Fridae

Free Download: Zero 7 (ft. Jose Gonzalez) "Futures"

Chill out with this spacey new Rub "N Tug mix of "Futures" by Zero 7 that features the vocals of Swedish singer Jose Gonzalez. It still doesn't surpass the beauty of one of their biggest hits (and my favorite) "Destiny" but it is a good one for your cool down playlist. The song is taken from the group's new album "The Garden" that also features guest vocalist Sia on six of the tracks.

In an interview with Alex Robertson, the duo of Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns explain that they set out "to make [The Garden] a little bit more fundamental, more basic, in a way to simplify things." I have to agree that González' crooning is very fitting for Zero 7's new simplified and lush productions.

Download Zero 7 (ft. Jose Gonzales) "Futures" (Rub 'N Tug Remix) [MP3]

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Get Better, Tom!
I receiving the surprising news yesterday that Keane singer Tom Chaplin entered rehab in England to deal with his addiction to "drugs and alcohol." As a result, the group's U.S. tour that was scheduled to start in September has been postponed.

I met Tom back in April for an interview and he was one of the most inspiring and genuinely friendly artists I have met to date. I truly wish him all the best dealing with his disease and I hope that he will recover soon.

For Interscope/Geffen, however, it is business as usual. They released Keane's new single "Crystal Ball" in the U.K. on Monday. Regardless of its somewhat trivial title, this track has a clever hook and is one of the (seemingly) more optimistic songs on their "Under The Iron See" album. Although I have to admit that lyrics like "Who is the man I see/Where Am I supposed to be/I'm fading out, everything I know is wrong. So put me where I belong" get a grittier meaning given Tom's current health condition.

Watch Keane "Crystal Ball" [YouTube]

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Stream Arling & Cameron "Shake It"
Here's a hot one for ya! Listen to the fun and frothy "Shake It" by emerging Dutch electro pop outfit Arling & Cameron. The song is taken from the group's new album "Hi-Fi Underground" that hits stores on September 12.

Arling and Cameron met in The Netherlands after finishing their music studies in college. They shared a love for house music, but both were looking for ways to make house more artful, interesting and kitschy. In fact, together with a group of friends they set up a house music spoof by creating a double disc house compilation that was just the same mediocre house track played nineteen times.

The duo got a little more serious and produced their "Easy Tune" lounge pop series. This got them noticed by hip advertising execs in Amsterdam's throbbing nightlife scene who started using the group's music in international commercials and other corporate presentations. Companies like GAP, Audio, Samsung and Honda and HBO have used the band's tunes in their promos. Arling & Cameron even scored a mega
hit with "Tap Moi La" in Japan under their Popcorn moniker.

Start your weekend a little early and stream Arling & Cameron's sparkling "Shake It" exclusively on Arjanwrites.com. "Get naked, shake it!" Many thanks to Arling & Cameron for providing this stream.

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Stream Brand-New Dangerous Muse Tracks
Listening to Dangerous Muse is like looking at a Mondrian painting. The quality of the group's music is not in its multi-layered depth or frivolous bells & whistles. Instead Mike Furey and Tom Napack like to keep their sound to the point, delivering straight-up, minimalist synth tunes that mostly emphasize Furey's breathy vocals.

Arjanwrites.com can exclusively post two brand-new tracks by the New York duo. "Break Up" is a subdued slice of disco pop with a hooky synth riff that briefly introduces Furey's falsetto. The nocturnal "In This Town" is a bouncy electro tune that supposedly refers to the conceited fashionistas in New York City. "Watch what you wear in this town, they always see you. On judgment day the material girls play god," sings Furey. "Swipe your card to save your life. In this town it is only about what you wear." I'm curious what inspired them to write a song about this subject. In my humble opinion these honeys look good no matter what they wear.

Both "Break Up" and "In This Town" will appear together with the new single "Give Me Danger" on the group's new digital EP.

Stream Dangerous Muse "Break Up" [quicktime
Stream Dangerous Muse "In This Town" [qucktime]