AMERICAN IDOL's Blake Lewis Signs to Republic Records for New Single 'Your Touch'

Singer, songwriter, composer and producer Blake Lewis has signed to Republic Records, it was announced today, simultaneously with the release of his newest single, "Your Touch." The new track, which is available exclusively through Xbox Music for the first week of its release and will become available via iTunes and all digital retailers beginning March 5, is the first introduction to music from Lewis' forthcoming third full-length studio album, Portrait of a Chameleon.

"Your Touch," an intoxicating dose of what Lewis appropriately dubs as "future pop," debuts today as the soundtrack to Microsoft Internet Explorer's "Explore Touch" ad campaign. Also available today for Windows 7 users is Internet Explorer 10 a massive upgrade to the web experience for over 700M Windows customers. The track rolls from pulsating electronic bass into an utterly Unforgettable hook perfect for the dance floor with lyrics that are the perfect audio companion to director Keith Rivers' vision for the ad, showcasing a more fast, fluid web that's perfect for touch. Last year, at Lewis' suggestion to Rivers, a similarly perfect audio-visual pairing was made when label-mate Alex Clare's "Too Close" drove the visuals for Microsoft's "A More Beautiful Web" ad campaign. Backed by this catchy new single, Lewis appears in this new worldwide ad campaign as he demonstrates the Touch capabilities of Internet Explorer 10 and Windows 8, showcasing how fast and fluid the web can be.

"Your Touch," is the first single off of Lewis' aptly named Portrait of a Chameleon, which he is currently working on. Portrait of a Chameleon will demonstrate Lewis' eclectic skills as a songwriter and producer with tracks that draw from dance and electronic influences with infectious pop hooks.

This new ad campaign and single for Lewis are indicative of how the artist continues to move towards the future. The singer, songwriter and producer has evolved immensely since he rose to prominence on the sixth season of American Idol with his impressive vocal and beatbox abilities, making a name for himself as the first contestant to ever arrange his own performances. The runner-up released his 2007 debut, Audio Day Dream, moving over 350,000 copies in the process, which was followed with Heartbreak on Vinyl in 2009, and he proceeded to tour and perform alongside everyone from pop powerhouses Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Wyclef Jean to electronic luminaries BT and The Crystal Method. He was the first former American Idol to reach #1 on both Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay Chart and Dance/Club play chart, and he's even taught First Lady Michelle Obama how to beatbox at a luncheon in her honor.

Get ready to feel Blake Lewis' "touch" like never before.

"Your Touch" is available now for free streaming on exploretouch.ie and also available exclusively for the next week through Xbox Music for free download and streaming today and will become available through all digital retailers beginning March 5th.

ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS

A division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, Republic is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as 3 Doors Down, Amy Winehouse, Black Sabbath, Colbie Caillat, Eddie Vedder, Enrique Iglesias, Florence + the Machine, Godsmack, Owl City, The Voice (NBC-TV), Gotye, Of Monsters and Men, Mayer Hawthorne, among many others.

It is comprised of innovative imprints and digital business ventures including Republic Nashville (The Band Perry), Cash Money (Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj), Indie Pop (The Cataracs), Lava Records (Jessie J, Black Veil Brides), Aware Records (Mat Kearney), Brushfire (Jack Johnson, G. Love), Tuff Gong (Damian Marley), XO (The Weeknd), Loma Vista (Soundgarden) among others.