Chromeo – Lost On The Way Home (ft. Solange)

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On Chromeo‘s latest LP, White Women (released May 2014), the Canadian electro-funk/disco duo teamed up with Solange to create soulful single “Lost On the Way Home” — an 80s-inspired synthy duet about a relationship gone sour. Dave 1 of Chromeo and Solange duel it out on the track, but it’s the gripping vocals of the Knowles songstress that steal the show with her repeated refrain ‘And you know it’s gonna take time’ — which sounds like it was sampled straight out of an 80s pop song.

Stream the melancholic gorgeousness below, along with a more upbeat remix from Mat Zo. The british producer ups the tempo and transforms the track into an uplifting drum and bass electro-affair. Snag the mix gratis on Soundcloud!

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

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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: London Grammar + Jacques Lu Cont / Casino Gold / Ayer + Keljet

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Welcome to another Remix Roundup, a semi-biweekly segment in which we bring you the latest and greatest remixes and electronic offerings around. This week’s installment begins with the new Jacques Lu Cont remix of none other than London Grammar (a CokeCan favorite). The Grammy award-winning producer Stuart Price (repping his JLC moniker for this production) delivers yet another exceptional effort, comprised of progressive beats and Hannah Reid’s potent vocals. While we’re used to L’Gramm mixes being of the more ethereal variety, we dig the euphoric dance vibes that JLC brings to the equation here.

On another note, London Grammar is coming back to DC to play another sold-out show at 9:30 Club November 7, so we hope you didn’t wait to get your tix.

Next up is an original production from the LA brotherly duo Casino Gold. We first encountered their lustrous track “Sunbeams” while listening to Goldroom‘s recent Otoño mix, where it was a featured track. Sampling vocals from The Temptation’s “I Wish It Would Rain” alongside slick deep house production, we love Casino Gold’s contemporary take on the classic.

Lastly, we bring it down with Keljet remix of Ayer‘s debut single, “Circle Down.” Dutch producer Keljet infuses some nu-disco life into the lush original by Ayer, the Brooklyn singer/producer duo consisting of Danny Schmittler and Mickey Valen. Keljet’s adds his signature shimmering production style to the Rhye-esque track that is sure to excite your senses. Ayer will be performing in NYC’s upcoming CMJ fest 10/21-25, so definitely check out the schedule if you’re in the NY area.

RMX ROUNDUP: Jai Paul + Niia x WKND / Odesza + Jordan James / Caribou

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While we were hard pressed not to dedicate this edition of Remix Roundup to the surge of Odesza “Say My Name” remixes, we restrained ourselves. So instead, we’re kicking off this week’s installment with WKND‘s rendition of Jai Paul’s stellar track “BTSTU,” which frankly we feel didn’t get its due. The German producer mashes up the captivating JP original with a cover by Niia. Since getting turned on to “BTSTU” we haven’t been able to get enough, and this luscious deep house rework keeps us equally enthused.

Naturally, we couldn’t escape this week’s roundup without sharing at least one of the Odesza mixes which have been sprouting up all over since the inception of the TSIS contest. While we’re psyched about the awesome amount of innovation the contest has inspired — and appreciative to those artists who’ve shared their efforts with us — there are simply too many to feature all. (The moral of the story may be that it helps to have good raw material). And though we do not recommend trying to listen to them all in one sitting, we do encourage everyone to check out the fresh new crop of talent before the contest ends October 27.

Amidst the chaos though, the one remix that’s stayed with us is the Jordan James edit (currently no. 5 in the rankings). We love that the Australian producer keeps the sultry vocals of Zyra at the forefront over a shimmering stratum of synths, even brassing it up in the bridge with the addition of some French horns.

And finally, in celebration of Caribou‘s much anticipated album Our Love that drops via Merge in the US and Canada October 7, stream the title track below. Collaborating with Owen Pallett (as if Dan Snaith releasing a new album wasn’t exciting enough), Pallett helps Dan to achieve greatness by adding some spectral strings and sparing baroque riffs. In an interview with Stereogum, Dan explains: “When I sent it to Owen and asked him to write parts I was talking about the arrangement and layout of the song as a kind of chess game where the parts move around one another in a sort of dance.” The result is pure electro-alchemy.

Purchase the album Tuesday on iTunes, and be sure to catch his show at DC’s Black Cat if you’re in the area November 15.

PHOX – Slow Motion (Sylvan Esso Remix)

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PHOX first stole our hearts whilst seeing them perform live this last summer at DC’s The Hamilton. The Wisconsin indie folk band made up of six close friends exudes Midwestern charm and mutual adoration for one another on stage. Lead singer Monica Martin is at once charismatic and relatable—whose soulful vocals lent themselves effortlessly to the intimate venue. Although their songs are filled with latent themes of heartbreak, their breezy almost retro-sounding music is also a joyous and heartwarming affair.

Which is why when we heard that PHOX’s hit single “Slow Motion” had been remixed by Partisan Records labelmate Sylvan Esso, we could scarcely contain our excitement. The North Carolina duo put their inventive art-pop spin on the track to dazzling effect. Stream the mix below, along with a couple of our favorite PHOX tracks.

Both groups released their eponymous debut albums earlier this year, available on iTunes. Don’t miss your chance to see these spectacular artists live — check out upcoming tour dates below!

PHOX On Tour:
10/2 – Dallas, TX | Granada Theater*
10/4 – Houston, TX | Warehouse Live*
10/6 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works*
10/7 – Atlanta, GA | Variety Playhouse*
10/10 – Austin, TX | Lambert’s
12/6 – Portland, ME | State Theatre^
12/7 – Northampton, MA | Calvin Theatre^
12/8 – Providence, RI | Lupo’s^
12/11 – Columbus, OH | The LC Pavilion^
12/12 – Cincinnati, OH | Taft Theatre^
12/13 – Chicago, IL | Aragon Ballroom^

* denotes w/ Paolo Nutini
^ w/ The Head and The Heart

Sylvan Esso On Tour:
10/18 – Irving, TX | Cultivate Festival
10/23 – Baltimore, MD | The 8×10
10/24 – Philadelphia, PA | Union Transfer
10/30 – Saxapahaw, NC | Haw River Ballroom – SOLD OUT
10/31 – Saxapahaw, NC | Haw River Ballroom – SOLD OUT
11/8 – Oakland, CA | Fox Theater*
11/9 – Davis, CA | The Davis Graduate
11/10 – Sacramento, CA | Memorial Auditorium*
11/14 – Los Angeles, CA |– Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall*
11/15 – Santa Barbara, CA | Santa Barbara Bowl*
1/15 – Atlanta, GA | Variety playhouse
1/16 – Charlotte, NC | The Neighborhood Theatre
1/17 – Charlottesville, VA | Jefferson Theater
1/23 – New York, NY | Terminal 5
1/24 – Uncasville, CT | Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun
1/31 – 2/4 – Riviera Maya, Mexico | My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday

* denotes w/ Foster The People

Jungle – Time

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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.

RMX ROUNDUP: Anna of the North + The Chainsmokers / RAC + Two Friends. / Goldroom + backstroke.

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Welcome to another Remix Roundup, in which we bring you the latest and greatest electronic offerings the web currently has to offer.

First up is the new jam from The Chainsmokers, who’ve remixed “Sway” from the new Norwegian pop artist Anna of the North. Speeding up the tempo and keeping Anna’s vocals at the forefront, The Chainsmokers’ rendition heightens the best elements of the original in what is a slightly new turn for the NY-based producers (the same ones who brought you “#Selfie“). Timely enough, they happen to be spinning at DC’s Echostage TONIGHT, so if you need a place to get your ‘dance party’ on, get your tickets now and prepare by picking up a free download of “Sway” on Soundcloud.

 

Next is the new remix of RAC’s “Cheap Sunglasses” from Two Friends, aka the LA-based producers Matt and Eli. Owing to the fact that they loved the oh-so-summery original (as did we), they put their progressive house spin on the RAC track while maintaining the essence of the RAC prototype. This is the best remix effort of the track we’ve heard so far (and there have been a few), so definitely worth a listen if you too dig the orig. Stream below and purchase on iTunes.

 

And for the third and final selection, we’re loving the below rework of Goldroom‘s “Embrace” from DC’s own backstroke. Adding some synth-washed layers and blissed-out harmonies, backstroke’s captivating reinterpretation distinguishes the up-and-coming producer from his peers — making those of us in the district proud to claim him.

Chet Faker x WKND – Lover

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Just in time for your weekend, WKND has dropped a new house remix of Australian artist Chet Faker‘s cover of Sonia Dada’s “Lover (You Don’t Treat Me No Good).” The cover was a song that Chet originally performed for Triple J’s popular “Like A Version” segment this past July, which you can watch here. Recasting the bluesy cover into a bumpin’ house number, the German producer turns up the heat with a sped-up tempo, banging basslines and unexpected tropical influences.

Get this beat in your headphones today, as WKND is giving it out for FREE on his SoundCloud page.

 

On another note, Chet has been blowing up this year since the inception of his 2014 debut LP, Built on Glass via Future Classic. Last year the soulful musician also teamed up with Flume on the dope track “Drop the Game,” available for streaming below. You can catch Chet stateside this fall at NYC’s Webster Hall October 16.

RMX ROUNDUP: alt-J + The Golden Pony / London Grammar + Claude VonStroke / CAZZETTE + Oliver Nelson

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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.

Beat Connection – Another Go Round

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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.