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!
