Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013 - The Year Avicii Took Over


As 2013 comes to a close, I found myself wanting to post the perfect song that would encapsulate the year as a whole. While it's by no means perfect, I heard EDX's mix of Avicii's Wake Me Up yesterday on XM's BPM and thought it put a nice bow on the year as a whole. Not only did Avicii take the US by storm in 2013 with his classic album True, he flipped the script on my opinion of country/bluegrass. Between Hey Brother and Florida Georgia Line's Cruise, the whole country/bluegrass sound morphed into something that was much more accessible. After twenty plus years of lacking appreciation for the genre, those two songs have caused me to back off a bit on the hate and re-evaluate my position. That's my biggest musical takeaway from 2013 in a nutshell. Hopefully 2014 will bring with it just as many surprises and delights as the past 365 have brought. Have a safe night y'all...#NYE

Avicii - Wake Me Up (EDX Edit)

Monday, December 30, 2013

Afrojack Gets in on the Destruction


I've taken a lot of pride in this website's stance on being a predominantly Miley-free zone. Sure, I'll dip into pop every now and again, but standards in practical terms are defined as not feeding into the media beast that has turned Hannah Montana into an attention magnet. All that being said, thanks to Afrojack I'm willing to tangentially sell out because his remix of Wrecking Ball has the potentially to be the highlight of a New Years playlist. There have been a whole lot of people losing their sh word over the remix, so hopefully you're just as smitten. Even if you're not, the good news is, it's tough to tell what song is being remixed until the 3:23 mark when Miley's verse kicks in. Her minute and a half vocals are brief in the grand scheme of things, which means there's plenty of build up and breakdown. Hate if you want, but your girlfriend is gonna be wildin' out and dare I say twearkin' to this one tomorrow night...#NYE

Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball (Afrojack Remix)

Sunday, December 29, 2013

"I Use a Walkie-Talkie Just to Get a Beverage"


Welp, looks like Drake is back on his freestyle game. A few days after he got on Soulja Boy's We Made It, he's went back in on a Hit-Boy beat. It's mostly a whole lotta braggadocio, but there's plenty of quality one liners to make you want to listen more. It's no 9 AM in Dallas, but it's the most interesting Drake track I've heard in quite a while. Don't get it twisted, I'm still a little salty over Drake postponing for two months, then cancelling his Indianapolis tour date. I'm slowly getting over it though, here's to 2014 being a great year for the OVO camp as a whole...#Trohpies

Drake - Trophies (prod by Hit-Boy)

Saturday, December 28, 2013

"Come To Find Out I'm 'Ye Favorite"


Ah man, what a great flash back to an era of Hip Hop that was so fresh. Call me nostalgic, but Ma$e's Harlem World album was probably one of my ten favorite albums of the 1990s. I'm going to continue to ignore his Double Up and Welcome Back albums because they were nowhere near the quality of his debut effort. So, in my eyes, it's been over a decade since I heard something I was excited about from Mason Betha.

Now, after a quick stint as a pastor and the ending of his 16 year stint with Bad Boy, all signs point toward a comeback. I have no idea what record label he'll sign with (despite rumors he would only sign with OVO or G.O.O.D.), but the good news is we have a new single. Even better that Why Can't We has the same snazzy, R&B/pop sound that was found on his debut. Now, the track is not going to win any awards, but I'm her to tell you that it's at the very least got me excited and wanting more. It'll be icing on the cake if Drake accepts him in the crew, look out for Now We Even sometime in 2014...#Mase

Ma$e feat HER - Why Can't We

Friday, December 27, 2013

Videos of the Week December 27th


Such sweet sorrow this week with the holiday season in full swing, yet one of my favorite up and coming groups TNGHT have officially separated. They were at the top of their game, producing tracks for Kanye and making their own great music. Now, they're off in two separate directions, which hopefully means we'll be getting twice the amount of great music from the HudMo and Lunice.

The good news is, if you're not ready to let go of the Holiday vibe, Timeflies has your back. Definitely not a bad rendition of Let It Snow if you feel like a pick me up. I'm looking forward to the Hollywood version of the NFL draft through Kevin Costner's portrayal of a Cleveland Brown's GM. Oh and Disclosure's flavor of dance music is so fresh you might as well pick it off the tree. That is all, see you in 2014...#HappyNewYear
TNGHT Break Up Video

Timeflies Tuesday - Let it Snow (Video)

Disclosure - Voices (Video)

Draft Day Trailer

Lady Gaga & Christina Aguilera - Do What U Want (Live on the Voice)

Photo Credit: YouTube

Thursday, December 26, 2013

"Lookin' Jubilant as Jeezy"


Ever since Lupe scrapped his Food & Liquor II album this fall, fans have been left wanting more. Lucky for us, Lupe was nice enough to give us an unreleased freebie as a Kwanza gift from the album that never launched. I know what you're thinking, it's one of those, "well I might as well give them this one since it was a filler track anyway" tracks. Not even close, I'm willing to bet Piru Blues would have been a single on the album.

It's hard to describe gang-banging in an eloquent way, but if there's anybody that can pen a story to make people understand, it's Lupe Fiasco. There's a beautiful simplicity in the way he expresses raw emotion through his lyrics. The most admirable part about it is that he doesn't need to use explicit words to convey a violent, but overlooked message regarding the way young people throw away their lives. If 2014 brings anything positive, I hope it's a decrease in the seemingly never-ending bloodshed in Chiraq....#PiruBlues

Lupe Fisco - Piru Blues (prod by DJ Simonsayz)

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas Y'all


Here's to a wonderful holiday season for you and yours. To commemorate the holiday season, Mad Decent put together a 27 min mix of electronic dance flavored Christmas favorites. If you're like me, you would really appreciate a new take on the same old hits that everyone plays year after year. Give it a listen if you're in the mood for a little different, but above all else, I hope you shared a relaxing day with the ones closest to you...#MerryChristmas

Various Mad Decent Artists - A Very Decent Christmas

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

LuckyMe is Good 2 U During the Holidays


What a great idea. LuckyMe Records created a 25 day advent calendar leading up to Christmas where every day unlocks a new song from someone on your label. Sure, it helps to have arguably three of the top upcoming producers on your label in Baauer, Hudson Mohawke and Lunice, but nonetheless, really cool idea. In the past week they have let loose new HudMo (Structure) and Lunice tracks (Steady Flexin') that were at the very least noteworthy.

In my humble opinion, Baauer's Good 2 U has been the best release to date. On it he mixes a Busta and Mariah samples over a heavy Hip Hop beat that has a whole lot to offer on the low end. The beat is measured in it's advances, which produces just as much interest from the mix of samples and instrumentation sprinkled in. There are two more days left til Christmas, which means LuckyMe is holding onto two more tracks of at least equal value...#LuckyMe

Baauer - Good 2 U

Monday, December 23, 2013

Aggressive Man-eating Dance Music


Wolfgang Gartner's new single may come off aggressive with its hauntingly repetitive sample, but on the inside it's really just a new age disco track disguised as EDM. True to form, Wolfgang came through with an addicting club anthem in Piranha. The real question is, is this the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what we can expect from Wolfgang this year? Shoot, with Christmas coming up, I wouldn't mind the promise of a new album as a stocking stuffer...#JustSayin

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Fire Up the Loud for Christmas


It was only a matter of time before Lil Jon's energy bled over to trap music. He was one of the few artists in Hip Hop whose personality and yelling was borderline too much for the genre. Over DJ Snake's uptempo, bass heavy instrumental, The King of Crunk sounds right at home, though. There's enough build ups and drops on Turn Down For What to make any EDM fan smile. If you're like me, you're getting more than a little bit tired of hearing Mariah's All I Want For Christmas. Consider this a shot of Coco Cafe to the otherwise decaffienated green tea that is contemporary Christmas music...#TDFW

DJ Snake & Lil Jon - Turn Down For What

Saturday, December 21, 2013

A Laser Light Show With Jump Smoke


Lately, the Jump Smokers have been churning out remixes like hotcakes. The latest one on their list is Flo Rida's recent single Laser Light Show. If you're like me, you have a well established appreciation for Flo Rida's ability to develop hits in his sleep. With that being said, sometimes its a treat to her a fresh take on his usual sound. I'd say the Jump Smokers did just that by injecting in some jumpy, loud synths to a track that sounded more top 40 than club. While the radio listening crowd might think the remix is too much, DJs like me appreciate the gift below because of how well it'll play when the lights go down and the colorful lights take over...#LaserLightShow

Flo Rida - Laser Light Show (Jump Smokers Remix)

Friday, December 20, 2013

Videos of the Week December 20th


As I mentioned throughout the week, it was a Hip Hop dominated past seven days. The two standout videos of the week were Eminem/Rihanna's Monster video and Mike Posner/Big Sean's Detroit inspired Top of the World. I'll admit it was really cool to see the professional sports inspired Detroit theme. The scenery littered with Red Wings, Tigers and Lions stadiums from two of Detroit natives (Southfield, Detroit) did a good job of capturing the sentiment of the track.

In other news, Kevin Hart and Conan are funny, I'm really digging Cash Cash's new single, and Chuck Inglish + Asher Roth continue to be a dynamic duo. That is all, have a good weekend y'all...#TopOfTheWorld
Mike Posner feat Big Sean - Top of the World (Video)

Eminem feat Rihanna - Monster (Video)

Kevin Hart & Ice Cube Ride Along with Conan

Cash Cash feat Bebe Rexha - Take Me Home (Video)

Chuck Inglish & Asher Roth Perform For the Love in Studio

Photo Credit: YouTube

Thursday, December 19, 2013

"Bravado Like Mavado, Boy I'm that Gully"


Ok ok Hip Hop, point taken. It's as if I woke a sleeping giant, I honestly couldn't have planned it more ironically. Literally the day after I declare the current state of Hip Hop boring, here comes Cudi left hook and Rick Ross/Jay Z haymaker. In the past I've been real critical of Rozay because I value lyrical depth, which isn't his forte. I'm not saying his newest heat rock with the Jiggaman bucks that trend, but I will say that he brought his A game. He did what he does in a slow, charismatic way that got me excited to listen to the track. It's a compliment to say that he built up anticipation for Jay Z's verse. It's like when you start a #3 receiver in the fantasy football playoffs and he goes off for three touchdowns before your studs play. Your excitement grows and it takes the pressure off your studs from producing. That's what I felt like listening to The Devil is a Lie.

I feel like the foundation for the track's success was the heavy, horn filled beat by K.E. In the video below he speaks on the tracks creation...

Make no mistake, Jay Z played his part as Mariano Rivera, but the track as a whole was impressive. Although it's release has been pushed back til 2014, don't forget about Rick Ross's upcoming album Mastermind...#DevilIsALie

Rick Ross feat Jay-Z - The Devil is a Lie (prod by K.E. On The Track)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

"Cause I'm Holding on to Heaven"


Y'all remember that vocalist on Zedd's Clarity? I made a mental note because big time EDM artists generally pick talented singers to make their synthesizers shine. Having said that, I didn't think Foxes was THIS good. She straight up went Leona Lewis with her latest single Holding on to Heaven. As Keith Jackson used to say "Whoaaa Nellie" did she own the track. The track starts out like a beautiful ballad, but around the 44 sec mark, it erupts into an inferno of upbeat soulful energy. I'm going to be patiently waiting for the real video, but until then, the lyric video will suffice. This track is addicting, listener beware, it just might become your favorite track after a listen or two...#HoldingOnToHeaven


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

"Take it to the Satellite, Tonight"


Of course, the second I start noting a general lack of quality Hip Hop, here comes Kid Cudi out of the blue with a track that you'd swear should have been on Man on the Moon. If his new track, Satellite Flight, is any indication of what his new album is going to sound like, color me excited. Not just because he's getting back to his uniquely chill and melodic form of Hip Hop, but because it sounds like there's quite a bit of vigor behind his new music...

The mix of quirky synths cooked up by Dot Da Genius and the methodical harmony of Cudi get back to the core of what makes them a formidable duo. They are capable of a form of Hip Hop that no one else can create, which is hard to do these days and what makes new music from them that much more awesome. I now have a good answer to the elusive question of "what Hip Hop album are you excited about?" Satellite Flight: The Journey To Mother Moon, that's what I'm talkin' bout...
#SatelliteFlight


Kid Cudi - Satellite Flight (prod by WZRD)

Monday, December 16, 2013

"I'ma Take It To the Top Top Top of the World"


It's sad that I rarely hear Hip Hop tracks that really catch my attention anymore. In fact, just last weekend my step-brother was asking me what upcoming Hip Hop albums I'm excited for and I couldn't think of a good answer to save my life. Maybe my tastes are irreversibly changing toward EDM and I'm losing touch of what good Hip Hop is. I don't have an answer, but I do have one of those rare songs that I have had on repeat all day long.

In what could be one of my favorite collaborations of 2013, Mike Posner, Big Sean and Diplo just crafted a gem in Top of the World. Everything from the Sean Don verses, to the knock of the Diplo beat, to the Mikey P hook, shoot even the banter at the end of the track was entertaining. It very well could be equal parts pop and Hip Hop, but whatever the case, it's a great song and one that I am thoroughly excited about. Keep an eye out for Posner's upcoming Pages album that is scheduled to hit stores sometime in early 2014...#TopOfTheWorld

Mike Posner feat Big Sean - Top of the World (prod by Diplo)

Sunday, December 15, 2013

"Go All the Way, Have Your Fun, Have it All"


Sticking with this weekend's pop vibe, Lorde's new single No Better wins the award for most cooled out track of the week. Sure, she may have released the track via Soundcloud almost a year ago, but it hit iTunes three days ago, which makes it a new track in a lot of peoples' eyes. The lyrics scream summer, which makes it a tough track to truly get into with snow on the ground in most states. Still, the live free and have fun message is hard to ignore. It's been a slow week for Hip Hop and EDM, which is the main reason for the left turn to pop this week. I'll get it back on track this week, though, have no fear...#NoBetter

Saturday, December 14, 2013

"That's the Part of Bein' Young, Make it Up Til it Come"


Tonight sounds like a good night to take a left turn to pop for a minute. 2 AM Club's new single I See Stars is fun a combination of acoustic driven lyricism. Think Travie McCoy-type of repeatable, easy to digest lyrics with a sing-along hook.

No word yet on what 2 AM Club's upcoming sophomore album will be titled, but in case you missed it, they released a single last month called Evidence. If you're in the mood, it's a perfect getting over a breakup anthem. Check the video below if you're curious...#ISeeStars

2 AM Club - I See Stars

Friday, December 13, 2013

Videos of the Week December 13th


Oh Ron Burgundy, how I've missed you. With the movie premiere on the horizon, it's full court press time for the cast of Anchorman 2. I'll admit, my own expectations prevented me from falling off the couch while viewing the video below. Still, it's an entertaining watch anytime Will Ferrell starts on a rant about why mustaches are awesome, it's a must watch.

Oh this just in, Beyonce just dropped an album outta the blue this week. Along with that came two show stopping videos with her husband and Drake. Wonder if she meant to do that with the holiday season coming up? In other news, buckle your seat belt for an eerie lyric video from Timbaland. I wouldn't have thought of going that direction with the video, but they definitely got the shock and awe factor. To put a bookend on the week, it doesn't get much more patriotic than Avicii's Hey Brother video...#Murica
Ron Burgundy Interviews Peyton Manning - Uncut Version

Avicii - Hey Brother

Beyonce feat Drake - Mine (Video)

Beyonce feat Jay-Z - Drunk in Love (Video)

Timbaland ft. Drake, Jay-Z & James Fauntleroy – Know Bout Me (Lyric Video)

Photo Credit: Youtube via ESPN

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Fall Out Boy Got Jump Smoked


It's taken me a few days to catch on, but two extremely dope remixes in a week will not go unnoticed in this neighborhood of the internet. Just a few days back, Chicago's own Jump Smokers took a fresh take on Pitbull and Ke$ha's Timber. I'm now regretting having not posted it, but better late than never...

So let's call this take two on the Jump Smokers' with their remix of Fall Out Boy's Alone Together. Little tip, make sure the subwoofers are engaged prior to the drop around the minute mark. That part alone was worth the price of admission. Really digging the chill, but heavy electronic shot in the arm of the original...#JumpSmokers

Fall Out Boy - Alone Together (Jump Smokers Remix)

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Miami Horror LDRU Style

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Full disclosure, I'm about two months late on posting LDRU's remix of Miami Horror's Real Slow. Just because I've been waiting for a rainy snowy day to post it, doesn't make it any less awesome, though. The mix of funk filled, back and forth rhythms that are made up of synthesizers and a whole lotta bass sit well with this guy right here. Feel free and add LDRU to the list of up and coming Australian EDM producers that are making noise around the globe. It's getting to the point that I'm thinking of dubbing the land down under as the mini-Netherlands with the amount of talent that has risen up of late. Still, I gotta give some love to the original effort put forth by Miami Horror because they laid the groundwork for the remix. When something starts awesome, it's a lot easier to make it more awesome. That being said, LDRU's version trumps the original by a mile...#LDRU

Miami Horror - Real Slow (L D R U Remix)

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

"Spread Your Wings Cause We Ain't Goin' Down"


If you're in the mood for some ethereal dubstep, you're in the right place tonight. Up and comer Alma enlisted the help of two EDM heavyweights Sound Remedy and (personal favorite) Kill Paris for her new sing Avalanches. The vocals are heavenly, the drops are epic, it's a really likeable track. Without a doubt the best part of the track is around the 2:23 mark where Kill Paris sinks his teeth into the beat and shows out a bit. Matter of fact, I'd say it's safe to say Kill Paris is quickly becoming one of my favorite DJs. Take that for what it's worth, but if you're in the same boat, that's good news for you because I'll be posting his new stuff frequently. Til then, vibe out to this avalanche of electronic goodness...#Avalanches

Alma feat Sound Remedy & Kill Paris - Avalanches

Monday, December 09, 2013

"You Know You Love It"


Music that has a personality you wouldn't expect is an interesting phenomena. For example, the type of misdirection that Bassnectar put into his latest West Coast Lo Fi Remix of Heads Up is an example of what I'm getting at. The song starts off like a spaced out version of Christmas carol and continues for a whole minute until a brief, "You know you love it" gives way to a dubstep drop that goes 0 to 60 mph in a second. When you're listening on Soundcloud the waveforms take away the anticipation a bit, but it's pretty awesome. I'd suggest slipping this into a chill playlist and going crazy when the beat drops because the intro would lead you to believe that is isn't as fierce as it really is. Don't be fooled kind friend, share with your friends...#Bassnectar

Bassnectar - Heads Up (West Coast Lo Fi Remix 2013)

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Dubstep With Dinosaur Cover Art


When elements like heavy bass, dubstep and trap can all be throw together in one beautiful symphony, you've got my attention. This isn't the first time that Savoy has come through with something this awesome, but they continue to churn out awesome EDM on a consistent basis. It doesn't happen much, but it's usually a good sign when a group goes out of their way to remix their own track. The trio from Brooklyn employed a few epic drops that will make even the most square non-dance music fan nod their head a little bit. You can add me to the list of bloggers who are more than a little excited to hear Savoy's upcoming Self Predator album, due out on January 14th. Just cranked up the volume on this guy and that was one of the better decisions I've made the past 24 hours...#ImInNeed

Savoy - I'm in Need (Savoy VIP Remix)

Saturday, December 07, 2013

Amba Shepherd Shows the Potential of Acoustic EDM


Almost exactly a year ago, I posted the original version of Hardwell and Amba Shepherd's Apollo. At the time, I wrote off the track as just another house anthem, but over time it became one of those go to songs that everyone could vibe with. A big part of that is Amba Shepherd's role in the track. Her angelic vocals mesh so well with the memorable chord progress.

I'm not sure if it's going to be a passing fad or if it will be a trend that has staying power, but the stripped down versions of memorable EDM tracks are just awesome. The differences in tempo and extraction of synths offer such a different experience that it allows the listener to find a new way to enjoy the track all over again. No disrespect to Hardwell, but Amba gets the nod for driving the acoustic version home. It's like going get ice cream and finding out they not only have chocolate, they have fudge brownie. It tastes sorta like chocolate, but in a much different and awesomer sort of way...#IceCreamAnalogy

Friday, December 06, 2013

Videos of the Week Decemeber 6th


I've got a buy one get one free deal going on this week's collection of video. Due to the influx of videos I wasn't able to narrow down on five, so y'all get six. In particular, I'd pay attention to the PBS animated 2Pac video where they sketched up some visuals to match the original interview. The visuals do a really good job of portraying a lot of the messages 2pac explained in the interview. The video that's getting the most acclaim this week is by far Lana Del Rey's 27 min Tropico video. I'll say that there have been mixed reactions, but the common thread it that people react strongly to it.

I love how Lorde's legacy is steadily growing, and you can't get much more crowd pleasing than Pitbull and Ke$ha's Timber. Not sure about you guys, but I can't wait for Anchorman 2. Oh and if you haven't been teased by Detox for over a decade like me, then you should get excited for new Kendrick Lamar tracks produced by Dr. Dre...#Detox
Uncut Tupac Interview From ’94 Brought To Life In New Animated PBS Video

Pitbull & Ke$ha - Timber (Video)

Will Farrell Talks Music Cameos in Anchorman 2

Lorde - Team (Video)

Lana Del Rey - Tropico (27 min video)
Bonus Video:
Kendrick Lamar Beats By Dre Commercial (Directors Cut)
Photo Credit: YouTube via PBS

Thursday, December 05, 2013

The Chainsmokers Take On The Colourist


Here I am again in the familiar position of not knowing who in the hell The Chainsmokers are remixing, which is more often than not a good thing. I say that because they have single-handedly introduced me to more up and coming artists in the past year than any other music outlet on the internet. There's something to be said for that, especially when they continue to introduce me to new artists and music in a way that I really enjoy, EDM. For reference feel free to check out the original version of The Colourist's Fix This before indulging in the remix...

If I would have heard the original before the remix, I probably would have been lukewarm on it. The Colourist's version is a catchy, fun Indie pop/rock track that is worth a listen, but probably wouldn't have had staying power on any playlist of mine. The remix on the other hand, makes me appreciate the original version more. That's what good remixes can do. The electronic infusion of life that Alex and Drew are able to breathe into the original takes it to a more happy place. Unfortunately, there's no buy option for the remix, but you can always help them with the obligatory favorite on hypem...#FixThis

The Colourist - Fix This (The Chainsmokers Remix)

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

"Don't Play Girl, Throw That Back"


Every now and again I come across a beat that sinks it's teeth into me and doesn't let go. The beat on B.o.B.'s new one featuring the habitually violent Chris Brown would fall into that category. To Bobby Ray's credit, he produced it himself, which makes me appreciate the yodeling sample on Throwback even more. You just don't hear that much on a Hip Hop tracks, which is a big reason why I continue to resist hitting next track when the track below comes on.

Full disclosure, I haven't taken a full lap around Bobby Ray's new album Underground Luxury, but I am a big fan of his singles so far. Headband was one of my favorite Hip Hop tracks of 2013 and All I Want has continued to get love on cool out playlists of late. I doubt anything he ever releases will ever touch The Adventures of Bobby Ray, but it's a good sign to see that two albums later he's still making engaging, creative music. December 17th ---> #UndergroundLuxury

B.o.B. feat Chris Brown - Throwback

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

"Head in the Clouds But My Gravity is Centered"


There's so much opportunity in electronic music right now, it's ridiculous. Every week I hear a new song from someone I've never heard of who managed to twist and bend synthesizers with beats in a way that I've never heard before. Case in point Alex Young, who managed to combine some heavy trap sounds with fun, quirky, engaging synthesizers. It's a little unnerving that a song with such personality like SWTRWTHR is produced by a 17 year old prodigy, but nothing should surprise anyone these days. I'm not usually one to make snap judgments, but I'd be willing to side with Vibe magazine's opinion that Alex is one of the top 25 EDM DJs in the game right now. At the very least, I'll be keeping an ear out for new stuff from the DC native, so keep it locked for more of his material to come...#SWTRWTHR

Alex Young - SWTRWTHR

Monday, December 02, 2013

Help Fight AIDS, Join the Red Dance Movement


Over the years, the (RED) movement that was created to bring awareness to AIDS has manifested itself in many forms. Seeing that yesterday, December 1st, was world AIDS day, it seems only fitting that the world of Dance music do their part to chip in. If you're like me, you missed the live stream from Sydney from November 30th to December 1st featuring the likes of David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Sebastian Ingrosso. The good news is, there's also an album you can buy that has a lot of fresh new EDM on it to consume.

One of my favorites on the Dance (RED) Save Lives, Vol. 2 compilation is Kill Paris's remix of Far East Movement's There Will Be No Rain. The high octane synths and sizeable drops on the remix fit in well with my mental model of a Kill Paris track. The track is a great example of how consistency isn't a bad thing when you make awesome music. Go do the world a favor and cop that new Dance (Red) album because "700 babies are born with HIV every day"...#DanceRED

Far East Movement - There Will Be No Rain (Kill Paris Remix)

Sunday, December 01, 2013

Avicii's Le7els Makes Synful Music


I linked to this track earlier this week, but after a couple listens, I've deemed it worthy of a full post. Long story short from earlier in the week, Syn Cole is the young Skywalker to Avicii 's Hans Solo. This week he has been taking turns with Avicii remixing each other's tracks in an attempt to get Syn's name out there.

It's a tough call, but I think I like Syn's remix of Hey Brother over Avicii's mix of Miami 82. The injection of progressive house into the original's country vibe gave the track a new identity that made me fall in love with it all over it. I'm not sure about you guys, but I'm excited about the music the young Estonian is putting out and I'm eager to hear what's next...#SynCole

Avicii - Hey Brother (Syn Cole Remix)

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Music That Makes You Want to Count Stars


I've listened to Thomas Jack's remix of One Republic's Counting Stars a few times and I still have yet to find any seams. The way he's able to blend mellow rhythms into the original sample is downright awesome. Given, his remix is around 7 and a half mins in length, so you have to be a little patient with it, but the end result is super chill. Another word of caution is that 90% of the remix is instrumental, so don't expect much more than brief Ryan Tedder hook samples. Still, if you're in need of some zone out music to Bluetooth stream over the speakers during the car ride home from a Thanksgiving trip, this one hits the spot...#ThomasJack

One Republic - Counting Stars (Thomas Jack Edit)

Friday, November 29, 2013

Videos of the Week November 29th


There's nothing better than Thanksgiving break, especially when you get to spend it eating way too many delicious calories and watching way to much TV. Now that it's over, it's back to business serving up the best of what the music world had to offer this week in form of videos. I'm betting most of you have seen the new Eminem Rap God video, but you may have missed the revolution inspiring visuals from Headhunterz and Krewella. If you haven't your missing out because it's got a great message. It's points a flashlight directly at those trolls and internet gangsters that are tough as nails behind a keyboard. They may not realize it, but what they say doesn't always fall on deaf ears, so it's cool to see how they brought it to the forefront in a positive way. Beyond that, The Killers and Blended Babies new videos were pretty fun to watch. Plus, what would Thanksgiving be without a Timeflies freestyle...#VideosOfTheWeek
Eminem - Rap God (Video)

Headhunterz feat Krewella - United Kids of the World (Video)

The Killers - Just Another Girl (Video)

Blended Babies feat Chuck Inglish & Asher Roth - See the World (Video)

Timeflies Tuesday Thanksgiving Edition


Photo Credit: YouTube

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Introducing Avicii's Protege Syn Cole


For many successful artists, the logical next step after mainstream success is building their own records label. Case in point the newly anointed EDM artists of the year, Avicii, who is beginning to build up his own stable of artists through his LE7ELS record label. The first to come out of his stable is Syn Cole, a young Estonian producer who should be on everyone's short list of breakout artists in 2014.

In an attempt to kickstart that campaign, Avicii remixed his new single Miami 82. The track is a crisp, organized effort that is every bit as sharp as it is well-composed. I've got a feeling this is only the beginning, in fact, I might even post Syn's remix of Hey Brother at some point this week. Either way, heads up, he's a name you need to know...#Miami82

Syn Cole - Miami 82 (Avicii Edit)

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

"And the River Flows Inside of Me"


Staying true to form, anytime an EDM artist that I follow remixes another artist that I've never heard of, generally the result is positive. Latest case in point, Seven Lions remix of Norwegian EDM duo Röyksopp's Running to the Sea. The original features the vocals of platinum selling Norwegian singer Susanne Sundfør. For reference, peep the original chill, which offers a steady dose of relaxing electronica...

In contrast, the Running to the Sea remix done by Seven Lions is a lot heavier with a clear dubstep punch. The vocals from Susanne are still the guiding light for the track, but there's a much clear build up and drop repetition. The drop around the 3:16 mark is well worth the price of admission. I love it when great music from overseas is morphed into something beautiful that encourages me to look back and appreciate the original that I haven't even heard of. Tip of the cap Seven Lions...#RunningToTheSea

Röyksopp feat Susanne Sundfør - Running to the Sea (Seven Lions Remix)

Monday, November 25, 2013

James Franco & Seth Rogen Own Kanye's Bound 2


Usually I don't devote whole posts to videos, but when it comes to parodies of songs, it literally doesn't get any better than what James Franco and Seth Rogen did to Kanye's latest video for Bound 2. In case you missed the original version of the extremely sexual motorcycle ride where the married couple simulate a sexual act, feel free and press play below...
So how in the world could two very average looking comedians simulate such an intimate moment? How about re-enact it exactly like the first video? Yea that sounds like a good idea...
I tell you what, Seth Rogen makes one heck of a Kim Kardashian double. The looks he gave to the camera, the exaggerated hair flings, the passionate embraces...all so perfect. If I were Lonely Island, this would be game on for me because they just got outflanked...#Bound3

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Diplo Goes All Grizzly Bear on Will Calls


Yet another awesome example of how awesome things are possible when Indie and EDM collide. I've never taken a full dive into the discography of Grizzly Bear, but I do know that my boy Mikey Mike is a huge fan of theirs and he is my go-to for all that is Indie. That being said, you can imagine how excited I was to get served a plate of Grizzly Bear in a way that I can fully appreciate it (EDM).

Diplo deserves the lions share (yea I'm gonna stick with the whole lions, tigers and grizzly bears theme, deal with it) of the credit for this coincidence of awesome. Quirky, bubbly synths mixed with bass works any day of my week, especially when it's set to a backdrop of an interesting Indie act. You better believe I'll be rockin' this throughout Thanksgiving week when I find a way to emerge from multiple food comas to do some cardio...#WillCalls

Grizzly Bear - Will Calls (Diplo remix)

Saturday, November 23, 2013

"Give Me That High, Like You Did Last Night"


Man, it's hard to argue against Pitbull's ability to churn out hit after hit after hit after hit. I'd be willing to bet that there are more than a few people who are getting tired of his hit making formula, but nobody can deny how successful he is at doing what he does. This time he teamed up with Kelly Rowland on his latest top 40 radio hit That High. Like I alluded to before, it's almost exactly what you'd expect from Pitbull, which isn't a bad thing in my eyes. Quick side note, is it me or does the Kelly's hook sound strikingly like the hook from Ke$ha's Blow?

The single will be showing up in about a week on his upcoming re-release of his seventh studio album Global Warming:Meltdown. The album will feature five new songs (one being Timber) in addition to all the tracks from the original release of Global Warming. It's an interesting trend that artists are re-releasing "deluxe" versions of albums that have a few extra new songs on them to get everything they can out of their release. Can't hate if it works, but personally I don't get it. Oh well, money talks so if you're a fan go out on Black Friday and cop it...#GlobalWarmingMeltdown

Pitbull feat Kelly Rowland - That High

Friday, November 22, 2013

Videos of the Week November 22nd


I'm going with the lead with Hip Hop, end with novelty angle on this week's rendition of videos of the week. Ever since the Rihanna twerk video, I've become fully enamored with T-Pain and B.O.B.'s new single Up Down. Twerking aside, DJ Mustard (who produced the track) is my leading candidate for Hip Hop DJ of the year. Between the beats from Headband and Up Down, it's clear that he's got a knack for getting people to shake it.

Interesting that Kanye and Kim decided to film a soft core porn for everyone to see. And that wasn't to be outdone by Lady Gaga and R Kelly on SNL either. Whole lot of affection this week y'all, buckle in and I'd even go as far to suggest that a few of these are NSFW. The good news is, for those who don't enjoy salaciousness, Disclosure and Aloe Blacc are here to save the day with a live performance and new video...#PitchforkParis
T-Pain feat B.O.B. - Up Down (Video)

Kanye West - Bound 2 (Video)

Lady Gaga And R. Kelly Perform “Do What You Want” on SNL
Disclosure Performs at Pitchfork Paris
Aloe Blacc - Love is the Answer (Video)
Photo credit: YouTube

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Bassnectar Memorializes Cheb i Sabbah


I can't say I'm familiar at all with Cheb i Sabbah or the impact of his music. Having briefly read about his life, it seems like he kept it real in the truest sense by keeping alive the sound of traditional music that incorporate sounds from Asian, Arabian, and African cultures. In the 1980s he broke onto the US scene as a DJ in San Francisco where he was highly regarded for his live shows that included a whole lot of lights and uptempo rhythms.

Cheb passed away at the age of 66 earlier this month, which prompted a Bassnectar remaster of his track Alkher Illa Doffer. The best part about the remastered mix is that if you purchase it, all proceeds will go to Cheb's family who relied heavily on his financial contributions. Bassnectar does a great job of imparting his heavy bass on the track, which augments the tribal rhythms showcased on the original track. It's an infectious track that is strikingly different from a lot of stuff you hear in the US. Different is great, especially when it helps commemorate an influential artist in music history...#ChebISabbah

Cheb i Sabbah - Alkher Illa Doffor (Bassnectar Remix 2013)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

"I Wanna Let You Color Me In"

Winning American Idol is just as important as being top 5 on American Idol these days. Case in point, new Interscope Record signee Jessica Sanchez who you may remember as the runner up in Season 11. Check the video below of her performance with Ne-Yo for reference...

Yea, girl has got a voice on her, that's for sure. Kudos to Interscope for swooping her up and giving her a shot at putting her own touch on Zedd's Hourglass. She absolutely did her thing vocally on the track below. Really cool to hear the subtle differences of the original version of Hourglass with the high powered synths compared to the iTunes version. In fact, after listening to this remix I'm going to dive straight into Zedd's iTunes Session that just hit stores this week. If you haven't heard of Jessica Sanchez, she should definitely be on your radar now...#Hourglass

Zedd feat Jessica Sanchez - Hourglass (iTunes Session)

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

"We Are United Kids of the World"


I'm really enjoying the fact that Krewella is becoming a household name because they make fun music. Like for example, their new movement inspiring track United Kids of the World with Dutch DJ Headhunterz. To be fair, the track is probably more pop than it is EDM, but the energy on the track is palpable. The build up of haunting synths offer a stark contrast to the soothing vocals of Krewella and give the track a dynamic quality. It's not a stretch to imagine a whole concert venue wildin' out to this one. To put it in plain terms, if you want make good house music, your parents better be from the Netherlands...#UnitedKidsofTheWorld


Monday, November 18, 2013

"Let's Unwind Together"

Time for a little grown-folks funk to get the week headed in the right direction. Although the name value of the artists featured in the track below may suggests that the song is epic, it's more of an easy-listening, electro-funk effort. The combination of Sam Smith vocals, Disclosure's electronic influence and Nile Rodgers (of Daft Punk)'s shot of funk give the track has a lot of traction. It may not be as awesome as Latch, but it's a still a pretty noteworthy collabo...#Together

Sam Smith x Nile Rodgers x Disclosure x Jimmy Napes - Together























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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