Years & Years – poetry in an empty coke can

RMX ROUNDUP: Years & Years + Gryffin / Major Lazer + Paige / Great Good Fine Ok + Shook

Posted on May 30, 2015June 20, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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Welcome to another Remix Roundup! Kicking off this edition is Gryffin‘s brand new edit of one of our favorite Years & Years‘ tracks, “King.” Speaking about the mix, the NY producer said “I’ve been a huge fan of Years & Years for quite some time so it was a huge honor when I was asked to remix their track. On this one I wanted to preserve the emotion and fun atmosphere of the original but give it a lively, euphoric vibe.” He nailed the euphoric vibes all right — stream this stunning rendition below.

Next, Major Lazer‘s “Get Free” gets a major facelift from Paige, another NY-based producer. While the original from Major Lazer (Diplo‘s side project) starring the Dirty Projectors‘ Amber Coffman on vocals has a more laidback vibe — Paige injects the mix with a deep house groove and big bass sound, making it a dance floor pleaser for sure. Pick this one up for free over on Paige’s Soundcloud page.

Finally, Shook shakes things up with an official new edit of Great Good Fine Ok‘s “Too Much To Handle.” The original from Brooklyn duo GGFO has already been mixed a number of times, but this sparkling and summery retake by the Dutch producer is by far our favorite with its refined production and playful synth lines. As an aside, GGFO will be playing at DC’s DC9 Nightclub this week on June 4, so be sure to check them out if you’re nearby!

Years & Years – King

Posted on January 14, 2015January 14, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Escape the winter doldrums with the new single from Years & Years, a bright poppy anthem entitled “King.” Might as well call this UK trio the new pop royalty, because every thing they put out turns to gold. Stream the shimmering single below and look for its official release March 1 on Polydor Records.

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

Posted on November 22, 2014June 20, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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.

RMX ROUNDUP: The Magician + Darius / Say Lou Lou + Alex Metric / Dotan + Niklas Ibach

Posted on September 13, 2014June 20, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

So many remixes, so little time. Which is why we serve up the latest and greatest in our semi-weekly Remix Roundup segment.

We begin with the new downtempo Darius rework of The Magician‘s track “Sunlight,” featuring the dazzling vocals of Olly Alexander from Years & Years. The effervescent original was a contender for song of the summer in the eyes of many bloggers — nonetheless, we think it needed that extra something, which is exactly what Parisian producer Darius provides here. His silky and slow-burning approach shines in just the right measure in contrast to the sunny original.

Next is the new Alex Metric deep house remix of Say Lou Lou and Lindstrøm’s “Games for Girls.” Similar in the way Darius does with “Sunlight,” Alex takes the tune from daytime to nighttime in his disco rendition of the electropop single. Stream below.

And finally, we’re loving this vibey rework by Niklas Ibach of a track called “Hungry,” originally by Amsterdam artist Dotan. The young German producer is only 20-years-old, but based on the skills he applies to this addictive track, the world will soon be hungry for more of his work. Pick up a free download of this one by liking his Facebook page.

Years & Years – Breathe (Blu Cantrell Cover)

Posted on August 5, 2014August 5, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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Do you have a nostalgia for early 2000s pop? Me too. That’s what makes this new Years & Years cover of Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul’s song “Breathe” so amazingly awesome. The UK trio put their own spin on the R&B tinged pop song, which works perfectly given their reggae-influenced sound. Listen to an updated take on this decade-old classic below.

Years & Years will be supporting Sam Smith on his forthcoming UK tour this fall!

Years & Years – Take Shelter

Posted on July 2, 2014July 3, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

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I’ve been hot on the trail of Years & Years for some time now, so I was excited to see that the London trio had released a new single since signing with Polydor Records. As evidenced by the new mega-label, these guys have been steadily gaining in popularity (and rightfully so), whose music The Guardian described as “like Disclosure in a good mood“! The track, “Take Shelter” packs another powerful pop punch, this time with a reggaeton-like rhythm underlying their polished electronic sound and frontman Olly’s infectious vocals.

The single is part of their upcoming EP, which is scheduled to release August 17. Take shelter in this track by streaming below.

Years & Years – Real

Posted on January 21, 2014January 21, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

It’s been awhile since we heard from London group Years & Years, so I was delighted to see that they had dropped another infectious single. Since their last standout self-released track “I Wish I Knew,” they have been picked up by French label, Kitsuné. Their latest number, “Real” has more of an electronic sound with some R&B elements mixed in — but it’s equally addictive — thanks in part to the charming vocals of frontman Olly Alexander.

For those unfamiliar with the group, UK’s Disorder Magazine had this to say about them: It’s as if Nina Simone is crooning a melodic lullaby to the folktronic lovechild of Beach House and Terry Riley. Touché.

Look out for the new Years & Years EP to drop on February 17.

Years & Years – I Wish I Knew

Posted on September 17, 2012July 2, 2014 by poetryinanemptycokecan

This song by new pop sensation Years & Years from the UK perfectly sums up my Saturday night (which actually did end up in some fights). Earmilk calls it “life-affirming” pop, and I concur.