Better

I could definitely use something that makes me feel better, and this song might just have to do it! Wingtip, who I imagine is totally crushing the sartorial game based off his name referencing his fancy dancing shoes, lets us let go with his most recent "Better." Look at that embrace in the album artwork, does it get any better than a massive hug? I don't think so. This is just a nice, upbeat boogie jam and I love how easily it gets stuck in my head.

Wingtip - Better

No Woman

You know, you can't always be the first to hear everything and I'm totally okay with that. That's what makes songs and sharing music worthwhile and an awesome experience. That being said, "No Woman" has been out for a few months but, boy, does it make me feel good. I love the slow chords of the chorus with the brass mixed in and the milky vocals are really something special. Whitney's album is due out later this year and I will be waiting patiently.

Whitney - No Woman

What if I go?

Since I was incredibly lazy last year, I never got to post my absolute favorite emerging artist of 2015, Mura Masa. I mean, he's 19. What am I doing with myself again? Seriously, if you haven't heard him already--or even if you already have--just do yourself a favor and check out his EP Someday Somewhere ("When U Need Me" is a personal fave... that harp! The ability to make me feel happy and sad and nostalgic simultaneously!)... just amazing. Anyways, he's back with his second single off his debut album, "What if I go?" that includes amazing vocals by bonzai mixed with his electronic mastery. It's full of happy-go-lucky vibes (dope steel drum instrumentals, btw) and it leaves me wanting the entire album!!

Mura Masa - What if I go?

Run

Absolutely YES for some new Tourist, one of my personal favorites because of his relaxing rhythms and because, let's face it, I'll always be a tourist wherever I go. "Run" is just the perfect blossoming into spring tune-- I think that's just how fast I'd like to get there. I love to follow Tourist's evolution and can't wait to see what's next, but for now, this one is pretty wonderful. Who else could create such an atmosphere based around only one word??

Tourist - Run

Utopia

After a stupid week, this song really has let me to the utopia of days: Friday. And that prism light album artwork! I obsess over prisms of light so, you know, this seemed to come to me just at the right time. I love a good electronic track sans words, because sometimes talk is too much and you just need feels. It's always amazing how sounds can create a poetry of their own. Happy weekend!

Digitalism - Utopia

Pool Party

It's one thing to realize that you're no longer in college, but then you realize one of the worst parts-- no spring break. I can't tell you how many tropical Instagrams I've seen this week that take away just about all the bliss from the fat falling snowflakes outside of my window. Nevertheless, here we've got a little gem that just might transport you (why isn't disapparation a thing yet, J.K. Rowling?) away to the crystal-clear watered destination of your choice. It's not summer, or even spring, but "Pool Party" just makes you want to dive right in. It's smoothly produced; the soft instrumentals (harp, anyone?) and whispery vocals feel like I'm falling asleep in a lounge chair in the sun. Show Clothes tagged this one as #feels and it's no wonder. Ready when you are, sunshine and summer.

Show Clothes - Pool Part ft. Gavriella

Silly Me

Wow, how refreshing it is to hear from Yeasayer again and also to hear a song about admitting that we can all be wrong!!! Silly me, I thought all people would be able to do that. It has been awhile since their wonderful "Ambling Alp" carried me through freshman year, but they sure have a sound that stays with you. I love the unique instrumentals and of course their outstanding vocals, both of which are definitely not lost in their latest release. With such a distinctive style, they stay in your memory and when I saw that they had something new, I was thrilled. This is just one of the singles from their upcoming album Amen & Goodbye coming out April 1.

Yeasayer - Silly Me

Never Be Like You (Disclosure Remix)

Yes, it's possible--good can always get even better. This recent collab between Flume and Disclosure does their previous ones justice. Obviously, the original "Never Be Like You" was more than enjoyable, but who doesn't love a bit of added spice? Disclosure takes things up a notch, giving the track some phenomenal beats and synths, and it just makes me want to dance--in fact, I can't help but do so when listening to this remix. It's fantastic, as is pretty much everything released by these two artists.

Flume - Never Be Like You feat. Kai (Disclosure Remix)

Waves (RAC Mix)

As we know, I have an incredible respect for RAC and his melodious mixes and whenever I see that he has released one of his versions of an already good song, it's wise to prepare for the best. His flair on Miguel's "Waves" capitalizes on every existing strength of the original and delivers an astonishingly contagious beat, with his signature upbeat and bubbly exuberance. I always wonder what he'll do next, but for now this one is more than enough to keep me happy for awhile. Good stuff.

Miguel - Waves (RAC Mix)

Mess Is Mine (Casper Zazz & Droptail Remix)

Well, this is just fun. I saw Vance Joy in concert about a year and a half ago and I must say his voice just exudes such a happy spirit, you can't help but smile when you listen. Now on top of all this goodness comes a pretty spectacular remix by Casper Zazz and Droptail and they totally nail it. I'm really glad they didn't mess with the lovely vocals but the work they did add is quite nice. How about that drop, though? Oh yeah.

Vance Joy - Mess Is Mine (Casper Zazz & Droptail Remix)

In The Morning

Oh, ZHU, love you long time. And I mean, like, since 2012 long time. When I was clearing through my filthy iTunes library on my almost 6 year old computer, I came across some old school ZHU remixes from back in the day. Let's just say he's come far; it's incredibly cool to see how his style has developed and how he's really come into his own. That said, I missed posting his more recent tracks when I was MIA from the blog world, but this one is hot off the hard drive (did I just say that?) and it absolutely slays. It was actually the first thing I listened to this morning and it was just too fitting. I'm still not quite clear on whose voice he uses, but I always love those whispery tones and when it deepens into that ransom caller voice (what? you know what I'm talking about). The way that the piano and guitar instrumentals are integrated into his signature synth style is fantastic. It's definitely a completely different style from the other "In the Morning" I know by Nick Drake, but nothing like a little dirt and grime to kick off the weekend. Going to be listening to this one for a while, duh.

ZHU - In the Mornig

Water Water

Okay, alright, there's nothing like a good 10 minute long jam sesh of a song to reign in the weekend feels and remind you how much you love life. Those beats!!! And the lyrics,"I've been waiting on the summer, I've been waiting for the wintertime to end, I've been waiting for you my friend"--I think we all probably agree with this beautiful truth. I thought I was tired but now I say LFG, thanks to this magic "Water Water." Stay hydrated my friends.

HUMANS - Water Water

Sayonara (Speaker Of The House Remix)

Well this one opens with some spectacular first lyrics, because let's admit it, sometimes we all feel like "fuck the world, I don't care anymore." This is me most days, and then I just do what I want and things (for the most part) end up going okay. Anyways, we recently heard another awesome mix from Speaker Of The House, and it looks like he's on a roll since this one is just as fire. Girly vocals like this could be taken in so many directions and I think he tones them down nicely and did exactly what needed to be done very well. On that note, Sayonara suckerz...

Rebecca & Fiona - Sayonara (Speaker Of The House Remix)

Shaded In (Palastic Remix)

Wow, I absolutely love this upbeat remix by Palastic. Of course, songs by filous are already awesome on their own, but this blend is really quite special. Turn it up and get ready to go!

filous - Shaded In (Palastic Remix)

Heaven (Two Friends Remix)

Two Friends have been releasing some spectacular I'm-going-to-dance-to-this-and-I-don't-care-if-you-don't-like-it remixes. Perfect for that run you aren't at all motivated for or cruising on a sunny and 60's day with the windows open, this one is sure to put a smile on your face and some groove in your step. The build up is just fabulous and then when it drops it might be even better. Enjoy!

Shaun Frank & KSHMR ft. Delaney Jane - Heaven (Two Friends Remix)

Evil Twin

Love at first listen with this one. There's such a great beat throughout the song with the brass synths, and the soft, vulnerable vocals counter the severity of the electronics fantastically. Such a solid track-- enjoy!

Krrum - Evil Twin

Ridin Round

Oh shit. This is real nice. One of those immediate love stories with a song where you know you're going to be obsessed for awhile and may or may not need to learn all the words and it'll probably be something that you will always appreciate. I always have a lot of respect for women who take on the hip hop industry and bring their own flair (can I say swag here?) into the game. Mind you, Kali Uchis is just 22 (my age, shit--what am I doing with my life again?) and she's absolutely slaying. First off all, with a title like "Ridin Round" you just can't go wrong.. then, when you get into the actual lyrics there's some fire in there that I just love... "I know I'm some shit and I'm cool with it" // "Fuck me over, I'll fuck you worse then take off to Japan".. uh, YES. Some people might call these kind of lyrics "aggressive" and I would have to disagree with them by countering that having confidence is just empowering.. try it. So, despite my post yesterday that denounced the original of songs after hearing a dope remix, I knew with this song that I needed to hear the original even though I heard the remix by oshi first. And, not surprisingly, the original was equally as good, just had some slower vibes. Some nice tracks right here.

Kali Uchis - Ridin Round ft. Tory Lanez (oshi redo)

Kali Uchis - Ridin Round

Also, FYI, Kali is a total babe of course:

Gone (Instrum Remix) & More...

Oh, I found this song just in time to avoid responding to a pestilent text from someone who probably doesn't deserve a response.. aka I'm gone, BYE. Anyways Instrum, whose work I really admired this summer but never posted, does a fabulous job with this mix. It has a solid dance-worthy beat and I particularly love when it breaks down around the 2-minute mark. Really nice bass. I'll post my other favorite mixes by Instrum below as a lil' bonus!

Monogem - Gone (INSTRUM Remix)

***Bonus tracks***

You're a straight up liar if you tell me you don't like "Trap Queen" or any version of it, and in my opinion, this version takes the cake. Still not over this one, let's gooooo

Two Friends & INSTRUM - Trap King (Fetty Wap Ft. Adriana Gomez Cover)

Honestly I'm not sure if you're ready for this mix. It's so fire you just might get burned. Anyone who turns Whitney Houston tunes into something like this is a genius. This was a personal favorite of mine last summer.

Whitney Houston - Dance With Somebody (INSTRUM Remix)

Never Be Like You feat. Kai

Oh baby. It's been awhile since we've heard any original material from Flume but this surely meets expectations. The pairing with the Canadian singer Kai--who has also collaborated with the likes of Diplo, Skrillex, and Childish Gambino--is a smart one. Her sweetly flowing voice contrasts perfectly with the beats and bass that Flume has laid down on this one, which never cease to amaze. I'll be listening to this one for a long time to come... so good.

Flume - Never Be Like You feat. Kai

Secrets & Lies

I love when you realize how obsessed you are with a song and that you can listen to it over and over again without it losing its impact. This one is just that, even though it clocks in at about 10 minutes long. Fort Romeau, aka Robert Johnson, recently released his EP titled Secrets and Lies, the eponym (had to look up that word) for one of its tracks that is truly mesmerizing. Ten minutes allows for quite the development of beats, and that they do--involving a wide range of mostly 80s synth, the song immediately took me back to some of my favorite old movies and Miami Vice episodes. Then the voice of Baby from Dirty Dancing from the speech to her dad comes in and it only gets better from there. A good reminder that if someone loves you, they should love all the things about you. Check it out for yourself:

Fort Romeau - Secrets & Lies

Baby's monologue.. love it.