams in Miami's famed Hit Factory/Criteria Recording studios last summer, both of them weren't sure where their collaboration would take them. It's common practice for savvy A&R folks, managers and publishing reps to pair up singers, songwriters and producers to stir up their creative mojo. These studio sessions can sometimes lead to brilliant new music, and sometimes a pairing lacks chemistry and ends up going nowhere.pAnd that's fine. It's better to try than to not make the effort. From a distance the pairing between Malaysian folk crooner Yuna [...]

p THIS is very exciting! pSimon Cowell To Launch Reality Competition For DJs pKylie Minogue Unveils Video For New Version Of "Finer Feelings" pNick Jonas Makes His Broadway Debut In 'How To Succeed In Business' pLana Del Rey's "Born To Die" Leaks pKylie Minoque To Join Sydney Mardi Grasp pAdam Lambert Wants to Play Himself on 'Glee'p pDiesel Spring Summer Campaign 2012 pMadonna Says Super Bowl Performance Will Have [...]

Invoking memories of classic British soul pop by artists like Soul II Soul and M People, rising new pop duo War Of Words (or simply WoW) delivers a fresh and very contemporary new take on '90s pop with their brand-new "Battleground" that was masterfully produced by none other than LaRoux's Ben Langmaid. The group's love for '90s pop should come as no surprise. According to a press release, Abi Browning and Lucy Duffield met when they auditioned for a new Motown-inspired girl group a few year ago and bonded over their love for [...]

pThe Album Cover For The 'W.E.' Soundtrack Is Released pMy Name Is Kay Is Back In The Studio! With MNEK! pThe 2012 Academy Award Nominations Have Been Announced pClose Encounters of the Beard Kind pLana Del Rey Faces The Storm On February's Complex Cover pNorah Jones Partners With Danger Mouse for 'Little Broken Hearts' pOh La La: New Calvin Klein Underwear Campaign pWiz Khalifa's 'Boarding Pass' Featured in Bing Ad [...]

Following " Dynamo " and " So You're Alive ," Vincent Frank is at again, servingpup the brand-spanking new pop stomper "Somebody." That's right. I wasn't joking when I wrote last week that Frank probably has dozens and dozens of songs ready to share, and, lucky for us, the avalanche of new VDI music is probably not going to stop anytime soon. But Frank is not just about quantity, but he also favors quality. And this new "Somebody" is a perfect example that. It's a hot slice of musik that shows us once again that Vince is an [...]

There's something so incredibly powerful about Natalie Duncan's voice that it instantly makes you sit up and listen. Duncan has one of those rare voices that hit you straight to the core and can stir up all kinds of emotions. It's not a thing you have to think about or examine, you just feel it in your gut - whether you want it or not. Duncan's raw and soulful delivery can invoke tears, happiness or simplypcomfort you in times when you need it most. Natalie Duncan is truly an extraordinary talent with an innate gift to move people. [...]

pAdele Blogs Tribute To Etta James pPhotos: Madonna at W.E. Premiere in New York Cityp pFashionista Justin Bieber Attempts To Start A New Fashion Trend pMiley Cyrus Does Bob Dylanp pLana Del Rey Team Silences Satire Blog pLiberty Lungs: Kristen Chenoweth Sings National Anthemp pSolange Graces The Pages Of InStylep pAcademy Awards Launches Digital 'Celebrate the Movies' Campaignp pComplete Michael Kors Spring Summer 2012Ad Campaignp [...]

Bright Light Bright Light (aka Rod Thomas) is one of my favorite pop makers. Not just because he's a super nice guy, but also because he's a pop original who has an incredible knack for writing great pop melodies that he combines with his love for '90s club grooves and his desire to spread hope and encouragement with his music. In a pop era where lyrics about getting down in the club seem to dominate, songs that convey a heartfelt sentiment that is easy to relate to are ultimately more meaningful and timeless. And that's exactly what Bright Light Bright [...]

pKelly Clarkson Covers Etta James At Radio City Music Hall pSelena Gomez Performs At UNICEF Concert pDrake Shows Up Three Hours Late for Good Reason pRoseanne Barr Goes In On Beyonce Fans p"Taste It" The Boys of Milan Fashion Week By Luca Finottip pNicki Minaj Postpones Release Of New Albump pEllie Goulding Performs at JFK Airport Terminal 5p pSteven Tyler Joins Club Of Anthem "Bunglers"p pLana Del Rey's [...]

Whoever thinks dubsteppjust comes in one size fits all, better thinks again. Jakwob's brand-new "Electrify" is solid proof of that. The London DJ/producer has taken a unique approach to the popular sub genre that has a reputation to some for its tendency to be overbearingpp"I can make that music, I enjoy that stuff," the producer/DJ explains in a press release. "But I don't want to replicate it, I don't like making music that's too difficult to get into so I end up adding things, different unexpected elements." His brand-new single "Electrify" is a perfect example of [...]

While taking over the world with his forward blend of electro-edged hip pop, rapper Tinie Tempah has a bunch of other projects cooking as well. A few of Tempah's side activities include his own clothing label and an artist management/label effort that are grouped under his burgeoning Disturbing London brand. One of the artists Tempah has taken under his wings is pop singer Dot JR who has been stirring up some attention in the London pop scene since the release of his one-off tune, "Moonlight." Stornaway's Dot JR [...]

Lana Del Rey Planning To Tour In Late 2012 Nicki Minaj Plans On Creating Her Own Fashion Line Miike Snow Reveals Tour Plans, Plays Ultra Miami Robyn "Call Your Girlfriend " In ASL Nicki Minaj: 'Stupid Hoe' Video Premiere Amy Winehouse Tribute Concert Confirmed Adam Lambert Teases New Video on Twitter Gavin DeGraw Talks ' Sweeter ' and Ryan Tedder Listen To The [...]

By Steven Siegel ( bio ) Two words: Eric Prydz. Yes, it's a bit odd I'm starting this review of "You're Gonna Love Again" withpanother artist but you can't mistake the Swede's influence on this NERVO tune that surfaced on YouTube this week. "You're Gonna Love Again" follows the Prydz formula of simple, yet saucy, synthesized riffs with awesome dramatic chords. However, the ladies of NERVO also teamed up with another one of our favorite Swede's —Avicii—for an epic drop to give the tune their own distinctive sound.p According to Astralwerks , "You're [...]

Butch Walker's songwriting has always been frank and forward, and his candid new "Synthesizers" is no different. The song is Walker's honest take on the state of popular musicpthat comes along with a cheeky parody video that stars none other than Matthew McConaugheypreprising his roll as Wooderson from Dazed & Confused.p While writing and producing hit songs for artists like P!nk, Katy Perry, Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne, Walker has continued recording songs as a solo artist furthering his reputation as one of rock 'n roll's finest melody makers with a penchant for poignant lyricism. [...]

This morning, pop singer Sam Sparro formally announced that his much-anticipated sophomore album, titled "Return To Paradise," will be released this May through EMI. This new record follows the success of his self-titled debut that included his hit single, "Black & Gold." Sparro notes in a press release that he's more than ready to release his new music. "I'm so proud of these songs and can't wait to share them. It's been a long time coming," he says. The statement also details what fans should expect from the album: "[The new album]pcaptures Sam's electro [...]

Far East Movement drops the bass and stirs up the party in their freshly-released video for "Jello" featuring label mate Rye Rye. In the video, the genre-mashing downtown LA foursome crashes the convention of B.L.O.W . (short for "Ban Low-Frequency Oscillating Woofers) that is supposedly an organization that wants to ban all low frequencies from popular music. Most notably, B.L.O.W. seems to object against Far East Movement's party-starting new bass sound that is the ruling ingredient on their forthcoming "Dirty Bass" album. Kev Nish, Progress, J-Spliff and DJ Virman face the organization's complaints head on in this [...]

pRIP Etta James pHighlights from New Far East Movement Video pPick Up New Bello featuring Josh Bowman pLana Del Rey Admits She's Not A Good Live Performer? pJake Gyllenhaal & Adam Levine Go On A Bro Date pJ.Lo And Casper Smart: Age Difference Means Nothingp pConfirmed: Sex and the City Prequel Is Happeningp pKaty Perry's 'Teenage Dream ' Gets A 'Pop Up Video'p pRihanna And Coldplay Performing [...]

With SOPA fresh on our minds, let me preface this post that this guilt-free MP3 comes straight from Florence's record label who encouraged me to share it with the readers of ArjanWrites.com. With this explicit disclaimer out of the way, let's get back to the music. Hotly-tipped British indie pop outfit gives Florence's "No Light, No Light" a dramatic new twist with a few crunchy new twists and turns that may be a bit much for loyal Florence & The Machine's fans to bear but may peek the interest of others. Whether you like Spector's peppy revamp or not, Florence [...]

pDevp Collaborates pWith Timbaland for Possible Album Trackp pListen topEric Turner's " Written In The Stars 2.0'" sans Tempah pMichael Fassbender Covers pThe New Issue Of 'The Hollywood Reporter' pHustle Roses Releases Her Solo Debut Music Video For 'Alive'p pJean Dujardin 'The Artist ' For W Magazine pBeyoncé's Rep Says The 'Star' Magazine Interview Is 'Made Up'p pWiz Khalifa And Adam Levine In The Studio Togetherp pDrake Puts 'I'm On One' Miami Condos Up for [...]