:: arjanwrites music blog ::

Listen to A*M*E "Find A Boy" featuring Mic Righteous [Exclusive Premiere]

After serving up deliciously effervescent pop ditties like "Ride Or Die," "Play The Game Boy" and "City Lights," pop newcomer A*M*E switches gears and makes a steep left turn to introduce an adventurous new sound on her new single "Find A Boy" that features Mic Righteous. 

Written by none other than British superstar Emeli Sandé and Naughty Boy, "Find A Boy" unveils a whole new side of A*M*E that neatly showcases her versatilty and firmly positions her as one of the most exciting new talents to emerge on the British pop scene this year.

To the uninitiated, A*M*E was born and raised in Sierra Leone, the war-torn nation in Africa where she lived until the age of 8. It was the timeless pop of groups like Backstreet Boys and *NSync that helped her cope with her dire environment and was the one thing that she could always rely on. Her family fled to the U.K. where A*M*E started school and quickly thrived. She started her own DIY fanzine, fronted a girl band in high school and sang solos in her school choir that sparked her ambition to pursue music professionally.

The fresh new sound of "Find A Boy" is solid proof of A*M*E's appetite to break out of the mold and take people by surprise with her music. Marked by a majestic, mildly menacing string arrangement and a stomping groove courtesy of producer Naughty Boy, "Find A Boy" is wildly unorthodox rave-pop confection that is dominated by A*M*E's chase for something bigger, bolder and better. "No more sad and no more lonely, find a boy and make him love me," she raves full of sass. "Find a boy with lots of money. he can keep me, he can spoil me. First make sure he can afford me." 

Rising Margate hip hop star Mic Righteous adds some spit and shine to the tune, and offers some words of advice. "You're looking for the bright one. You will get to find love in the nightclub," he raps. "Want to find a boy? Want to find a girl? First, go find yourself." But when it comes to finding a hot and happening new pop tune, look no further. A*M*E delivers just the kind of sweet and crunchy pop hits are made of. (A*M*E featuring Mic Righteous "Find A Boy" will be released inon July 23.)

Pop Troubadour Matthew Koma Talks Songwriting, Dance Music and Debut "Parachute" EP [Exclusive Interview]

If there's one discerning quality that all great songwriters possess, it's the ability to skillfully capture an emotion, boil it down to its purest essence and turn that raw sentiment into a timeless melody that's meaningful to people everywhere. Emerging singer/songwriter Matthew Koma is one of those rare songwriting talents who's a savvy observer of life with a keen sense of melody. Whether it's a soaring vocal hook of an explosive dance tune or a full-length pop number, Koma is a modern-day troubadour who knows exactly how to dose the emotional intensity in his music and deliver it with heartfelt gusto.

Following his recent collaborations with Sebastian Ingrosso, Alesso, Zedd and Far East Movement, Koma steps out in the spotlight this week with the release of his debut EP, entitled "Parachute." The New York-born and bred singer/songwriter wrote and produced/co-produced all of the four tracks on "Parachute," working with collaborators Alex Da Kid (Nicki Minaj, Rihanna), The Runaways’ Sam Watters and Louis Biancaniello (Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis) and The Smeezingtons’ Ari Levine (Bruno Mars, Bad Meets Evil).

Inspired by classic singer/songwriters like Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello, Koma has a very distinct point of view when it comes to songwriting. "I write about things that I know are sincere and that I can speak about from a real place," he tells Arjan in an interview. "I feel that's really the only way for me to connect with people. [Music] needs to come from an honest place. Songwriting is an honest process for me so it is very reflective of what I'm going through in that moment, experiencing or seeing."

Continue reading "Pop Troubadour Matthew Koma Talks Songwriting, Dance Music and Debut "Parachute" EP [Exclusive Interview]"

[MP3] Ellie Goulding Covers The Weeknd "High For This"

While celebrating the break-out success of "Lights" in America with several high profile TV and radio appearances, Ellie Goulding has also been spending a lot of time in the studio to diligently work on new album material. According to reports, the British songstress has been collaborating with high-profile hitmakers like Swedish House Mafia and Benny Blanco to craft tunes for her forthcoming new album.

If you follow Goulding on Twitter then you know that she has also spent time in the studio with her pal Xaphoon Jones, the beatmaking half of hip pop duo Chiddy Bang. During one of their late night recording sessions, the topic of conversation must have turned to their love for The Weeknd that subsequently led to the recording of a cover of The Weeknd's emo-laden "High For This." 

The result is a fantastic reinterpretation of The Weeknd's original that once again demonstrates Goulding's ongoing fascination with acoustic folk, pop and electronica to create her own unique blend of alternative pop. Featuring simple fingersnaps and a sparse synth arrangement, Jones masterfully orchestrates a glowing sonic soundscape that is the perfect backdrop for showcasing Goulding's unique, angelic vocals. Simply sublime.

 Ellie Goulding "High For This" [MP3]

Adam Lambert Premieres Video for New Single "Never Close Our Eyes" [Review]

Adam Lambert perfectly balances style and substance in the freshly unveiled video for his new single "Never Close Our Eyes." Lambert makes a powerful statement in the video that goes way beyond the literal meaning of the song. In fact, the video neatly encapsulates Lambert's distinct brand of pop, which emphasizes the importance of individuality and self-expression no matter what other people say or think.

Set in a repressed Orwellian society, Lambert's video depicts a bleak, futuristic world with people being treated as slaves who must submit to a totalitarian regime that rules with an iron fist (and many watchful eyes). True to form, Lambert breaks out of the mold and sets off a firestorm of change that inspires others. He refuses to take his daily dose of mind-numbing medication and resists other brain-washing techniques to end up leading a colorful rebellion that crushes the status quo. 

Fans will agree that even though it may seem that the scenes and storyline are taken from a fantastical sci-fi novel, the concept of the video is really not that far removed from Lambert's own world of experience. Despite the odds and the baseless skepticism from naysayers, Lambert defiantly stayed true to his point of view and artistic convictions. Now ruling the album charts with his new album "Trespassing," the pop star shows that people who patiently and passionately follow their instinct without compromise will ultimately win.

The Daily Crunch: Kylie Minogue, Far East Movement, Madonna, Calvin Harris, Ryan Tedder, Lana Del Rey, Linkin Park

 Madonna: Watch “Express Yourself” Become “Born This Way”
 Kylie Minogue Performs ‘Timebomb’ On The UK Version Of ‘The Voice’ 
 New Video: Gym Class Heroes, 'The Fighter' 
 Lana Del Rey Covers 'Zoo' Magazine 
 Calvin Harris Remixes Florence + the Machine's 'Spectrum' 
 You Should Meet Performance Artist Alexander Geist 
 Facebook Rolling Out Trending Videos 
 Photo Recap of This Weekend's Eurovision Song Contest
 Ten Ideas for an American Idol Ratings Reboot 
 M.I.A. Signs With Roc-Nation 
 Linkin Park Does Holland's Pinkpop 
 Far East Movement Performs Beastie Boys Tribute 
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