:: arjanwrites music blog ::

A Few Words About Tonight's American Music Awards

Something is happening in pop land. A change is taking place. After the Britney-style ditties, squeaky clean pop divas and the teenage pop stars that dominated the past decade, it appears a new category of pop icons is emerging who are trying to push the limits of the genre into a whole new direction.

This new group clearly surfaced at tonight's American Music Awards when Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert delivered performances that stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Sure, Kelly Clarskon was vocally strong, Whitney Houston was touching, Green Day was solid, Carrie Underwood was flawless, Rihanna was out there, Jay had swagger, Shakira was bold, Timbaland delivered the beats, Nelly was Pucci, Taylor Swift stayed up late to give "thank you" speeches, but nothing was as mind-blowing (there I said it) as the performances of Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert.

Even though Lady Gaga did not win any AMA awards, her performance tonight was Oscar worthy. She performed "Bad Romance" and "Speechless," starting off appearing as something that is best described as an eerie human/animal hybrid raised in the spotlight of a disco ball. The singer took the act to a whole new level of shock and awe when smashed the window of a glass box to get to her piano to perform "Speechless." If that wasn't enough, the piano then caught fire while violin players wearing gas masks surrounded her. Just surreal.

And then there was Adam Lambert. He's a bit like a male Lady Gaga with his fine sense for theatrics. Tonight, the San Diego showman broke with his wholesome American Idol past for once and for all. In a frantic S&M inspired set, he strutted up and down the stage like a dominatrix focusing more on giving people a show to remember than on vocal perfection.

The moment that will have ABC programmers worried came in the last few seconds of the show when Lambert kissed his male keyboard player full on the mouth. This was definitely no wardrobe malfunction, and it may be censored from the show's West Coast airing. If it is not, this will be a huge step in the right direction for network TV. That in itself would be a major accomplishment and a television history milestone brought on by Lambert.

And here's something I have noticed. Now that Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert are taking risk and injecting their show with a heavy dose of concept and performance art (whether it works or not), I can't help to notice that other artists are attempting to follow their lead (Rihanna, Shakira). More reason for me to believe that Gaga and Lambert are blazing a new trail in pop land. What did you think of tonight's AMAs?

Free MP3 Download: Salvador Santana "Under The Sun"

Salvador Santana is mostly known as the son of GRAMMY Award-winning Carlos Santana and poet/lyricist Deborah Santana. But this 26 year-old San Franciscan is more than just the son of celebrated parents. Trained at Cal Arts, he's a gifted singer/songwriter who has a love for the keyboard that is his primary instrument.

Early next year, he will be releasing his debut CD, "Keyboard City," which incorporates his love for electronica and hip hop while also featuring some Latin influences to stay true to his upbringing. Check out the lush "Under The Sun" that is a bit of a homage to his free and loving San Francisco upbringing. Under the sun life is always a little better.

Salvador Santana "Under The Sun"

Listen to Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" (GRUM Remix)

Are you ready for yet another "Bad Romance" remix? The remixes just keep on coming and are nicely helping to promote the entertainer's upcoming new "The Fame Monster" CD, which drops on Tuesday. Scottish dance music upstart Grum sprinkles their own little stardust over "Bad Romance" to create something that sounds more like an '80s-inspired electro pop tune. Very good. In fact, this is my favorite together with the Starsmith remix of "Bad Romance." Download it here. What do you think?

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.)