Tag Archives: Pop

Jul 25 2012

Goin’ Old School: Chic, EMF & Break Machine

Goin’ Old School isn’t a trip down music memory lane, it’s a mugging in the dark alleyway of nostalgia:

The funky as hell Hangin’ (falsely titled Hangin’ Out here) from the legendary Chic in 1982.

In 1989 EMF mashed up Pop, Indie, House, ElectroPop and Hip Hop with their breakthrough Unbelievable. Derry was an inspiration to keyboard players everywhere.

Almost completely copying their first hit Street Dance, Here’s Break Machine’s hilarious follow up, Break Dance Party, from 1984.

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Jul 24 2012

Pet Shop Boys’ ‘Winner’ video

This is the video for Pet Shop Boys’ new single Winner. An epic SynthPop tune that is, completely coincidentally, about winning stuff, just in time for the Olympics.

Timing cynicism aside, this is the kind of thing only Pet Shop Boys can get away with. And Roller Derby would make a much better Olympic sport than running fast or throwing stuff. All inclusive too!

Winner is released on 6thAugust.

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Jul 20 2012

Mjolnir reMixes Nidji

Nidji

The best thing to come out of Indonesian since nutmeg, Mjolnir, are back with a fresh reMix. This time getting busy with Party Kids from Nidji, apparently one of Jakarta’s biggest acts. Nidji recently finished an album for international release and asked Mjolnir to reMix this track. Well, you would, wouldn’t you? If you’re one of Indonesia’s biggest Pop bands and have one of the slickest reMixing teams around on your doorstep, you use them. This was actually released in January, but went largely unnoticed, we presume, outside Indonesia. So thanks to Mjolnir for drawing out attention to it.

First off, ignore the terrible lyrics, English isn’t Nidji’s first language, they are forgiven. The lyrics to Party Kids are pretty poor though (not sure that’s going to help with the whole ‘international album’ thing), but the track is excellent. We’ve not heard the original, so there’s no comparison, but Mjolnir’s reMix is the flotiest of floaty Dreamwave. Lush analog synth work fills out the track with big retro chords and a bassline you can revel in. The subtlest of House piano brings the energy up, keeping this nostalgia party going. The lyrics may be cringe worthy, but the vocals themselves are pretty epic, and soar over Mjolnir’s bouncy backing. A true retro party starter, Mjolnir keep getting better and better.

♫ Nidji – Party Kids (Mjolnir reMix)

Party Kids is taken from Nidji’s album, Liberty Victory, out now.

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Jul 18 2012

Nude Disco & Paul Harris reMix Donna Lewis

Donna Lewis

OK, if there’s two things you know le love ‘round these parts it’s cheesy Pop and Disco, and London’s Nude Disco is fast becoming our go-to guy for slick combinations of the two. Especially when teaming up with Dirty Vegas’ Paul Harris. Remember Donna Lewis’ I Love You Always Forever? Prepare to get funky with it.

Vern and Paul grab a hint Italo, a little of the Balearic, a sprinkle of Nu-Disco and mix it up with pitch perfect use of the vocals to create an instantly recognisable, but funky fresh, summer jam. An upbeat beach vibe and some dreamy swooping synths keep the track on the edge of blissful with the vocals chanted out like a mantra, it’s almost hypnotic.

♫ Donna Lewis – I Love You Always Forever (Nude Disco & Paul Harris reMix)

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Jul 18 2012

Goin’ Old School: Tricky Disco, Modern Talking & Alphaville

Goin’ Old School isn’t a trip down music memory lane, it’s a mugging in the dark alleyway of nostalgia:

1989’s Tricky Disco from Tricky Disco. Not nearly as funny now, I guess you had to be there.

From 1985, ItaloPop with Modern Talking’s You Can Win If You Want.

Alphaville’s epic original version of Forever Young from 1984.

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Jul 17 2012

Saint Etienne’s ‘I’ve Got Your Music’ video

Saint Etienne crowdsourced their latest video, getting fans to show the world their favourite records to accompany the ode to Pop I’ve Got Your Music.

What sounded initially a cheap, and a bit cheesy, actually really works amazingly well, it’s interesting to see everyone’s choices. Whoduv’ thunk it?

I’ve Got Your Music is taken from Words And Music By Saint Etienne, out not.

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Jul 12 2012

Moonlight Matters’ Come For Me’ video

Here’s the video for one of the best singles of the year. Moonlight Matters and Hercules And Love Affair’s Gustaph’s Come For Me.

Directed by Kris Lathouwers, it’s just pure shining, neon, Disco goodness. Perfect for the track. Is Seba’s origami bear head just a mask and not a full head?

Moonlight Matters’ Come For Me EP is out now via Kitsuné Music.

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Jul 12 2012

Goin’ Old School: Visage, Coldcut , Lisa Stansfield & Japan

Goin’ Old School isn’t a trip down music memory lane, it’s a mugging in the dark alleyway of nostalgia:

Kicking off in the very early ‘80’s, Mind Of A Toy from Visage in 1981.

From 1989, on TOTP, Coldcut and Lisa Stansfield’s People Hold On.

The second most recognisable arpeggio of all time? Japan’s Quite Life from 1981.

You can buy most of this  music from:

 

Jul 9 2012

The League Unlimited Orchestra edited by Aeroplane

The League Unlimited Orchestra

The League Unlimited Orchestra’s Love And Dancing is, of course, a The Human League album and not for the first time have the worlds of Nu-Disco legend Aeroplane and The Human League come together. Exciting stuff. So who’s that cheeky chappy in the photo? Well, that (for the 1% of readers of this site who wouldn’t know, but really should) is the late, great, Martin Rushent. He, basically, was The League Unlimited Orchestra. He’s the man who produced the greatest album ever made, The Human League’s Dare from 1981. Pressured by their Record Label for more released Rushent came up with the idea of releasing an record of Dub and Mixes of tracks from Dare, thus inventing the reMix album. A selection of Instrumentals to the untrained ear Love And Dancing is actually full of pretty complex and divergent reMixes. And mostly the work of Rushent.

So, for a long time Vito’s personal edit of the Love And Dancing version of Don’t You Want Me? was a staple of his set, originally put together for a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix. Vito leaves the track largely intact, which is why it’s an edit not a reMix, subtly bring out it’s dancefloor qualities and stripping everything that’s not needed in a set. I think Martin would be proud that even now, in 2012, people are still crazy for his tunes.

♫ The League Unlimited Orchestra – Don’t You Want Me? (Aeropop Edit)

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Jul 3 2012

Charli XCX’s ‘You’re The One’ video

Since we last wrote about Charli XCX’s new single You’re The One, and how we quite liked it, we’ve become obsessed with it, it’s easily going to feature in our top tracks of the year. The combination of unique vocals and Industrial beats tempered with soft BladeRunner synths has us hooked.

And now there is finally a video!  Mucking around in a warehouse follows.

The ‘You’re The One’ EP is out now.

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