"Say Hello There, It's Been So Long"

Well I'll be damned. Dillon Francis finally got on board with the island vibes of Tropical House. His new one, Hello There, features sing-songy vocals from Yung Pinch and feels like something you'd hear at an outdoor club on (fill in the blank) island. It's half summery, half-tropical, but make no mistake, it's as chill as it gets from Dillon Francis.

Song aside, I almost lost it after pressing play on the lyric video below. I've been a vocal advocate of artists ditching the high-budget "typical" music videos for more budget-friendly, creative lyric videos. And it doesn't get any more low budget than a dude lip syncing the vocals while being super-imposed within the cover art of the track. It's even more funny that the cover art features what looks like a dude posing for an online dating site profile picture, enjoying a pineapple slice by the pool. Whether or not it's a serious expansion of Dillon's musical style remains to be scene, but color me entertained by all of the above...#HelloThere


Dillon Francis feat Yung Pinch - Hello There

"If There's a Cure For This, I Don't Want It"

Saying Troyboi is on a roll doesn't really do justice to the momentum he's running downhill with right now. If you're like me, you're still knee deep in Left is Right, which makes this new Diana Ross sampled single all the more surprising and awesome. If your parents never subjected you to her classic, Love Hangover, then shame on them, but also here's your chance to catch up by pressing play below...



It doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize the funk dripping off the original. Lucky for us, Troyboi was there to capture all that funkiness and reshape it into a form we're much more accustomed to. Leveraging the original vocals, Troyboi chopped, bounced, and clanged all over the original. The remix reeks of funk with plenty of bass to spare, managing to marry old and new in one three minute effort. For the time being, all I can offer is a Soundcloud link, but keep it locked for an official release...#DontWant

Troyboi - Don't Want

It's Always Sunny in Sam Feldt's World

I'm still trying to wrap my head around whether Sam Feldt is more of a remix wizard or an artist who walks the line between picking the right samples and over-sampling. For reference, a few of the sample heavy tracks include Be My Lover, Save Tonight, and Show Me Love. Don't get me wrong, those three are all favorites of mine from the 90s that he resurrected in his own unique, Trop House-y way.

But if we've learned anything from The Chainsmokers, it's that you can start a career with remixes and morph into a heavyweight, pop-defining artist. And if you can't tell from my comments above, Sam's samples are generally executed really well. While I'm add it, might as well add his collabo with Joshua Radin to the mix. In case you aren't a fan of Folk music, you might have missed the original version of High and Low (below)...



Pretty chill track that puts on full display his vocal prowess. Now add in a bubbly chord progression from Sam Feldt and it all comes together nicely. Adding a little tempo, some snaps, and a strong piano backbone did the original well. I love the fact that he kept the acoustic guitar in the remix too. Oh and don't sleep on those horns man! Dare I say it skates dangerously close to my favorite strain of EDM, Newgrass. It's another good look for Sam Feldt and his new Sunrise album is chalked full of goodness that you need to check out on iTunes or Spotify...#Sunrise

Sam Feldt feat Joshua Radin - High and Low

"Everyone Prays in the End"

Despite being incredibly unassuming, if Sam Smith wanted to make a Gospel album, he'd have people lining up to buy the album. Many times before he's shown a deeply soulful side, but he took it to another level on Pray. With the backing of a church choir, he literally took everyone to church.

On the track he leverages the common theme of relying on religion in a time of need. On first listen there was something different about the track that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was the seemingly out of place "huh? vocal sample throughout? Maybe it was the percussion heavy bridge? Whatever it was, it led me to dig deeper. Needless to say, I almost lost my sh*t when I found out Timbaland chipped in on the production. It's obviously a great move for Sam given the track record Timbo has with countless artists. It's the second single off Sam's upcoming The Thrill of It All album that will be dropping on November 3rd. Go ahead and pre-order/pre-save the album while checking out the list of tour dates for Summer 2018. Let's just say, it won't be a matter of if I'll be seeing Sam in concert, it'll be when and where...#TheThrillOfItAll



Sam Smith - Pray (prod by Jimmy Napes & Timbaland)

Dillon Francis and Halsey Are Bad At Love

Rarely is a song ever so remix-worthy that it deserves it's own EP. Given the success of Halsey's latest album, it's no surprise Bad At Love was deemed worthy of five different remixes. From Autograf to Hook N Sling to Dillon Francis, there were a lot of big names in the mix.

Out of the pool of five, my favorite of the bunch was (unsurprisingly) Dillon's mix. The steady, back and forth knock on the beat and tribal undertones gives the track an added level of intrigue that Halsey's stellar vocals couldn't alone accomplish. It's hard to pull off, but Dillon's mix of rhythmic and chill hits a sweet spot for me. I've been listening to this one non-stop the past two days, so feel free and follow me on over to Spotify or iTunes if you're as big of a fan...#BadAtLove



Halsey - Bad At Love (Dillon Francis Remix)

Videos of the Week October 6th

It was an odd week for videos, which reflected a tumultuous week in the U.S. Words can't adequately communicate the amount of loss and despair we all felt when the details started to emerge surrounding the Las Vegas shooting. The fact that it was at a music festival was even more harrowing for those of us who frequently attend those large scale events. Personally, I've grown accustomed to turning to music when everything else in the world doesn't make sense, so hopefully this abbreviated list of videos somehow provide the escapism you're looking for if you feel the same week.

All that being said, it would be hard to find a more appropriate video than Miley Cyrus and Adam Sandler's performance of No Freedom shortly after news of the shooting broke. The tone of the track seemed to strike just the right chord for me and while I don't normally listen to country, I felt the need to be a little more open minded this week. If you came to this post looking for some actual music videos, both Fergie and Wu-Tang have you covered. Fergie's Love is Blind may not be the most appropriate video given this week's events, but the use of dolls carrying out the plot saved me from taking it too seriously. It's been a while since Wu-Tang got together and seeing them with Redman added even more nostalgia to their new video for People Say. If you need a bit of humor to get you back on the brighter side of life, the latest rendition of Celebrity Mean Tweets might do the trick. And if you're really looking for a mix of pop culture and great music, Jay Zv covered all those bases with his SNL performance. Donning a Kaepernick jersey, he started the latest season of SNL off with bang by performances of Bam and 4:44. Here's to hoping Colin finds his way into the NFL at some point this year...#FreeKaepernick

Miley Cyrus and Adam Sandler Perform "No Freedom" to Open the Fallon Show

Fergie - Love is Blind (Video)

Wu-Tang Clan feat Redman - People Say (Video)

Celebrities Read Mean Tweets on Kimmel

Jay Z Performs Bam on SNL

Photo Credit: YouTube

"Let Me Carry You Home, Let Me Carry You Home"

Let me get this straight, Tiesto, Stargate, and Aloe Blacc went in on a track together? Star-studded (pardon the pun) doesn't scratch the surface on the ceiling of the talent on Carry You Home. Ignoring my impossibly high expectations for the track, it's a really chill track. Aloe Blacc's vocals always fall easy on the ears, especially when he's able to hit those high notes on the hook.

The mix of styles between Tiesto and Stargate proved to be an interesting mix. You've got a progressive house influence from Tiesto and a smooth pop vibe from Stargate. Simply put, Top 40 is going to have a hell of a time trying to ignore this one. Chalk it up as a rare, elite level collabo that actually didn't disappoint... #CarryYouHome



Tiesto feat Stargate & Aloe Blacc - Carry You Home

"Oh You Hung Me Out To Dry, I Only Meant To Love You"

I've posted a few JAUZ tracks throughout the years, but none have been as dance worthy as his new one with ROUXN. Meant to Love has a gentle lead in, but gets after it with a balls to the wall, wobbly bass heavy chord progression. ROUXN's vocals are fun and melodic, providing a perfect compliment to the playful energy of the track.

Before diving deep on the track below, you need to know there's a half minute of stalled tempo around the two and a half minute mark that may cause you to move on to the next song. If you have the attention span to listen to a whole five minute song, you'll be rewarded at the end for making it through the peaks and valleys of the track. JAUZ takes it up a few notches around the four minute mark, turning up the bass and laying into the chords even more. It's a hype track that will be getting a lot of love this week on GWDJ Favorites... #MeantToLove



JAUZ feat ROUXN - Meant To Love You

Been Feeling Gryffin's Remix Since 1966, Now

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 two remixes if you so choose...#FeelItStill



Portugal. The Man - Feel It Still (Gryffin Remix)

"Sippin' So Much Goose That You Could Call Me Geese"

You want to know what chilled to the max sounds like? Press play below and enter into a steel-drum led, calypso flavored, get drunk in paradise anthem. Credit to Louis The Child for choosing Ashe as the one to deliver vocals that are equal parts playful and mellow. There's a gentle ebb and flow of rhythm, but the lyrics will all but walk you to the liquor cabinet to mix a drink on your way to getting loose and making questionable decisions. It's as tasteful as you can get for being all about getting drunk and running a red light on the foreplay. Cop it via the usual Spotify or iTunes channels if you're as enamored with the chill as I am...#RightToIt



Louis The Child feat Ashe - Right To It

Troyboi's Music Doesn't Just Bang, It Kinjabangs

It's taken a few listens to Troyboi's new Left is Right to finally land on a standout track, but the cream has finally risen to the top. To date, the track I've liked the most of Troyboi's have been heavy, choppy, and full of attention grabbing percussion. That formula holds true on Kinjabang, but with an interesting oriental flavor. Not sure what language the vocal sample is taken from, but it sounds Chinese and matches the guzheng sounding chord progression on the beat. The resulting sound is playful, but goes hard and the cuts and scratches give it the unrefined edge that generally accompanies anything Troyboi puts out. Don't get it twisted, it's Trap at it's core, but the instrumental creativity on this track is dope af. Moral of the story is that you should check out his new EP because there's plenty more gold buried the mound of 20 tracks...#Kinjabang



Troyboi - Kinjabang

"Better, Better, Meaner, Meaner, 'til the Very Last Breath"

I feel like I need to start this post with a slow clap for the crew over at FIFA? When it comes to building excitement for a video game, could you pick a more hype duo than Run the Jewels to spearhead a soundtrack? Nope, it doesn't get any more in your face and brash than Killer Mike and EL-P.

In case you missed the trailer last week, FIFA's yearly release is on the horizon. I haven't played the game in years, but EA's marketing approach of focusing on the social moments driven by the game will surely resonate with the younger demo they're clearly going for. Hat tip to Trackstar the DJ for the dope instrumental on Mean Demeanor too. Few beats deserve a full 30 second lead in, but this is the exception. As a bonus, the FIFA 18 Soundtrack just hit Spotify and it's 40 tracks! Interestingly enough, it's a mish-mash of already released music, so you won't be able to buy it all like you would a normal album. Pro tip, hit up the Spotify link and enjoy your spin around the world of music from many of the soccer dominant countries...#MeanDemeanor



Run the Jewels - Mean Demeanor

Videos of the Week September 29th

This week's top five was interesting in that the most noteworthy music came from late night performances. Led by Chance the Rapper who debuted a powerful new track on Colbert, late night wasn't just a source of comedy this week. Let's just say Chance had a lot on his mind and his stream of consciousness-style song was chalked full of reflection. The hook of "first world problems that people make up, have a dream and then never wake up" stuck with me and his poetic delivery was impactful. Can't wait for the finished version of the track after seeing the song debuted live. Speaking of finished tracks, Tyler, the Creator's performance on Fallon was for an album based track, but it showed a much more polished artist than I'm used to seeing. Over the years my perception of Tyler was more akin to Insane Clown Posse than Wiz Khalifa. But after seeing his more thoughtful side come across performing See You Again with Kali Uchis, I'm willing to rethink my perception of him and give Flower Boy a more dedicated listen.

Outside of late night, the internet was collectively still smitten over Kygo's new five song Stargazing EP. Would you be surprised if I told you the video was less about viewing stars and more about a kid trying to fulfill a dream of building a rocket that could launch into space? Pretty cool story, but also very sad and I won't ruin why that's the case. If you're in need of a quick laugh, the trailer for South Park's The Fractured, But Whole video game should do the trick. If you watched the Kanye gay fish episode, you'll better understand the gist of the game. Outlandish doesn't even scratch the surface on that one. And of course last, but never the worst, is the Blue Planet II: The Prequel trailer. I'm a big nature and subsequently, Blue Planet fan, so seeing that Radiohead and Hans Zimmer got together to add audio to the trailer was icing on the cake. God bless what cameras are able to capture nowadays. Never have we as humans been able to get so up close and personal with forms of life we'd never get the chance to experience if it weren't for documentaries like the one BBC puts together...#BluePlanetII

Chance the Rapper Debuts New Reggae Track on Colbert

Tyler, The Creator & Kali Uchis Perform See You Again on Fallon

Kygo feat Justin Jesso - Stargazing (Video)

South Park: Fractured, But Whole (Game Trailer)

Blue Planet II: The Prequel by Radiohead & Hans Zimmer (Trailer)

Photo Credit: BBC

Don't Sleep on La Cuidad Off Odesza's A Moment Apart

Remember that time I kept posting about Odesza tracks every other day back in 2017? Alright, alright...I promise this is the last post for a while. Let's just say all the treads are gone off the tires I've put so much mileage into A Moment Apart.

You are all keenly aware of the singles from the album at this point, but the more I listen to the album, the more I find myself gravitating to La Cuidad. It's such an adventure of tempos and moods. Off top, the funky, upbeat rhythm sucks you in. Then comes the stutter vocal sample to provide a pitter-patter of contrast with the steady beat. Then the pace slows to quiet whisper before picking up again to mimmick the shotgun start. And in case you hadn't gotten enough of a tempo roller coaster, there's this lullabye, swan-song-esque minute long outro that will put you to sleep if you let it. In case you're still hiding under that rock, come out from underneath it and open your ears to A Moment Apart. And if you want to know even more about them as artists and the creation of the album, check out their Reddit AMA from earlier this week...#LaCuidad



Odesza - La Cuidad

Illenium's New Awake Album is the Best 2017 Has to Offer

Without really knowing it, I've become a big Illenium fan. I phrase it that way because in the past six months he's been responsible for two songs I really like, but they were released so far apart that I didn't connect the dots on Illenium being behind both. Feel Good and Fractures are the songs I'm referring to and they're both on his recently released Awake album. Over the past week I've been running laps around the album, along with much of the EDM world that has been churning out reviews of his new music. Needless to say, there's a developing consensus that his new album is in the conversation for 2017's best. His melodic, dubstep style is potent when combined with top notch vocalists and it just so happens the entire EP is littered with just that.

If you're searching for a diamond in the rough beyond the already released singles, look no further than the first track. Needed You thrives on Dia Frampton's mellow vocals and Illenium's ethereal synths and exaggerated bass hits. It's stylistically on par with the likes of Seven Lions and Sub Focus if you're into comparisons. Honestly I could have picked from a handful of other favorites on the album, so if you take anything away from this post, it should be to check out the entire album...#Awake



Illenium feat Dia Frampton - Needed You

Flux Pavilion Goes Hip Hop with Two-9 on Stain

When I need a rowdy, bass heavy, crowd pleaser, Flux Pavilion is on a short list of artists I lean on. To this day, I'm still baffled his remix of Faithless's We Come One hasn't gotten an official release. Official release or not, that mix is on the Mount Everest of bouncy EDM tracks.

Late last week Flux continued his bouncy crusade on more of a Hip Hop tip on Stain. With the help of some fire verses from Two-9, his new one walks a tight rope between rowdy Hip Hop and Trap. The jagged, aggro synth progression post-drop fits with what I'd expect from Flux, but without that you'd be hard pressed convincing me this one has anything to do with EDM. If your Tuesday is in need of some audio smelling salts, this one should do the trick...#Stain

Flux Pavilion feat Two-9 - Stain

Skrillex Flips a Bonkers Remix of Kendrick Lamar's Humble

If you're a gambler or someone who enjoys anything high stakes, you'll be a fan of the remix below. Leaving aside the fact that Skrillex decided to go in on a Kendrick Lamar track, he decided to flip the crown jewel of them all, Humble. Check the video for the original below for added context in case you've been hibernating the past year and missed it...



How in the hell do you improve on a modern day classic like Humble? Let's just say I was skeptical, but Skrillex mustered up a 98 mph fastball and brought all the heat he could muster on the remix. The most refreshing aspect of the remix was the acapella lead-in. You'd be hard pressed to find me another EDM/Hip Hop/Trap track that had the balls to start the track sans a beat. Oh and don't sleep on those arena-filling horns post-drop, they go hard af. If I had to give it a grade, I'd give it a B+ because it was an impossible task and Skrillex damn near shot a hole-in-one...#HumbleRemix

Kendrick Lamar - Humble (Skrillex Remix)

"Stars Don't Disappear, They Keep Blazing"

Over the past six months Kygo has been doing his best to stay top of mind and relevant. It Ain't Me with Selena Gomez and First Time with Ellie Goulding are two of his best efforts to date, leading us all to believe he has yet to even reach his peak. That ascension continued this week with his surprise release of a new five song Stargazing EP. While the EP contains the aforementioned chart topping singles, it also features his new collabo with U2, as well as two new ones to sink our teeth into.

The title track to the EP, Stargazing, is very similar stylistically to It Ain't Me. I'll put it this way, if you like the choppy, echoing vocal style that he employed on the former, you'll dig this one just the same. Credit to Justin Jesso for being the newest talented vocalist to absolutely shine over another one of Kygo's vibrant piano beats. The new EP may not be as fulfilling as a full-length EP, but beggars can't be choosers, and two new Kygo tracks is still an amazing surprise to anyone willing to listen...#Stargazing



Kygo feat Justin Jesso - Stargazing

"I Swear I'll Love You in a Different Way"

Have Diplo and DJ Snake been hanging out recently? I ask because the beat on A Different Way reeks of calypso, Caribbean vibes that I'd normally associate with a Diplo beat. Leveraging some smooth R&B vocals from Lauv, there's even some boy-band appeal buried in the track below. The chopped up scat-like vocals add some flavor to the otherwise chill track. With R&B quickly becoming a dinosaur, it's nice hearing a big name DJ invite it under the umbrella of EDM. The more I listen to it, the more memorized I am with the gentle percussion on the beat. I chose Spotify, but feel free and cop it officially on iTunes if you feel so inclined...#ADifferentWay



DJ Snake feat Lauv - A Different Way

Videos of the Week September 22nd

Out of all weeks, this one probably had the best balance of emotional, creative, and funny. Led by the incredibly nostalgic Good Old Days, Macklemore and Kesha provided a quality lead off effort. There's just something about sitting around a campfire with friends that meshes really well with the "remember the good old days feeling. Speaking of feeling, if you don't get goosebumps hearing Jay Z's Encore verse meshed with the Chester Bennington led Numb live in studio then you clearly slept on early 2000s music. Really going to miss the high end vocal range he brought to Linkin Park that gave the group an added alternative edge.

In case you've missed everything I've posted over the past few weeks, Odesza released their new A Moment Apart album last week. Watching them make music is one of the most memorizing things for me personally. It's only a minute and a half, but seeing how they put together Meridian was a fun watch. If you're looking for funny, watching Lil Wayne lip sync the Friends theme song with an NFL twist should fit the bill. The music sample is far from Hip Hop, but there's some entertainment value watching him plead for NFL teams to not go 0-2. Rounding out this week's top five was another stellar creation from Louis Futon. This time he teamed up with GRiZ to put together a paint by numbers, behind the scenes look on how they spliced together their remix of Tyler, The Creator's See You Again. Can't say I was a huge fan of the original, but I'm all about the new fangled flip the dynamic duo was able to put together...#SeeYouAgain

Macklemore & Kesha - Good Old Days (Video)

Jay Z Performs Numb/Encore as a Tribute to Linkin Park's Chester Bennington

How Odesza Made Meridian

Lil Wayne Sings the Friends Theme Song

Louis Futon & GRiZ Flip Tyler, The Creator's See You Again

Photo Credit: YouTube

"Messing With My Head in the Red Lights Baby"

Ahhh nothing like the refreshing dance vibes of a new Kill Paris single. Red Lights is what happens when a talented DJ finds the right vocalist to deliver the perfect hook. Dotter's raspy vocals contrast really well with the upbeat, disco rhythms Kill Paris delivers on the track. I'd characterize it more as "fun dance" than "club dance", meaning the tempo range makes it more listenable at a party or in the car than a night club. What stands out to me the most is the smooth, synth driven chord progression post drop. For added intrigue, Kill Paris threw some excitable sprinkles on the beat toward the end. If you're as smitten as I am with the nugget below, head on over to Spotify or iTunes to cop it...#RedLights

Kill Paris feat Dotter - Red Lights

"You'll Miss the Magic of the Good Old Days"

I challenge you to find me an artist that makes nostalgic music as well as Macklemore. The storytelling is genuine in his music and he emanates authenticity every time he gets on the mic. The latest example is his collaboration with Kesha on Good Old Days. The over-arching message of "cherish the days being a kid" is a lesson everyone can internalize. It's the ultimate catch 22. When we get old we're able to appreciate being young and when we're young we seemingly let life fly by at 100 mph without batting an eye. Through Macklemore's quiet, measured delivery and Kesha's glorious harmony on the hook, a door to the past is opened for anyone listening. It's another standout track on Macklemore's upcoming album Gemini. Set to hit shelves on September 22nd, Good Old Days fits in nicely with recent hits Marmalade and Glorious. Join me in looking forward to diving into the 13 other tracks that have yet to be released over the weekend...#Gemini



Macklemore feat Kesha - Good Old Days (prod by Budo)

"If I'm Evil, We'll Be Going Down"

Wooow! I'm at a loss for words after listening to what RAC did to James Vincent McMorrow's Evil. Nothing against the original version, but the quiet, peaceful, chill that RAC was able to impart on the track is downright amazing. The vocals from James are filled with so much soul, it must have been an easy sell for RAC to work his magic on the Evil Remix.

And work his magic is exactly what he did, imparting an emotion dripped instrumental that sways between gentle guitar plucks and a dramatic string arrangement. Part of me was wondering when the hell the beat was going to drop on the remix, but that's where the genius lies. RAC kicked open a door of possibilities with this one, which means I'm going to have to go back to the drawing board on the type of music I thought he was capable of making...#Evil



James Vincent McMorrow - Evil (RAC Mix)

"Valet's on Me, Like Some Molly on Tamales"

Might as well hit the gas and go 0 to 100 on this glorious Monday. It should be no surprise that Krewella is at the center of the new heater with Yellow Claw below, but I am a bit taken aback by the Hip Hop vibe of the track. Given Yellow Claw's influence, New World is probably closer to Trap than Hip Hop, but the oriental percussion is what I'll remember most about the track. Sure, the spitfire bars from Yasmine and Taylor Bennett are also noteworthy, but you can't beat the rowdy bass and clangy samples. Follow me on over to Spotify to add this one to the latest party starter mix...#NewWorld

Krewella & Yellow Claw feat Taylor Bennett - New World (prod by Yellow Claw)

"I'm the Kind of Trouble That You Enjoy"

When the internet gets wind of a possible U2/Kygo collaboration, the collective anticipation level is palpable. On first mention, a heavyweight, cross-genre collaboration seems too good to be true. Lord knows I've personally written about countless "can't go wrong" collaborations that I've developed a significant amount of skepticism with these type of tracks. Would U2's contemporary rock style be able to be seamlessly translated to Tropical House? Seems like a novel mash-up of styles, but we're clearly journeying into the unknown with You're The Best Thing About Me.

After a couple listens, I gotta admit, I'm a little underwhelmed. Sure, the novelty is there with Kygo chopping up Bono's vocals throughout the track, but ultimately it's a bit too poppy for me. It's too boiler plate Top 40 for me to really want to listen to it more than a handful of times. Maybe the guitar riffs mixed with tropical vibes will resonate with you more than I, but it's ending up being a too good to be true type of collaboration for me...#YoureTheBestThingAboutMe



U2 vs Kygo - You’re The Best Thing About Me

Jamie xx Breathes Life Into The xx's On Hold

I'll be the first to admit, Jamie xx was the sole reason I started listening to The xx's music. His vibrant house style is consistently packed with energy, which is why it isn't a big surprise that so many well-known artists and producers like Drake, Gil Scott Heron, and 40 have sought him out for collaboration.
What's best about his style is that it finds a way to compliment the music he helps make with The xx, yet it sounds completely different when he goes solo. Take for example his new remix of The xx's single from earlier this year, On Hold. The original is a quiet, Indie-pop track that succeeds in large part because of Romy and Oliver's vocals. The On Hold Remix on the other hand features a slow building house beat that takes around a minute and a half to gain a full head of steam. The resulting beat showcases one of the more bubbly, upbeat synth progressions I've heard in a while. It sounds like space techno if that was a thing. Whatever the case, it's a much more interesting track with the added tempo. The only vocals on the remix are from the Hall & Oates sample, which give it a whole new lease on life. If anything this made me appreciate Jamie's talents even more, confirming that he's the root of my fandom for all that is The xx...#OnHold



The xx - On Hold (Jamie xx Remix)

Videos of the Week September 15th

Plenty to latch onto in this week's buffet of top videos. There's plenty of humor, stellar videography, and even a noteworthy duet. Let by the satire of South Park who had their Jim Bob character channel both Kendrick Lamar and Amazon's Alexa simultaneously, the week got off to a quick start. Let's just say hearing a country rendition of Humble was more than a little funny. While we're at it, might at well keep the laughter going with Dillon Francis's cameo on First We Feast's Hot Ones. If you were wondering whether the wings they eat on the show were really hot, your question was answered this week.

Switching to a different vibe, Avicii came through with a trailer to his new upcoming documentary, True Stories. In the doc, you can expect to learn about a lot of the struggles that led to Avicii momentarily retiring. It's going to be an interesting look into the trade offs between health, friendships, and stardom. Speaking of stardom, Jas Davis is at the forefront of visual expression. Being Skrillex's right hand man sure has it's perks. For one, when it's your birthday Skrillex throws you a bone by sending you an unreleased beat to use for your new video. And last, but not least we got a sliver of the late Amy Winehouse. Both Dua Lipa and Gallant did everything in their power to do justice to her classic Tears Dry on Their Own. Basically anytime Gallant is being recorded live, count me in. Dude is hands down on of the best vocalists on the planet right now...#TearsDryOnTheirOwn

JimBob Cover's Kendrick Lamar's Humble on South Park

Dillon Francis Drops by First We Feast's Hot Ones to Eat Some Wings

Avicii True Stories Album Trailer

Jas Davis - Friendly Fire (prod by Skrillex) (Video)

Dua Lipa and Gallant Cover Amy Winehouse's Tears Dry On Their Own

Photo Credit: Comedy Central

Lorde & Friends Blow It Up on Homemade Dynamite Remix

When Lorde first burst onto the scene, it was clear that the youngin' from New Zealand was destined for success. Her sultry vocals have always made her seem more seasoned than her age may suggest. Even better, after two successful album releases, she's now taking her career to the next level with interesting collabos like the one below. Teaming up with vocalists like Post Malone, Khalid, and SZA may not seem like a huge step forward, but I'd argue it is because she's really pushing to translate her music to new audiences now. There isn't a lot to hang you hat on these days with R&B, but I'd argue that the three artists she chose for the Homemade Dynamite Remix are the ones fighting to keep the genre relevant in Pop music. It's a really chill remix with plenty of bars to hang your hat on. Follow me on over to iTunes or Spotify to cop this new hotness...

Lorde feat Khalid, Post Malone & SZA - Homemade Dynamite (Remix)

"Everybody Prays to God by Different Names"

At this point, you're certifiably insane if you haven't given Odesza's new A Moment Apart album a listen. To hammer home that point, I'm posting what seems like the 15th single worth track from the album. Divide strikes a chord with me in so many ways. Kelsey Bulkin's quiet, but composed vocals fit so well over Odesza's chill instrumental style. And you better believe they brought that with a slow burning beat equipped with all the ethereal samples and bird sounding synths you could imagine. It's one big harmonious, dreamy track that finds a way to stand out among a stacked track list. In case you missed it last week, their new album trailer is below, along with the obligatory iTunes and Spotify links...#AMomentApart



Odesza feat Kelsey Bulkin - Divide

"And You're Right Where You're Supposed to Be"

Back in March I gushed over Arty's vibrant single with Maty Noyes. Falling Down was a whole new brand of rhythmic chill that stretched and pulled conventional EDM to new limits. Needless to say, I was picking up what Arty was putting down.

Fast forward to this week where Arty again resurfaced with a brand new heat rock titled Supposed To Be. Where Falling Down succeeded in it's instrumental vibrance, Supposed To Be excels in it's ability to get everyone singing along. It's one of those tracks where you find yourself humming and chanting along throughout the hook even if it isn't your favorite track. There's plenty of feel-good vibes baked into the already easy-listening track. By the end of the week, you'll be patting yourself on the back for adding this one to your latest iTunes or Spotify playlist...#SupposedToBe



Arty - Supposed To Be

"Someone Will Love You, Let Me Go"

Prior to this past week, I was mostly oblivious to the talented Hailee Steinfeld. Then I watched her star in The Edge of Seventeen and gained a whole new respect for her. The fact that I enjoyed the movie speaks to how out of touch I am with the trials and tribulations of present day High School life. There was just enough angst, frustration, awkward sexual tension, and Woody Harrelson to carry the plot.

This week Hailee broke my mental model of an actress with her Florida Georgia Line and Alesso and watt collabo below. Let Me Go seeks to end the relationship that's teetering on the brink of ending. Her vocals blend nicely with the country-tinged vocals from Florida Georgia Line, while Alesso adds a EDM dynamic that makes it an interesting mess of styles. What I'm trying to say is the vibrant post-drop chord progression is just as catchy as the talented vocals. Color me impressed by Hailee's crossover appeal. If you're just as smitten, pick your iTunes or Spotify poison...#LetMeGo



Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso feat Florida Georgia Line & watt - Let Me Go

Sam Smith is a Pro at Goodbyes

Even though I'm a die-hard EDM and Hip Hop-head, I'm a sucker for a good vocalist. On the absolute top of that list sits Sam Smith. Having seen him perform in concert a hand full of times, I'd encourage anyone who hasn't seen him to add it as a bucket list item. For an unassuming Brit, his vocals range and dramatic delivery are legendary.

His new single, Too Good at Goodbyes, falls on the somber side of what he's capable of producing. It's the first single he's put out since 2015, but it affords the perfect opportunity for new fans to hop on board the bandwagon. Over a soft piano beat, he reaches deep on the personal emotion and shows off his vocal prowess on the pre-chorus. The gospel-style background vocals provide enough support on the hook to keep things interesting. Check it out on iTunes or Spotify if you feel as compelled to take it for a few spins like I did...#TooGoodAtGoodbyes



Sam Smith - Too Good at Goodbyes

"Your Friends are Callin’ You Baby Stay with Me Instead"

As I mentioned yesterday, Odesza dropped their new A Moment Apart album yesterday. Shortly after mentally ripping off the packaging, I flew through snippets of all the tracks I hadn't heard with interesting cameos. On the top of that list was Across the Room with vocals from living soul legend Leon Bridges.

I'm still wrapping my mind around the blend of styles since it's much more gospel or take 'em to church sounding than what you'd normally hear from Odesza, but that's not at all a bad thing. Leon's vocals and the quiet beat create a chill, jazzy vibe. Don't get it twisted though, Odesza found a way to put their stamp on the track with a high-pitched gospel vocal sample adding to the crescendo of energy following Leon's verses. It along with La Cuidad are my new favorites after a few listens to the new album. Add those to the multitude of already awesome singles and there's plenty of potential for 2017 album of the year consideration...#AMomentApart

Odesza feat Leon Bridges - Across the Room

Videos of the Week September 8th

This week's top five was dominated by Odesza, which is no surprise considering their new A Moment Apart album just dropped today. With the album release this week came an album trailer and an unplugged in-studio performance of their music at a local Seattle affiliate KEXP. My goodness...if you don't get goosebumps listening to their unplugged version of Line of Sight around the 27:30 mark, then please stop reading. I haven't even done a full lap around the album and I'm already convinced it's somehow managing to be on par with their last incredible album.

If I were to pretend to forget about Odesza for a minute, I'd encourage you to check out the dope new Adidas and Von Miller co-signed effort from YG and Mike Will. Appropriately titled Heart of a Lion, the mix of studio cuts and weightlifting clips made for an impactful watch. Then there was the obligatory NPR Tiny Desk cameo of the week from Jidenna. Still seared into my memory from Moonlight was the scene of him rollin' in his candy colored lac bumping the screwed and chopped version of the track. The Tiny Desk version isn't quite a hard, but it gave a little more insight into the vocal abilities of Jidenna. And last, but never least, U2 came through with a decidedly anti-Trump rendition of Bullet in the Blue Sky on Fallon. It's not a huge surprise considering how openly political U2 and Bono are, but man they didn't mince words. If you're in need for an invigorating boost of rebellion, definitely give that one a watch...#BulletInTheBlueSky

YG and Mike Will Made-It Heart of a Lion Video for Von Miller's Adidas Commercial

Odesza Performing Music From a Moment Apart on KEXP

Video Teaser of Odesza's New A Moment Apart Album

Jidenna Performs Classic Man on NPR Tiny Desk

U2 Performs Bullet in the Blue Sky on Fallon

Photo Credit: YouTube

"Light One Up and I’m Gone, I’m So Gone"

Oh man, so much soul baked into this new one from Mr. Probz and Anderson .Paak. Admittedly, I've slept on this track for a few weeks, but what better time to get on board than when the video drops. Before I gush about it, give the video a few minutes of your time...



After a few plays of the video, the psychedelic aesthetic really works for the track. Maybe it's because I'm used to the other-worldly visuals from Anderson, but the video fits the vibe. Without a doubt my favorite part of the track was when Anderson coasted into his verse, finding a way to show off his vocals over a subtly funky beat delivered by The Inkkwell. If I were less of a Spotify guy, this would be a track I'd want to permanently add to my collection. Choose your own adventure with Spotify or iTunes, but let it be known that not choosing one is only going to be to your detriment...#Gone

Mr. Probz feat Anderson .Paak - Gone (prod by The Inkkwell)