Joy to the world!...

"Christmas is the disneyfication of Christianity..."  -- Don Cupitt

And, in respect of this 'glass half empty' take on Christmas I give to you the 'Best Christmas Song'... EVER!

Blink 182 - Happy Holidays, You Bastard

But seriously, Merry Christmas to you all! Have an amazing party season... party hard, have fun, be safe, and don't get too caught up in this consumerism bullshit... even though we all inevitably will / already have. 

I'll be back in the new year with more treats than a lolly scramble at the Santa Parade! 

Vampire Weekend - White Sky

Arrrrrrgggghhhhhh! Yet another new song from Vampire Weekend off their forthcoming album 'Contra'. It is my favourite yet... so dainty and fun. This is exactly what every summer day needs.

Vampire Weekend - White Sky

'Contra' is out January 12.

Soulwax - Most Of The Other Remixes

This is way way way behind the times... I knew Soulwax had surplus 'unreleased' remixes from their first remixes album in 2007 that had made their way onto the net. But, never realised they had in fact officially released a second collection of remixes aptly titled 'Most Of The Other Remixes...'

Pretty much everything Soulwax does excites me, and this is no exception. They are one of the most innovative forces in electronic music in the world today and consistently release nothing but quality. Check out this inside scoop from the BBC to get a deeper appreciation for the art of Soulwax... especially if you're an analog gear noob - their studio in Ghent will get you off!

Soulwax Interview On BBC's The Culture Show

'Most Of The Other Remixes...' is a brave feat with remixes of some musics true classics including The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Prince. They also dismantle The Chemical Brothers 90's hit 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl' and reconstruct it as an angry robot intent on destroying humanity and dance floors alike.

The Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy, Hey Girl (Soulwax Remix) (Download)

The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want (Soulwax Remix) (Download)

Get this on iTunes or Beatport, or wherever else you get music these days... I can't wait to see these guys at Rhythm & Vines '09!

Remix Your Summer...

I've got so much new music that if remixes = water, and my itunes = a single molecular cell, that cell would be considered biologically 'turgid' by a process called 'osmosis' (?). Anyway, I've decided to share some of the best remixes I've discovered over the last little while that (I think) would be particularly suited for the up-coming summer party season. 

Miami Horror - Make You Mine (Cassian Remix) (Download)

Friendly Fires - On Board (Joakim Remix) (Download)

Chromeo - Night By Night (Siriusmo Remix) (Download)

...this would be the sexiest end to a DJ set. 

The Virgins - Rich Girls (Le Castle Vania's Spring Break No Parents Remix) (Download)

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp (Memory Tapes Remix) (Download)

MSTRKRFT - Heartbreaker (Laidback Luke Remix) (Download)

For those of us sick of hearing the Wolfgang Gartner version... 

Phoenix - Lisztomania (Classixx Remix) (Download)

The best, most chilled out, summer remix of '09. 

Party hard! Enjoy the summer... Hopefully a little more so with these tasty tunes :) 

Delphic

I am genuinely miffed that Delphic succeeded in slipping under my radar for the best part of this year. These guys are something special, and although I don't want to jump to any brash conclusions, they may just rank as one of my favourite bands of 2009...

Delphic on all accounts appear to be a 3-piece that perform live as a 4-piece. They produce a dreamscape of electro/indie with delicately layered guitar parts (my favourite!), airy synthesizers, and disco beats. Their first single, 'Counterpoint', was released in April this year, followed by 'This Momentary' in August (which was released by scene trend-setter Kitsune) in August, and is probably my favourite song by them.. so far. 

Delphic - This Momentary

Their debut album 'Acolyte' is being released on the 11th of January (sooooo many good albums are coming out in January!). I personally cannot wait to hear what else these guys have up their sleeves. They've got to be one of the most underrated bands of 2009... However, I have an inkling this all may change come 2010. 

Delphic - Doubt (Live On Later Live... With Jools Holland

They're currently giving away four free tracks on their myspace - they're free, go get 'em! Grab the album in January, tell all your friends... actually don't tell all your friends that way you can be cooler than your friends by being a 'Delphic fan since aaaggeees ago' by the time everyone else catches on. Whatever you do, don't let these guys slip under your radar any longer... 

Delphic - This Momentary (Algeronics Remix) - DOWNLOAD

Yeasayer - Odd Blood Leak

It's unfortunate, but Yeasayer's 'Odd Blood', which was scheduled for a February 9 release, has been leaked. On their facebook the band posted a passive-aggressive "Presents are always spoiled for those who open them before they are supposed to". But really, presents are good any time and all the time. It's disappointing for the band to have something they've worked so hard for over the last year to be handed this kind of fate, but can they really expect fans to resist indulging for two months until the official release... I think not. 

I am in no way encouraging piracy, and if you can wait... then wait. 

Here's a little something that may just appease your Yeasayer appetite for the time being... 'Odd Blood' is getting more magical by the day. How psychedelic is that album artwork! 

Yeasayer - Madder Red

2009... The Best Of - Part II

I have no idea how many 'parts' will be required for this 'Best Of' collection... 2009 has been such a fruitful year, let's just see how we go. 

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition 

The Temper Trap seemed to appear from nowhere. The theme song for '500 Days Of Summer', and one of the biggest tracks from down under this year.

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks

Great band, great album, great song... very weird video.

Boys Noize - Jeffer

Boys Noize dominated electro in 2009 and this is one of the hottest tracks from his sophomore album 'Power!'

Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling

No one can deny the pop-takeover by Black Eyed Peas this year... As much as this song has been thrashed to death it was 'the' hottest track of 2009... bit of a shame really.

Peter, Bjorn & John - Lay It Down

I love the overly happy sound of this song despite it's underlying badass attitude, such a fun video too. Many memories of my old workplace associated with this track.

Djedjotronic - Gum Attack

Djedjotronic, One of the Boys Noize Records proteges, dropped this monster of a track early in the year and is still one of my favourite electro releases of 2009.

Weezer - Can't Stop Partying 

The ultimate f-u to everything pop has ironically become Weezer's greatest 'pop' hit... go figure. This live video features Chamillionaire taking the reigns on the second verse. 

Phoenix - 1901

Potentially my favourite song of 2009. This live performance on Letterman sounds so good and is a lot more exciting than the music video they released for this track.

Matt & Kim - Daylight 

Best morning wake up song of 2009 by the happiest indie-pop duo in history?... I think so. 

Michael Jackson - This Is It

The King of Pop's final offering... R.I.P. 

There will definitely be a 'Part III'... Check out 'Part I' here.

I Can Talk - Remixes

I was genuinely (and pleasantly) surprised to find a fresh remix of Two Door Cinema Club's 'I Can Talk' in my inbox this morning (I posted on these guys a while ago here).

The mix is by Moulinex, a producer from Munich, Germany who has remixed the likes of Sebastien Tellier and Cut Copy. His makeover of 'I Can Talk' starts off pretty run of the mill, with the dirty bass line driving the song forward. However, once it hits the 3:00 mark things improve drastically. It features on the Kitsune Maison Compilation 8, which basically means this track is 'hot', and if you want to be 'in' you need this in your iTunes... Check it out.

Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk (Moulinex Remix) (Download)

And, here's another remix by Crystal Fighters.

Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk (Crystal Fighters Remix) (Download)

Yeasayer - Love Me Girl

If I'm being completely honest, it's Saturday night / Sunday morning and I'm completely jaded... I've just got home from a night on the town in my city of birth, Wanganui, New Zealand. I was threatened by oversized brutes (but saved by karate cousins), and had the worst clubbing experience of my life. But, I'm glad to have made it out alive and to have new music to soothe me into the security of sleep... 

Yeasayer have released (perhaps unintentionally?) the second track from their forthcoming album into the blogosphere. The track is called 'Love Me Girl'... It's freakin' rad... it's dancey and experimental, and the vocal melody is surprisingly pop slightly reminiscent of the late MJ. It's everything you could wish for in this moment of pergatory between sobriety and intoxication...

Yeasayer - Love Me Girl (Download)

'Odd Blood' is shaping up to be one of my most anticipated releases of 2010.

Best enjoyed in a similar state... or whatever... Just enjoy it. 

2009... The Best Of - Part I

Yes, yes, I know, everyone's doing it and if you must know why... It's simply because we music lovers get a kick out of browsing through our iTunes library, compiling the best tracks of the past 365 days into a list, and then subjecting them to American Idol-esque scrutiny until we well and truly separate the wheat from the chaff. We get off on it... it makes us feel warm inside. It's nostalgic in the most self indulgent sense of the word, and it's therapy for our souls. There... now you know. 

Two thousand and nine has been an excellent year for music. The collapse of the music industry has seen bands and artists that wouldn't normally be given a chance, rise to fame through blogs, internet radio, and relentless self-promotion. This 'Best Of...' is a list of my favourite songs of 2009, as well as songs that were remarkably successful regardless of whether I personally like them or not

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero

New album, 'It's Blitz', and a new direction for indie-rock veterans Yeah Yeah Yeahs saw them infiltrate the mainstream like never before. 

MSTRKRFT - Bounce feat. N.O.R.E

All I do is party! Ha-ha-ha-ha... MSTRKRFT dominated the party scene with this anthemic banger. 

Eminem - We Made You

Eminem had one of the most under-rated albums of 2009. In an age of electro-fied rap/hip-hop he took it back to the roots with one of his most brutal offerings to date. 

Passion Pit - Little Secrets 

One of the most talked about bands of 2009... One of the best songs from their debut album 'Manners'. 

Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers feat. Armand Van Helden

Arguably 'the' biggest dance track of 2009. It dominated the mainstream but had the Armand Van Helden 'cred'. 

Tiga - Shoes

Quirky, sexy dance track from underground electro king Tiga. Such a creepy video...

Miike Snow - Animal

I've been extremely skeptical of Swedish music ever since Abba tarnished it forever and ever, but Miike Snow were definitely one of my favourite bands of 2009. 

Brand New - Daisy

One of my favourite bands of all time released yet another emotionally charged, musically dynamic album.

Phoenix - Lisztomania 

Another of 2009's most talked about bands, and this has to be one of the hottest tracks of their album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. 

Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone

The golden boy of electro pop completely dominated the UK and Europe this year. This live clip of 'I'm Not Alone' is rediculously epic! 

That's it for 'Part I'... More to come! 

Crookers, Soulwax & Mixhell - We Love Animals

Crookers have teamed up with one of my favourite production teams Soulwax and Mixhell for their latest release 'We Love Animals', the first track from their forthcoming debut album 'Tons Of Friends'.

Crookers ft. Soulwax & Mixhell - We Love Animals (Download)

'We Love Animals' is everything you'd expect from a collaboration of this calibre - pure genius. If this track is anything to go by my expectations for 'Tons Of Friends' just quadrupled.

The Bloody Beetroots - Christmas Vendetta... Spares of Romborama

The Bloody Beetroots are back again with a new release just in time for Christmas... and just because they can. They recently released a preview of 'Warp 1977', an edit of their acclaimed 'Warp 1.9', and have now decided to cash in on it by releasing a whole new EP. Most producers would share an edit for free... but when you're the most hyped DJ duo in the world, I guess you can do whatever the hell you want.

I personally thought the twenty tracks on their debut album Romborama was too much, so I don't have high expectations for these so called 'spares'. Although, I must admit, 'Warp 1977' is one hell of a bone cruncher... Here's the track listing.

1. Warp 1977 ft. Steve Aoki & Bobermann

2. Talkin' In My Sleep (Bloody Beetroots Remix)

3. All Leather - Mystery Meat (Bloody Beetroots Remix)

4. Romborama Music Video

The Bloody Beetroots - Romborama (Music Video)

The Twelves

The Twelves, from Rio De Janeiro Brazil, are a blog success story. They released their remix of MIA's 'Boys' in July 2007, and it became one of the most talked about tracks within the online electro community, ultimately resulting in being played and plugged by some of the industry's best - most notably Kissy Sell Out who included the track on their BBC's 'In New DJ's We Trust' series. 

They have continued to churn out remixes for the likes of Radiohead, La Roux, Fever Ray, The Black Kids and Groove Armada, and have also released a couple of original tooons in the mix.  

The Twelves - Works For Me (Bicardi B-Live Video)

What sets The Twelves apart from the masses is that, although they are considered a 'DJ Duo', they remix and improvise their tracks on the fly using a bunch of synthesizers, samplers, loop-machines, triggers and a trusty macbook. It adds an essence of spontaneity to their live show, and showcases true musicianship - something many commoners are skeptical of when it comes to DJ/producers. 

The Twelves - When You Talk (Bicardi B-Live Video)

The Twelves are rapidly rising stars in the dance music underworld. Their debut EP is expected for an early 2010 release and is already receiving hype on some of the leading electro blogs. The Twelves are a testament to the increasing influence of the 'blog' in this evolution of the music industry. But, these guys deserve all the credit they get... their songs are sex on fire. 

Fever Ray - Seven (The Twelves Remix) (Download)

La Roux - In For The Kill (The Twelves Remix) (Download)

'

Van She - (Don't Fear) The Reaper

Van She are one of my favourite Australian bands. I was lucky enough to see them live (albeit a Van She Technologic DJ Set) at Ink & Coherent earlier this year, it was a good night. My friend Tony would be able to tell you allllll about it... Oh no, wait... He wouldn't.

Anyway, back to the point. Van She (the band) were recently commissioned by Bacardi to record a cover of the 1976 Blue Oyster Cult classic 'Don't Fear The Reaper' (you know this song, even if you think you don't. I think that's what 'classic' means). 

Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper (Live)

 

Van She have taken the original for a swim, purposefully drowned it, dragged it back to shore, performed elaborate (verging on indecent assault) C.P.R, and revived the 70's hit kicking and screaming for 2009. It is one of the most impressive covers I have ever heard. Van She have successfully taken a classic rock & roll song, dropped the tempo, sexed it up and created an airy electro reinterpretation staying true to their own sound. 

Van She - (Don't Fear) The Reaper

Van She - (Don't Fear) The Reaper - DOWNLOAD

Leno Lovecraft - Alien Sex Juice

I wish I could say I was the first to post on the mystery New Zealand electro producer Leno Lovecraft, but sadly I am not. I can say however, that I do in fact know the secret identity of this space explorer, but n - o spells no I shall not be disclosing such confidential information... If I did I would most likely be abducted, probed in sacred places, and covered in Alien Sex Juice until I die a slow and painful death by over-exposure to extra-terrestrial reproductive fluids... and you wouldn't wish that upon anyone, would you?

Leno Lovecraft is the pseudonym of an unnamed eighteen year old New Zealand producer who is drawing attention from some of the biggest names in the business - including Erol Alkan (worked with some little known artists such as Daft Punk, Justice & Boys Noize, and has produced albums for Mystery Jets and Late Of The Pier) and Thomas Von Party of 'Turbo Recordings'.

Lovecraft has launched himself (:O it's a he?) into the blogosphere with 'Space Fighter', an absolute monster of a track that literally cannot be 'pigeon holed'. It is dreamy, yet heavy and frantic with plenty of groove to keep the dance floor jiving. 'Space Fighter' is ambitious at just over 7 minutes, but not one second is there without purpose, and there is no 'window of opportunity' for the listener to disengage.

The single was accompanied by whispers of an up-coming 'Alien Sex Juice EP', which is expected for an early 2010 release, and a delicious December Mix Tape showcasing Lovecraft's impeccable taste in music.

Leno Lovecraft - December Mix Tape

Leno Lovecraft is a promising producer and is creating some of the most innovative electro I have heard in a long time. Young, composed, and full of talent, this whizz kid is set and ready for take off.

myspace

facebook

Leno Lovecraft - Space Fighter (Download)

Steve Aoki Takes On Hip-Hop

Steve Aoki, the founder of Dim Mak Records, and all-round music industry GC has just released two new remixes by two of hip-hop's rising stars - Kid Cudi - Pursuit Of Happiness, and Drake - Forever. I think he's done a commendable job of retaining the standout aspects of the original tracks and then completely reinventing them for the dance floor. Check it...

Kid Cudi feat. MGMT & Ratatat - The Pursuit Of Happiness (Steve Aoki remix)

Drake - Forever feat. Kanye West, Lil' Wayne & Eminem - Forever (Steve Aoki Remix)

Also, check out the remix Travis Barker whipped up for this track - he's embellished the original with his trademark distorted guitar and ballsy beats squeezing out every little drop of attitude and aggression.

Drake - Forever (Travis Barker Remix)

There's no download link for the Kid Cudi track, it seems as though labels are are being extra stingy with this one. It's easy enough to find a low bit-rate mp3 by doing a quick 'google' search though.

Drake - Forever feat. Kanye West, Lil' Wayne & Eminem - Forever (Steve Aoki Remix)


Drake - Forever feat. Kanye West, Lil' Wayne & Eminem - Forever (Travis Barker Remix)

Fear Of Tigers - Cossus Snufsigalonica

I've been sitting on this one for a week or so... I wasn't entirely convinced to start with. But, this is a grower, so let it simmer for a while before you jump to any conclusions.

Fear Of Tigers is the alter-ego of Japanese / British producer Benjamin Barry. He creates a brand of dream-wave disco pop with ethereal soundscapes and house danceability. It's borderline cheesy in an 80's-movie-background-music kind of way, but retro is cool and disco is back!

Fear Of Tigers - Friday Night At Geek Club

What initially drew my attention to Fear Of Tigers is that he was giving away his debut album 'Cossus Snufsigalonica' for free. I always admire an artist who, despite producing 'should be signed to a major record label' quality music, are not too caught up in 'making it' to risk this kind of counter-logical investment. 

Fear Of Tigers - The Adventures Of Pippi Longstrump

 

If you like what you hear then download the entire album, 'Cossus Snufsigalonica' (geez, that's a mouthful), by following the link below. And yes, it's even in 320kbps quality for all of us bit-rate noobs out there :)

The Fear Of Tigers - Cossus Snufsigalonica - ALBUM DOWNLOAD

The Bloody Beetroots - Warp 1977

The Bloody Beetroots completely ripped it to shreds when they released the original 'Warp 1.9'. It became an international rave anthem, with packed out clubs and festivals across the world screaming the "1, 2, woop, woop!" vocal. They've just released a reinterpretation of the original - 'Warp 1977'. If you thought Warp had done its dash, you thought wrong. '1977' is even more of an ear-drum bursting head-slammer than '1.9' and further cements The Bloody Beetroots as one of the biggest, baddest DJ duos in the world today.

The Bloody Beetroots - Warp 1977 (Live @ I Love Techno 2009)

You can download a clean copy here, but if you're after 320 quality (like I am) you're gonna have to hold out a little longer, or go buy it on iTunes or Beatport.

The Bloody Beetroots - Warp 1977 feat. Steve Aoki - DOWNLOAD

AC Slater - Tough As Sh*t

I don't know what came first... shitty rave music, or the drugs? - AC Slater, Play The Record Again

AC Slater is named after a character from the 90's high school comedy 'Saved By The Bell', an unexpected pseudonym for a producer renowned for his hard-hitting bass line brutality - he's anything but a preppy pretty boy.

AC Slater has been on the scene since 2001. He emerged from the UK-inspired 'rave scene', was one of the biggest American hardcore and freeform DJ's, and fronted his own record label 'Pitched Up Records'. He got bored and bailed on his original direction to pursue what he calls "rave meets house meets hip-hop". Check out the interview below for more of the low-down. 

Scion Radio Interview - AC Slater

Slater only came on my radar earlier this year following the release of his aptly-titled 'Banger', and has consistently continued to impress me with his brand of 'tough-as-sh*t' electro-rave-house, or whatever you want to call it. Today, he struck my attention, and my funny bone, with his track 'Play The Record Again' - A track that uses an excerpt from a Henry Rollins monologue, which effectively takes the piss out of electronic music. This bass-line is slammin'!

AC Slater - Play The Record Again

He is most well-known for his club-slammer 'Jack Got Jacked', which was released in September, 2008 and marked his triumphant return to the scene. Even though he never really left, this track cemented his place as one of the most dangerous players in the electro business. It was remixed to death, resurrected on the third day, and still lives as one of the most face-melting tracks of the last few years. This remix by Jack Beats is epic, featuring a little more wobble, and a little more pork sword and beans (... if that is even possible). 

AC Slater - Jack Got Jacked (Jack Beats Remix)

AC Slater will definitely not be liked by everybody... his music reminds me of a bad-ass British gangster from a movie like 'Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels'. It's heavy, it's got attitude, and you feel intimated and uncomfortable when you're in the same room together. However, dropping an AC Slater track at the right time at the right place is going to send any club or party into a mind-numbing frenzy.

AC Slater - Play The Record Again

AC Slater - Jack Got Jacked (Original Mix)