Arjan Writes Newsletter #5
š Hello, Saturday! Itās Libra season, and there was a lot to celebrate this week, including my birthday, new music from MĆ„neskin, the release of AJ Mitchellās debut album, and, finally, the impending return of Adele! Iām so ready! (And thank you for the birthday wishes.)
š Iām debuting an Artist of the Week spotlight in the newsletter this week to highlight an emerging artist that I think is special and worth checking out. Generally, the Artist of the Week segment will include an interview to make it a personal introduction. I hope youāll enjoy this new addition to the newsletter.
š¤ Live shows are back! I went to Writerās Block at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood this week to see a great lineup of songwriters and artists perform, including Leezy, Mia Nicolai, and Noah Davis. Both Leezy and Noah Davis played their first show ever. Leezy is enchanting, reminiscent of early Lana Del Rey. Davis demonstrated poise, confidence, and larger-than-life vocals that make him one to watch.
šæ Iām excited about the release of AJ Mitchellās Skyview this week. People that have worked with me know Iāve been rooting for Mitchell for a very long time. Executive produced by Mike Dean, this is an album that has been long in the making, but boy, itās been worth the wait. Itās chockful of gems that spotlight Mitchellās pitch-perfect, angelic vocals. The LP is an accomplished mix of ballads and uptempo tracks that hold a steady middle between pop and R&B. Iām particularly a big fan of āStop,ā āHeavenās Gate,ā and the breezy āHi Lo.ā This is dynamite stuff. Give it a listen and spread the word.
šæ Noah Davis has been stirring a steady amount of buzz with the release of his debut album, F**k Flowers. Along with his sensational vocals, Davis stirs his brand of pop with raw emotion and a dose of fun and playfulness that make for a unique combination. I love how Davis has been developing his craft, and this album is an excellent tastemaker. Make sure to check out the very good title track.
š„ Also worth checking out this week: MĆ„neskin āMammamiaā (bold and loud in all the right ways, I love these Italians so much), Justin Bieber āRed Eyeā (his consistency and volume of content are impressive), bbno$ and Rebecca Black āYogaā (fun, mild disco banger), Fletcher āGirls, Girls, Girlsā (worthy Katy Perry throwback), Dillon Francis āReal Loveā (a proper dance-pop stomper), Matt Hansen āWithout You With Meā (gorgeous, what a voice), and Jesse McCartney āLemonadeā (heās still going strong).
The state of Pop is strongālots of great music out this week. Letās dig in!
Artist of the Week: Killboy
š¬ Killboy is one of those rare, refreshing talents who storm onto the scene with a sound, aesthetic, and point of view thatās instantly compelling. Making her way from Texas to Los Angeles via Nashville, this purple-loving, mullet-bearing, and self-proclaimed music nerd whips up mighty pop smashers entirely at her own terms.
Case in point is Killboyās new single, titled āI F**k Everything Up,ā that she unveiled this week. The track is a perfect introduction to Killboyās raw and transparent style of making music thatās an immediate reflection of her life.
ā[The new single] is really just a theme song of my whole life,ā Killboy tells me while riding her bike out in Van Nuys. āThe lyrics are like āalright, I just start over,ā and that happened so many times in my life. With school, friends, and music.ā
But regardless of the many twists and turns she had to face in the past, Killboy is now entirely committed to making her new music project work. āI used to have this urge to say, āitās just not working, Iāve done too much, Iāve screwed up too much, but Iām not going to do it this time, Iām really committed. This is my one thing with Killboy Iām not going to give up on.ā
Killboyās music is an invigorating blend of pop that crosses styles and doesnāt fit any particular label. Her songs are incredibly catchy, plus itās produced to perfection. āI always wanted to play live shows and be a performer,ā Killboy explains. āProducing just came from not knowing any producers who wanted to produce for free, and I was poor, so I had to learn how to produce my music if I wanted to do music.ā
The emerging pop star also worked in a proper Britney āOops, I Did It Againā Spears reference into the new single as a homage. āThe two artists that I listened to when I grew up were Britney and NSYNC. I can do really good Britney impressions and everything,ā she laughs. ā[The timing of it] has nothing to do with whatās going on [with her] right now. I wrote the song a year ago. Itās just a coincidence.ā
Listen to Killboy āI F**k Everything Upā on Apple Music. If you want to dig deeper into some of her music, I also highly recommend listening to āU + Meā thatās one of my favorite Killboy tracks.
Office Hours Playlist Updates
š Office Hours is a new passion project of mine to support and nurture 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. Itās been a gratifying experience to help out and lend an ear.
Every week, 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.
Thanks for all your pitches and suggestions for the Office Hours playlist.
š„ My quick takes on some of the tracks I added this week:
āYou Donāt Love Meā by Josh Golden. Gorgeous, heartfelt balladry by the artist formerly known as GOLDN. (link)
āHurt Uā by Devin Kennedy. The emerging pop singer wears his heart on his sleeve on this peppy ballad. Kennedy demonstrates his knack for melody. Very good. (link)
āFame Killsā by Gia Woods. The young pop star aims for the stars while noting the trappings of fame on this track from her new EP, Heartbreak Country, Vol. 1. Co-written with Jesse Saint John, this is one of the best tracks she has released to date. (link)
āLove Backā by Why Donāt We. Jonah Marais noted on Twitter that the groupās new single feels like their ābiggest songā to date. Heās not wrong. Itās a deliciously catchy mega bop that reminds me of early Loote, which should come as no surprise as the great Jackson Foote produced. (link)
āStay Goldenā by Chance Perez. The In Real Life alumn and current star of Nickelodeonās Power Rangers keeps the vibe fun and hopeful on his new single. (link)
āMiddle Fingersā by ASTON. The Australian pop singer serves up a heavy dose of girl power, and Iām here for it. The track is taken from her new self-titled EP. (link)
āThey Will Hear Usā by Cael Dadian. Timeless and groovy bop dominated by Dadianās soulful vocals. (link)
āRollerbladesā by Blake Rose. Lush, dreamy pop perfect for the season. Lyrically, the tone is more serious, addressing the pitfalls of social media, āa prison we found online.ā This track is taken from the Aussieās new EP, A World Gone By. (link)
āBlind Spotā by Maddie Zahm. Goosebumps from start to finish. Drenched with honesty. (link)
āThe Legend of Jenniferā by Tramp Stamps. My favorite new girl band put out something sturdy and fun just in time for Halloween. (link)
The state of Pop is strong.
Thank you for tuning in to my newsletter this week. I appreciate all the artists for sharing their music and ideas during my Office Hours on Twitter this week. That was fun! You inspire me every day. Look for a fresh new edition of this newsletter every Saturday. Subscribe, share, and spread the love š
And remember, always, the state of Pop is strong š„
(All words in this newsletter are my own.)