Arjan Writes Newsletter #1
Welcome to my first email newsletter! I’ve blogged since 2001, tweeted since 2006, and Instagrammed since 2011. Now, I plan on writing a regular email to share my passion for new music with you.
I’m making a commitment to write a weekly newsletter about exciting new pop and emerging artists. Plus, I may throw in an occasional travel update to explore my passion for cool spots on the map.
I love sharing all things new and next, and email is a great way to do that. I plan on publishing this email newsletter every Saturday.
Subscribe and share if you appreciate a weekly email that’s upbeat and full of new things to discover. I appreciate your support!
Feedback, pitches, and ideas are always welcome. Send me a direct message on Twitter to reach me. Thanks so much!
Here’s what I’m writing about this week:
Office Hours Playlist Updates
My interview with Finn Matthews
Tweet of the Week: Doja Cat
My Wyoming Adventure in Search of Kanye West
In Conclusion
Office Hours Playlist Updates
Office Hours is a passion project I started earlier this year to support new artists. Periodically, I will open up my Twitter DMs for official office hours to meet new artists, listen to pitches and provide instant feedback. It’s been such a rewarding experience to help out and lend an ear.
I add a selection of pitched songs to my Office Hours playlist on Apple Music. This playlist also includes tracks that I feel are extraordinarily great and fit the spirit of the Office Hours playlist: new, next, noteworthy, and very pop.
So, let’s go. Here are some of the top new tracks added this week:
“Future Starts Now” by Kim Petras. A Euro-pop styled stunner with an upbeat message. Next-level good. (listen)
“NASA” by Josh Levi. Powerful track by one of Atlantic Records’ brightest new stars who is not afraid to switch it up. (listen)
“Good Ones” by Charli XCX. One of the best and most potent records Charli has ever put out. Synthtastic. (listen)
“Scarlett” by Holly Humberstone. Terrific, just terrific. Bittersweet done right. (listen)
“Things I Hate” by Motel 7. I’ve been loving the music by this emerging indie-pop outfit. Super vibey, LA sunset music fit for a nighttime drive. (listen)
“Classic Armstrong” by Blanks. Contrary to popular belief, the Dutch have a major knack for melody. Blanks is one to watch. Love this. (listen)
“Sour” by Oston. Newcomer Oston wears her heart on her sleeves. Powerful, finely produced ballad. (listen)
“Sad Boy” (ft. Ava Max, Kylie Cantrall) by R3hab and Jonas Blue. Perfect dance-pop fare featuring Ava Max’s superstar vocals. (listen)
“Waiting on Nothing” by Joan. Joan has been on a tear releasing great new music. This moving ballad is a favorite. (listen).
Stay tuned for details about my next Office Hours on Twitter.
Listen to Office Hours on Apple Music
A Beautiful Reason to Think Like Finn Matthews
Finn Matthews doesn’t like to worry. “I have learned to appreciate what I have and enjoy the moment,” he smiles. The pop singer and I are catching up at a West Hollywood coffee shop to talk about his new single, “Beautiful Stranger.” Our chat about his new music sparks a conversation about his love for production, the honesty in his music, and letting go of fear and anxiety.
“Beautiful Stranger” is a song that follows a string of releases that the New Jersey native, 21, has released over the last year. Songs like “Running Away,” “Closing In,” and fan-favorite “Low Key” have helped shape his infectious brand of pop that’s defined by his soaring pop vocals, savvy writing, and crisp production stylings.
Like any committed artist, Matthews is a perfectionist. In fact, it took over a year to finish “Beautiful Stranger.” He explains, “I wrote the song with my friend Lofton [Shaw]. We were listening to ‘Everything I Wanted’ by Billy Eilish. We heard that pumping piano, which inspired the synth you hear at the beginning of ‘Beautiful Stranger.’ Obviously, the song developed into a completely different track than the Billie Eilish song, but that’s what sparked us to write it.”
Read my entire interview with Finn Matthews.
My Wyoming Adventure in Search of Kanye West
Say what you want about Kanye West, but I think he’s a brilliant producer who has pushed the frontier of popular music forward throughout his career. 808s & Heartbreak will always be one of my most cherished LPs ever.
The superstar’s struggle with mental illness, his half-baked presidential bid, and two recent gospel albums have made me very curious about what drives his artistic instincts.
While spending time in Montana late last year, I decided to venture out to Cody, WY, to check out West’s new stomping grounds. He owns a massive ranch just south of the small, sleepy Wyoming town that’s become a center for many of his creative endeavors (including a new sustainable Star Wars-inspired housing concept).
Read more about my Cody, WY adventure.
In Conclusion
Thanks for tuning to my first newsletter! I intend to send a fresh new edition every Saturday. Subscribe, share, and spread the love. I appreciate the support!
And remember, always, the state of Pop is strong.