RMX ROUNDUP: Le Youth / TAPES / Toyboy & Robin

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Le_Youth

Welcome to another Remix Roundup, in which we bring you the latest mixes and electronic tracks currently burning up the blogosphere. After the last installment of folk-themed mixes, we thought we’d shake things up with some soulful R&B-tinged dance tracks this week. Starting us off is electronic artist Le Youth with his latest reimagining, “R E A L.” Pitching down the vocals from Brandy’s 1994 hit “I Wanna Be Down,” the LA producer (born Wes James) sprinkles some of his signature nu-disco and house vibes onto the original with a rapturous rendition that feels like 90s nostalgia personified.

 

Next we have a new track from an Ohio-based artist TAPES, who last month put out his EP entitled Songs to Drake Up To — a play off Ta-Ku’s album Songs to Break Up To. Seems appropriate, since according to TAPES the album was inspired by a personal breakup, after which he used the sounds of Ta-Ku and Drake to help cope. “Tried To” is an electronic recast of Drake’s “Take Care” with a more dance-infused production style. Where TAPES may have tried and not succeeded interpersonally in the past, he thrives with this upbeat reinterpretation of the Drake piece. Take care to stream below.

 

And finally we have the latest jam from Toyboy & Robin, “Don’t Just Say.” Actually influenced by Le Youth and other artists at the forefront of future house, the UK production duo deliver an energetic dance track that uses spliced and looped vocals from Brownstone’s 1993 R&B classic, “If You Love Me.” Transforming it an invigorating and glittering house number with the use of piano lines, layered synths and drum machines, this mix is sure to ignite dance floors everywhere.

EXROYALE – Stuck In My Head

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exroyale

Portland artist/producer EXROYALE first popped on our radar about a year ago with his debut track, “Give It Up” that was picked up by Ra Ra Riot for a remix shortly thereafter. Since then EXROYALE (aka Josh Schroeder) has been working on his EP and has released a few tracks, including “Stuck In My Head” and most recently “Lovesick Youth.” The former is an enticing piece of electropop tinged with R&B, replete with moody melodies and pulsing tempo, while the latter is more of a shimmering pop anthem. Stream both efforts below.

Pink Feathers – The Feeling’s Gone (ft. SPEAK)

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PF

Last week, Portland’s Pink Feathers (aka Liz Anjos) saw the release of her debut EP, Invisible Lines. Produced by Andre Anjos of RAC (you read that right — the duo are a pair), the EP is a four-song collection confected of synthy, sugary pop. The standout track has to be the duet “The Feeling’s Gone” with Austin newcomers (and new Poetry fave), SPEAK. Troupe Gammage’s tenor serves as a nice counterbalance to Liz’s candied vocals, particularly in the coda. Stream below.

BADBADNOTGOOD – Can’t Leave The Night

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badbadnotgood

If you’re into contemporary jazz, you should be familiar with BADBADNOTGOOD. For the uninitiated, BBNG (the title is a misnomer) are a Toronto trio that make inspired instrumental music, fused with jazz and electronic elements. Made up of Chester Hansen (bass), Alexander Sowinski (percussion and samples), and Matthew Tavares (keyboard), all of the members are classically trained musicians who met in college and bonded over a mutual love of hip hop, as reflected in their music. In their relatively short career they’ve collaborated or enjoyed the support of numerous renowned artists, including James Blake, Frank Ocean, Bonobo, and Tyler, The Creator.

For a sampling of their work, stream the percussive “Can’t Leave The Night,” off their third studio album III, released May 2014 via Innovative Leisure (Classixx, Rhye). Also check out their fantastically dark and dramatic reinterpretation of Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights” below.

DC locals will have the chance to see BBNG work their jazz alchemy at U Street Music Hall this Friday, December 5. Tickets are still available, so get on it.

Elderbrook – Could // How Many Times

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Elderbrook

London electronic musician Alex Kotz aka Elderbrook is the latest artist to sign with Black Butter Records, and already we are intrigued. His debut EP Simmer Down, which was released November 23 on iTunes is highly worth checking out with entrancing singles like “Could” and “How Many Times.” Think Chet Faker x Seekae. Listen to the compelling track “Could” below, as well as the tantalizing “How Many Times” remix from German production duo Andhim, also included on the EP.

So many lies / So many lies that you thought out
It’s no surprise your shakin’ eyes get you caught out
A little time / A little time and it’s alright
And all the lines you drew / You didn’t find what you set out to

RMX ROUNDUP: Laura Doggett + Gilligan Moss / Milky Chance + Disciples / Daughter + LCAW

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laura_doggett_moonshine_gilligan_moss_remix

Welcome to another Remix Roundup, in which we bring you the latest and greatest mixes roaming about the interwebs. First up, we’re thrilled to share the new effort from Gilligan Moss, the Chicago-based electronic artist who continues to impress us with his artful production work. This time he undertakes the sultry track “Moonshine” from London chanteuse Laura Doggett, slicing its silky framework into a progressive and rhythmic reinterpretation. Pitch-shifting the vocals to be higher at some points and lower at others creates a nice contrast against the natural lower register of Laura’s sinuous vocals. Stream below.

Next we have the Disciples deep house edit of “Down By The River” from Milky Chance. The German duo came out of the woodworks this year with their hit track “Stolen Dance” off debut album Sadnecessary, where the sulky “DBTR” can be found also. With their flair for future-retro sound, the UK trinity aka Disciples add a slick bassline to the moody track for a more polished feel. Give it a spin below.

To complete the folksy throughline we seem to have crafted in this week’s roundup, enjoy this LCAW remix of “Run,” a B-side track from the UK indie folk trio known as Daughter. The German producer speeds up the tempo on the more muted original, accentuating the guitar lines and creating an almost onomatopoetic effect. We dig.

I Know Leopard – Hold This Tight

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IKnowLeopard

The land of down under has been generous with their musical offerings these past few years, and I Know Leopard is no exception. The Sydney-based quintet make wondrous dreampop, with a sprinkling of indie, alt rock and baroque pop. “Hold This Tight” takes the title for standout track from their debut EP, Illumina released earlier this year. It’s a well-crafted, nostalgic indie ballad with layered guitar and starry synths lead by Luke O’Loughlin’s stirring vocals. Clearly, these guys know how to write a hook — listen below and be on the look out for more of their work.

HAERTS – Giving Up

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Haerts

After stealing hearts everywhere with the release of their EP, Hemiplegia in 2013 and a host of North American tour dates, HAERTS released their self-titled debut album this September. The Brooklyn-based group revealed several new songs with the release, including our favorite, “Giving Up.” This track shows off what they do best — soaring synth production and rousing vocals (in the vein of Kate Bush) from Nini Fabi that build until the final anthemic chorus swoops in to solidify its greatness. Stream below and pick up their album on iTunes.

HAERTS is also one of those rare synthpop acts that sound just as good live as in the studio. Those in the DC area will have a chance to see them this Wednesday, 11/26 at 9:30 Club with St. Lucia and The Knocks.

RMX ROUNDUP: Jessie Ware + TOKiMONSTA/ Tourist + Years & Years / Little Dragon + Poolside

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tokimonsta

Really, really excited to share the new Jessie Ware collab in this week’s edition of Remix Roundup. TOKiMONSTA, the LA producer caught up with Ware in Copenhagen as part of the Red Bull Studios Remix Project to rework the song “Keep On Lying,” off her new album Tough Love. The original is one of many gorgeous gems on the UK singer’s new record, but TOKi manages to elevate the track — infusing effervescent synths, cymbals and future bass into its melancholic core while leaving Jessie’s divine vocals at the forefront, pitch-shifting them at points for a richer, darker sound. Bottom line — if this remix isn’t love, then we don’t want to know.

 

Speaking of another artist who collaborated with Ware on her new album (on the song “Pieces”), electronic artist Tourist aka William Phillips has dropped a dazzling new track entitled “Illuminate.” Featuring our favorite British frontman, Olly Alexander of Years & Years on vocals, the London producer employs his poppier sensibilities on the song, using vibrant stuttering synths to illuminate the uptempo production and Olly’s achingly good pipes. The track was released November 16 on Polydor Records.

 

Lastly, Little Dragon brings up the rear with the Poolside rendition of the Swedish group’s track, “Cat Rider.” The LA-based duo and daytime disco-makers drip some of their dreamy poolside vibes onto the original, taking up the tempo on the track from Little Dragon’s latest effort, Nabuma Rubberband. The result is an exotic and inspired study in euphoric electronic lounge music. Listen below.

THROWBACK THURS: Yo La Tengo – ‘I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One’

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YLT1

Hoboken trio Yo La Tengo have made it 30 years into their career, and what better way to celebrate than to listen to them a lot and catch them on their 30th Anniversary Tour. Husband-and-wife duo, Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley, along with bassist James McNew, have crafted a fantastic catalog over the last three decades, making it damn hard to choose just one album to highlight for a throwback. Alas, after much deliberation, 1997’s LP I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One seizes the spotlight.

From the instruments used to the genres explored, this is an album that boasts exceptional variety — with shades of the likes of Sonic Youth and Pavement slammed jarringly against lounge and folk. Song to song, the album sounds directionless, but played together, each track acts as respite from one to the other.

Boasting one of the greatest consecutive four tracks of any record, the span from the frenetic “Sugarcube” through the greyed-out “Shadows” is a prime example of YLT deftly executing and balancing the album’s variety of styles. Sandwiching the dulcet “Damage” between the classic trappings of lo-fi and shoegaze in “Sugarcube” and “Deeper into Movies,” each genre feels like a refreshing change of pace. The album continues its trend of experimentation until it concludes, producing some of Yo La Tengo’s best work — among them the calming ache of “Green Arrow,” and “We’re an American Band,” which showcases Ira’s understated but superb guitar work.

What makes this compilation stand out isn’t that YLT can play ten genres on one album, but that its disparate nature evokes a complete picture when viewed as a whole. Listen to it a few times and you’ll be left with a distinct impression of the more salient moments of your formative years. I Can Hear the Heart is replete with all of the hopeful, painful ingredients: the anticipatory excitement that precedes an overdue reunion, the feeling of freedom you can only experience when you’re young, the kind of longing you can feel on a back porch in July, and the sense of accomplishment at having grown up a bit after having felt all those things.

Stream the album in full on Spotify, and check out their remaining tour dates below.

Upcoming YLT Tour Dates:

12.3 – Town Hall, New York
12.4 – Town Hall, New York
12.5 – 9:30 Club, Washington DC
12.6 – Trocadero Theater, Philadelphia