:: arjanwrites music blog ::

A Few Words About Backstreet Boys and Their New Single 'In World Like This'

Backstreet Boys are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year with the release of their highly-anticipated eight studio album, entitled In A World Like This, that firmly positions the group as one of the greatest pop acts of all time.

Think what you want about Backstreet Boys, boy bands or pop music for that matter, the group of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson deserve nothing but respect. Over the past twenty years, the pop quintet has received countless awards, toured the globe over and over, and sold more than 130 million albums worldwide.

The reason for all that success over the years is simple. Backstreet Boys have been able evolve, adjust and grow as artists along with their fans while never losing sight of what made their music so special and unique.

When I last caught up with Backstreet Boys around the release of This Is Us in 2009, they group credited their longevity as a band to challenging themselves creatively while also really enjoying to perform for their fans."  The creative aspect is very important to us and we want to be trendsetters," AJ McLean told me. "We also find it important to make music for the masses and perform. We definitely want to make more records as long as the fans want us to keep doing it."

On their forthcoming new LP, the group teamed up with their old pal Max Martin. The iconic Swedish hitmaker was instrumental in helping to shape the the group's sound together with the late Dennis Pop who passed away in 1998.

Martin and Pop produced Backstreet Boys' very first single "We've Got It Going On" that laid the foundation for their global success. The rise of Backstreet Boys in the mid-nieties together with producer Max Martin also marked the rise of a new generation of pop that paved the way for many superstars since then.

Backstreet Boys recorded In A World Like This in London and Los Angeles with Max Martin, plus  Martin Terefe, Morgan Reid & Prophet, Dan Muckula and Justin Trugman. Going into this new project the group's aim was simple. "We always want to top our previous albums. That’s always our objective," Nick Carter told Rolling Stone Magazine in a recent interview. "All five of us were determined to create an album where every song could be a single."

The LP's title track (and new single) is perfect example of that. Introduced by a gentle guitar riff, the song is a mightily infectious pop confection (with a brilliantly soaring pre-chorus and equally stellar middle eight) that neatly spotlights the group's signature vocal harmonies that are truly one of a kind. Instead of chasing the (EDM) sound of the moment, Backstreet Boys stay firmly in their own lane with a skillfully crafted sound that is a welcome alternative to the bombast that is ruling the pop charts. (Backstreet Boys In A World Like This will be released on 7/30. Pre-order.)

Video Premiere: Parralox featuring Ryan Adamés 'Silent Morning' [First Look]

While '90s inspired deep house is all the rage right now with the success of acts like Disclosure, Jessie Ware, Duke Dumont and Rudimental, there's plenty of other retro-styled, forward-thinking tunage to check out. Take for example Parralox's new single "Silent Morning" that features Latin crooner (and bonafide heartthrob) Ryan Adamés. It's a synth gem that I'm sure '80s aficionados everywhere will be salivating over.

Set to shiny analog synths, a bouncy bassline and a dancefloor-ready groove, "Silent Morning" is a savvy remake of Noel's 1987 original that takes listeners back to the glory days of the '80s. Parralox is the Aussie teaming of producer John von Ahlen and singer Amii who invited Ryan Adamés to contribute vocals to the song. It's a perfect combo. The interplay between Amii's highly-stylized vocal delivery and Adamés' warm-blooded performance strikes a perfect balance that gives the song a very special twist.

Parralox just released the official music video for "Silent Morning" that was shot in Miami during the annual Winter Music Conference. South Beach's daytime pastels and nighttime scenery is the perfect backdrop to the brilliant throwback action of the song. Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs would gladly approve.

Download Parralox featuring Ryan Adames on iTunes now. Also check out the remix EP that includes revamp of "Silent Morning" by Cherry Cherry Boom Boom, Mickey Garcia, Vanguard, Naked Highway and, yes, a Daft Punk inspired "Meltdown Remix."

Hot New Pop Alert: Listen to Frida Sundemo's 'A Million Years' [Free MP3]

Following the release of her debut EP "The Indigo EP" and her much-talked about headline show at The Sebright Arms In London, Gothenburg's own Frida Sundemo is set to return to the U.K. to open for Charli XCX at the Islington Academy tomorrow. Sundemo is stirring up a hefty amount of early buzz among pop fans with her finely-tuned brand of synth pop that you can file right next to the music of Robyn, Icona Pop, Miike Snow, Lykke Li and other high-grade Scandi pop. Her new single "A Million Years" is a perfect example of that. It's a brilliantly epic pop confection packed with inescapable melancholia that will get right under your skin. Frida is currently in the studio with a plethora of hot Swedish producers and songwriters, recording the follow-up to ‘The Indigo EP’ and which is set to be released later this year. 

 Frida Sundemo "A Million Years [MP3]

Hot New Talent Alert: Listen to Liam Horne 'The Truth Is' [Review]

Possibly the best thing that ever happened to Liam Horne was moving to Los Angeles so he could focus on making music full-time. The seventeen year-old singer/songwriter grew up in Aberdeen, Scotland in a notorious housing project with a bleak future ahead of him. "I grew up around violence, drugs, alcohol and murder," Horne explains in an EPK. "Coming to Los Angeles was like taking a burden of my shoulders." 

Horne was able to turn his negative surroundings into a positive new adventure together with Graham Edwards of GRAMMY-winning production outfit The Matrix (who is also his uncle). Edwards acknowledged Horne's raw talent and musical prowess, and together they worked on fine-tuning his songwriting skill. As a result, Horne earned his first stripes co-writing tracks for Justin Bieber ("Out Of Town Girl"), Neon Hitch and Pixie Lott.

While writing songs for others, Horne has also been diligently working on his own artist career. Being a performer is something that comes very natural to him. "I've always wanted to be a performer. As long as I can remember I've always wanted to sing, dance and act," he explains. "My grandfather is an amazing guitar player. I asked him if he could teach me how to play the guitar to accompany my singing. He looked at me and smiled, 'take my guitar home with you and practice.' I practiced and practiced, and before I knew it could play the guitar. I  played for my mom, I played for my dad, and I was just always singing."

Horne is currently in the studio recording music, but he unveiled the brand-new "The Truth Is" that provides a few solid clues about where his style and sound is heading. The mid-tempo ballad presents a radio-ready pop-rock sound that is driven by Horne's hooky guitar riffs and transparently raw lyrics about accepting his mistakes for the sake of love."Demons on the microphone/Tell you lies to make you feel at home," he confesses. "Get you high until you're falling down/Find me there when you hit the ground/The truth is that I love you."

Liam Horne's "The Truth Is" is a potent slice of pop that combines genuine talent and pop-savvy songwriting with a healthy dose of confidence which makes Horne truly one of the most exciting new artists to keep your eyes (and ears) on in the months to come. And that's the truth. (Click here to follow Liam on Twitter.)

New Pop: Listen to Ralph Myerz featuring Annie 'Take A Look At The World' [VIDEO]

It's been a hot minute since we last heard from Norwegian pop princess Annie. In fact, It's been almost four years ago since she released "Don't Stop," her sophomore LP that included tracks like "Hey Annie" and "I Don't Like Your Band." It was a perfect pop record that had both pop fans and critics raving about the potential of the young singer. 

Since then, Annie has gone back in the studio with Xenomania's Brian Higgins to record tracks for her third album, but the new songs were shelved and the singer started to focus on a variety of one-off projects. She wrote for rising pop band Mini Viva and others, and collaborated with a range of other electro artists including Design Drugs and The Toxic Avenger. Annie also wrote music for a Guido Baudach art installation.

But fortunately for us, Annie is feeling that itch again and is about to release a lot more new music. We got a taste of her new pop-edged, '90s inspired sound when she released "Tubestops and Lonely Hearts" back in April. It's a "song for the dance floor," and is, "inspired by the rave scene in Bergen," Annie noted on YouTube.

Annie now also appears on "Take A Look At The World," the new single by Norwegian DJ/producer Ralph Myerz who is mostly known from his work with Ralph Myerz and The Jack Herren Band. It's a brilliantly catchy tune filled with hope and a hint of melancholy about escaping the world you know for something better. "I've traveled every corner in my mind/But haven't left my city more than one time," Annie's sings in the second verse. "I'm ready to play/I got my tickets today/It's the only thing that matters."

The single comes along with a fitting video that shows close up footage of Annie in the back of a New York City cab making her way from Manhattan to John F Kennedy airport getting ready for her big escape. Whether she's making her way to Tokyo ("It's a place where I want to go") or if she flies down South to be "hip by the pool," we are just over the moon to have Annie back with more music. Watch this space for more Annie news soon. (Follow Annie on Twitter here.)