:: arjanwrites music blog ::

Must-Watch: Martin Solveig feat. Dragonette "Boys & Girls"

Check out a very, very special collaboration between French DJ/producer Martin Solveig and Dragonette's uber-fabulous Martina Sorbara who recorded "Boys & Girls" under the guidance of the one-and-only French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gautier. Oh la la! The video for the song was shot in Gaultier's massive black & white mansion in Paris and features Martina, Martin and Jean-Paul himself.

"Boys & Girls" is used in a global advertising campaign to promote Gaultier's upcoming new MaDame fragrance. Very delicious. The song will not be made available for sale, but the original edit along with remixes of Laidback Luke, Bart & More and David Sugar will probably pop up on Gaultier's web site sooner or later.

This video emphasizes once again that Martina is a fresh new force in pop music that is so deserving of more attention. Just look at her.

Fraiche MP3 Download: Trish "Bump"

Trish's "Bump" is not for the squeamish. Somewhere on that dark and unknown intersection of R&B, electronica, soul and hip hop, Trish conceived a track that sure pushes the envelop.

When I first I heard "Bump" I wasn't sure what to make it of it. Similar to when I first heard Timberlake's "SexyBack" that is nothing more than a catchy groove without any real melodic hook. "Bump" has that same quality. It features a bare-knuckle and abrasive electro groove and Trish's hypnotizing vocals that are inspired by her experience as a model and street performer. Trish started out her career as dancer and singer with Act Out, a youth-run organization in New York City addressing hot topics such as drugs and self-image.

"Bump" may not immediately (or possibly never) float your boat, but it will at least cause you to sit up and listen for a minute or two. Watch the video below (freaky!) and download the song totally guilt-free if you wish to add it to your playlist.

Download Trish "Bump"

Watch Chicane "Poppiholla" (New Single)

Over the years, Chicane have proven that they know how to serve up quality dance tracks that either have a soothing chill-out quality ("Saltwater") or hit-worthy pop sensibilities ("Don't Give Up" with Bryan Adams).

The group's new single "Poppiholla" does a little bit of both. It combines electronica and trance with an epic melody that plays so well on European radio. There's no doubt that "Poppiholla" will be another chart smash for Chicane overseas. The single will be released in the U.K. on July 13.

Check out the brand-new video for the single that comes with a little twist towards the end.

Fraiche MP3 Download: Dean Raven "You And I"

Check out a totally guilt-free MP3 of "You And I" by emerging U.K pop crooner Dean Raven.  Born in Cardiff, Wales, Dean has been singing from the early age of 6, and has taken "every opportunity to develop his vocals in school performances, and showcases," explains a press release. "You And I" is a slick pop track that is drenched in abundant production effects and effervescent synth instrumentation. AutoTune gets a little in the way for me, but Dean's vocal delivery is promising. Curious to hear more from him.

Download Dean Raven "You And I"

Listen to Kristina DeBarge "Future Love" (Varsity Club Cover)

Get ready for a whole lotta of sweetness. (Don't say I didn't warn you.)

Have a listen to "Future Love" by Kristina DeBarge. This song is oh-so-very hooky (and a little Jordin Spark-esque) with its sugar sweet chorus and a slow-churning rhythm track. One Republic singer Ryan Tedder put this fine little pop gem together for American boyband Varsity Fanclub who first it released in 2008. Rumour is that Kristina will be putting his track out on an upcoming mixtape. It has summer jam written all over it.

(Thanks to @mattox1 for the heads up.)

Winner of The Mission District Remix Contest Announced!

Thanks for all your votes! The lucky winner of The Mission District's "Heartbreaker" Remix Contest is Italian producer Monsieur Adi. Congratulations!!!

Monsieur Adi is no stranger to frequent ArjanWrites.com readers. Adi recently produced music for Superfraiche performer Noah and Toronto singer/pop maven Will W. He also created an award-winning remix for Frankmusik's "Three Little Words."

Thanks so much to all the producers for submitting their remixes into the contest. All of your reinventions were incredible. The band and label is very excited about all of the material they received. The label plans to do more with some of the other submission down the road. So look out for that.

Summer Pop Mix: Listen to Bravehound's "Glory Afternoon"

Technophile and DJ extraordinaire Bravehound put together a glorious remix compilation with some the hottest gems of the summer. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, LaRoux, The Killers and U2, fortified with a dose of Lykke Li and Imogen Heap. "I wanted to produce a mix that was fun a festive enough to rock the Pride season right, and loaded the table with all the chips I had," he writes. Enjoy.