It’s just a day of videos I guess. Rusko’s new single, “Everyday”, got the video treatment, and this is what came out. Bright lights juxtaposed with washed out images of the desolate desert – what does it all mean? I’m in the dark, but it sure as hell looks good. I am always nervous about the sophomore slump, but I’m actually starting to get excited to see what he has up his sleeves. Until then, perhaps it’s time to revisit O.M.G.! and enjoy this interview.

Well, Def Sound has done it (A)Gain (too much?). You guys know I’m always a sucker for a good video, and this one is simple but captivating, and the song is even better. It was also featured on Gilles Peterson’s latest show, in case my word isn’t good enough.

Springtime, I love you, but all this rain is bringing me down. Luckily Nerina Pallot is here to save the day. It’s not the kind of thing I would usually go for, but after 30 seconds I was completely won over. Jazzy pop and synchronized dancing makes for cute, quirky fun. Brighten up your day even if only for a moment.

The tasty bass lines, analogue synths, clean rhythm guitar, and catchy vocal refrains at work in these jams create a warm, satin finish that begs for reinterpretation. Over the last decade, artists like Daft Punk, Justice, and Breakbot have taken some of core fundamentals from these songs and applied them to their own aesthetics to great effect by ditching the cheesy vocals, shortening the vamping, layering heavy synths and drum machines, and utilizing advances in post-production technology. But many of the defining features still shine through. This phenomenon is a great illustration of the beauty of genre hybridization, and it proves that sometimes there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Here are a couple of examples:

High Fashion – Feeling Lucky Lately

Kano – Dance School

The Brothers Johnson – Stomp !

So it’s that time of year again, the season of list-making. I said the same thing last year, but I still feel the same, so I am shamelessly copying and pasting. Though often overdone, and largely mediocre, a good remix can be a powerful thing. It can transform a great song into an even greater one, and a not that great one into an enjoyable listening experience. They allow music to transcend genres, and when done right, create a song that one thinks of as completely separate from the original. I’ve chosen to list these by remixer and not the original artist. Obviously I haven’t listened to everything, but these are the jams that have taken over my year.

10. Fare Soldi [ "Start" - LBCK ]

EDM has the tendency to be repetitive, and can come off as really stale when not done properly. “Start” by LBCK was a track that I wouldn’t expect myself to normally go for, but the minimalist execution was impeccable, and thus was in heavy rotation for me during the springtime. Luckily for me Fare Soldi brought “Start” back on my radar with this remix that is entirely reflective of and independent of the original, an amazing feat.

LBCK – Start (Fare Soldi Alla Frutta Remix)

9. Toro Y Moi [ "At A Glance" - Body Language ]

This was the first Body Language track I ever heard, and it lured me in like no other. This remix by Toro Y Moi is brilliantly subtle and perfectly complements the delicate original.

Body Language – At A Glance (Toro y Moi Remix)

8. Millionyoung [ "To the Lighthouse" - Memoryhouse ]

Spring was filled with dreamy, hazy electro, and for me, this remix is perfectly indicative of that period, and of the season. A little bit melancholy, but with hopeful hints of pop, Millionyoung has completely elevated the Memoryhouse original to such a level that I’m still content to jam to it 11 months after my first listen.

Memoryhouse – To the Lighthouse (MillionYoung Remix)

7. Memory Tapes [ "Real Life" - Tanlines ]

Memory Tapes made my list last year as well, for his remix of a Fool’s Gold track, and here he is again! Tanlines are completely awesome of their own accord, but two musical loves combined can be an even more beautiful thing. This remix is stunning and still hits hard.

Tanlines – Real Life (Memory Tapes Remix)

6. Sub Focus [ "Hold On" - Rusko ]

Rusko‘s debut, O.M.G.! took total dominance over the beginning of my summer this year. It was actually impossible to listen to anything else, and dubstep officially claimed me as a victim. I didn’t think it could get any better, until I heard this Sub Focus remix that goes even harder than the original. Not for the faint of heart, the full experience can only be achieved once you’ve played this as loud as your neighbors will allow. Wobble!

Rusko – Hold On (feat. Amber Coffman) (Sub Focus Remix)

5. Javelin [ "In Heat" - HEALTH ]

I love Javelin like no other, and the nature of their original material almost guarantees that they will be excellent remixers. This remix rocks so hard that the only thing I can manage to say is Javelin + HEALTH = fuck yeah! Inarticulate, but spot on.

Health – In Heat (Javelin Remix)

4. Hey Champ [ "Beaches and Friends" - French Horn Rebellion ]

This is the ultimate summer song, period. The title is “Beaches and Friends”! It doesn’t get any more clear cut than that! I could listen to this song forever and ever, and still be content. In fact, I’m listening to it right now, it’s 28 degrees, and I’m still feeling all the warm beach vibes. Hey Champ took the French Horn Rebellion original and defined my entire summer. This song is perfection.

French Horn Rebellion – Beaches and Friends (Hey Champ Remix)

3. Rusko [ "Soldier On" - The Temper Trap ]

I don’t even like The Temper Trap (except for that one song), and I actually walked out of their DC show, but this Rusko remix is out of control. Out. Of. Control. I’m not actually sure that it’s possible to NOT like this song if you pledge any allegiance to dubstep.

The Temper Trap – Soldier On (Ruskos F’kin Seagull Remix)

2. Penguin Prison [ "Hurtful" - Erik Hassle ]

Frankly the original Erik Hassle track is terrible, but Penguin Prison has revamped it into a deeply soulful masterpiece. It’s remixes like this that truly justify the art form, and show that beauty can be found where you least expect it.

Erik Hassle – Hurtful (Penguin Prison Remix)

1. The Twelves [ "Something Good Can Work" - Two Door Cinema Club ]

The Twelves are master remixers, and this one of a Two Door Cinema Club original is my most listened to remix of the entire year. The catchiness of this track just can’t be denied, go on, try to play it in a room and have your friends not ask you about it. Won’t happen. The original is mediocre, the remix is out of this world.

Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work (The Twelves remix)

That’s it for this year, let me know what you think I missed!

Ever since I heard this track from Korallreven (featuring sultry vocals by Taken By Trees‘ Victoria Bergsman) tucked into their mixtape a few months back, I’d been waiting for the release. Well it’s here and it’s just as I remembered it. The initial hits remind me so much of CFCF, which makes sense as they’re labelmates on Acéphale (who can do no wrong). With a title like “Honey Mine”, you expect something saccharine and smooth, and Korallreven delivers in the best of ways. There are what are sure to be some amazing remixes (from Lissvik & Memoryhouse, among others) on the way too, so be on the lookout.

Korallreven – Honey Mine (ft Victoria Bergsman)

Ever since returning from Electric Zoo a few weeks back, it’s been hard to get electronic dance music off the brain. Luckily I stumbled upon Netsky by chance, and have had this track on repeat for days. It starts out unassuming, gradually builds to a densely layered wall of sound and by the time the vocals kicked in, I was hooked. This track comes from the Belgian producer’s debut album which you can grab from Amazon for just $8.99.
Netsky – Pirate Bay

Teams – We Have A Room With Everything

CVLTS – Red Eye (Teams Rework)