Sounds of 2011 features many of the top songs and artists we’ve written about this year. We can never fit in all the ones we would have liked to, but Crimson and I took on the daunting task of summarizing a year of exceptional music and discovery. Keep yapping at us on Facebook and Twitter if you like what you hear.



Alexander O’Neal Interview
Joe Goddard feat. Valentina – Gabriel
2562 – Winamp Melodrama
Zomby – Natalia’s Song
LOL Boys – Touch Them
Siriusmo – Lass Den Vogel Frei
Young Montana feat. Stainless Steel – Suchbeats
Bullion – Too Right
Letherette – In July Focus
Lone – Orange Tree
Nicolas Jaar – Almost Fell
Five Star Interview
Mount Kimbie – Carbonated
Oriol – Flux
Azealia Banks – 212
Change – You’re My Number One
Prince - Erotic City
Pebbles – Girlfriend
Letherette – Langsette
Ian Pooley – Bony Batucada
Jensen Sportag – Mapquest
Siriusmo – Cuba
ZZT – Lower State of Consciousness (Justice Remix)
Siriusmo – Synthie
Chromeo – Ah Oui Comme Ca
Instant Funk – Slap Slap Lickedy Lap
Carrie Lucas – Show Me Where You’re Coming From
Letherette – No Point
Alan Braxe & Fred Falke – Intro
Detroit Grand Pubahs – Sandwiches
Daft Punk – Technologic
Shalamar – Make That Move
Tepr – Too Too Too
Jamie XX – Far Nearer
Seams – Focus Energy
Gentle Giant – I Lost My Head

Oh hey y’all, word on the streets is that Chromeo‘s headed out on tour again. Are you excited, because you should be. After catching about half their set at this past Virgin Fest, I’m confident in saying that it was my favorite performance of that dusty day. They’re playing two consecutive nights in DC, February 5th & 6th (hells yeah), and the rest of their tour dates can be found here. Bonus: this dope Duck Sauce remix of “Hot Mess”.

Chromeo – “Hot Mess” (Duck Sauce Remix) by greenlabelsound

Chromeo – Don’t Turn The Lights On (Aeroplane Remix)

Aeroplane Late July Mix by Aeroplane (Official)

I just received notice of the new single from the upcoming Chromeo album, Business Casual. Ever since watching this video at Daryl Hall’s house, the influence of Hall & Oates on their music has become ever clearer. With the release of “Don’t Turn The Lights On”, it feels as if their sound is being pulled further back in time, which I am obviously in support of. At the same time, I feel that this track is ripe for the remixing, and I can’t wait to see what people do with it. They’re on tour this summer supported by several acts, including Neon Indian, so it’s bound to be a good time.

So it’s that time of year again, the time for the “best of” lists that seem to crop up everywhere. While I find the idea of a list of the best albums of a year overwhelming (let alone of a DECADE, not even gonna touch that one), I know that I will be able to handle it. However, for now I’m easing into it with a more specific category, my favorite remixes released this year. 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 tried to choose five, but had to bump the number up to ten, because there was too much greatness to go around. I’ve also chosen to list these by remixer, not original artist. So let’s get to it.

1. Faux Pas [Paul Dempsey - Ramona Was a Waitress]

Faux Pas has never let me down. This song is number one not only because it is catchy, danceable, and has an amazing instrumental interlude, but because of how far it has come from the original version. He has transformed a song I would have never otherwise listened to, into one that I can’t get out of my head. Pure Genius.

Paul Dempsey – Ramona Was A Waitress (Faux Pas Remix)

2. Chico Love [Phoenix - Lisztomania]

I was already obsessed with Phoenix as well as this track, when I came across this remix by Chico Love. It is eight minutes long and worth every second. The vocals are slowed down dramatically, and every syllable becomes all the more significant. This track becomes almost a ballad, and even though you’ve likely had Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix on constant rotation for months now, there is something new to be discovered here.

Phoenix – Lisztomania (Chico Love Remix)

3. Bibio [Wax Stag - Folk Rock]

This remix was the second date in what was to become my full-blown love affair with Bibio. This track was one that would come up randomly every so often in my iTunes, and I was blown away each time. It is perfectly crafted and just plain irresistible. It is Bibio through and through, and my favorite time to listen to it is when on a train, it makes your journey seem all the more magical.

Wax Stag – Folk Rock (Bibio Remix)

4. Treasure Fingers [Little Boots - Meddle]

I was already quite enamored with Treasure Fingers when I first heard this remix, which also served as my first introduction to Little Boots. The internet was all abuzz about her, and I decided to check out the rest of her stuff. Well, I was hugely let down by its mediocrity, which only further confirmed the genius of Treasure Fingers. This will get you dancing whether you like it or not.

Little Boots – Meddle (Treasure Fingers Remix)

5. Peter Bjorn & John [Miike Snow - Animal]

This song by Miike Snow was already pretty catchy, but Peter Bjorn & John took it to the next level. I like this version more than the original now, everything these guys touch becomes gold. Check it.

Miike Snow – Animal (Peter Bjorn and John Remix)

6. Memory Tapes [Fool's Gold - Nadine]

This track is especially dreamlike, and lured me in with it’s intro of “don’t bare your soul to me”. Memory Tapes is one of my all time favorites, and has clearly done justice to this song, bringing their two styles together impeccably. The refrain of “Nadine” near the end is so amazing.

Fool’s Gold – Nadine (Memory Tapes Remix)

7. Washed Out [Small Black - Despicable Dogs]

I love everything that Washed Out creates separately, with all the hazy fuzz permeating throughout. Similar in style to Small Black, but more electronic than rock. He brings the perfect amount of his own aesthetic to their sound.

Small Black – Despicable Dogs (Washed Out Remix)

8. Siriusmo [Chromeo - Night by Night]

Chromeo‘s track “Night by Night” is brilliant enough as is, but Siriusmo has infused it with his own brand of quirkiness. It starts out like a pretty basic remix, then transitions into a pretty gnarly interlude that works perfectly, and almost makes you forget what you’re listening to.

Chromeo – Night by Night (Suriusmo Remix)

9. Blueshift [Bat for Lashes - Daniel]

I really don’t know much about Blueshift except that when I was obsessed with this Bat For Lashes track, he was the only one to create a remix that I thought was worthy of the original (and that I longed for).

Bat For Lashes – Daniel (Blueshift Bootleg Vocal)

10. Delorean [Lemonade - Big Weekend]

I have to admit, I’m really not the hugest fan of Delorean (although their name is awesome) or Lemonade, but somehow when they get all mixed up together, voila! Perfection. This track is great, despite my prejudices. To quote the song “the future of sound came to him in a dream”, brilliance.

Lemonade – Big Weekend (Delorean remix)

All right guys, that’s it. I’m sure I’m probably missing some great remix out there in the world, but this is the best of what I’ve heard. Let me know what you think!

Siriusmo – High Together

Siriusmo – Nights Off

Chromeo – Night by Night (Siriusmo Remix)

Treasure Fingers was a huge part of winter 2009 for me, thanks to his fantastic remixing skills. The mark of any good remix for me, is that it becomes a different song in its own right. Treasure Fingers provides that satisfaction for me, pushing tracks to that next level of danceability. All of these thoughts about Treasure Fingers were sparked by a fabulous Little Boots remix that I heard recently.

Little Boots – Meddle (Treasure Fingers Remix)
Chromeo – 100 percent (treasure fingers remix)
Treasure Fingers – Cross The Dancefloor (Designer Drugs Remix)