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Norwegian Producer ARRATOU Makes Waves with New Single ‘Need Me’

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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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iurisEkero Proves Pop Music Doesn’t Have to Be Loud to Be Good

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iurisEkero

There’s something refreshing about an artist who doesn’t chase volume. “I don’t make music to sound loud. I make music to sound deep,” says iurisEkero, and after diving into his catalog, you get exactly what he means.

Born in Mendoza, Argentina, iurisEkero (stylized in lowercase, like his approach to fame) grew up in a house where music wasn’t just background noise—it was the main conversation. His grandfather recorded albums as a vocalist, his father played trumpet, and young Iuris absorbed it all. But here’s what’s interesting: instead of just carrying the torch, he’s completely reimagined it.

Now splitting time between the USA and Argentina, iurisEkero creates what he calls “sonic exploration”—pop mixed with electronic textures, ethereal vocals, and these atmospheric moments that genuinely make you want to hit pause on everything else. He pulls inspiration from unexpected places: cities at night, red wine, those comfortable silences between people who know each other well, and what he describes as “the glitch of memories.”

His latest single, “This Summer Night,” dropped on August 19th and perfectly captures that specific magic. At 3:17, it’s packed with synths that stick in your head and a melody that somehow feels both nostalgic and brand new. Other tracks like “The Sun, The Wine and You” and “Midnight Drive” show his range—each one catching different emotional frequencies while keeping that distinctive warmth that comes from his bicultural perspective.

The numbers tell their own story. Nearly 3 million Spotify streams. Over a million YouTube views. But when you mention this to iurisEkero, he seems genuinely surprised. “I don’t even understand those numbers,” he admits. “I just enjoy and am grateful.”

What he hopes listeners take away is simple: that urge to play a song again, whether you’re remembering someone, dancing alone in your kitchen, or waiting for something you can’t quite name yet. Even his breakup songs somehow feel optimistic—there’s always this undercurrent of possibility in his work.

Currently working on a new album featuring various guest artists, iurisEkero seems ready for whatever comes next. The sound explorer from Mendoza has found his frequency, and people are definitely tuning in.

Find iurisEkero’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other streaming platforms, or visit his official website and follow him on Instagram.

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Alain Mékani Confronts Success and Solitude in New Single ‘Quiet’

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Alain Mékani

What happens when you achieve everything you dreamed of before turning 23, but there’s no one around to celebrate with? That’s the question Alain Mékani wrestles with in “Quiet,” his introspective new single that dropped August 1st, 2025.

The Dubai-based artist, who grew up in Beirut speaking Arabic with his mom and French with his dad while MTV played in the background, has been carving out his own corner of the Middle Eastern pop scene since his 2023 debut “Fool.” But this latest track hits different. It’s raw, honest, and uncomfortably relatable for anyone who’s ever felt alone in a room full of people.

Written during a period of professional success while living abroad, “Quiet” runs just over three minutes but packs an emotional punch. The track opens with Mékani reflecting on his younger self’s dreams—the car, the new place, all achieved before his 23rd birthday. But here’s where it gets real: “I left it all behind just to find myself / But am I really free?”

The chorus doesn’t pull punches either. When he admits “I’ve been going through some changes and my mind is fucking racing,” you feel that restless energy. It’s not polished pop perfection; it’s someone working through their stuff in real-time. The official music video, which premiered July 31st, visually captures this internal conflict.

“Quiet” by Alain Mékani

Family threads through every verse — and you can feel it. There’s the promise to make his mother proud, the desire to share his victories, and that gut-punch line about missing the people who matter most. The bridge transforms into something between a mantra and a desperate reminder: “Be somebody if you’re nobody.” It’s less motivational poster, more survival mechanism.

Since emerging with tracks like “Awlad El Haram” and his licensed reimagining of the Lebanese classic “Tallou Hbabna” earlier this year, Mékani has built a reputation for blending French, Arabic, and English lyrics with what critics call a “melancholic awakening” sound. Regional outlets including Musivv and Buro 24/7 Middle East have taken notice of his ability to pair cross-cultural production with genuine vulnerability.

The artist, who taught himself guitar after starting on accordion at eight, turned to songwriting as therapy following his father’s death in 2015. While working a marketing day job in Dubai, he spent nights and weekends learning production, eventually creating the demos that would launch his career.

Currently working on collaborations with Rayan Bailouni and Jay Janith, Mékani is pushing further into French territory with his upcoming releases. It’s a natural evolution for someone who grew up switching between languages at home. As he puts it: “I write in three languages because some emotions need more than one passport.”

“Quiet” is now streaming across all major platforms. Connect with Alain Mékani on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami, Instagram, TikTok, and at alainmekani.com.

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Siren Built Her Entire Sound in Secret and Now She’s Ready to Surface

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Siren

The first thing that hits you about Siren isn’t just her voice—it’s the sheer audacity of someone who taught themselves everything. No formal training, no music theory classes, just pure instinct driving her to create something that sounds like Rammstein got into a late-night conversation with Lana Del Rey while Massive Attack played in the background.

At 24, this LA-based artist has already written around 70 songs, most still unreleased, sitting in her vault like secrets waiting to surface. Born June 13, 2001, Siren started making music in 2019, and what’s emerged since then defies easy categorization. Her sound pulls from trip-hop pioneers like Portishead, the industrial weight of German metal, and the cinematic drama of Tchaikovsky—yes, the Swan Lake composer.

“Every ache must be turned into art,” she says about her approach to music. It’s this philosophy that drives her self-described “raw confessions where melancholy meets beauty.” Her mezzo-soprano voice shifts between whispered vulnerability and soaring intensity, creating what she calls “cold waves of sound that mesmerize like a siren’s voice in the night sea.”

Siren

The artist’s journey started unexpectedly early. One of her most vivid childhood memories involves her grandmother singing Russian folk songs on a winter swing—an experience she describes as “blue, cold, wintry, dark, nostalgic, deep, soulful, and melancholic.” By twelve, she’d discovered Rammstein, which she credits with awakening “strength, courage, resistance, and the spirit of a fighter.” The band shaped about 60% of her musical taste, while Lana Del Rey, who she calls her “musical mother,” opened up the other side of her artistic personality.

What’s striking about Siren’s work is how she balances opposing forces. She describes her music as reflecting both her anima and animus—the feminine emotional vulnerability paired with masculine instrumental drive. This duality shows up everywhere in her sound: acoustic piano meets electric guitars, string arrangements collide with rock drums, trip-hop grooves support orchestral swells.

Her latest release, “Devil 2019,” dropped on August 3, 2025, running 3:28 and showcasing her hypnotic vocal control. But it’s just a taste of what’s coming. Her debut single “Siren Heroine,” released on June 13, previews her upcoming album “Blue Blood,” which promises an oceanic, siren-themed concept drawn from songs written three to four years ago.

Siren

Beyond music, Siren works as a visual artist, filmmaker, and photographer, creating her own visual concepts exactly as she imagines them. She admits to both loving and fearing the ocean—thalassophobia mixed with an obsession for deep blue imagery. “I reflect what I fear. I am what I fear,” she explains.

When asked about dream collaborations, she mentions Hans Zimmer, Rammstein, and Lana Del Rey—though she notes that most of her musical heroes are dead. Her approach to creation remains uncompromising: “I don’t write for people—I write for myself. Music is how I let you know me.”

For those curious to dive deeper, Siren’s music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, and her website. Follow her journey on Instagram and TikTok.

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