VMX ROUNDUP: Parra for Cuva + Anna Naklab / Jai Paul + Adam Port / Disclosure + Flume / Metronomy + Soulwax / GRiZ x Chet Baker

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wickedgames

This edition of Remix V-Mix Roundup is getting supersized this week in honor of that amorous (or odious, depending on how you look at it) holiday that falls every February 14. Regardless of your position, we wouldn’t be curators of poetry if we didn’t bring you the best in new music that the spirit of the holiday inspires. So without further ado, enjoy these Valentine-themed mixes.

To start, we have the rousing rendition of Chris Isaak‘s “Wicked Games” from Parra for Cuva. The German producer’s tropical touch and upbeat production — coupled with Anna Naklab‘s sumptuous vocals — makes for a stunning and well, wicked cover.

Speaking of covers, the blogosphere went crazy in 2013 when Jai Paul‘s album featuring fabled cover of Jennifer Paige‘s 90s smash pop song “Crush” leaked via bandcamp. Since the album and original cover were later retracted, we leave you with this rad, percussive-heavy house edit from Berlin-based producer Adam Port.

Disclosure‘s “You & Me” was an instant hit in 2013, but when they asked Flume to do an official remix, the result was a staggering, sonically-realized ladykiller. Stream this massive mix below.

Of course, what Valentine’s mixer would be complete without the inclusion of Metronomy‘s “Love Letters”? The Soulwax revision from the 2014 single is an entrancing, disco-infused dance-floor pleaser, replete with a sultry trumpet interlude. If you weren’t already, get in the groove below.

Finally, we invite you to listen to an underappreciated track from the Detroit-based electronic artist GRiZ. Reimagining Chet Baker‘s classic “Fall in Love Too Easily,” GRiZ refashions the timeless piece into a modern and dance-ready remix. You’d be a fool not to fall for this track.

If that’s not enough for you, check out last year’s singles specials here.

RMX ROUNDUP: Blood Orange + a/jus/ted / Disclosure + cln / Sam Sure + Jaded

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whitenoise

With Halloween less than a week away, we decided to dedicate this week’s Remix Roundup to some of the darker house mixes currently in our rotation. First up is the a/jus/ted Remix of Blood Orange‘s “Uncle ACE.” The edgy Dev Hynes original — described by Pitchfork as “mysterious, desperate, [and] empathetic” — is a tribute to NYC’s destitute youth who seek refuge on the ACE subway line at night or else doomed to wander the streets at “the witching hour.” In the a/jus/ted rework, NYC duo consisting of legendary producer Justin Strauss and cohort Teddy Stuart craft the harrowing tale into a nearly nine-minute exercise in synth wizardry.

And what artist screams All Hallows’ Eve like the mask-adorned faces of Disclosure? Check out beat farmer cln‘s retouched version of Disclosure and AlunaGeorge‘s collaboration, “White Noise.” The Australian producer Callan Alexander puts his own unearthly spin on the rapturous original through the use of distorted vocal effects and dramatic synths.

Finally, UK singer Sam Sure — whose vocals we heard on the TCTS track “You” — has already seen his sole single “Hunger” (released October 20 via Black Butter Records) reworked by a handful of producers. We’re partial to this Jaded edit though, with its deep house groove, entrancing basslines and downright eerie looped vocals. Stream below as you get your pre-Hween dance on.

RMX ROUNDUP: Cyril Hahn + Ryan Ashley / Disclosure + TEEMID / Slow Magic

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CyrilHahn

So many remixes, so little time. Which is why every Saturday, we serve up the latest and greatest electronic offerings in a segment called Remix Roundup.

This edition begins with the new one from Swiss producer Cyril Hahn, whose sophomore EP Voices is due to be released via PMR Records (Disclosure, Jessie Ware) any day now. While the now Vancouver-based artist has built a name for himself remixing greats like “Say My Name” from Destiny’s Child in his unique production style, as of late he’s been working on his own material with the help of guest vocalists. Enter Ryan Ashley, who lends his luscious vocals to Hahn’s latest track, “Open,” a house track that splices two recorded sentences over swelling synths, a pulsing beat, and an undercurrent of vulnerability that seems to suggest an open wound. If you’re in the NY area, catch Cyril Hahn spinning TONIGHT, August 23 at Brooklyn’s Output Club.

Next is a reinterpretation of the ubiquitous Disclosure track, “Latch,” which gets a unique makeover from French producer TEEMID. Technically a cover, TEEMID reunites with Canadian singer Daniela Andrade to produce one hell of a deep house rework that’s a complete departure from the original. Listen below and latch on to a free download on SoundCloud.

Lastly, vibe out to the soothing all-instrumental track and recent single from Slow Magic, “Girls.” We were first introduced to the enigmatic producer through his dreamy remix of Delorean’s “Destitute Time.” Since then he’s signed to hit label Downtown Records (Chet Faker, Miike Snow), and is getting ready to drop his new LP How To Run Away September 9. Stream below — local folk can catch Slow Magic live September 23 at DC9.

RMX ROUNDUP: Seekae + Flume / MNEK x Disclosure + XYconstant / Mazde

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Seekae-Flume

Today’s installment of Remix Roundup begins with a fantastic new re-work from Flume, the wunderkind electronic producer from Australia. Taking the track “Test & Recognise” from the Sydney trio Seekae (of Future Classic), label-mate Flume transforms the original into a progressive and wonderfully discordant electro-affair. Stream below and download for free via SoundCloud.

Next is XYconstant‘s deep house remix of Disclosure‘s “White Noise” released this past year. Making use of a subdued bassline and distorted vocals, XYconstant achieves a mesmeric, groove-laden remix ready for any dance floor. Get a free DL by liking his facebook page.

And lastly, in keeping the Disclosure train flowing — as well as the fact that I pretty much enjoy this song in all of its incarnations — is the redux version of “Help Me Lose My Mind” by German producer Mazde. Flume-esque in its production and Cyril Hahn-like in pitch, this slowed down edit is a different take on the original that is a must listen for Disclosure/London Grammar fans. This one is also available for free download, so energize yourself for your Saturday night and go snag all three.

POETRY’S TOP TRACKS OF 2013

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disclosure-love

It’s that time of year again — the time in which the year’s best ear candy is served up in one delicious location for your listening pleasure. Unlike last year, however, I’ve streamlined my ‘best of’ index into a selective top ten list — so you KNOW they’re the cream of the crop.

Cheers to CHVRCHES, Disclosure and Arctic Monkeys amongst others for bringing us their indie A-game in 2013. So basically, well done to the UK; thanks for the aural alchemy. All of these artists made an impact on the music scene this past year in a major way — so if you see some cross-collaboration, well, there’s a reason. Without further ado, I present my top picks for 2013:

1. Disclosure – Latch (ft. Sam Smith)

 

Bonus: Disclosure – “F For You” (TEED Remix)

 

2. CHVRCHES – “Recover”

 

3. Dillon Francis – “Without You” (ft. TEED)

 

4. AlunaGeorge x Disclosure – “White Noise”

 

5. Arctic Monkeys – “Do I Wanna Know?”

 

6. MS MR – “Think of You”

 

7. Bombay Bicycle Club – “Carry Me”

 

8. BANKS – “Change”

 

9. Kanye West – “Blood On the Leaves”

 

10. London Grammar – “Strong”

 

Bonus: London Grammar – Wasting My Young Years (Sound Remedy Remix) + Free DL

 

And last but not least, the award for Best Remix of the Year goes to:

Grizzly Bear – “Will Calls” (Diplo Remix)

Disclosure – Help Me Lose My Mind (ft. London Grammar)

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Disclosure+4

Disclosure released their debut album Settle a week ago (6/3), which includes the following collab with trio London Grammar. “Help Me Lose My Mind” is the perfect downtempo track for a rainy Monday night such as the one we’re currently experiencing in DC (power out at 930?!).

Catch the UK duo this summer at Lollapalooza in Chicago 8/2, and at New York’s Central Park Summerstage 8/6.

 

If you can’t get enough of this future garage group and are anticipating the weekend already, check out Baauer‘s dance remix of Disclosure’s “You & Me” (w/vocals by Eliza Doolittle).

Disclosure + AlunaGeorge

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130121-disclosurealunageorge

Disclosure is a futuristic/house sibling duo from the UK. The brothers, Guy and Howard Lawrence recently teamed up with burgeoning artist AlunaGeorge to create this outstanding collaboration called “White Noise.” The deliciously addictive track is anything but that, however — and as the song says, will have you “just wanna keep me on repeat.”

Arguably the group’s most lauded track, however, is their sexy single and 2012 release “Latch,” which features the vocals of Sam Smith. Check it out below, along with an AlunaGeorge cover of Frank Ocean I’m obsessed with (soulful vocals + tropical synths = true love).