Month: September 2014

Is It Good To You (Vindata Remix) – Camden Arc

Posted on by acaruccio

If you’ve spent any time on Snapchat recently, you’re probably well-aware and frustrated with the addition of live-feeds. You’ve probably asked yourself, what do I care about these raging college students, wrapped in neon and American flags, having the time of their lives? The answer you shouldn’t care at all. However, as intrusive as these feeds may be, they serve an important purpose: they allow you to discover new artists. In fact, as I was lonesomely checking my Snapchat stories the other day, I came across a clip of Los Angeles-duo Vindata’s live performance. Not that I could get much from 6 seconds of screams and a shaking camera, but I recognized the production. Today, I checked out the Vindata SoundCloud page and was pleasantly surprised. Just yesterday, September 29, the  released possibly their best remix to date, and they owe it all to the selection. Camden Arc, an Australian native, first premiered on Pigeons&Planes back in March,  in which his debut single I Don’t Wanna Fall in Love was showcased. Now, in his second time around the block he’s killed it again, accompanied by Vindata’s extraordinary electronic talent. The Arc original, which draws from 1991 ‘Juice’ movie soundtrack, has gotten completely turned around. What once breathed heavy synths and Chicago juke influenced keys has been reborn as a masterpiece of quirky trap feels. The vocal intonation of Camden Arc’s production was weaved flawlessly into the reconstructed melody, one that hits hard but does not cease to impress. Give Vindata a visit on Artist Intelligence, follow them on SoundCloud, and the remix is absolutely free. Watch out, this pair of Californians has a real gift. Enjoy!

Morning Sun (Dillon Francis Remix) – Strange Talk

Posted on by acaruccio

If I’m being honest, I have recently not been a fan of Dillon Francis. He has entered the “dark side” of house electronics, as I would say, caught in a place lacking creativity and thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, like Francis, many electronic artists have fallen into this trap or, even better, into “trap.” If you have no idea what I’m talking about just check out his collaboration with Major Lazer and Stylo G released two weeks ago, appropriately titled Make it Bounce. So you can imagine it was refreshing when I clicked play this Strange Talk remix. But why the sudden change-up? Why would Francis release this unrelated remix amid the pre-order stage of his Money Sucks, Friends Rule album expected to drop on October 28 via Columbia Records? The answer is simple: Zac Efron. Well, I guess that isn’t too simple, but it’s true. Dillon Francis was watching the bar scene of Efron’s movie “That Awkward Moment” when Strange Talk’s Morning Sun began playing. After that, he knew the track couldn’t go without the Francis touch. He direct-messaged Strange Talk on Twitter and only months later, Wind Up Records released the finished product. On September 19, the official release date, Francis claimed that it is “the happiest remix” he has ever made in his life. And I agree. A minute and a half into this song, you won’t be able to help but smile. It’s as if Francis, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, took the Californian sun and stuffed it all into 4 minutes, 3o seconds. That said, it is undeniably the best Dillon Francis remix to date. If you don’t get this on iTunes, you’re missing out. Enjoy!

Say My Name ft. Zyra (StéLouse Remix) – ODESZA

Posted on by acaruccio

Just four days ago, Viceroy reposted yet another remix of his beach classic, The Life ft. Penguin Prison. Tomorrow, September 23, Vitalic Music will be releasing the official sound of summer, Viceroy’s Jet Life Remix EP. When it drops, be sure to listen to every second; featured are the Viceroy original, Two Can’s sunny celebration, as well as trap-laced remix by a Denver, Colorado-based artist, StéLouse. Although StéLouse, real name Ryan Ross, surfaced in August 2013, he has gained quite a following in the past year. In March 2014, Ross released his debut album, Home, on a newly found label, Subterra Records. Since then, it’s only been an escalator ride towards fame, gaining support from artists like Bassnectar, Lido, Cashmere Cat, Kill Paris, and Madeon.  “The music that I create is a reflection of my heart and soul,” explains StéLouse in his biography on Facebook. “Every emotion, every love, every death, every thought and flaw…past and present…all wrapped up into one single beautiful melody, for the world to sing.” This passion, as well as his “stay loose” (ohhhh…) attitude, can be heard in the production quality of each release. And this could not be more of a perfect example. Infusing his hype vibes into ODESZA’s mellow electronic single, Say My Name ft. Zyra, released by Counter Records early in August, StéLouse fills the hole the track had at its core. Upvote this track on Wavo and hope that a free download comes soon. Enjoy!

The Life Ft. Penguin Prison (Two Can Remix) – Viceroy

Posted on by acaruccio

Although September is in full swing, Two Can x Viceroy have given us a little splash of what used to be. For Viceroy, summer is not a season, but a way of life and his newest release, The Life Ft. Penguin Prison, was a tribute to that sunny lifestyle. “‘The Life’ really encompasses my motto ‘Summertime All The Time,'” Viceroy explained during the track’s release back in July. “Grab your friends, get outside, and don’t let anything get in the way of you having a good time…It’s not a complex idea by any means: just live it up!” No wonder why the Californian calls his homeland “San Frandisco.” In July, thousands of miles away in the Land Down Under, Two Can took his advice to heart. And two months later, Myles and Oscar, or Two Can, surprised us with this. The Viceroy original puts a smile on your face, but this pushes you over the edge, straight into a raving beach party. Even better, it’s all accompanied by the breezy vocals of Penguin Prison. Let me put it this way: the track from San Frandisco, just got sent to “Two Candisco.” Luckily, you can find a free download on the Two Can Facebook page. And always remember: just because the leaves are changing, doesn’t mean you have to. Enjoy!

Drop the Game (Sweater Beats Remix) – Flume & Chet Faker

Posted on by acaruccio

After his breathtaking manipulation of Kastle’s Anything is Possible, I expected that Sweater Beats to be off the grid for quite some time. Yet here he is, only weeks later, back in full force. And it comes as no surprise that he has chosen another track right up his alley, Drop the Game. The track stands as the undeniable favorite on Flume and Chet Faker’s Lockjaw EP released by Future Classic back in January 2013. The Lockjaw collaboration reflected the best of both artists, while also proving their ability to be a naturally cohesive force. It is not uncommon for artists to get together to become an official collaboration, especially those producing in the same country. So it came as a disappointment when I heard the Australian duo was going separate ways at January’s end. I think they would’ve made a killer team as Chume Flaker, a label they gave themselves during the Lockjaw release. More than a year later, Sweater Beats has upheld their 3-track legacy by continuing their reign with his spectacular remix. Beats isolates a few original loops, including Chet Faker’s vocal magic, and let his own style fill in the gaps. I’ll be honest, it will be a bittersweet discovery: because after this version, you won’t be to able to listen to Flume and Chet Faker original without feeling like it’s missing something. Trust me, I tried. The Beatster always serves it to you right, so the free download can be found on his Facebook page. Sweater Beats didn’t “drop the game” on this one, he up-ed the game. I apologize for ending on a pun. Enjoy!

Remix of the Week: The Wheel (Mazde Remix) – Sohn

Posted on by acaruccio

Mazde has reached back several years in the past to breathe new life into a tapering classic. The Wheel, a critically acclaimed track on the EP of the same name released in November 2012, has been revitalized in a way that no one, including me, was expecting. Although Sohn never quite surfaced in mainstream electronic, he attracted artists of similar taste with his impressive production talent, including BANKS, Lana Del Rey, and Rhye – all of whom he has collaborated extensively with. Sohn’s style requires a certain listener, one who appreciates his sound for what it is, not what it appears to be. Objectively, The Wheel is a rather bothersome track with its snappy vocal chops and pulsing bass. However, it is in this annoyance that the melody begins to take shape. This unique manifestation, as well as Sohn’s soulful voice, help to reinvent the initial abstraction. And Mazde certainly is one of those listeners, as he has demonstrated in this uplifting interpretation. In the remix, the German producer reshapes Sohn’s most notable elements to fit his synth-filled, progressive structure. This has set a new standard for Mazde, a standard that will make him competitive with the others in his genre.  That said, I will expect great things from him in the near future. Per usual, this track is available for free on Mazde’s Facebook page. Enjoy!