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)

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

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

Borderline / The Cops

This is one of those older tracks of 2015, but I still love it and listen to it pretty frequently. As always, Vanic puts an incredible twist on an already good song, which pretty much encompasses not knowing how to feel--something I can fully relate to. This one was definitely one of my 2015 obsessions.

Vanic X Tove Styrke - Borderline

Also loved his spin on K. Flay's track "The Cops." Awesome stuff!

Vanic X K.Flay - The Cops

Golden

This track by Lincoln Jesser has stuck with me for awhile and, as per usual, I have waited a substantial amount of time to post it. Nonetheless, I adore the contagious optimistic vibes of "Golden," which still seems shiny and brand new to me. I love this strange and blended genre of electro/pop/alternative.

Lincoln Jesser - Golden

***Bonus: Another upbeat track, "Tops."


Lincoln Jesser - Tops

Shooting Stars (Cover)

Upon seeing "Shooting Stars" listed as a cover, I was immediately intrigued. For me, the original of this track by Bag Raiders became an instant classic and a staple in my musical repertoire. Honestly, it doesn't seem like Elephante changed the song this much, which is a good thing because it retains its fantastic aura with a little added electro house energy, making it all the more danceable. Thus, I can't complain.

Elephante - Shooting Stars (Bag Raiders Cover)

Vanic Remixes : Hypnotic / Can't Sleep

I first heard of Vanic this summer when I heard his take on machineheart's "Circles," but the remix has since been removed (sad). However, his latest mixes do not disappoint and give songs that were already rad to begin with an added boost of awesome. He combines bass and really synth-y sounds to create his masterpieces. I particularly can't stop listening to his mix of Zella Day's "Hypnotic"-- a title indicative of the sentiments evoked from the track itself. Also, I've loved K.Flay since I I heard her track "2 Weak" (which cleverly samples "Two Weeks" by Grizzly Bear) the summer after finishing high school. Vanic's mix of her "Can't Sleep" is amazing. Get your fix below.

Vanic x Zella Day - Hypnotic

Vanic x K.Flay - Can't Sleep

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)

Need Ya // NINETIESGIRL

I love everything about this song, and yes, that includes the bizarre outro. Kailo's voice is like honey and the repetitive "I need ya's" of the chorus give this song the most positive, feel good vibes you could imagine. Do yourself a favor: listen to it now and be happy.

Kailo - Need Ya Feat. Aela Kae

Bonus: Any song with this title is an instant winner in my book.

Kailo - NINETIESGIRL

Idle Hands

There's nothing that I could relate to more than being demanding AF towards a DJ, which is probably why I love this tune so much. Yeah, it does sound a little tween-ish (okay, a lot, especially the lyrics other than the chorus) but there's just something so undeniably catchy that I keep listening to it again and again. As the song commands... "just play the music motherfucker don't stop..." DUH.

EXGF - Idle Hands

Bad Habit / Around Town / Forgive & Forget

The Kooks, a British boy band that has been around for 10 years (never to be confused with 1D, thank goodness), is back and releasing a new album, Listen (which I'll be sure to do), due out September 5. They have been dropping singles left and right to lead up to it, and thus far, Listen seems like it will be a phenomenal album. My favorites so far are "Bad Habit," "Around Town," and "Forgive & Forget," which all exude a contagious upbeat rhythm alongside a most sultry electric guitar. These tracks convey that this group comes from a multitude of incredible influences as they integrate the classic rock group sound in an astoundingly contemporary way.

The Kooks - Bad Habit

The Kooks - Around Town 

The Kooks - Forgive & Forget

Fancy

Excuse the long hiatus in posting, I was busy belligerently catching plastic beads in New Orleans and have been recovering ever since. Anyways, if you haven't already heard Iggy Azalea's Fancy featuring Charli XCX, she just released the accompanying video, which is fabulous and highly reminiscent of the classic 90's girl movie we all know and love, Clueless. The vibes of the movie perfectly match the modern take on being, ahem, fancy AF. Roll with the homies to this catchy beat:

Iggy Azalea - Fancy feat. Charli XCX

"So, okay, I don't want to be a traitor to my generation and all but I don't get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair (eww!) and cover it up with a backwards cap and like we're expected to swoon? I don't think so."

Thanks, Cher, for reminding me that things are pretty much the same today... That was way harsh.