Is Portugal. The Man's Feel It Still the most hype track out right now? It's a fair question given how much EDM has remixed the track over the past few weeks. To recap, about a month ago I posted ZHU's deep house remix of the track. Fast forward to late last week when Gryffin took a swing at his own melodic house version of the original. The subtly funky beat imparts a calmness to the original vocals, making for a chill start to the track. Then the vibrant chords come crashing in for a jubilant release on the drop. Call it the latest reason to go and check out Gryffin's Castle in the Sky Tour. I'm looking forward to seeing many of y'all at the Warfield on November 10th. For reference check the original video below and feel free to bang out the each of the tworemixes if you so choose...#FeelItStill
I can think of no better way to easy into a work week after a stressful weekend than a new Gryffin single. Love in Ruins features soothing vocals from Sinead Harnett and is more chill dance than upbeat party starter. There's a twisted angst mixed into the vocals that gives some added intrigue to the otherwise easygoing track. It may not be my favorite of Gryffin's discography, but it's a solid addition that the shows off a softer side. If you're digging the track give it some love on hypem or Soundcloud. Or you can be an adult and check it on iTunes or Spotify, either path works, just depends on how official you're feeling...#LoveInRuins
After a weekend off the grid, the GWDJ crew is back just in time for 4th of July festivities. And what better way to slide back into the daily music routine than a Gryffin remix of a Kygo track. Admittedly, I was lukewarm on the original version back in late April, but Gryffin's version is a different story. While it still has that chopped up, remix feel to it, the added tempo and dissection of Ellie's vocals as a sample worked really well. Similar to the original, the remix gets off to a quiet start as it gradually builds energy toward the subdued, Chill House drop. The gentle ebb and flow of the chords post-drop was a nice touch too. It's a rare example of an EDM heavyweight doing justice to the original, rather than trying to really hard to out perform the original. Give it added listens on Spotify or iTunes if you feel so inclined...#FirstTime
Kygo feat Ellie Goulding - First Time (Gryffin Remix)
This week's top five was unique in that it starts and ends with Jimmy Kimmel's monologue about the birth of his newborn son. If you don't get at least a little choked up over hearing the sadness in his voice over feeling helpless about the situation as a whole, then you need to check yourself. His story aside, I appreciated his story and how it directly relates the the healthcare bills that are being mulled over by the House this week. Let's just hope the listened and make the right decision, ultimately.
Aside from Kimmel's impactful story, there were a few videos in Hip Hop that had the internet collective pressing play over and over again. J Cole's 4 Your Eyez Only documentary was previously released via other outlets like HBO, but this week it got put on YouTube for consumption from the masses. The word real comes to mind when watching him go to the various cities in the South and hear stories from the people trying to make it through the day-to-day. Watching the documentary and then transitioning to DJ Khaled's star studded video for I'm the One was about as stark of a difference as you'll get in VOTW. Needless to say, everything about it was tried and true Hip Hop from the video girls to the pool parties to the immaculately trimmed hedges.
Making sure EDM got their contribution for the week was Gryffin and Illenium's Feel Good. The video is cool and all, but that candlelight version that features Daya's stunning vocals is officially where it's at. Speaking of where it's at, it wouldn't be a complete week without at least a few shennanigans. This time it came from Fallon's crew who put together a minute long mash up of Star Wars characters singing Smash Mouth's classic, All Star. It's kitchy, but it delivers the entertainment value you'd expect from a novelty like that...#AllStarWars
Jimmy Kimmel Monologue About His Son's Heart Condition
J Cole - 4 Your Eyez Only Documentary
DJ Khaled feat Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne - I'm On One (Video)
Gryffin & Illenium feat Daya - Feel Good (Video)
Fallon Mashes Up Smash Mouth's All Star With Star Wars Movies
Admittedly, I have a thing for Indie tracks flipped into melodic house remixes. Many times I've openly appreciated how The Chainsmokers for introducing me to the likes of Tove Lo and Anna of the North through their remixes. Now that they're off and rolling making their own music, I've been in need of someone to step up and fill that void.
Well hello Gryffin! It's no secret he's been on my short list of breakout artists for 2017 and this new remix of Sigrid's Don't Kill My Vibe only fuels the fire of that hot take. For reference, check the original...
It's a solid, vocal driven ballad on its own, but when you add in a few mellow drops, it becomes infinitely more likeable. The remix isn't a huge departure from the original, but the vibe much more ethereal. Follow me on over to Spotify to give this one a few spins...#DontKillMyVibe
When it comes to breakout artists for 2017, Gryffin is on my short list of up and comers I'm anticipating writing about a lot in the coming year. Whole Heart was one my favorite tracks in 2016, so in my eyes, he's already riding momentum from last year. On his new one, Feel Good, he teamed up with Illenium and Daya on a melodic dance track. It's just as chill as the cover art suggests, riding the wave of Daya's emotional vocals that usher you toward the slow, steady drop. As I think about it more and more, there's an undercurrent of folk/Newgrass on Gryffin's music that I really dig. You're going to have a tough time convincing me that this won't do some damage on Top 40 radio when the dust settles. If you're as much of a fan as I am, give it a more permanent listen on iTunes or Spotify...#FeelGood
It's been over 8 months since Gryffin released Heading Home and it's still in heavy rotation on my GWDJ Favorites Spotify playlist. Knowing that, he's long overdue for a follow up single. Enter Whole Heart, which features the vocals of Bipolar Sunshine (think DJ Snake - Middle). The track is unique in that it finds a way to capture the essence of folk music despite having an easy-listening, EDM/Pop sound. The soft guitar sample adds to the folk/acoustic vibe by adding an almost Country twist to the song. Between the Mumford-esque sing-along hook and vibrant, melodic drop, it's a very cool mix of a few different kinds of awesome. Kudos to Gryffin for finding a way to surpass expectations on the follow up single...#WholeHeart
It was a very rare week where actual music videos dominated this week's top five. Led by the visuals from twenty one pilots' new track off the Suicide Squad Soundtrack and PARTYNEXTDOOR's slow jam Come and See Me, the music touched a wide variety of genres. Those two videos were cool, but my favorite music video was by far What So Not and George Maple's Buried. The slow motion action mixed with the melodic trap was an awesome combo.
In the land of non-traditional videos, Anderson .Paak showed everyone who he's the toast of 2016's XXL Freshman class. Such a charismatic dude with an abundance of talent oozing from his pores. And last but most definitely not least, we all got a firsthand look at how awesome of a vocalist Josef Salvat is. Led by some ivory tickling from Gryffin, the in-studio acoustic rendition of Heading Home gets the nod for top video this week...#HeadingHome
twenty one pilots - Heathens (Video)
PARTYNEXTDOOR feat Drake - Come and See Me (Video)
What So Not x George Maple feat. Rome Fortune - Buried (Video)
It takes a certain mood, but there are certain days where chill House music is all I feel like consuming. That type of mellow EDM with soothing vocals and melodic chords that immediately forces you to relax your mind. Here's the newest example I can think of from Gryffin featuring the vocals of Josef Salvat. From the piano lead in to the echoing vocals and vibrant vocal samples, it possesses the secret sauce. It won't ignite a crowd, but if you're Heading Home and need something to put on to allow you to get past the exhausting day you just had, this will hit the spot. The way it comes together after the gentle drop may even get you nodding your head and vibing out a bit. Give it a listen if you're in the mood for a dose of chill...#HeadingHome
Going a bit off the reservation on today's musical excursion. Feel free to file this under the chill Indietronica heading with Biploar Sunshine chipping in the Indie and Gryffin taking care of the chill electonica. The remix is a calming mix of snaps and smooth guitars that steadily get more upbeat as the track progresses. Having been introduced to both artist through the remix below, I feel like the main takeaway is to be on the lookout for more coming from Gryffin. He's an up and coming name out of NY and if you're wondering what I mean, give a listen to his remix of BANKS' Beggin' For Thread. Plenty of goodness between these two remixes, leading me to believe there's more to come in 2015...#Daydreamer
