There’s something brewing in Norway’s electronic music scene, and ARRATOU (Boert Erik Halbert) is at the heart of it. The producer’s latest single “Need Me,” released through his independent label Halbert Records on October 23, 2024, isn’t just another progressive house track – it’s a six-minute journey that might just be his most refined work to date.
Having bounced between Stockholm, Spain, and Malta before finding his way back to his hometown of Sandefjord, ARRATOU seems to have brought a piece of each place into his music. This worldly influence shines through in his production style, which has evolved significantly since his early days in the industry. “Need Me” stands as a testament to this musical evolution, offering a captivating blend of hypnotic melodies, uplifting synths, and enchanting vocals that work in perfect (and deep) harmony.
The production quality here is exceptional, with each layer thoughtfully adding depth to create a smooth and energetic progression. What’s particularly striking is the way driving basslines and catchy arpeggios keep the groove flowing, striking that perfect balance between soothing atmosphere and dance floor energy. It’s the kind of track that feels equally at home in a club setting or during those personal moments of musical escape.
‘Need Me’ by ARRATOU
The artwork for “Need Me” is an instant attention-grabber – a stunning portrait split between electric pink and ice-cold blue, featuring a woman’s mesmerizing gaze and metallic-tinted lips. It’s the kind of visual that stops you mid-scroll, perfectly matching the track’s hypnotic essence and showing just how far ARRATOU has come in crafting his artistic identity.
Speaking of early days – like many electronic artists, ARRATOU cut his teeth as a high school DJ. But it wasn’t until 2017 that he got serious about studio production, and 2020 marked the real turning point when he adopted the ARRATOU stage name and dove into music full-time. While chatting about his influences, he often points to the golden era of techno and house from the ’90s and 2000s – and you can definitely hear those roots in his current sound, though filtered through a distinctly modern lens.
Since its release, the track has been making quite a bit of noise on the streaming front. Both Spotify and SoundCloud numbers suggest this might be more than just another release in ARRATOU’s growing catalog. In an interesting move, he’s also made the track available as a free download on SoundCloud – a gesture that’s already earning him extra points with fans and demonstrating his commitment to music accessibility.
Running his own label, Halbert Records, seems to have given ARRATOU the freedom to push his sound in exactly the direction he wants. He’s developed what you might call an anti-monotony approach to progressive house, focusing on rich textures and dynamic shifts that keep listeners entranced. This attention to detail and commitment to quality has helped establish his signature sound within the electronic music scene, setting him apart from the crowd in an increasingly saturated genre.
The Norwegian electronic scene has been steadily gaining international attention, and artists like ARRATOU are a prime example of why. His approach to production demonstrates both technical prowess and artistic sensitivity, creating music that resonates with both casual listeners and devoted electronic music fans. This latest release further cements his position as one of the scene’s most promising talents.
For those looking to keep up with ARRATOU’s journey, you’ll find him sharing insights and updates on Instagram and TikTok. His music lives on all the usual suspects – including YouTube – where each release seems to build on the last, telling the story of an artist continuously refining his craft.
“Need Me” feels like a milestone in ARRATOU’s evolution as an artist. It’s the kind of track that makes you stop and think about where progressive house might be heading in the coming years. While Norway has been quietly producing electronic talent for years, artists like ARRATOU are helping to push the scene into the spotlight, bringing fresh perspectives to a genre that continues to evolve.
Curious listeners can stream “Need Me” on all major platforms now, with that free download option waiting on SoundCloud for those who like to dig into their music libraries. If this release is any indication, we might want to keep our eyes on what comes next from this corner of Scandinavia – ARRATOU seems set to make an even bigger impact on the electronic music landscape in the months ahead.
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When I first discovered Eyal Erlich on Spotify, I was immediately drawn to the immediacy and sincerity of his music. Hailing from Tel Aviv, Erlich is one of those rare singer-songwriters who keeps his songs simple, authentic, and emotionally resonant. His tracks breathe, flow, and carry a depth that makes you stop and truly listen. What defines him isn’t just catchy indie rock hooks or soulful melodies — it’s honesty. Every lyric feels lived-in, and every guitar line seems to emerge naturally from his voice.
Scrolling through his catalog, certain songs stand out. Tracks like Mourning Love and All in All reveal his melodic instincts, pairing raw emotion with thoughtful arrangements. Meanwhile, the reflective Already In makes listeners feel as if they’re sharing the moment with him live. The intimacy of his music is undeniable, and it’s available across platforms — YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram — where fans can follow his journey and see videos, updates, and glimpses of his process.
Erlich’s style exists at the intersection of indie rock and singer-songwriter storytelling. His guitar-driven arrangements feel free and organic, while his lyrics explore universal themes of longing, connection, and self-discovery. They are integral to the music, never ornamental, and they resonate deeply with listeners. It’s no surprise that his audience continues to grow — people crave music that feels authentic, and Erlich delivers without ever sounding forced.
To truly experience Erlich’s artistry, his live performances are essential. Tracks like All in All capture a raw energy that only surfaces in concert settings, where he carefully builds dynamics from simmering verses to fully realized choruses. Jenny, a personal favorite, blends nostalgia with present-tense emotion, creating a shared experience that lingers long after the song ends. Already In showcases his versatility, shifting between meditative reflection and intense crescendos that feel earned, not staged. Finally, I Wish I Knew closes the set beautifully, highlighting the emotional depth of his lyrics and the power of stripped-back, immersive performances.
The coming years are shaping up to be pivotal for him. International tours and his long-awaited debut full-length album are on the horizon, and his steadily growing community of listeners is ready to follow him across stages and platforms. What sets him apart is his approach: he treats growth as opportunity, not pressure, steadily releasing singles and videos while building a community that feels like participants in his musical journey.
Unlike many indie acts that burn bright and fade fast, Erlich combines vulnerability with confidence, crafting songs that resonate both in intimate venues and at large festivals. His work promises longevity, emotional depth, and a connection that keeps fans coming back.
For anyone seeking an artist who writes from the heart, performs with intensity, and is poised for a breakthrough, Eyal Erlich is one to follow. Keep up with him on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook — this is just the beginning of an exciting journey.
There’s something quietly rebellious about dropping new music without warning on a random Friday, especially when you’re fresh off supporting Billie Eilish at the O2 Arena and have just wrapped two sold-out cemetery shows over the weekend. But that’s exactly what Magdalena Bay did, releasing “Second Sleep / Star Eyes“—their first tracks since last year’s Imaginal Disk sent critics scrambling for superlatives.
The timing feels deliberate rather than impulsive. Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin have spent months on the road, watching audiences connect with their progressive-pop experiments night after night. This past weekend at Hollywood Forever Cemetery—where LA’s music obsessives gather among tombstones for some of the city’s most surreal concert experiences—they gave fans something new to chew on.
“Second Sleep” arrives as the functional A-side, complete with a music video directed by Amalia Irons. The track unfolds like a controlled explosion across five minutes, starting with deceptive calm before drum fills and synthesizer squeals take over. There’s an unexpected left turn into funky R&B during a finger-snap breakdown that somehow makes perfect sense within the chaos. It’s restless music for restless minds.
The companion piece, “Star Eyes,” operates on different frequencies entirely. Where “Second Sleep” builds tension through disorder, this one floats through theatrical jazz-influenced dreamscapes. When the beat finally drops and symphonic strings sweep through, the emotional payoff feels earned rather than manufactured.
“Second Sleep / Star Eyes” by Magdalena Bay
According to the duo, these tracks emerged naturally from the same creative headspace that produced Imaginal Disk. “Second Sleep” and “Star Eyes” are two songs we made around the end of Imaginal Disk—both a sort of spiritual successor to the album’s mood and emotional arc,” they explained. “We like how they complement each other, so here they are as a pair.”
That connection runs deeper than chronology. The band has been teasing an album movie to mark Imaginal Disk‘s one-year anniversary, with director Amanda Kramer collaborating while Tenenbaum and Lewin handle writing and editing. Anyone who caught the narrative threads in their videos for “Death & Romance,” “Image,” and “That’s My Floor”—or their Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance—knows these aren’t artists who treat visuals as afterthoughts.
Their trajectory keeps climbing. Following this weekend’s cemetery performances, they’ll return to the UK and Europe in early 2026, including their largest London show yet at O2 Academy Brixton. It’s quite the leap from their Miami beginnings and early LA club shows, though they’ve maintained the same DIY sensibility that made their early-2000s internet-inspired visuals feel both nostalgic and alien.
The duo initially caught attention through TikTok videos demystifying music industry mechanics, but these new tracks prove they’re more interested in creating mysteries than solving them. Their blend of progressive rock, shoegaze, and disco continues evolving into something increasingly difficult to pin down—which might be the point.
What’s compelling about “Second Sleep” and “Star Eyes” isn’t just that they extend Imaginal Disk‘s sonic universe. It’s that they arrived unannounced, like messages from artists who understand that sometimes the best way to maintain momentum is to disrupt it entirely. This past weekend, when they took the stage among the headstones, these songs weren’t surprises anymore. They’d already become part of the mythology.
Giuseppe Bonaccorso isn’t interested in making music you can half-listen to while scrolling your phone. His latest single, “L’Ombra della Terra” (The Shadow of the Earth), asks for your full attention across its four minutes and eleven seconds—this isn’t background music by any stretch.
Released September 1st, this track comes on the heels of “Playground in Gaza,” which already had critics taking notice of the Italian composer’s refusal to play by anyone else’s rules. But where that previous single sparked conversations, “L’Ombra della Terra” feels like Giuseppe Bonaccorso throwing down a gauntlet. The track now has an official music video on YouTube that adds another visual layer to the already complex sonic experience.
The song opens with this slow-building atmosphere that’s almost cinematic—layers of synthesizers and ambient sounds that pull you in before a driving rhythm kicks everything into gear. What’s striking is Bonaccorso’s vocal approach. He’s not really singing in any traditional sense; it’s more like he’s delivering poetry over this shifting musical backdrop. Distorted guitars weave through the mix, keeping things grounded even when the experimental elements threaten to float away entirely.
‘L’Ombra della Terra’ by Giuseppe Bonaccorso
The Italian lyrics paint a vivid picture that’s both mystical and rebellious. Bonaccorso writes about shamans with glass skin, eyes being dragged far away, and a world that’s fallen asleep and turned upside down. There’s imagery of prayers dissolving like smoke rings, references to automatons with maps and compasses trying to figure out the world’s geometry. The narrative voice addresses a father figure, talking about sin and debt, invoking Charon (the mythological ferryman) and thirty pieces of silver. The whole thing culminates with the narrator seeing their reflection in Earth’s shadow—which gives the track its title.
What makes these lyrics fascinating is how they blend classical mythology with modern disillusionment. You’ve got ancient references sitting next to images of mechanical beings, creating this temporal collision that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary. The recurring theme seems to be about breaking free from imposed guilt and spiritual debt, rejecting the idea that we owe something to powers that claim authority over us.
This release makes more sense when you know Bonaccorso’s background. The guy’s not just a musician—he’s a published poet with actual awards, started out doing ceramic sculpture as a kid in Caltagirone (a Sicilian town known for its artists), and has studied both computer science and philosophy. That multidisciplinary approach shows up in how layered his compositions are.
What’s refreshing about Giuseppe Bonaccorso is his complete disinterest in chasing streaming numbers or viral moments. He’s been releasing music since July 2024, starting with “Roaming in a wood,” then “On a solitary beach” in August. His interpretation of “Ave Maria” did pull in over 50,000 Spotify streams, which shows people are paying attention, but you get the sense he’d be making this music regardless.
“L’Ombra della Terra” isn’t background music for your workout playlist. It’s the kind of track that asks you to sit down, put on decent headphones, and actually listen. In an era where most music feels designed to be consumed and forgotten, there’s something almost defiant about creating something this deliberately challenging.
The single and its official music video are available worldwide on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
For more from Giuseppe Bonaccorso, visit his website, follow him on X, or check out his Instagram.