Stay (ft. Maty Noyes)

Ugh, Kygo just keeps killing it in every good way possible. Honestly, I don't see how someone could not like him or his tunes. He stays true to his work and it continues to be incredibly eloquently produced. Also, the fact that he's incredibly good looking doesn't really hurt either. His latest, "Stay," has some great vocals by Maty Noyes and I always enjoy seeing the track preview by piano via his Instagram (see below). Enjoy and let the good vibes roll.

Kygo - Stay (ft. Maty Noyes)

Stay🎹

A video posted by Kygo (@kygomusic) on Dec 5, 2015 at 11:23am PST

Dear Mama (Boehm Remix)

Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with tropical house + amazing rap tracks, which obviously includes 2pac. This came out awhile ago but I'm just now hearing it and love the carefree vibes it brings with it.

2Pac - Dear Mama (Boehm Remix)

Your Love (Le P Remix)

I definitely don't keep up with Nicole Scherzinger (#tbt to the ridiculous Pussycat Dolls... loosen up my buttons anyone?) but this mix by Le P is cheerful and upbeat in all the right ways. Quite the groove this one is.

Nicole Scherzinger - Your Love (Le P Remix)

Firestone

... no not like the tire company, but more like Kygo has been on fucking fire... musically, and let's be honest, physically because he's smoking. Does it get any better than a gorgeous Norwegian DJ who posts Instagram videos of himself playing piano? Ugh, no, it does not. Looks aside, it is always interesting to hear a DJ's first original mix when they normally stick to remixing tracks. In some cases (ahem....The Chainsmokers, RE: Selfie, Kanye, and Polkadots), I have mixed feelings... but Kygo pretty much kills this first attempt at original material. I was unsure at first about the powerful voice of Conrad (don't know who that is) in this track but, the somberness of it balances well with Kygo's classic (or klassic, idk) upbeat rhythms and synth. Keep it up and stay beautiful, Kygo.

Kygo - Firestone (Ft. Conrad)

September (Cover)

If only it was September again so that this would be more relevant (I look forward to the night of the 21st every year) but this cover is short and sweet and perfect. It's brimming with soul and does not let down its predecessor. Solid production and sound from J Tropic, and I suggest that you check out his other tracks on his soundcloud. ("Solid Gold" is my favorite, I think, and seems to be inspired by Disclosure in every good way).

J Tropic X Alyss - September

Good Life (CD & Miskeyz Remix)

I've been listening to this remix for about a month now and keep finding my way back to it. Kanye clearly was welcoming himself to the good life with no intention of looking back... but like who doesn't miss the old Kanye. This mix of classic pre-Kim Kanye is spectacular and exudes all the perfect vibes. Also side note, who forgot about T-Pain like me? Remember that stupid app that came out to autotune your voice? Did anyone else catch his amazing Tiny Desk Concert at NPR??? Like ok T-Pain, it's pretty reassuring to know you're a real musician. Sorry for rambling, listen to this fuego remix right here.

Kanye West - Good Life (CS & Miskeyz Remix)

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)

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)

Glamorous (Matt DiMona Remix)

As I stuff my face with a Starbucks breakfast sandwich, glamorous is exactly how I'm feeling this bright morning. Regardless, this song definitely does help add somewhat to that aesthetic. Matt DiMona does a glorious job giving this classic sassy Fergie track a tropical and chill facelift. Now, you're probably not the biggest Fergie fanatic, but I ask you: who else can wear an all leopard print outfit and get away with it? I  am a bit bummed that the Ludacris verse is omitted because I definitely spent a good amount of time learning those lyrics via youtube in my early high school years (Plus I gotta keep enough lettuce to support your shoe fetish...). Lovely remix, and I hope to hear more stuff like this soon from Matt.

Fergie - Glamorous (Matt DiMona Remix)

Bad (The Rooftop Boys Remix)

I'm not sure of who The Rooftop Boys are exactly, but I'd love to meet them somewhere atop a building. This is only their second track that they've released (the first was an interesting, almost-there remix of Bound 2, with no rap included). I think they hit the nail on the head here with the sound that they're aiming for: Hawaiian shirt vibes. And there's nothing "bad" about that... Well done and hopefully the next track will be just as good!

David Guetta & Showtek - Bad (The Rooftop Boys Remix)

Le P Remixes

Cool things I did not know: The soulful swede Seinabo Sey is only 23 and based out of Stockholm. She became popular after Kygo's remix of her song "Younger," and Le P brings a similar tropical vibe to her latest single, "Hard Time." I love the contrast in this remix; Le P just somehow finds a way to make it work. He works his idle synth beats again over "Giants" by Bear Hands as well, though it's not as relaxing because the lyrics are kind of shouted, but maybe that's just how I feel... it still works doe.

Seinabo Sey - Hard Time (Le P remix)

Bear Hands - Giants (Le P Remix)

SNBRN

I love hearing more from LA-based tropical house DJ, SNBRN. (That was a lot of all caps in one sentence for me..) Anyways, his latest remixes continue to deliver his signature upbeat vibes and anyone who returns the mack can go far in my book. Also, who couldn't love 50 cent and Nate Dogg's voice an octave lower in his "21 Questions" remix? That question was rhetorical, so it doesn't count.

Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack (SNBRN Remix)

50 Cent - 21 Questions (SNBRN Remix)

Catching Up: Thomas Jack

The leading man of the "tropical house" movement, Thomas Jack, out of Sydney, Australia, is back at it just in time for your perfect end-of-summer jams. Honestly, I don't think I could have imagined "Teenage Crime" outside of its sweaty dance/electro/house genre, but clearly, Thomas Jack has some creativity that comes bursting forth in this mellow remix. Both "Teenage Crime" and "Gold" have awesome synth guitar in their remixes that slow them down just the right amount. Who knew that was possible? Go Thomas Jack, go. Can't wait to hear more.

Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime (Thomas Jack Remix)



Gabriel Rios - Gold (Thomas Jack Remix)

In The Air (SNBRN Remix)

This song is so bright you might just get a snbrn. Ha. I'm a big fan of the dark sounding original version but love this new prolonged and tropical twist. Add some funky piano chords to the mix and I'm in. Enjoy!

Morgan Page - In The Air (SNBRN Remix)

Katching Up With Kygo

As aforementioned, Kygo has an ability to remix songs without taking anything away from them and adding his signature "tropical house" sound to create absolute dreams of tracks. I am hoping to see him in Chicago in October with Thomas Jack, which would just be the epitome of chill as fuck (kind of kidding, but not really..). Anyways, here are some of his latest, as he makes The Weeknd sound even sexier than normal (who knew that was possible) and Coldplay's "Midnight" even more mystic.

The Weeknd - Often (Kygo Remix)



Coldplay - Midnight (Kygo Remix)