I’ve never been the biggest fan of Scottish band Chvrches’ take on “electro pop” (think Crystal Castles, not Arabian Prince), but I’m a sucker for a big remix. When that remix comes from Viennese LuckyMe representative Cid Rim, I’ll fully embrace those darn Scotts and their stylized letters. The opening two minutes of the remix are nothing to rave about, mostly just melodramatic keys and Chvrches slightly grating vocals, but Cid Rim’s scattered, percussion driven beat comes in after that and is pure magic. Stream below.
Remixes
Lockah Remixes Koloah’s “Titan”
Aberdeen-native Lockah’s music has always had a frantic, throwback element to it, reminiscent of late-rave era (when the drugs were waring off) material in its mood if not the actual sonic elements of his hip hop/electronic productions. It makes all too much sense then that Lockah’s latest rework is a straight ode to frenzied, 160 BPM rave madness. Taking on Ukrainian producer Koloah’s “Titan”, Lockah utilizes a classic vocal snippet, synth stabs and some absolutely oppressive (in the best way possible) sub-bass on “Titan” with drug-induced paranoiac results. Stream below and grab Koloah’s Next Mutations EP here.
Jerome LOL Edits Tank’s “Emergency”
2012 was a landmark year for Jerome Potter of LOL Boys fame and 2013 should see the Los Angeles-based magician further perfecting the sound debuted on the Changes EP and the LOL Boys x FADER Mix. Jerome’s latest act of kindness comes in the form of a remix of Tank’s slow ballad “Emergency”. If you’ve been following Jerome’s progression, the tune will sound pretty familiar as it utilizes the pristine piano/live sounding percussion formula that has become a halmark of the Body High co-boss’ repertoire. Tank’s vocals are reduced to a syrupy drawl and drawn out over a delectable bridge. Stream below and download here.
Velour (Hyetal & Julio Bashmore) Remix BenZel’s “Fallin’ Love”
After returning with the Prince-like “Speedway” last month, Julio Bashmore and Hytal look primed to establish 2013 as the year of Velour. Not only will the duo release “Speedway” (along with b-side “Dial”) in the near future, but they’ve also remixed BenZel’s “Fallin’ Love” to full bedspring squeaking effect. Borrowing a good deal of influence from mid-aughts Ed Banger material, Bashmore and Hyetal utilize stomp boxes, cheesy vintage synths and a “Hyph Mngo”-esque intro for an absolutely massive crossover banger that fits perfectly atop the current trends in UK electronic music. Stream Velour’ “Fallin’ Love” remix below and hit the jump to stream “Dial”.
Mexicans With Guns Remixes Pop Pistol’s “No New Years Knows”
As one of Innovative Leisure’s keystone artists (and occasionally Friends of Friends), Ernest Gonzales aka Mexicans With Guns has been one of the key figures in bringing LA’s blunted beat sounds to the greater United States and has excelled despite his location in the relative badlands of Texas. Unfortunately Gonzales has been quiet over the past 12 months (by his standards at least) so his latest remix of San Antonio band Pop Pistol’s “No New Years Knows” comes as quite a relief. The original’s general mood is kept intact by Gonzales who installs a hip hop tempo and some timely vocal cuts. The remix isn’t groundbreaking or anything, but it’s just nice to get more Mexicans With Guns material. Stream below.
Throwing Snow Remixes Ital Tek’s “The Flood”
I can’t think of a producer that evokes more raw emotion out of bass weight and synth work than London native Ross Tones aka Throwing Snow. December’s Aspera EP was Tones’ best release to date and a clandestine journey through 140 BPM heartbreak. Not one to rest on his loins, Tones recently contributed a remix to Brighton footwork master Ital Tek’s Hyper Real EP and the results are predictably brilliant. “The Flood” is a paranoiac, futuristic jawn punctuated by shuttering high hats and footwork’s traditional rapid-fire elements. Throwing Snow slows the track down and throws it into half-step, giving it a glossier sheen, while retaining the queasy nature of the original. The future is looking real good if it’s sountracked by these two wildly talented producers. Tek’s Hyper Real is out now on Civil Music.
Astronomar Is The Untrapper
According to Sir Issac Newton’s laws of physics, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In the world of overblown dance/rap hybrids, this is especially true. With the whole trap bidness jumping the shark a long time ago, an equal and opposite response appears to be simmering below the surface. The response won’t come in the form of stodgy remarks about the trend’s viability, but in a reversal and re-appropriation of its best elements. Seattle-resident Astronomar has taken the first stab at this task via a series of three “Untrapped” edits. Astronomar takes on track’s by Baauer, UZ and Etc! Etc! & Brillz and removes them from their dubstep approximation roots. UZ’s “V6” is transformed into a piece of rollicking techno while Baauer’s “Harlem Shake” falls into the as-of-yet-to-be-defined category of North American club music championed by Body High. The elements of each track will be familiar to revelers at college parties and rave festivals, but Astronomar adds some much needed flair and innovation to each edit. Stream and download below.
Karenn (Blawan & Pariah) Remixes Kowton’s “TFB”
Are you down with “TFB”? Well you should be. The prevailing trend in techno over the past few months has been to go as big, chunky and dark as possible, but few can pull off the analogue sound quite like Kowton…. Well expect for Karenn, the collaboration between Blawan and Pariah. All three of them on the same cut is kind of like Hannukah come early (l’chaim). For now, we’re stuck with short previews of the original and remix, but there’s something to be said for allowing anticipation to bubble up. These cuts are not for the weak of heart so stay away if you don’t think you can stomach them. Stream Kowton’s “TFB” and Karenn’s remix below.
Monolithium Is Billie Jean
Remixing a classic is always risky business, but when done right, the results can often be spectacular. Astral Plane interviewee Monolithium recently took on Jacko’s megahit “Billie Jean” and essentially abstracted the fuck out of it. The result is a syrupy slow jam worthy of only the dirtiest of dirty late night escapades. Think a zip and a double cup but with more Quincy Jones. The Victoria resident is giving away the retwerk for free.99 so hop on the vibe train below.
TEED aka Young Midas
I had the pleasure of seeing Teed perform his full live set in December at the Fonda Theatre, and it was a mind-bending, immensely pleasurable experience. Orlando’s musical stylings are deeply nuanced, technically perfect and huge, but also accessible as pop songs. This quality shines through on a healthy snippet of a remix of Foals’ “My Number” (available to stream below, the only release info given being “Out Soon x”). I really like talking about songs, but I feel I don’t need to on this joint; its worth is rather self evident. Enjoy, and maybe get up and dance a little 😉









