Top 10 Remixes of 2013

Another year has passed and Electronic Dance Music seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Everywhere you looked a new music festival dedicated to EDM was popping up, or beats normally heard in the wee hours were suddenly in commercials.

And so a relatively simple decision was made. Let's list ten this year!

10. Oliver - Control (Nom De Strip Remix)
I featured Oliver's Mechanical EP earlier this year and thought there wasn't much room for improvement until I heard the Nom De Strip remix. Basically, he took it to 11; cramming every second of his remix with nonstop energy making for a hell of a ride.


9. Maroon 5 - Love Somebody (Penguin Prison Remix) [Free Download]
Forget for a minute that you hate Maroon 5. Not that easy, is it? Now listen to Penguin Prison's remix of Love Somebody. If you're anything like me, you're hooked. It's the catchiest remix of the year and takes the term "guilty pleasure" to new heights for me personally.


8. Disclosure - You & Me (Baauer Remix)
7 months later and I'm still going to this remix when I need a little push. This isn't the last you've seen of Disclosure. They had a HUGE year and this spazzed out remix from Baauer proved he wasn't just that Harlem Shake dude.


7. Daft Punk - Get Lucky (Vanderway Edit) [Free Download]
Talk about taking a song and making it your own. The Vanderway edit from French collective, L'ordre, was constructed from the 30 second teaser and released before the actual song ever hit the airwaves. I'll leave the debate of whether it's a true remix or edit to the important people. Two million plays later, it's obviously a hit.


6. Justin Timberlake - Suit & Tie (Dillon Francis Remix) [Free Download]
It took Justin Timberlake seven years to release a new album and instantly on the strength of Suit & Tie, it was like he never left. I'm not sure if 2 albums were really necessary, but that's for another time. Right now let's just enjoy this remix from Dillon Francis and the filthy things he does with the vocals.


5. RAC - Let Go (Sir Sly Remix)
Speaking of vocals, Sir Sly is a genius for turning this song into a pleading, soulful remix. It's a perfect example of what can happen when you just slow down and turn that little knob on the pitch control.


4. Major Lazer - Jah No Partial (Heroes x Villains Remix)
Pretty much any Major Lazer song will get the party started, and a quick glance at their Soundcloud account would show you there is no shortage of remixes. But Heroes x Villains remix of Jah No Partial is, as the kids say, BANANAS.


3. Depeche Mode - Soothe My Soul (Destructo Remix)
Leave it Depeche Mode to release a single in 3 separate formats. People still buy maxi-singles? The legions of faithful DM fans do and I'm sure a few of them even managed to find this limited, vinyl only cut. Destructo manages to take the boys deeper and darker than they've been in years.


2. Dan Croll - In/Out (William Carl Jr. Remix)
If you're asking: "Who's Dan Croll?" My hope is that by this time next year, I won't have to answer. Everything this guy puts out is gold, and this remix by William Carl Jr. is just the icing on the cake. A perfect summer song, which of course he followed up with a perfect winter song; his latest single, Home.


1. Rihanna - Stay (Branchez Remix) [Free Download]
Full disclosure; I am not a Rihanna fan. I don't own any of her albums, I couldn't even tell you more than 3 songs she sings. But this remix is undeniably good. Like, "stop what you're doing, who is this and why is it 10 times better than the original" good. Branchez killed this and to be honest; it wasn't even close, this is the #1 track by miles...

Tokyo Police Club - Argentina (Parts I, II, III)

Tokyo Police Club have released a lyric video for their new song, Argentina (Parts I, II, III), the presumed first single off their new album. The album will be there third, and almost four years since 2010's Champ.

Clocking in at almost 9 minutes, it seems the boys from Canada have a lot to say. Other than the length, not much has changed. They still have great melodies, chugging guitars and the knack for finding the perfect spot for synthesizers.

No release date or title yet, but the album is expected in early 2014, on Mom + Pop.

Childish Gambino - 3005 [Video]

Childish Gambino will release his second album, Because The Internet, next week and today he debuted the video for 3005. While the song and entertaining video would be enough to merit a post, it seems he's hell bent on breaking the internet or at least my twitter feed with some very exciting extras to go along with the music.

Last night he tweeted excerpts of a screenplay that should accompany the album. He is also using the site, becausetheinter.net to display visuals with notes of when to play his songs. Then there is the exhibit in conjunction with Rough Trade's new Brooklyn store that will recreate Gambino's bedroom and offer a free in-store performance on Saturday. This doesn't even include his short film, Clapping for the Wrong Reasons, that may or may not be a prelude to the album/screenplay.

Still with me? Whether you choose to completely immerse yourself in every facet or not, the album is very good and currently streaming on iTunes. For now, just watch the video and follow the madness on Twitter...

Band of Horses Announce Acoustic Tour/Album

Band of Horses announced this morning that they will embark on a 13-city "Acoustic Tour", including a stop at the Vic Theatre. Those of you that braved the cold on Black Friday might have seen the limited 7" single, Live at the Ryman, which included two songs: No One's Gonna Love You and A Song for You.

The band recorded both of their April shows at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Ten of those songs will be featured on Acoustic at the Ryman, available February 11th.

For those of you that have never been to the Ryman, please do yourself a favor and get there. Originally the Union Gospel Tabernacle and built in 1892, the venue seats roughly 2200 in very cozy church pews/benches instead of seats.

Give a listen to Neighbor, from the upcoming release and be sure to sign up for Band of Horses mailing list, as an artist presale will begin this Friday.


Tracklist:
1. Marry Song
2. Slow Cruel Hands of Time
3. Detlef Schrempf
4. Everything’s Gonna Be Undone
5. No One’s Gonna Love You
6. Factory
7. Older
8. Wicked Gil
9. The Funeral
10. Neighbor

Kanye West - Bound 2 (Solidisco Remix)

Slowly, but surely, Kanye West is taking over the world. Where do I even begin?!? The bizarre video for Bound 2, featuring his wife - NUDE? This hilarious spoof by James Franco and Seth Rogan? How about him leaving Nike for Adidas? Or maybe his heated exchange with Sway, during a radio interview yesterday where he went on his daily rant?

Lost in all this TMZ fodder, is the fact that Ye still makes great music. Thankfully, Solidisco hasn't forgotten about this as they dropped their remix yesterday with an extra serving of Charlie Wilson. Seriously, people from Buffalo shouldn't be able to bring this much heat... Best of all, the track is a FREE download in exchange for a Twitter follow.


Poster geeks rejoice! The incredible Miles Tsang was asked to create this poster for tonight's Nashville stop. His shop currently has 3 versions for sale and they GLOW IN THE DARK!