Dec 21 2015

[Audio] Goldroom reMixes’ Chvrches’ ‘Leave A Trace’

Well now. This is a cheeky end to the year. We were actually not going to be writing about anything new now until 2016. Aside from the electronic rumors Awards just before the new year we had cleared our desks and left the office for the holidays. And then this happens.

We actually knew this was coming, but when it didn’t arrive when we expected we just assumed it had been delayed until the new year. Not quite, this one snuck out this last weekend before X-mas pulling us back to the keyboard like we were on call. As much as we wanted to be putting our feet up with a very large drink this was just too special to pass on.

What can make us temporarily put aside seasonal laziness you ask? Two of our most favourite acts of the century on the same release. That’s what. Chvrches have only gone and got Goldroom to reMix Leave A Trace for them!

You know we love Chvrches. You must do. Whether it’s handing their début album, The Bones Of What You Believe, the tops album spot in the 2013 electronic rumors Awards or calling seeing Chvrches live “a religious experience for us” on Instagram or owning every Chvrches vinyl release, including the ones that are worth three figures; you could definitely say we were kinda’ fans of the Glaswegian trio. One of the best things to happen to ElectroPop for some time both in terms of intelligent songwriting that connects with people and makes people dance, and in terms of popularity for the genre. Just type “Chvrches” into the search field on the right, you’ll see post after post praising their new synthetic emotions, you can read our lengthy review of their new album, Every Open Eye, right here..

Similarly, what can we say that we haven’t already said about Goldroom. Josh is a long-time friend of electronic rumors. Coming up with his band NightWaves and his label/collective Binary in parallel to ourselves our relationship with Josh has always been one of mutual support, he’s contributed tracks to our label; and we once ran an entire week in collaboration, devoted to Binary artists. When he changed gears and became Goldroom the man just blew up, and well deserved it was too. There are fewer more talented, and nicer guys on the scene today. Goldroom is living proof that sometimes the cream really does rise to the top.

So Goldroom reMixing Chvrches has us excited even before pressing play. Also apprehensive, a pairing like this has a lot to live up to. Goldroom sweet, comfortable, Disco and House should be a refreshingly euphoric backing for the impassioned vocals of Lauren Mayberry.

And it is! Phew. Crisis averted. This is right up there with Ikonika’s reMix of Chvrches’ Lies.

The latest Chvrches album tends to veer more toward the 80s in terms of songwriting and arrangement (if not sound) than their première offering, and this plays right into Goldroom’s blissfully nostalgic hands. Josh presents a deceptively complex tapestry of interwoven synth lines and percussion to bring together a little Balearic and a little summery House, and even a little of his own 80s retro past,to Chvrches anthemic SynthPop. One of the things that struck us about this new reMix was that, aside from being one of the hugest floorfillers we’ve heard this year, how this is the most Dreamwave track Joash has releasing in a long time (Josh invented, or at least christened Dreamwave back in the day). It’s kinda like the musical equivalent of a bunch of old friends throwing an awesome surprise party for you,

Josh keeps things immensely deep and groove on this one. The brick-wall solid kick and Californian Moog-y bass providing the foundation for waves of warm synths and intricate instrumentation. From the distorted vocoding and the bright Indie-esque riffs to the majestic and emotive piano hooks; Goldroom delivers a rich and always compelling soundtrack which complements Chvrches’ anthemic opus perfectly. At once rousing and decadent while at the same time being aimed squarely at the dancefloor. Crikey, that’s quite a build too!

♫ Chvrches =- Leave A Trace (Goldroom reMix)

Chvrches’ Leave A Trace is out now

Buy Chvrches’ music from:

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Nov 24 2015

[Audio] mighty mOUse reMixes Air Zaïre’s ‘Love ’94’

Cosmic cruiser mighty mOUse is back with a brand new reMix. The UK’s Disco don has been concentrating more on his own releases recently, with the likes of Luna and Dusk slaying it, and a hectic touring schedule. Couple that with his work in superduo Du Tonc and it’s no wonder he hasn’t had time to reMix for a while. The reMix silence has just broken, however, with this new work for Air Zaïre’s Love ‘94.

Air Zaïre has been bubbling away for a while now, not making massive waves but getting on all the right mixtapes with the likes of Tensnake and Goldroom rocking his jams,. The Brooklyn based producer has teamed up with AIMES’ Wonder Stories label for this latest release. Love ‘94 features Daniela Cabrera on vocals and some smooth and carefree summery piano vibes to be put on hold until the weather is better.

mighty mOUse cooks up a tasty treat with this one. A piano fuelled House track with comforting Tropical overtones. Switching between a gloriously relaxed piano hook and a similar riff played out on squelchy, almost Acidic, synths is a nice way to keep the groove sounding fresh as mighty mOUse weaves it in and out of a symphony of island percussion and pleasing pads. Tied together with a joyous rubbery bassline, this reMix is pure top-down feel good vibes, using just a hint of the original’s vocals to keep the hazy mood going. Top stuff to keep you warm this winter.

♫ Air Zaïre (Feat. Daniela) – Love ‘94 (mighty mOUse reMix)

Air Zaïre’s Love ‘94 is out now

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Oct 29 2015

[Audio] Du Tonc’s ‘We Can Hold On’

The duo of Du Tonc coming together was one of those moments in music that is just so exciting. We’d longtime been fans of Aussie Indie-Electro outfit Van She, probable the most guitary band we are fans of, who rode the crest of the 2006/2006 Electro explosion with both a string of catchy as hell ditties and some storming Van She Tech reMixes. And post Van She the guys have done the business too; Touch Sensitive, Arithmatix!, Tear Council have all been at the top of their game, as was Matt Van Schie peddling his solo line in silky smooth SynthPop that was both glorious and intimate.

So you can imagine how badass it was when, back in 2013, when Matt teamed up with another Matt to form a Matt themed double-act. MiGHty mOUse (no, we’re never going to stop writing it like that!) is a powerhouse on the Nu-Disco scene. The UK finest purveyor of Cosmic and Left-Field Disco (and more recently some Houseier offerings) MiGHty mOUse has not only been at the top of his game, producing, editing, reMixing and DJing, for the best part of a decade but also curated the Disco Circus series which are absolutely essential for anyone interested in modern dance music. His burbling analog Boogie productions are always something to look forward to.

These two Matts, together as Du Tonc, have released a string of amazing tunes in the years since they exploded onto the scene. Weaving breezy Indie-ElectroPop melodies into space age dancefloor grooves Du Tonc have consistently delivered atmospheric and intoxicating sunkissed tracks that you can just sink into. It’s no wonder the duo ended up on Belgian fine-taste label Eskimo.

So their new single has just been released, and We Can Hold On is a woozy excursion in psychedelic island Funk. The dual juggernauts of thick synth bass and a slap riff make for a rock solid core that practically compels you head to nod in time. Spacious pads and bubbling hooks intermingle with subtly guitar to form a swirling and mysterious soundtrack for Matt’s comforting vocals. No Du Tonc track would be complete without a hint of nostalgia; and We Can Hold On certainly brings it with just enough of a hint of a mid-80s summertime dream. Du Tonc have released enough material now for us to be able to say, with some certainty, that their forthcoming album should be a killer. It would be very hard to fuck it up!

♫ Du Tonc – We Can Hold On

Du Tonc’s We Can Hold On is out now.

Buy Du Tonc’s music from:

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Oct 19 2015

[Audio] Goldroom’s ‘Waiting To Ignite’

Stop what you’re doing, there’s a new Goldroom track in town. This is always a cause for celebration round these parts. Our history with Goldroom stretched back to the very beginning, and then keeps going. Josh’s previous outfit, NightWaves, turned in a track for the album that kicked off our record label, electronic rumors Volume 1 and before then we were staunch supporters of Josh and crew’s O.G. Dreamwave output. We even ran Binary Week, a seven day celebration of Josh’s record label. That Josh is the toast of the town these days makes us feel a little proud. It couldn’t happen to a nicer, or more talented and hard working, guy.

Speaking of NightWaves; as Josh is no stranger to re-recording his own songs, as evidenced with the recent Embrace version 2.0, we’d love to hear a Goldroom version of NightWaves’ Sweet Carrie. That would be so rad!

Anyhoo, on the Goldroom’s new single. Released on Friday (still hate Friday release dates, make no sense to anyone but the American music industry…) the track is called Waiting To Ignite and we co-written by American singer/songwriter Tinashe. As is customary, Josh as enlisted an up-and-coming vocal star for warbling duties, and this time it’s the turn of fellow LA resident Ren Farren to take a deep breath and step up to the mic.

Possibly the most Pop-House tune Goldroom has ever done, Waiting To Ignite might offer Goldroom his biggest commercial hit to-date. Jubilant, and incredibly optimistic, Waiting To Ignite spins all around it’s easy piano hook and raucous digital Disco bassline. The first Goldroom track that truly strays away from the nostalgia heavy beach Disco track we are used to and embraces glitzy, mirror-balled dancefloors. Ren’s vocals are just the right kind of engaging, really working the songs idealism while riding over Josh’s slick and easy going Disco-House soundtrack.

♫ Goldroom (Feat. Ren Farren) – Waiting To Ignite

Goldroom’s Waiting To Ignite is out now.

Buy Goldroom’s music from:

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Aug 25 2015

[Audio] Ben Macklin’s ‘Think Of Me’

We reckon you’d all know London based producer and all-round nice guy Ben Macklin by now. Not only one half of the UK’s answer to Chromeo, Cassette Club, but label boss and particularly talented producer in his own solo right too. Ben delivers the sound of the summer each and every time with warm, laid back tunes that draw on the wealth of Disco, House, SynthWave and SynthPop. Ben’s tune are just…nice. we’re not sure of there’s a better word to describe them, like a sunshiney afternoon spent with good friends and good drinks, for four minutes a Ben Macklin production can make you forget your worries and let you sink into the comfortable groove.

The man is pretty prolific these days, even if there isn’t nearly as much new Cassette Club material as we would like going around. Regular releases have been coming out on his Modal label over the past year and a half or so. Barely a month goes by without a new single and, surprisingly these days, this hasn’t for a second translated into a drop in quality. Take his latest offering, Think Of Me. The track’s release has been perfectly timed to coincide with a break in the UK’s bizarre gloomy mid-summer period and as we write this piece the sun is blazing down and Ben’s new single is the perfect soundtrack. The release sees him once again teaming up with fellow Londoner Emma Brammer (of Dare and It’s Over fame) on vocal duties who’s smoky croon lends an air of enigma to the track.

For such a cosy tune, the bassline in Think Of Me is pretty spikey. A razor sharp digital Funk bass that would impose a robotic dominance over any other track, but Macklin tempers it with washes of glowing and intimate tones that breeze between lush pads and starlight chimes, all rolling over a solid, but unobtrusive House beat. Leading the way on Think Of Me is a soothing electric piano hook and Emma’s enticing vocal. As Ben peppers her voice with the occasional Dub-like effect to weave it in and out of the tune, Emma’s slightly melancholic holiday daydreaming carries you away as much as any element of the music. In the car, in the headphone, on the boombox, DJ’ed by the pool; this one should be enjoyed in the outdoors in good company.

If Think Of Me makes you want to relax in the sunshine, then AIMES stellar reMix of the track will have you heading straight to the dancefloor. injecting the tune with a little Boogie, a little Italo and a little vintage Disco; one of Brooklyn’s finest, AIMES, hits the end of those big snare rolls running with orchestral stabs and the unrelenting machine Funk of the reMixes’ machine gun bassline. Mid-way point the reMix explodes in a symphony of strings and intertwining synth lines, all perfectly crafted to keep the dancefloor energy at it’s highest. Hold tight for the killer synth solo! Likewise, German synthesizer head Final DJs (‘Final DJ’ goddamnit!) delivers a densely layered electronic odyssey.

♫ Ben Macklin (Feat. Emma Brammer) – Think Of Me

♫ Ben Macklin (Feat. Emma Brammer) – Think Of Me (AIMES reMix)

♫ Ben Macklin (Feat. Emma Brammer) – Think Of Me (Final DJs reMix)

Ben Macklin’s Think Of Me is out now.

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Jul 23 2015

[Download] Du Tonc’s rework of Aaliyah’s ‘Rock The Boat’

The Matts are at it again. Following their surprise monster of a reMix of Pixies’ Monkeys Gone To Heaven a couple of months ago; the Matt Van Schie and MiGHty mOUse coalition of Du Tonc have rocked up with this slick reworking of the late Aaliyah’s 2002 tune Rock The Boat. The duo have a new single out pretty soon, but until then feat your ears on this bubble and laid back Disco reMix. Free download too; which is nice.

Du Tonc serve up a warm and hazy slice if the most laid back Disco sounds around. Utterly without a care int he world, this reMix of Rock The Boat totally strips you of all your troubles and orders you to flippin’ chill. Du Tonc’s trademark combination of cheeky Tropical licks, robust lazy basslines and blissed out keys transport of to a sunnier and altogether more nostalgic place while they pepper the tune with dreamy synths and a hint of talkbox. Believe us, you’ll feel 100-times better after listening to this tune.

♫ Aaliyah – Rock The Boat (Du Tonc Rework)

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Jul 15 2015

[Audio] Ben Macklin’s ‘Never Giving Up’

Heads up! There’s a new single from Ben Macklin around! Never Giving Up is out this week and features some sultry vocals from Charlotte Holmes. The track is the latest in a solid line of on-point singles from Ben this year, he’s flitted from mood to mood, from funky to laid back, in his recent releases and this one seems to neatly tie them all together. Sit back and enjoy some chilled robotic Disco.

Ben mixes together a little Italo, a little Tropical and a little Disco on Never Giving Up. Riding the buoyant groove of a synthetic European bassline, Macklin submits waves of lush synths and dreamy 90s chimes. Holmes’ vocals drift across the track like curling smoke with a vague 90s vibe of their own. Keeping things on a holiday tip Ben rolls in some cheeky Island purcussion. Leave your worries at the door.

♫ Ben Macklin (Feat. Charlotte Holmes) – Never Giving Up

Ben Macklin’s Never Giving Up is out now.

Buy Ben Macklin’s music from:

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Jun 22 2015

[Audio] Zimmer’s ‘Escape’

In the mood for some self-styled Horizontal Disco? Well have no fear because Mr. Horizontal Disco himself, Parisian producer and DJ Zimmer, is back with a brand new tune. Enlisting the help of Norwegian vocalist Emilie Adams, Zimmer has unleashed Escape. Escape is the first track to be taken from his forthcoming EP, Coming Of Age, due out next month via Roché Music. Give it a listen below.

Taking a pinch of Tropical, a hint of Chicago and just a dash of UK Deep, Zimmer serves up one of his trademark beautiful and laid back poolside dancefloor tunes. Escape is loaded with Island riff and a resounding piano hook. Playing out over rooms drums and a percussive bassline Adams’ raspy vocals are neatly interspersed with half heard Sax. This is smokey House music for urban late nights. Summer in the city is here.

♫ ♫ Zimmer (Feat. Emilie Adams) – Escape

Zimmer’s Coming Of Age EP is out next month.

Buy Zimmer’s music from:

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Jun 5 2015

[Download] Oxford’s ‘Aria’

Grab yourself a funky fresh slice of French House with the latest tune from Parisian producer Oxford. It’s been more than a while since we heard a brand new tune from this severely talented groover so we’re hoping this is the start of a resurgence of new material. Oxford is giving this one away for free; so download it and stick this smooth jam in your headphones ASAP. Aria will brighten up any day, so get on it.

Oh that French bass! Irresistible. Aria sees Oxford serving up the perfect blend of Parisian Disco and Tropical vibes; taking it’s time to ease you into the tune, this one soon treats you that infectious bass and woozy, stabbing synths. Rolling vocal modulated samples and incandescent melodies in and out of the track, Oxford keeps things interesting and the track evolving. With a slightly raw feel, Aria feels visceral and immediate and, for want of a better word, real. Intoxicating Disco sounds from the Frenchman.

♫ Oxford – Aria

Check out more from Oxford on SoundCloud.

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May 29 2015

[Mixtape] Viceroy’s ‘Summertime All The Time’

Viceroy – Summertime All The Time Vol. 01 = Kick start your summer with the latest mixtape from San Francisco groover Viceroy with this sunshine hour of Nu-Disco, Tropical, House and IndiePop sounds. It’s quite a mix-up of stuff going on, but always keeps it breezy.

♫ Viceroy – Summertime All The Time Vol. 01

The tracklist:
01. Client Liaison – Feed The Rhythm
02. Goldroom – Mykonos (Fleet Fox Cover)
03. Hard Rock Sofa & Skidka – Arms Around Me (Tobtok reMix)
04. Nihils – Help Our Souls (Urban Contact reMix)
05. LANY – ILYSB (Ferdinand Weber reMix)
06. Chaka Khan – Miss My Love (Cazzette Bootleg)
07. Philip George – Wish You Were Mine
08. Yolanda Be Cool & DCup – Soul Makossa (Money)
09. Alesso – Cool (Autograf reMix)
10. ??? – ???
11. Earth Wind & Fire -September (Wolfskind & Mokoa Bootleg)
12. Giuliano Rascan – Desires (SYRE reMix)
13. Fetty Wap – Trap Queen (Slaptop reMix)
14. Sam Feldt – Show Me Love (EDX reMix)
15. King Arthur (Feat. Michael Meaco) – Belong To The Rhythm (Don Diablo Edit)
16. Alex Adair – Make Me Feel Better (Don Diablo & CID reMix)
17. Gigamesh – The Music
18. Milky Chance – Flashed Junk Mind (Two Friends reMix)
19. Alex Schulz – Ways