Author Archives: Rex Buchanan

[EmoStep] Coldplay – Paradise (System Remix)

Love them or hate them, it is hard to deny the emotional potency of London’s Coldplay. When Chris Martin pours his heart out on stage and his band belts out their epic string and guitar ballads, even the toughest music fan feels their emotions rise to the surface in one way or another, even if they manifest themselves in a distain for Coldplay. Most likely their anger is only masking some other emotional condition buried deep inside. In any case, Coldplay’s songs are the perfect material for making remixes of due to their rich melodic and vocal content. Fellow UK artist System took Coldplay’s latest single “Paradise” in a whole new direction that could possibly win over even the most apprehensive listener. By staying true to the festival ballad feel of the original while adding in some of the nastiest machine-like bass synths in the business this upcoming dubstep producer came up with something simultaneously beautiful and ugly, vulnerable and tough. The perfect emotional dichotomy for listeners out there who haven’t decided if they are sad or angry or whether they love Coldplay or want to destroy them.

Download: Coldplay – Paradise (System Remix)

’Coldplay – Paradise (System Remix)’
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[Remixes] Gotye ft. Kimbra – Somebody That I Used To Know (4FRNT Remix)

Today we bring you some music from down under thats been turned on its head. Melbourne, Australia-based singer Gotye (pronounced Gauthier for some reason) has been steadily rising in the American pop charts thanks to his infectious single “Somebody That I Used To Know” featuring Kimbra. The original track features a gently swinging Brazilian guitar sample and minimalist elements juxtaposed against a passionate vocal anthem lamenting relationships past. This catchy track plants itself squarely inside your brain after only a single listening, pulling you into Gotye’s quirky little world. For a wilder ride check out LA-based newcomer 4FRNT‘s slamming electro remix. 4FRNT gives this track a kick square in its ass by filling in the blanks with glitchy vocal FX, sonic blips, synth builds and womptastic bass elements. This remix definitely provides a tougher way to get back at that ex-girlfriend through song.

Bonus Download: Gotye – Somebody I Used To Know (LAZRtag Bootleg Remix)

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[Remixes] Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso ft. Michael Feiner – Together (Thand Remix)

Like it or not, electronic music has emerged completely from the underground and made its way into the forefront of pop culture. How else could Swedish House Mafia sell out the legendary Madison Square Garden Amphitheater last year? How else could Skrillex become a featured performer at the Grammys this year? Yes, electronic music is here to stay and it has earned its place in the pop pantheon just as hip hop and rock & roll have done over the years. Perhaps the most popular style of electronic music is the traditional house banger. See today’s post for a relatively unique example. Sweden’s Thand took fellow Swedes Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso‘s progressive ballad and pushed it even further into quintessential electro house territory. Nothing particularly new here, but this feel good track might please the millions of listeners out there who are glad house music is here to stay.

Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso ft. Michael Feiner – Together (Thand Remix)

’Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso ft. Michael Feiner – Together (Thand Remix)’
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[Retro Remix] Bloodhound Gang – The Bad Touch (Gigi Barocco Remix)

Oh man, the 90’s was an an odd decade indeed. Filled with big hair and teenage angst, they were a time in history when pop culture seemed to be taking a cat nap. Although there were a few great bands above the radar (Nirvana comes to mind) and the underground electronic movement was beginning to take shape, most popular music of the time seemed to utterly lack substance. I suppose the same can be said for today, but back then pop music was less sexy and more cheesy in nature. It takes a brave remixer to take on material from that time, and I give Milan-based electro producer Gigi Barocco props for attempting to rein in one of the most audacious tracks of the era – “The Bad Touch” by Bloodhound Gang. The crisp beats in this remix switch up on a dime and the synth arpeggios in the buildups are particularly well done, causing the inescapable head bob; however, the core material is so silly it can’t be taken seriously and the remix becomes cheesy by association. Still, it is a fun track and you might enjoy dancing up on your lady friends to it tonight so give it a listen and decide for yourself.

Bloodhound Gang – The Bad Touch (Gigi Barocco Remix)

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[Awesome] Justice – On N On (Rick Rubin Remix)

Its exciting to see that Parisian electro rockers Justice are back on the world stage with a new album and a new tour. Audio Video Disco received mixed reviews but at least the duo are doing something unique amidst a scene saturated with heavy beats and simplistic melodies. With industry giant Rick Rubin on their production team for the album its likely that Justice will be unstoppable in 2012. The retro stylings and rock n roll swagger Justice exude is hard to deny, and their latest single “On N On” showcases this aspect of their production style nicely. The track below is the first remix from Rick Rubin that this writer has seen but hopefully its not the last because he did a great job staying true to the original while ornamenting the melody, beefing up the drums and adding more cowbell! Enjoy.

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[Joyful Indie] Kishi Bashi – Bright Lights

Once in a while an artist comes along whose vision of the world is so bright it can light up even your darkest nights. Norfolk, Virginia based singer / composer Kishi Bashi has this gift. His latest solo project is filled with joyous ballads, bright guitars and driving rhythms that transport the listener to soundscapes simultaneously foreign and all too familiar. By looping his abstract vocals and accomplished violin compositions Kishi Bashi infuses his live shows with the same light hearted energy found on his debut album 151a, due out in April on Joyful Noise Recordings. So shine a light on your soul tonight by giving a listen to one of our favorite tracks off the album, Bright Whites.

Kishi Bashi – Bright Whites.mp3

’Kishi Bashi – Bright Whites.mp3′
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[Vocal Dubstep] Sub Focus – Falling Down

London based Subfocus has become a household name among electronic music lovers over the past few years due to his razor sharp production style and versatility behind the decks. Anyone who heard his debut self-titled EP in 2009 undoubtably recognized this young producer’s skills as he rose beyond the rigid format of Drum and Bass and began producing everything from electro to dubstep, all with a signature flavor all his own. And let’s not forget that the massive hit “Promises” made famous by Skrillex’s remixing skills was originally a production by Sub Focus and Nero. This month Sub Focus returns to the forefront of the dubstep scene with his new single “Falling Down”. Once again his exquisite taste for vocal hooks and ear stomping basslines takes Sub Focus’ tracks higher than the rest.

Sub Focus – Falling Down

’Sub Focus – Falling Down.mp3′
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