Rhye – Open (S O H N Remix)

The original version of “Open” by LA-based indie R&B outfit Rhye is already, at its core, a smooth, seductive electronic track that expresses the need for a woman’s body, accentuating specific body parts while begging her to stay open. Today, Vienna native and ambient/electronic musician S O H N released a concoction of an even sexier vision with his remix of the song. The mix is subtle yet effective, offering a minimalist take on the song without diluting the song’s message. Watch the remix above.

Rhye’s Woman is available now via Republic Records.

Justin Timberlake – Suit & Tie (Four Tet Remix)

Justin Timberlake makes his official return to the music scene in just under two weeks with the release of his third LP, The 20/20 Experience. To tide us over until then, Four Tet has turned out a pretty interesting remix of JT’s premiere single, “Suit & Tie.” In this new take, the artist né Kieran Hebden speeds up Timberlake’s vocals, cuts up the beat with various vocal dubs and drops Jay-Z’s weak rap from the song (which alone makes it better than the original). Kick your weekend off right and stream it below.

Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience is set for a March 19th release via RCA.

STREAM: Justin Timberlake – “Suit & Tie (Four Tet Remix)”

Ra Ra Riot – When I Dream (Pacific Air Remix)

Pacific Air (formerly known as KO KO) has offered the interwebs its very own take on Ra Ra Riot’s “When I Dream.” The sparse chamber pop of the original has been infused with some space synths and a bubbly breakdown. Pacific Air is currently touring with Ra Ra Riot, adding a whole “all in the family” air to the thing. See? Bands can be friends!

STREAM: Ra Ra Riot – “When I Dream (Pacific Air Remix)”

Best Of 2012: The Top 20 Remixes

20. Frank Ocean – “Thinkin Bout You (Ryan Hemsworth Bootleg)”

19. Everything Everything – “Cough Cough (NZCA/Lines Remix)”

18. Ultraista – “Smalltalk (Four Tet Remix)”

(more…)

Ben Howard – The Fear (Moonlight Matters Rework)

Rising Belgian producer Sebastiaan Vandevoorde – formerly Villa, currently Moonlight Matters – has just put together a great rework of popular UK singer-songwriter Ben Howard’s uplifting track “The Fear”. This is a rare instance of acoustic guitar and four-on-the-floor dance production coming together in a way that sounds not at all unnatural and actually very good. The song revolves around Howard’s bombastic, percussive guitar riffs, offset by understated bowed strings, slap bass and some upbeat drums – a formula that sort of reminds me of this beloved 90s classic. The lyrics deliver a simple but sincere message that everyone can relate to: don’t let yourself miss out on things just because you’re afraid to give them a go. Preach. Download below.

MP3: Ben Howard – “The Fear (Moonlight Matters Rework)”

Kimbra – Two Way Street (Aeroplane Remix)

Belgian DJ, producer and mixtape maestro Vito de Luca (Aeroplane) just released his first remix in months and it’s a gem. This time, Vito applies his signature hybrid Italo/Balearic/Nu-Disco magic to Kiwi singer-songwriter Kimbra’s track “Two Way Street,” featured on her debut album Vows. It’s a dancefloor-ready remix with super sharp production and a tight funky groove.

Aeroplane used to be a two-man act featuring de Luca and Stephen Fasano, who is now known as The Magician). Both as a duo and on their own, these two gents have helped to spearhead a worldwide Italo disco revival, bringing fresh Balearic dance tunes to bigger and bigger crowds. With this latest track, Vito flashes some of the talent behind his increasingly big name and shows he isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon.

Catch his set at the venerable U Street Music Hall tonight. Tickets are available here.

STREAM: Kimbra – “Two Way Street (Aeroplane Remix)”

Youth Lagoon – Daydream (Mork’s Epic Snares Remix)

Sometimes when I listen to Youth Lagoon’s The Year of Hibernation I feel like it’s gotta be the result of Trevor Powers trailing me around last summer and writing down all my emotions, furiously scribbling my every high, low, and in between into a teeny tiny Rhodia notebook. Every song is so perfectly mellow and touchingly sweet that it speaks to that inexplicable 20-somethingness that every artist, author, and musician in the blogosphere is constantly seeking but rarely ever landing anywhere near.

In our glocalized world, music this exceptional rarely stays a secret for long, and Youth Lagoon is no stranger to the remix hounds out there. Chicago native John Mörk’s “Epic Snares” reworking of “Daydream”—one of the more upbeat tracks on Hibernation to begin with—maintains the song’s original synth hooks that won me over in the first place, but also kicks up the tempo to a much dancier, less introspective level. Don’t think of it as a replacement, but rather a supplement to your scheduled Youth Lagoon listening sessions, more fitting for an afternoon drive in a convertible than a post-midnight Tumblr endless-scroll-a-palooza.

MP3: Youth Lagoon -  Daydream (Mörk’s Epic Snares Remix)

Princeton – Grand Rapids (RAC Remix)

When Princeton released A Remembrance of Things to Come earlier this year, they delivered a track ripe for remixing. Backed by the Los Angeles New Music Ensemble, the album presented a more complex and mature sound than their earlier Cocoon of Love, just as shiny but clearly more restrained and thought-out. So when we heard Remix Artist Collective got their dextrous fingers on “Grand Rapids,” we all expected a characteristic amping up of the original work. However, realizing that the usual approach would mark a step backwards for Princeton, they shoot “Grand Rapids” forward along the band’s trajectory of sophistication by slimming down the synths and mellowing out the beat. It’s as smart a remix as we’ve heard in a hot second–although perhaps calling it a “demix” would be more appropriate. Have a listen to the original and RAC’s version below.

Stream: Princeton – “Grand Rapids (RAC Remix)”

Stream: Princeton – “Grand Rapids”

Active Child – Hanging On (GRVRBBRS Remix)

As much as the no-vowels trend deserves to be shot in the head, there’s no denying that GRVRBBRS‘ take on Active Child‘s “Hanging On” is pure nü-disco gold. The Brooklyn production team takes Pat Grossi’s electronic slow jam, off Active Child’s debut LP You Are All I See, and slaps on a slick drumbeat and Miami-style synths for fantastic effect. The final product borrows heavily from Kavinsky and Justice, but those are inspirations we can all get behind.

MP3: Active Child – “Hanging On (GRVRBBRS Remix)”

Fanfarlo – Shiny Things (Yeasayer Remix)

Earlier this month, we told you about Fanfarlo‘s video for “Shiny Things”. Well, we have some more shiny news. Yeasayer (on intermission) lent their unique Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel sound to the pop track, toning the original down in all the right places. It’s infused with synth and talkbox vocals, leaving no doubt as to who constructed the retake.

If you want some more cool stuff from Fanfarlo, go to their site and check out their superb live sessions, which can only build more excitement for Rooms Filled with Light, coming out February 28 on Canvasback Music.

MP3: Fanfarlo – “Shiny Things (Yeasayer Remix)