Nov 28 2012

[Audio] Sam Sparro’s ‘The Shallow End’ reMixes

So, right now there’s a competition going-on on Beatport, a reMix competition. I know, I know, it;s enough to make you stockpile food and lock yourself in until it blows over, but this one seems to be going alright. The track in question is ElectroPop crooner Sam Sparro’s The Shallow End, from his Return To Paradise album. Apparently the remix-competition-entering-talentless-idiot-masses don’t consider Sam Sparro ‘hype’ enough to be all over this, which kinda’ just proves how shallow and uninspired serial reMix competition entrants are. So what we have is an altogether more intelligent class of reMix talent , so here’s a couple that have ignited out interest.

First up the awesome, and underrated Ugly Kids pitch a lush part-Tropical, part-massive ElectroPop reMix that really captures the groove of the song whist making it truly Ugly Kids’ own. Alongside this uplifting monster is the entry from Cut Slack. Cut Slack turn in a deep synth-funk groove with bouncing bass and slick licks. Newcomer nikakeys enters a deliciously bass laden version of the tune that’s built on some huge stabs and uses the originals’ sax to maximum effect in a funky Disco melting pot. Dats, from Belgium, goes all the way Tropical-Indie-Disco with steel-drum synths and more of that sax crafting a floorfilling summer anthem out of the original. There definitely a high level of quality in this competition, and out inbox isn’t flooded, which means we can enjoy the results more.

♫ The Shallow End (Ugly Kids Tropical reMix)

♫ Sam Sparro – The Shallow End (Cut Slack reMix)

♫ Sam Sparro – The Shallow End (nikakeys reMix)

♫ Sam Sparro – The Shallow End (Dats reMix)

Sam Sparro’s Shades Of Grey is released 27th November on EMI.

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Nov 28 2012

[Audio] Roniit’s new EP

Roniit is a Denver based ElectroPop artist who produces complex, beautiful tunes with a decidedly ominous edge. A DIY artist who has built up an impressive following, Roniit has just released her new EP, In The Shadows, a six track collection of rich, emotional Pop songs primed for intense headphone listening.

Kicking off with Only You, the In The Shadow’s EP immediately stakes it’s musical claim. Roniit bills her music as ‘Dark ElectroPop’, we’ve never been keen on that kind of use of the word ‘dark’, as a rule of thumb, if you have to call your music ‘dark’, then it probably isn’t. It’s one of those words, like beautiful, that only really the listener can impart. And that holds out here, as Roniit’s music isn’t really that dark. it’s definitely shot through with a streak of Melancholy, there’s minor keys and sombre soundscapes, but it’s actually pretty uplifting stuff. Comparable in tone to the best 80s Pop, that was always optimistic with a hint of sadness. Dark or not, it’s enchanting stuff, Only You is a majestic symphony of driving beats, growling synths and Roniit’s seriously epic vocals. A powerful opener, Only You is a good primer for the rest of the EP and leads straight into the pseudo-Dubstep beats and passion of Lost At Sea, a track that layers thick heavy synth bass, gently piano and Roniit’s fervid vocals. Roniit’s voice really is the star of this EP, with a warm and rich tone she imparts a wealth of feeling into her performance, never feeling over-the-top or hammy, just full of soul. The EP’s title track reins things in to deliver an atmospheric, sparking ballad, and the atmospherics continue with Into A Dream, a captivating orchestra of drums and buzzing synths. Sleepless takes the EP further down the ballad road and allows Roniit to show off a different, softer, side to her considerable vocal talents, but the time for Roniit’s abilities to really shine if the EP’s final track, I Never Knew. Build around just her and her piano, it;s a nice was to ease yourself out of the intensity of the In The Shadows EP. Our only complaint with the EP is that the occasional wailing guitar solo, amidst the intelligent electronics and rousing voice, sounds really out of place, and quite cheesy, but that in no way distracts from the allure and ferocity of Roniit’s new EP.

♫ Roniit – Only You

♫ Roniit – Lost At Sea

♫ Roniit – Into A Dream

Roniit’s Only You EP is out now on digital, or limited edition hand numbered and signed CD, both available from her Bandcamp.

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Nov 28 2012

[Audio] Nathan Swiss’ new EP

The latest release from excellent Cardiff based label Pole Position Recordings comes from Dutchman Nathan Swiss and his Two Worlds single. A gloriously lush slice of laid back Disco, Two Worlds comes backed with a host of reMixes and B-sides.

Out boys, Germany’s Final DJs step up with a truly epic seven minute Disco oddessy. Funking bass and massive stabs rule this track. Bumping up the BPM and working an infectious piano hook into proceedings Final DJs deliver a Cosmic opus, with it’s funky, Housy feet on the dancefloor and it’s head in outer space. Elsewhere on the single you’ll find a few new tracks, including the poolside Nu-Disco bliss of Daze, which rolls with a horn sample and funkin’ bass. Pole Position’s own Viper Strike teams up with Swiss for All Night, the EP’s final track, a smooth buzzing Disco tune with brain-worm infectiousness in it’s hooks. More quality tracks from the Pole Position stable.

♫ Nathan Swiss – Two Worlds (Final DJs reMix)

♫ Nathan Swiss – Daze

♫ Nathan Swiss & Viper Strike – All Night

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Nov 27 2012

[Audio] Queen Of Hearts reMixed by Chad Valley

Much like Hannibal from the A-Team, we love it when a plan comes together. Or, more specifically, we love it when two artists we love come together. Chad Valley’s album is easily one of the long playing highlights of the year, read our review here, so to have him reMixing our reigning ElectroPop monarch Queen Of Hearts is something pretty special indeed. This comes with high expectations.

And those expectations are lived up to. Hugo Manuel’s lush post-Chillwave electronics transform a rousing call-to-arms into a peaceful, moody opus. Loaded with expressive synth melodies and dreamy pads. The Queens vocals, once rousing and empowering, become gentle and beautiful vocal caress delicately painted across Chad Valley’s audio canvas. The true use of a reMix is to deliver a totally different take on a track, and this reMix delivers that perfectly. An excellent companion piece to the original.

♫ Queen Of Hearts – Warrior (Chad Valley Radio Mix)

Queen Of Hearts’ Warrioris released on 2nd December.

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Nov 27 2012

[Audio] MiGHty mOUse reMixes Seasfire

The latest lucky crew to be gifted by the reMix talent of the mighty MiGHty mOUse is none other than rowdy Bristol Indie-Electro outfit Seasfire. They’ve got a new EP incoming on Cheap Thrills so it seems fitting that the Mouse gets his hands on the track, and new MiGHty mOUse reMixes are always good news for us.

MiGHty mOUse brings it bouncy this time with an upbeat Electro mix that isn’t quite as cosmic as his Cosmic Disco work and isn’t quite as Housy as his House tunes. but would just sit nicely into any Electro-Disco set. Oh, don’t worry, MiGHty mOUse’s spaced-out synth groove is still present and correct, only this time around it’s paired with a absolutely infectious bassline that will worm it;s way into your head and feet. The reverb washed vocal track from Seasfire’s original seems to suit the track well, complimenting, rather than overpowering, the tune.

♫ Seasfire – How Do You Sleep? (MiGHty mOUse reMix)

Seasfire’s five track EP is released 2nd December on Cheap Thrills.

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Nov 27 2012

[Audio] Mitch Murder’s ‘Medley For Science’

SynthWave genius Mitch Murder recently dropped another slab of slap bass heavy atmospherics. The Sweedish master has whipped up a musical ode to something that’s very close to our hearts, science and the progress of science. Here’s Mitch Murder’s Medley For Science.

As you’d expect from Mitch, the track takes an 80s Soundtrack slant, we’d even go so far as to say there’s a bit of a Weird Science vibe about it. Murder rocks the digital bass with ease, resting the track on an impulsive groovy bassline, mixing it up with some bright, optimistic synth chords and melodies. This could quite easily be the engineering montage theme in an 80s techno comedy flick. Once again Mitch Murder proves why he does it best.

♫ Mitch Murder – Medley For Science

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Nov 27 2012

[Audio] A.N.D.Y.’s new single

Just out is the new single from Belgian Disco-House master A.N.D.Y., and it kinda’ drops the Disco side of his musical equation. Featuring the vocals of New York singer/MC Nyemiah Supreme, the track is, we would go so far as to say, Hip-House. A genre not seen for over a decade, but well due for a funky comeback.

The appropriately named Pump It Up, is a slice of pure late 80s brilliance. The trick with Hip-House was to keep it upbeat and keep the raps catchy and both those boxes are ticked here. Kicking off with a woody House bassline it all goes a little Technotronic (no bad thing!) but with a decidedly 21s Century intelligence. Nyemiah’s party rap and big Pop-House chorus work amazingly well with A.N.D.Y.’s invigorating Chicago influenced groove. A classic sounding track with all the experience of Dance music in 2012.

♫ A.N.D.Y. (Feat. Nyemiah Supreme) – Pump It Up (Original)

A.N.D.Y.’s Pump It Up is out now.

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Nov 21 2012

[Audio] MiGHty mOUse reMixes Good Night Keaton

Well, it’s shaping up to be a Good Night Keaton and Mereki themed week! The Miami horror drummer’s début solo single is out now, and one of the highlights of the reMix package comes from a slick Disco-House rework from London’s MiGHty mOUse. Prepare for some spaced-out floorfiling grooves.

MiGHty mOUse is really carving out a nice, unique, niche for himself amongst the flood of Disco and House sounds. Folding Cosmic Disco’s textures and his Disco past into a Housier sound MiGHty mOUse brings the best of all worlds.On this reMix of Next To Mexico MM combines a pumping dancefloor beat with a burbling, almost Italo, bassline and layers of hazy, Sci-Fi atmospherics. He then uses this meeting of styles to build a classic, pretty deep, House track on, working deftly with Mereki’s vocal. The end result is a real treat, a tune both kickin’ and musically interesting. It’s ready for the floor.

♫ Good Night Keaton (Feat. Mereki) – Next To Mexico (MiGHty mOUse reMix)

Good Night Keaton’s Next To Mexico is out now.

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Nov 21 2012

[Audio] The Presets reMixed by Lifelike

Promises was definitely one of the highlights of The Presets’ under promoted, and underrated, comeback album Pacifica and with the single release we’re definitely getting a better crop of reMix talent that the previous couple of singles from these guys. First up there was Plastic Plates’ awesome mix, now comes Lifelike fresh from the release of Don’t Stop with A-Trak, to take a crack at the track.

Lifelike? reMixing The Presets? Tonight are we going to party like it;s 2008? Indeed we are, this tune is both classic Lifelike and classic The Presets. It’s like This Boy’s In Love (Lifelike reMix) part 2, and that’s an amazing thing! A bit slower, a bit more funky than Lifelike’s frantic arpeggio fuelled The Presets reMix, but the same vibe shines though. The vocals in this track are pretty epic, a true gift for any producer who specialises in massive dancefloor tunes, such as Lifelike, which is handy. Punchy digital bass, solid beats, a swell of sparking synths that wrap around the chorus, all classic Lifelike sounding. Needless to say, this tune is very good.

♫ The Presets – Promises (Lifelike reMix)

The Presets’ Promises is released 7th December on Modular Recordings.

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Nov 21 2012

[Audio] Plastic Plates reMixes Sam Sparro

It’s another funktastic reMix from American producer Plastic Plates. Only days after his reMix of The Preset’s Promises broke cover he’s already lines up another big one. This time it’s ElectroPop crooner Sam Sparro, and his forthcoming new single Shades Of Grey, that gets the Plates synth Funk treatment.

This one’s all about the the dance between an amazingly infectious synth bass and Sparro’s unusually floaty vocal. The two together soar to the funkiest of places. With a twisting Moog bass a chorus piano hook, Plastic Plates keeps it simple, but simple works so well here when every element is honed to Disco perfection. This tune takes you on a nice trip, to Funkytown in the verses with a passing visit to Chicago in the choruses, this is the way to reMix purely for the dancefloor. This’ll make ‘em get down, and it really does bring the epic in it’s finale.