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
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.
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.
This week’s installment of Remix Roundup features some mixes that have been on our back burner for awhile. But that doesn’t make them any less appealing, so let’s get started with Danny T‘s rework of AlunaGeorge‘s track “Outlines.” The Sydney-based producer takes the low-key original and smathers on some sick house vibes, rendering it dance-floor ready. And all you have to do to snag the track for your collection is ‘like’ his Facebook page here. Thanks, Danny!
As if there wasn’t enough good music coming out of Australia, the next cut comes from rising Melbourne-based singer/songwriter/producer Oscar Key Sung. Off his Holograms EP released earlier this year, “All I Could Do” is an explosive dance track with masterful production from Key Sung, who uses pitched-down samples, aching soulful vocals, and a shuffling beat to propel the track forward. One listen and you’ll be singing Sung’s praises.
Last but not least, we’ve been digging this Joywave edit of HAERT‘s “All the Days” as of late. Taking the ardent original and transforming it into a propulsive deep house number, NY production team Joywave set the stage early in the track with sinister sounds of saxophone, creating a melancholic mood until the last chorus comes crashing in around 3:33. Stream below.
Flying Lotus’ suite of singles off the upcoming You’re Dead! LP — slated for release October 7 — runs the gamut of diametrically opposed servings we’ve come to expect from cutup savant Steve Ellison. Clocking in at 2:40 and 3:54, “Coronus, The Terminator” and “Never Catch Me,” respectively, are two of the longer cuts on an album comprised of uncharacteristically short tracks. Thankfully, our expectations of frenetic jazz samples and live recordings mashed together with the warmth of Flylo’s signature production are met on Lotus’ latest release, harkening back more to the psychedelia of Cosmogramma than the laconic Until the Quiet Comes.
On “Never Catch Me,” Kendrick’s machine-gun verses nicely ride the wave of Pastorius-like basslines, floating along smoothly with an accompanying piano line and slick drum programming that keeps pace with the track’s overall flow. Lotus has a keen ear for bringing experimental jazz to the fore in what is otherwise a highly contemporary package, and this track does not stray from the format.
As for “Coronus, The Terminator” arguably one of the album’s finest tracks — Lotus significantly dials up the thickness and dials down the BPM. From the opening licks of shimmering triangles and claves (it sounds like those instruments but who knows), this track is lush. Soulful melodies in the vein of an old spiritual drip viscously throughout, fleshed out by a warm lo-fi hiss. For an album conceived around meditations on death, “Coronus” drives home an aspect of weighty, peaceful release in that regard.
If you’re so inclined to see FlyLo live (with support from Thundercat), his upcoming tour should bring him to a city near you.
October 2014
• 09 Orlando, FL, The Beacham
• 10 Miami, FL, iii Points
• 11 Atlanta, GA, The Tabernacle
• 12 Chapel Hill, NC, Cat’s Cradle
• 13 Washington, DC, Lincoln Theater
• 14 Philadelphia, PA, Tower Theater
• 15 New York, NY, Terminal 5
• 17 Boston, MA, Paradise
• 18 Burlington, VT, Higher Ground
• 20 Montreal, QC, SAT
• 21 Toronto, ON, The Danforth Music Hall
• 23 Detroit, MI, Royal Oak Music Theater
• 24 Chicago, IL, Concord Music Hall
• 25 Minneapolis, MN, First Avenue
November 2014
• 07 London, The Roundhouse
• 09 Austin, TX, Fun Fun Fun Fest
• 11 Phoenix, AZ, Marquee Theater
• 12 Santa Ana, CA, The Observatory
• 13 San Diego, CA, North Park Theatre
• 14 Los Angeles, CA, Wiltern
• 15 Santa Cruz, CA, Catalyst
• 17 Portland, OR, Roseland
• 18 Seattle, WA, Neptune
• 19 Vancouver, BC, Commodore Ballroom
• 21 Salt Lake City, UT, The Complex
• 22 Denver, CO, Fillmore Auditorium
Hot off the release of new album In Return via Counter Records earlier this month, the Seattle-based duo Odesza — who’ve experienced a steady stream of success over the past year — have sold out more than half of their fall tour dates. Standout track off the LP “Say My Name” features the vocals of Zyra alongside their signature inventive soundscapes, and some additional chopped vocals from Madelyn Grant. Incidentally, there’s a slew of remixes of this song happening as part of the This Song Is Sickofficial remix contest. So if you’re dying for different variations of the tune, head over to the contest page and vote for your favorite before it ends October 17. Listen to the original below, along with some of our other faves, “Always This Late” and “Sun Models.”
Odesza is performing at DC’s U Street Music Hall TONIGHT! If you missed your chance to get tix, you can still purchase the album here.
In light of the fact that Jungle is playing in DC this week, we thought now would be an appropriate time to share the amazing video for their single “Time.” Co-directed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch, the London duo premiered the video a week before releasing their smash self-titled debut this July. The short—similar to the last one for “The Heat”—centers around two older gent’s proclivity for dance, culminating in a full on dance-off in a high school auditorium. Watch the fierce battle that transpires below.
Can’t wait to catch these cats tomorrow, September 30 at Black Cat!
And just for kicks — we also wanted to share the new Joy Orbison rhythmic rework of Jungle’s “The Heat.” One of the few remixes that Jungle have permitted, UK’s Joy O brings some intricate synth work and basslines to the groovy original. Right on time.
Brolin is another one of those elusive up-and-coming artists who prefer to play it close to the vest when it comes to divulging one’s identity. As tends to be the case though, talent speaks for itself when you have affective alt-pop tracks like “Swim Deep” to showcase. The mysterious British singer and producer will be releasing the single as part of an EP of the same name on October 27.
Brolin’s debut album is also expected to drop sometime early in the new year.
Time for another Remix Roundup! First up in this week’s installment, Brooklyn-based house duo The Golden Pony put their spin on Alt-J’s “Hunger Of The Pine.” Keeping the general temperature of the original, they turn up the tempo while infusing some kaleidoscopic synths into this deep disco edit. In other words, everything you loved about the original but now with a dance beat! Pick up a free download on SoundCloud.
And then we have the lovely new Claude VonStroke reinterpretation of London Grammar‘s single “Strong.” As opposed to the High Contrast Remix we also love, celebrated producer/DJ and pioneer of Dirtybird Records Claude calls out the softer elements of the original. Interweaving Hannah Reid’s lustrous vocals with a guitar riff and house shuffle, the result is a gorgeous effort — the chord change around the 1:48 mark will melt your heart. You can find this track on London Grammar’s compilation of If You Wait mixes, available on iTunes.
Finally, Swedish producer Oliver Nelson renders CAZZETTE‘s track “Sleepless” into a nu-disco gem. The original has inspired a myriad of remixes, but Nelson hits just the right note with his effortless retouch. Stream below.
In anticipation of their forthcoming album, Beat Connection has shared a new single, “Another Go Round.” Since their 2012 debut The Palace Garden, the Seattle trio have been unparalleled purveyors of tropic-pop, and the new track is no exception. This time around, they’ve also added sitar and tabla drums to their roster of worldly instruments.
Stream the sunny single below, along with a sleek and chilling rework of their recent track “Hesitation” from LA producer Jerome LOL. There’s nothing funny about this melancholic mix, however — a free download of which is available on SoundCloud.
Really looking forward to seeing these guys at Austin City Limits next month.
poetry in an empty coke can 