Heavy Crown (The 1975 Remix)

I was pretty sure nothing could trump one of my favorite tracks from this past spring, "Heavy Crown" by Y.O.U. and I think I was right, because it definitely stuck with me. This remix by The 1975 (I honestly had no idea that they did remixes) is pretty awesome though. They slow it down magnificently and add just the right amount of bass. Check it out:

Y.O.U. - Heavy Crown (The 1975 Remixes)

Colors

Mexico City Blondes is pretty kickass. Although the duo of Allie Thompson and Greg Doscher do not hail from Mexico City but actually Santa Barabara, they are both indeed blonde. I am a huge fan of Allie's smoky and retro sounding voice, which stands out beautifully amongst tons of people who can't actually sing today. My favorite part of the song is when it breaks down around 1:40 as Allie sings "We found a new room with a view..." and then it picks back up again with a newfound energy. I love this track in addition to their debut single, "Fade." I hope to hear more from these golden haired beauties soon.

Mexico City Blondes - Colors

Bones

I absolutely adore this latest track released from Cash + David, the duo of Tim Ross and Liz Lawrence. Before "Bones," I had heard "Pulse" (posted below) and their variability in styles is impressively striking. The smoky voice of Liz Lawrence dominates both tracks, spreading the smoothest butter atop the toast of production. Something about "Bones" reminds me a little bit of the group Electric Youth, but more subdued. I love it and can't wait to hear more from Cash + David.

Cash + David - Bones

Cash + David - Pulse

10,000 Emerald Pools

This song is dope, but I definitely thought it was a girl singing. Upon finding Børns' Instagram, I stand corrected. Still confused, but it won't stop me from liking this happy little track.

Børns - 10,000 Emerald Pools

Outside

I would be a fool to not post this track, which is the latest single from Calvin Harris' upcoming album Motion due out November 4. It was Grimes who once said something like, "If I hate a song the first time I listen to it, I know I'm going to go back to it and love it" (or something along those lines in less than 140 characters)... but that is how I felt about this one. At first I was like, meh, this is repetitive and whatever like it's fine. And then it just kind of hits you like a crazy obsession, and that's putting it lightly since this song has been on repeat for the past two days. Upon peeping at the track list of Motion I see collaborations with the likes of HAIM, Big Sean, Gwen Stefani, and Tinashe. Wtf Calvin this sounds too good to be true. Let's hope it delivers as much as his previous and too-catchy-to-even-vocalize work.

Calvin Harris - Outside (feat. Ellie Goulding) 

Beggin For Thread Remixes

BANKS is pretty much golden these days. Her complete album Goddess, released earlier in September proffers a solidified sense of soul, in a less complain-y way than Lana Del Rey with a more concrete sensuality, but still keeps up the mystique. Of all the tracks, though, "Beggin For Thread" remains my absolute favorite (see original below). It's now one of those tracks that catches several DJs' attentions, for good reason.

Hotel Garuda clearly feels comfortable mixing this genre of music, but among their many Lana remixes, this one stands out as one of their best. Gryffin teams up with them to transform this track into something more upbeat than I could have imagined, but they seem to balance out the minor tones pretty well. See what you think:

BANKS - Beggin For Thread (Gryffin & Hotel Garuda Remix)

This remix by Bag Raiders actually caught me completely off guard in the best way possible. This duo hasn't been releasing much lately and I feel like for them to remix a song as popular as this is kind of a big deal, but whatever. (Side note: I will never be over their out of this world track "Shooting Stars"... I always find myself going back to it.) This remix is an example of their amazing exploration in all things electronic and I hope to hear more remixes from them soon.

BANKS - Beggin For Thread (Bag Raiders Remix)

BANKS - Beggin For Thread

On Trees and Birds and Fire (Sam Feldt & Bloombox Remix)

This song pretty much incorporates every musical element I love into one track. Glockenspiel? Check. Banjo? Got it. Sassy brass? Affirmative. Solid vocals? Yup. And most important, a good beat? Absolutely. Also, I just checked-- I most definitely have had the original of this track for a few years in my library, probably acquired during my most indie of times. Anyways, Sam Feldt and Bloombox bring it back to life, elevating it into that tropical house genre I enjoy so much in an awesome approach to create a well done remix. P.S. How perfect is the autumn inspired album artwork? You know you love it when trees' leaves ditch their chlorophyll..

I Am Oak - On Trees and Birds and Fire (Sam Feldt & Bloombox Remix)

Angry Hill (D.O.C.S. Remix)

Okay so both of these are two artists whom I don't know. George Ezra is an English dude who is apparently pretty big (not sure why I've never heard of him, but whatever) and his deep voice sure is surprising, nonetheless, seriously impressive considering his skinny white boy physique. Here is the original of "Angry Hill" if you want to compare. D.O.C.S. (an acronym of both of their initials) is a pair of German dudes who just seem like they love music and want to have fun with it. I dig that. They bring some nice simple, understated beats to this track and give it a more upbeat feel. Check it out:

George Ezra - Angry Hill (D.O.C.S. Remix)

Diamonds

This is a perfect let you down gently track as you slowly shake out of your weekend trance to realize that tomorrow is Monday. It sucks, right? But whatever don't let it get you down, just keep dancing throughout the week the most that you can! Lane 8 is keeps killing it and I can't wait to hear more tracks from them. Happy but sad, this song should do your Sunday some justice.

Lane 8 - Diamonds ft. Solomon Grey

Some Chords (Dillon Francis Remix)

We haven't heard much from deadmau5 these days, other than his trademark disputes with Disney (these are clearly different species of mice, people) and his stint as an Uber X driver in Toronto in his bomb ass McLaren. I'm a fan of theatrics, and he most certainly has an edge for them. Speaking frankly though, I haven't like much of what he has released since 4 x 4=12 and Random Album Title ("Strobe" is my shit). So I guess his label mau5trap has taken to releasing baller remixes of these tracks from his prime. I'm okay with that. Kudos to you Dillon Francis to making this one dirty and to the designer of this album artwork who must have had some kind of Animorphs inspiration... good stuff.

deadmau5 - Some Chords (Dillon Francis Remix)

Calling Out

Good 80's vibes for life. After recently seeing St. Lucia in concert, this song strikes some similarities between the two groups for me. A bit retro in sound, but both bring in a good funk with an undeniably happy mood, even though most of their tracks are full of despair/angst. I dig that kind of self-antithesis. It's kind of like, yeah, we'll point out all the shit that's going wrong right now, but we've accepted it in a self-defiant way that we can still be happy about the rest of everything in our lives and make good out of the bad. Maybe I'm looking to far into it, but few people like a whiny song full of desperation.. this is the perfect alternative. I've been all over Penguin Prison's shit since I heard "The Worse It Gets" like 4 years ago (obviously the RAC remix of it too) which epitomizes the aforementioned happy/sad self-contradictions.


Penguin Prison - Calling Out

Liquid Spirit (20syl Remix)

If this doesn't compel you to grab a drink tonight and celebrate nothing, I'm not sure what will. As per usual, 20syl works his funky upbeat magic in this latest mix. I wasn't sure what to expect after the release of his amazing EP, Motifs, but this definitely doesn't disappoint. As you know, I've been a fan of 20syl since his first release of his remix of Rihanna's "Stay" and he continues to wow me with his combination of natural good ol' fashioned funk and electronic genius. I also love his use of just the original artists' heads as the album artwork for his remixes. Like, yeah, this is weird, but it's also pretty funny and gives a nod (ha) to the artist as he remixes them. Enjoy your thirsty Thursday peeps.

Gregory Porter - Liquid Spirit (20syl Remix)

Team (Autograf Remix)

Disclaimer/defense of my lack of posts: Honestly, not many songs have been coming out that wield much influence in my day-to-day. So, I'll be posting the few songs from the past month or so that have caught my ear and attention.

At first upon seeing this I was like hmm another Lorde remix? But then asked myself when have I not really like a Lorde remix? Pretty rare, so I gave it a try. This track was love at first listen, as it evokes amazingly upbeat ~tropical~ vibes. Phenomenal job by Autograf, who I hope to hear more of soon!

Lorde - Team (Autograf Remix)

Let's Get It On (Lovra Remix)

Lovra, or self-described model from Berlin (idk I mean her Facebook page only was set up 8 days ago), has put a funky electronic spin on Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." Not that the song needed anything else in its already obvious perfection, but this mix makes for a pleasant listen. Check it:

Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (Lovra Remix)