Watch: From Mużika Mużika to Tomorrowland, Shaun Farrugia’s star keeps rising

Singer-songwriter Shaun Farrugia has released a new song in collaboration with world-famous Dutch DJ Martin Garrix and Swedish producer Alesso, marking another milestone in a breakout year for the 29-year-old Maltese artist.

The track, Inside Our Hearts, launched on Friday, features Farrugia’s vocals and lyrics. He collaborated with Garrix and Alesso, both heavyweights in the international electronic music scene.

Speaking to Times of Malta ahead of the song’s live debut at Tomorrowland, one of the world’s biggest electronic music festivals, Farrugia described how he feels. 

“Martin changed my life,” he said. “It’s hard to comprehend that I’m going to Tomorrowland to debut my new song with Martin Garrix.”

The song will be performed during Garrix’s headline set on Sunday, July 27, the closing night of the Belgian festival, which attracts around 400,000 fans over two weekends.

Describing the song, Farrugia said Inside Our Hearts is “heartfelt and emotionally fuelled” and reflects on overcoming self-doubt.

“It’s about how you can feel helpless, and how important it is to look inwards. Life can get tough sometimes and we need to remember to believe in ourselves.”

Based in London, Farrugia has kept a relatively low profile locally despite international success. About a year ago, he secured a global publishing deal with Universal Music and Garrix.

Since then, he has written songs for major artists including David Guetta and The Script and has also created a song with U2 frontman Bono.

“I feel like an unofficial ambassador for Malta. Everyone I talk to or everywhere I go, I always proudly say I am Maltese," he said.

His success isn’t limited to the global stage. Earlier this year, Farrugia co-composed Stajna Konna Aħna, the winning song of the 2024 edition of Mużika Mużika. He composed it with Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur and Jamie Cardona, who also performed it.

“That was absolutely one of my highlights of the year. Jamie and Aleandro called me a day or two before I was leaving for Los Angeles. I told them: if I tell my girlfriend, now my fiancée, that I’m spending my last Sunday writing, she’ll kill me… and rightfully so!” he laughed.

Farrugia added that within 10 minutes of receiving the first lyrics, he had drafted the chorus on the piano.

“We didn’t think much of it at the time, but winning Mużika Mużika was one of the most wholesome feelings I’ve had in a long time.”

Encouraging other local artists to aim beyond the island, he said: “If you have the opportunity and the resources to travel, don’t be afraid. You never know unless you try.”

Now working full-time in music, Farrugia is travelling the world, writing, performing and collaborating.

“It’s been a journey, not always easy, but I’m always thankful for it.”