Today, Armin van Buuren released his new single ‘Strong Ones’ on record label Armada Music. The single features the distinctive tones of Dutch singer-songwriter Cimo Fränkel and is one of the many striking collaborations featured on Armin’s sixth studio album called ‘Embrace’, to be released on October 29th. The release of ‘Strong Ones’ had originally been scheduled for October 23rd, but the single quickly became in high demand due to simultaneous nation-wide radio premieres in the U.S. (Sirius XM, Evolution/iHeartRadio) and The Netherlands (Radio 538) on October 15th. Fueling the widespread enthusiasm amongst Armin’s fans even further, the teaser of the forthcoming official music video of ‘Strong Ones’ was launched later that day, merely a few hours after the radio premieres.
On the same day, Armin van Buuren was handed the first physical copy of his ‘Embrace’ album by fly board pilot Bo Krook, after a stunning performance on the Amsterdam canals. As it happened, it was the kick-start of a day filled with radio appearances and single premieres for the renowned electronic music artist, all leading to the ahead-of-schedule release of ‘Strong Ones’. While Armin van Buuren obliterates the boundaries of genres, the specific skill set of singer-songwriter Cimo Fränkel enters the mix of ‘Strong Ones’. With the merging of a beautifully strummed guitar, Cimo’s spectacular vocals, and Armin’s melodic ingenuity, a real floor thriller unfolds, allowing for Armin’s signature sound to thrive. As a song capable of kindling the flames in one’s heart, this record is for the ‘Strong Ones’.
With ‘Embrace’, Armin van Buuren embraces a wide variety of musical styles and ventures where few dare to tread, using these unconventional sounds as ingredients to fuel his own sound. Ranging from the rocky sound of Kensington in ‘Heading Up High’ to the jazzy sound of Eric Vloeimans’ trumpet in ‘Embrace’, Mr. Probz and his hip-hop voice in hit single ‘Another You’, and the singer-songwriter skills of Gavin Degraw in ‘Looking For Your Name’; all are strongly intertwined with Armin van Buuren’s meritorious endeavor.
Armin van Buuren feat. Cimo Fränkel: Strong Ones
Armin: “It’s not just love for music, it’s my passion. It goes beyond liking, and beyond a hobby. It’s about a way of living. Music is essential to my life.”
Born and raised in Amsterdam, Cimo Fränkel is already an accomplished singer/songwriter/producer with international acclaim. After participating in a few televised contests, Cimo went on to cultivate his talent as a composer and singer collaborating with a variety of artists : co-writing the massive hit “Shotgun” for Dutch stars YELLOW CLAW, going double platinum with the song “Mooie Dag” by Jayh, and recently writing the European hit “Otherwise” by Moks feat. James Arthur, as well as the theme song for the hottest new TV contest show “Dance Dance Dance”. October 2015 sees a new development for Cimo as a featuring artist. After performing on records by Wildstylez, EDX, Krono & Tom Swoon, this fall Cimo is becoming a household name as the featured vocalist on Armin van Buuren’s new International single “Strong Ones”. View the great video to this track below. It’s the broad pallet of songs & productions that showcases Cimo’s diversity and multi-talented nature, leading to him being invited to work with the worlds greats in Los Angeles, Stockholm, London & more. Stay tuned for Cimo Fränkel’s debut Solo EP in 2016.
Armin van Buuren feat. Cimo Fränkel: Strong Ones Lyrics:
I’ve been calling
I’ve got endless reasons
Wait now, hold on
Say you still believe
We run straight through fire
But we can do better,
We can do better
Say for lost time ’cause we can do better,
We can do better
‘Cause all that we need
Is a second to hold on
‘Cause we are the strong ones
All that we need
Is a reason to fight on
‘Cause we are the strong ones
Yeah, we are the strong ones
We are the strong ones /x4
Don’t think, don’t speak
Let’s just sit in silence
Every heart beat
Makes it feel just like we
Run straight through fire,
But we can do better,
We can do better
Say for lost time ’cause we can do better,
We can do better
‘Cause all that we need
Is a second to hold on
‘Cause we are the strong ones
All that we need
Is a reason to fight on
‘Cause we are the strong ones
Is a reason to fight on
‘Cause we are the strong ones
We are the strong ones /x2