:: arjanwrites music blog ::

Listen to NEW Jason Derulo Single "In My Head"

Looks like pop has found herself a new darling.

In my effort to combine the sweet with the crunchy on this blog, check out Jason Derulo's super slick new single "In My Head." It's a perfect pop confection that follows the smash "Watcha Say," which is storming up the charts around the world. "In My Head" was written by Jason together with JR Rotem and produced by JR Rotem for his Beluga Heights imprint. Just as "Watcha Say," this new ditty is very well produced and is oh-so-very catchy. Try not to bop your head when this hits the speakers.

Listen to Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" (Electrolightz Freak Remix)

Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" has inspired a busy crowd of remixers who have all put their own spin on the song. One of the remixers who comes with the strongest point of view is Electrolightz.

The track starts choppy and brash with Gaga strutting her vocals confidently along before moving into overdrive with its savvy new electro arrangement. This remix lets Lady Gaga crossover from pop to downtown electro with a hip hop edge in the coolest way. She can do whatever she wants. Remember she's "a freak bitch, baby" and she is werking it.

Love how Electroligthz totally rebuilt this track into something that is very different than the original, but still as good. What do you think?

Free MP3 Download: Sia "You've Changed"

I'm totally loving this new track from Sia. It packs such a vibrant new sound. The song will give you a jolt of energy every time she kicks into the chorus. It sounds like the Aussie singer has something good to celebrate and is in a really good place. You can just tell from this track. "You've Changed" is taken from her 2010 record, "We Are Born," which was produced by The Bird & The Bee's Greg Kurstin. Sia sure sounds like reborn. Refreshed and reinvigorated. You gotta love.

Sia "You've Changed

Exclusive: Watch Temposhark "Bye Bye Baby"

Temposhark returns with a "gothy" video for their excellent new single "Bye Bye Baby." The song is taken from the group's new album, titled "Threads," which will be released February 2010. The song marks the return to Temposhark's beginnings with its emphasis on pulsating electronic beats and synths.

After singing that the "world does not revolve around you," Temposhark lead man Rob Diament wants to make sure the message gets across for once and for all. On "Bye Bye Baby," he is in full control with kick-in-your-face, snappy lyrics like "It's too late for me to care anymore. It's so over. In the palm of your hand no more." Yeah, you better not mess with Diament when he gets agitated like that.

The video was directed by Ben Charles Edwards who recently worked on the mini film The Town That Boars Me, which featured Kelly Osborne, Sadie Frost and Sophie Ellis Bextor. Rob Diament was eager to work with Edwards after seeing that film. "His style reminds me of hammer horror or Tim Burton or Ed Wood even," he writes me. "It was incredible to work with him - put some eye liner on and hairspray my hair up!"

"I really like the dark atmosphere created, it's a nice feel for the song, which even though sounds very pop and fun, is quite dark lyrically," he adds. (The single will be out on Monday. Download it here.)

Hot New Pop Alert: Meet Sky Ferreira

The new year is almost upon us and with it comes a whole bunch of new artists pitching for space on your playlists. Into this maelstrom of Ellie Goulding, Reni Lane, Janelle Monae, Mini Viva and many others steps the prodigiously talented Sky Ferreira.

She's 17, from L.A. and gearing up to unleash her self-proclaimed "revolutionary pop album" on the world. It's chock-full of planet-sized potential hits, co-written by Sky in collaboration with the likes of Bloodshy & Avant, Greg Kurstin, Paul Epworth, Dallas Austin, Nicole Morier and Linda Perry. Not too shabby for your very first outing.

So who is this very special new talent? Her story really started when she wrote her first song at age 15  after an internet break-up. She describes that first song as her version of "Careless Whisper" in outer space. Interested in both music and fashion, Sky eventually set her sights on making music and reached out to hit maker Bloodshy on MySpace. He answered her message and decided to take her under his wing.

One of the most striking feats about Sky Ferreira is her gut-wrenching vocal delivery. Trained in gospel and opera, she has a vocal range similar to Mariah Carey and Leona Lewis, but she mixes in a whole lot more spunk and gusto. Head over to her MySpace page to get a taste of Sky. You must hear the '60s-inspired "Femme Fatale" that was produced by Greg Kurstin and shows off Sky's confidence and unique style that contrasts nicely with the pop tarts she's surrounded with.

Also, listen to her acoustic cover of Miike Snow's "Animal." Would you guess she's only 17 years-old? It sounds she lived the lifes of many and speaks from direct experience. Sky Ferreira is a name you need to remember. What do you think of Sky?

Free MP3 Download: Ellie Goulding "Under The Sheets" (Kids At The Bar Remix)

Check out this trashy electro revamp of Ellie Goulding's breakthrough single "Under The Sheets." Be warned though. This sounds nothing like the sweet and sleek original. Oklahoma's Kids At The Bar add some filthy electro stylings resulting in a banging dancefloor work out. Crunch it.

Ellie Goulding "Under The Sheets" (Kids At The Bar Remix)

Listen to V.V. Brown "Miss You" (Rolling Stones Cover)

America, get ready for V.V. Brown! The British soul-pop artist is gearing up to release her debut LP, titled "Traveling Like The Light," in the the U.S. on February 9, 2010 on Capital Record. The album is filled with catchy tunes that hold a steady middle between throwback R&B and contemporary pop - an unexplored muscial territory that VV likes to refer to as "do wop indie."

Watch my video interview with V.V. in which talks more about her music, album and coming to America.

In anticipation of her full-length release, the MTV Logo Award nominee has digitally released "The Attic" EP, which includes "Game Over," "Quick Fix," along with "Crying Blood (Andrew Weatherall Remix)," and an acoustic performance of "Shark in the Water" (that is a must hear).

Check out an acoustic cover of The Rolling Stones' classic "Miss You" that V.V. Brown covered for BBC's Radio 2 Live Lounge an injected with a soul-stirring, vintage vibe. Very good. V.V. has the goods to go places. (Click here to download "The Attic" on iTunes.)

V.V. Brown "Miss You" (Rolling Stones Cover)