Tesla Boy is already a household name among pop aficionados in Russia and other parts of Europe, and with this week's global release of their brand-new single "Fantasy," the group is getting ready to take their high-grade '80s-inspired synth pop to a much larger audience stateside. It's an exciting new adventure for the group's charismatic frontman Anton Sevidov and bassist Dima Midborn that has been long in the making

To the uninitiated, the Russian outfit of Anton Sevidov and basist Dima Midborn grew up in the '80s and '90s in Moscow. They experienced first-hand the dramatic changes that took place in Russia when the cold war came to a close, Perestroika ruled and a wind of change swept the nation. The new cultural zeitgeist of openness and transparency also embraced Western pop culture that made a tremendous impact on the young musicians who devoured all the great pop and synth music from abroad as soon as they could.

Their love for everything '80s is clearly reflected in their music ever since they released their debut LP, titled "Modern Thrills," in 2010 that included their debut single, "Electric Lady." Tesla Boy has found a way to take everything they love about '80s pop and new wave, and incorporate it in a contemporary pop sound that has an instant global appeal.

Their new single is a great example of that. Wonderfully lush and immaculately produced, "Fantasy" is a classically powerful pop tune that is ruled by a soothing bass line, richly melodic synth riffs and Sedidov's warming vocals. In an era where synth-driven productions are often associated with big room dance productions, the retro-futurist qualities of "Fantasy" provide a proper alternative to banging club joints, making it a track that is both very current and timeless. (Support new pop and download Tesla Boy "Fantasy" on iTunes.)

After his collaborations with people like Alesso and Far East Movement, rapidly-rising singer/songwriter Matthew Koma demonstrates once again that he has an incredible knack for writing and performing soaring melodic hooks. Case in point is his brand-new teaming with hotly-tipped DJ/producer Zedd (aka Anton Zaslavski) on "Spectrum," a stomping dance-pop romp with massive cross-over potential that perfectly combines Koma's sense of sentiment with Zedd's genre-pushing, micro-synth production stylings. "Spectrum" will be released on Interscope Records on June 4.

Inspired by artists like Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello, Koma is no stranger to writing timeless melodies that pack a powerful punch. He told me yesterday in an interview that partnering with DJs to write electronic dance music has been particularly helpful to further tune his craft. "It's been really cool to work with people like Alesso, Sebastian Ingrosso and Zedd," Koma tells me. "They're all very musical people and it's cool to see things through their eyes and it has inspired me to approach songwriting in a different way."

Koma explains that writing for dance music requires a bit of a different skill. "The electronic dance music world is so track driven and there's so much focus on the production that when it comes to songwriting it is even more about finding that simple sentiment and tapping into it," he says. "It's a totally different experience than writing a full song and it has been a really good learning experience."

He adds, "It's almost like using a different part of your brain. It's also often a different kind of audience that listens to dance music. They're looking for a different kind of feeling. It's definitely a different focus and all about honing in on a different feeling." (If you're curious about Matthew Koma, make sure to grab his brand-new EP "Parachute" that will be released on Cherrytree/Darkchild/Interscope Records next week. You can stream tracks from that release here.) 

 Jessie J To Embark On Nice To Meet You Tour In 2013
 Selena Gomez Stars In 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Funny Or Die Parody
 Shirley Manson Of Garbage Shares Her Favorite New Music
 Michael Jackson’s Album ‘Bad’ Set For 25th Anniversary Special Release
 Hot Chip's 'Night and Day' Wins Today's Tiara
 Gossip and Beth Ditto 'Move in the Right Direction'
 Ester Dean Shows Off Her Sensual Side in 'Baby Making Love'
 Calvin Harris Fires Up Festival Crowd in 'Let's Go' Video With Ne-Yo
 Kelis In Asos Sequin Striped Dress At Cannes
 Whitney Houston's Final Song Hits iTunes June 5
 Adam Lambert Shares New Video Teaser
 First Look At Versace Fall Winter 2012 Campaign By Mert & Marcus 
 Follow Arjan on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr    

Much has been written about Adam Lambert and much has been said about his chart-topping new LP "Trespassing." But when all is said and done, the only words that truly matter are the stories Lambert so candidly shares on the album. Each and every song on "Trespassing" perfectly conveys his state of mind and distinct point of view that is woven throughout the effort.

"Trespassing" shows off two different sides of the singer. One part of the record features Lambert's exuberant and glamorous stage persona with tracks that are peppy, fun and clearly (and successfully) produced for mass consumption. The other part of the album emerges when Lambert steps off the stage, lifts up the brightly-lit, yellow trespassing signs to expose a much more vulnerable side of himself.

Tracks like "Cuckoo" and "Naked Love" capture the fun and flirty Lambert, while tracks such as "Underneath," Outlaws Of Love" and "Chokehold" show what really moves him as artist, performer, and most importantly, a human being. In fact, "Underneath" in particular addresses that very sentiment and intent when he sings, "Welcome to my world of truth. I don't wanna hide any part of me from you. I'm standing here with no apologies." 

When the party is over and the roar of the crowd fades, Lambert has the ability to take a step back, reflect on matters and tap into a raw vulnerability that is rarely exposed in pop music today. His honest and intensely personal storytelling adds a powerful dimension to his music that connects with people in a much deeper and lasting way.

One of the album's biggest contributions is that it's not just an accomplished collection of songs, but that it showcases the power and versatility of pop music. Yes, pop music can be fun, and yes, it can be highly stylized, but behind its glossy facade, pop music can also capture powerful emotions that people far and wide can relate to with great ease and apply to their own world of experience. And even if you don't speak English, Lambert's vocal tone and inflection will tell you all you need to know.

Lambert perfectly understands the power of pop and uses the ever-evolving genre to his full advantage. While pushing the envelop creatively, artistically and personally, the singer gives people music to make their own and cherish forever, which makes him a pop star of the brightest kind.

After I first met Databoy's Cameron and Adam at a Lights gig in Austin, Texas, the electro pop duo has embarked on an exciting musical journey that has taken them to New York to work with some of pop's finest producers to engineer a unique sound of their own. All of their hard work, patience and perseverance has resulted in their debut album, entitled "Dreams Are Gold," that will be released in a digital download store near you next month.

To give us a taste of what they have been up to in recent months, the duo is sharing the "Summer Now" EP that you can download totally guilt-free on their web site now. Pop lovers will sure be in a for a big treat with this new Databoy EP that stays true to their clearly-defined pop mantra. "We're a spontaneous combustion of everything you love and love to hate about pop music," they write on their web site. We're kids of the '90s, born in the '80s, inspired by the sounds of the new millennium. We are an unconventional duo, addicted to the art of sound and the sound of art."

The "Summer Now" EP release includes a remake of the previously shared "Just Once" that was mashed up with Rihanna's "You Da One" to give the original a breezy summer flavor. Also, featured are the pop-forward summer gem "Lotion" and the very good "8-Ball," a playful, synth-happy stomper with a mighty infectious chorus. It's one of those high-grade pop confections that easily fits alongside tracks by The Wanted, One Direction and other current chart-topping Brit pop.

The group is excited and writes me, "Our first release this year, 'Memorize Me' with Rune RK, has received over 175k hits on YouTube so far and we're hoping to build on that success with the release of a lot of original material over the next few months." The release of the LP has been long in the making, and if this EP is any indication, "Dreams Are Gold" is shaping up to be a mightily exciting pop effort.

Download Databoy "Summer Now" EP [MP3]

Nate, Jack and Andrew of Fun. are currently zigzagging around the globe to promote their breakthrough single "We Are Young" that is flying up the charts around the world after it was first featured in a Chevy Superbowl commercial back in February. The trio stopped by 3FM's popular morning show in Holland with host Giel Beelen earlier today to play their smash single, plus they performed a funtastic little cover of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe."

In an interview prior to the studio performance, DJ Giel Beelen noted that Holland recently celebrated 10 years of equal right for gays and lesbians, and asked the group about their ongoing support for gay marriage in their own country. "America is not as forward as some other places in the world," Fun.'s Jack Antonoff explains. "It's nice to come to countries where you don't have any second-class citizens because everyone's equal. That's a good feeling right off the bat. Whenever we know we're going to be somewhere that has equal rights we just get like a warm feeling in general about the place."

Antonoff says about President Obama's recent support of gay marriage that it is "hopefully the start of a big change in America." The guitarist adds, "It's a human rights issue and the biggest issue of our generation, and if you're not saying something then you're part of the problem ( . . .) We're straight, and that's a big part of our stance and we still care and everyone should care, gay or straight."

Natalie Duncan is without a doubt one of the most exciting new vocalists to impact the scene this year. Combining raw vocal power with poignant storytelling, her eclectic brand of blues pop is instantly classic and will speak to music fans far and wide who are looking for real, authentic sentiment in music. 

Not much is known about Duncan and the British songstress is purposely sharing very few personal details. She wants her music to do most of the talking to give listeners the opportunity to interpret it in their own unique way to make her songs truly timeless and meaningful. As Duncan herself puts it, "If you want to know who I am, all you have to do is listen to my music."

She reveals on her website though that many of the songs on her forthcoming debut album are inspired by heartbreak and anger but in a way that can be related to on many different levels. "My songwriting whatever type of music I'm writing is quite abstract," she explains. "I like to think the songs I write are more interesting than just a love song or a pop song. I like to explore and mess around with melodies as well, being quite intricate and delicate with parts of melody - having classical elements and then making it into blues."

She adds, "I don't really have a formula. I want to write a song that sounds a particular way, so I do. I'm definitely a welcome grim-reaper for the pop world."

The video for "Sky Is Falling" is a powerful work of art as well that incorporates scenes of animated skylines made up of yesterday's newspapers that are interspersed with footage of Duncan performing the song at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios. It's a wonderfully creative and a perfect visualization of such a captivating tune.

Last night's Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas was a diverse and memorable evening loaded with pop featuring some incredibly moving moments, impressive comebacks and powerful musical statements by some of pop's biggest idols. I was in the audience just a few rows away from the action on stage to witness (and tweet) every single second of it.

One of the most memorable moments of the night was an incredibly touching tribute to the late Whitney Houston that was performed by soul man John Legend and young Jordan Sparks. The Idol winner impressed and moved the crowd to tears with her flawless, pitch-perfect rendition of Houston's eternally classic "I Will Always Love You." Immediately following that performance, Houston was being honored by Billboard Magazine with a special Millennium Award that was handed to Houston's daughter Bobbi-Kristina who thanked fans gracefully for their support in recent months.

Even though Adele received most awards at this year's event, the night belonged without a doubt to LMFAO who took home 6 Billboard Music Awards including well-deserved nods for Song of the Year and Best Duo/Group performance. After opening the show with a sizzling medley of "Party Rock Anthem," "Sorry For Party Rocking" and "Sexy And I Know It," the group took the stage two more times to receive their awards. RedFoo and SkyBlu were genuinely humbled and happy to win and I couldn't be any more excited for them.

Nelly Furtado made her long-awaited return to the TV spotlight with a stomping rendition of her massive new single "Big Hoops." The performance was inspired by the music video for the song that includes Indian tribal dancers and, yes, some massive stilts to emphasize Nelly's point that everything bigger is better.

I spoke with Nelly at the official Billboard Music Awards after-party at the Mirage Hotel and she told me that she was very happy with the performance and that she is excited to be sharing more of her new music soon. She also noted that the next single to be taken from her new LP is the album's title track, "The Spirit Indestructible."

 Nelly Furtado Wears Her “Big Hoops” On 'Alan Carr: Chatty Man'
 Gary Barlow Releases Video For The Official Diamond Jubilee Single ‘Sing’
 Adam Lambert: Leopard Print Shirt at Fantabuloso Concert
 Kelly Clarkson Impresses at Pre-BBMA Party in Las Vegas
 Deadmau5 + DJ Pauly D Engage in Twitter War
 Female Rappers Unite: Lil Kim, Eve & Missy Elliott Perform
 SNL's Lazy Sunday 2 Hits 
 Bono Makes More Money With Facebook IPO Than Music
 Andre Ziehe By Colin Dodgson for Arena Homme+ SS12 Issue 
 Jennifer Lopez Sticking With Idol? 
 Follow Arjan on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr   

After a fierce (yet very amicable) battle among some of music's most promising new stars, New York power pop outfit Patent Pending was crowned this year's winner of the annual Battle of Bands competition last night at a live concert finale in Las Vegas. Six talented finalists competed to impress a panel of expert judges to win the gig of a lifetime and perform at tomorrow's Billboard Music Awards in front of millions.

Hosted by none other than Taio Cruz, the event was produced by leading music pub Billboard and the music loving folks at Chevrolet. The Detroit car maker has developed a reputation for showcasing some of the brightest new talents in their advertising efforts, and with Battle of the Bands they have taken an active role in finding, supporting and nurturing emerging talent. (Chevy also gave each finalist a brand-new Chevy Cruze to chronicle their journey to Las Vegas in a video series.)

Finalists Savannah Outen, Saints of Valory, Take the Day, Doe Eye and rappers After the Smoke all made strong showings during the finale but it was ultimately Patent Pending who swayed the judges with their irresistible and totally fun blend of pop and punk rock that they peppered with some synchronized, Justin Bieber-styled dance moves.

It was without a doubt a breakthrough moment for the punk-edged and pop-loving group who were gushing with joy after their win when I chatted with them. "It's been an insanely exciting journey for us," charismatic frontman Joe Ragosta tells me right after the show. "It all started 11 years ago when we first started playing in our basement. We've toured around the country forever and we worked very hard. We were given this amazing opportunity by Billboard and Chevrolet, and this whole experience is truly the greatest thing that has ever happened to us." 

Once in a very rare while an artist comes along who changes the world of popular music. Someone who truly ups the ante, taps into a powerful sentiment and blazes a trail for many others to follow. Donna Summer was one of those rare, brilliant talents and remarkable artists whose legacy goes far beyond her string of hits and the well-deserved accolades she received throughout the years.

Summer's rise to fame as a pop superstar in the mid-'70s didn't just happen overnight. After growing up in Dorchester just outside of Boston, MA, the young church singer moved to New York City in 1967 to immerse herself in the city's burgeoning music scene. Showcasing a ferocious appetite for making music, Summer experimented with blues, rock and even some psychedelia inspired by her idol Janis Joplin. In the late '60s, she auditioned to perform in the musical Hair on Broadway, but she was awarded the part of the traveling cast of the show in Munich. It was her experience in Europe that helped Summer develop her unique and confident stage presence that proved to be a key ingredient to her success as a recording artist.

Looking back at her career and accomplishments, one of Donna Summer's biggest accomplishments is that she was without a doubt the first female pop superstar and dancefloor diva who paved the way for many other female artists who followed her trail in the late '70s and '80s. Artists like Madonna and Kylie Minogue have often named Summer as an inspiration. Not only for her music, but also for Summer's fine sense for commanding her audience on stage by injecting her performance with just the right amount of sizzle and sex appeal. Summer truly was the first pop music star to gently push female independence, empowerment and sexuality away from the fringe and into the mainstream spotlight.

But there were many other ground-breaking facets to Summer's career. In a contemporary pop world ruled by the holy trinity of producer, songwriter and their artist, Summer was one of the first pop stars to forge a powerful bond with producers and songwriters to create a hit-making, cross-over pop powerhouse.

Much like how Madonna early on teamed up with Stephen Bray and Patrick Leonard, Katy Perry found her groove with Dr Luke, and RedOne created Lady Gaga's global pop sound, Summer collaborated with dance music visionaries Georgio Moroder and Pete Bellote to pioneer a uniquely soulful disco sound that pushed the pop frontier forward. Using new electronic instruments, it was a new style of music that ushered in the glory days of '80s pop and successfully tapped into a sentiment that lingered throughout society in the '70s.

After the trauma of the Vietnam war, political turmoil and the ongoing nuclear threat, the trio of Summer, Moroder and Bellote (along with the support of Neil Bogart at his legendary Casablanca Records) created a fresh new, escapist pop sound that captured the mood of a generation. Disco let people forgot about the stress and uncertainties of their everyday lives with classics like "I Feel Love," "Macarthur Park," "Hot Stuff" and "Love To Love You Baby." 

On a personal note, I had a chance to spend some time with Donna Summer early on in my blogging career in 2003 to talk about her Greatest Hits compilation, the aptly-titled CD set "The Journey: The Very Best Of Donna Summer." Pleasant and very personable, Summer, the "Queen of Disco," struck me as an artist who never pursued music for fame or money.

With the words that she used and the stories that she told, it was instantly clear to me that this was a remarkably gifted woman who simply had an innate passion for music. She is a true star who was born to sing and entertain with her incredible voice that has lifted up generations. Donna Summer's legacy will live on forever with her timeless body of work that has made a lasting impact on the lives of people everywhere and the world of pop music at large. Donna Summer RIP.

 Adam Lambert's 'Trespassing' Expected To Debut At #1
 ‘Rock Of Ages’ Releases A Promo Music Video For ‘Any Way You Want It’
 T.I. Does Not Care About Gay Marriage
 Watch Calvin Harris feat. Ne-Yo "Let's Go" Video Premiere 
 Usher Talks A$AP Rocky Collaboration for New Album 'Looking 4 Myself' 
 See Katy Perry "Part Of Me" Movie Poster
 A Q&A With Hip Pop Sensation Rye Rye 
 Teyana Taylor Talks Signing With Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music 
 Pics of Celebs On The Scene 
 Disco Legend Donna Summer Dead at 63: A Digital Tribute 
 Sprite Beach Shower In Rio 
 Jennifer Lopez Not Leaving Idol? 
 Follow Arjan on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr   

Hot on the heels of the release of his much-anticipated debut "Electronic Earth," Labrinth keeps up the momentum with the unveiling of his new single "Express Yourself." It's Labrinth's fourth single to be taken from his debut LP following "Let The Sun Shine," "Earthquake" and that mightily fun, intergalactic pop confection "Last Time." This new "Express Yourself" is a savvy remake of Charles Wright's 1971 original that Lab flipped up its head and modernized for a 2012 pop loving audience.

The British pop gentleman rewrote the lyrics of the song and packed it with his signature wit and wordplay that balances perfectly between his ambition, humility and rich imagination. In fact, Labrinth told me in a video interview that the song has some of his favorite lyrics that he wrote for his album. "I don't make the papers, I'm far from JLS," he sings. "Ain't got the X-factor, I'm not what they expect ( . . .) Trying to be a superstar like everybody else, but being myself is something I do well."

Directed by Jonas & Francois in London and Los Angeles, the highly-stylized video for "Express Yourself" gives us another peek at the poptastical world according to Labrinth. The video depicts him performing the song as a comic book hero bouncing from one brightly colored setting to another while holding on to oversized props to make his point. Labrinth's scenes are interspersed with footage of fun Los Angeles characters that are not afraid to let go, and you guessed it, don't hesitate to express themselves. (Labrinth's immaculate styling by the incredible Ayishat Akanbi.)

You may remember that I first alerted you about Australia's rising pop quintet Gold Fields a few weeks ago when I posted the Instagram-inspired lyric video for their irresistibly brilliant debut single, "Treehouse." It's one of those exuberant, happy-go-lucky tunes that brings out the sunshine and fires up the dancefloor with its bouncy bassline, hypnotic, tribal drums and that oh-so very infectious "wooo." Frontman Mark Robert Fuller sums it up nicely when he sings, "just turn the sound up and away we go."

To the uninitiated, Gold Fields is the teaming of Mark Robert Fuller (vocals), Vin Andanar (guitar/vocals), Rob Clifton (keys/percussion), Ryan D’Sylva (drums) and Luke Peldys (bass). The group simply started recording and rehearsing in Andanar’s house in the northern Victorian town of Ballarat, initially writing "dark, country-tinged songs."

A press release describes that they decided to change course after their own music started to depress them. They soaked up the summer sun and popped a few beers, which ended up setting the perfect tone for their new sonic direction that resulted in lead single "Treehouse." At South by Southwest, the group particularly impressed with their high-energy live show that includes two drummers who deliver a peppy pace to the group's music.

"Treehouse" is taken from the Gold Field's debut EP that is available on iTunes now on Astralwerks/EMI in North America. Watch the video for "Treehouse" below that premiered on YouTube this morning. It's a wildly unorthodox scene set in a foggy forrest with African tribal warriors and aerobic dancers plus a human-Unicorn hybrid who grooves along to the song. Totally fun.

Gold Fields "Treehouse" [MP3]

With the surge of reality TV competition shows in the last decade, contestants on these programs are now quite frankly a dime and a dozen. But once in a while a striking talent appears on a reality show who truly stands out from the pack, and has the artistic ability to break out of the mold and hold their own away from the show that first threw them in the spotlight.

Viccie Martinez is one of those remarkable singer/songwriter talents who used a TV show as a stepping stone to bigger things. She appeared on the very successful first season of NBC The Voice, and captured viewers with accomplished re-interpretations of other people's songs with her uniquely warm timbre and poignant delivery. After the show concluded, Martinez signed to Universal Republic and took time to develop her craft as opposed to rushing to market with a generic, run of the mill pop single to satisfy the immediate appetite from the show's viewers.

She worked diligently on a very personal and honest collection of songs for her forthcoming debut LP, which was introduced by a four-song EP that landed in digital download stores earlier this month. The first single taken from her new EP is the title track "Come Along" that features none other than her Voice coach Cee Lo Green. Together, the two harmonize majestically throughout the track that ultimately serves as a battle cry for listeners to "make a statement and take a stand."

Vicci writes how the song came about when she was working with Peter Svensson on music for her EP. "Peter and I had written a handful of songs and Martin [Dodd] came to visit and asked if I had heard Peter’s song that he had written for this great Swedish artist Tityo Peter played it," the singer explains. "I fell off the chair and said “Why didn’t you play it earlier? This track has never been released in the US and I just fell in love with the lyrics, 'time flies, make a statement, take a stand.'"

"I think the lyrics are really important for people today, for all of us but especially for our generation," she adds. "We can break the cycle and habits that our society has been stuck in. It is a time of evolution, evolving into our divine, most perfect self. I feel this is a step that I’ve been trying to take and by singing this song, I’m asking everyone else to come along with me and take a stand."

After her stint on the first season of The Voice, Martinez's life has been a whirlwind. One of the most personal songs she has written, entitled "Stop Pretending," chronicles her life after the show. "I came to LA to do the show, and with the way things turned out, I never left," she smiles. "Life has been a rollercoaster and I have been so blessed to live out my dreams."