RAC‘s latest remix endeavor is nothing short of spellbinding. The Portland based producer takes on Joywave’s incredibly catchy single “Tongues” (off of their 88888 mixtape), smooths things out and—in typical RAC fashion—breaks the song down to simple yet effective elements. Staccato stabs bounce along with the warm and cozy drums, simultaneously cradling you along and grabbing you by the throat. André Anjos smoothly lassoes in the original’s chords, like an ice-cold glass of chocolate remix milk poured over a bowl of Joywave cereal. It was already good to begin with, but now it tastes that much better.

By far the most interesting tidbit about this piece is that Joywave reimagined and built off of their previous efforts for their new material; the band used recordings from their debut EP, Koda Vista, as the basis for 88888. So at the heart of it all, the most recent product to emerge from RAC’s remix factory is a reinterpretation of a reimagining or, in a way, a remix of a remix. Both versions speak the same language, but with very different accents. Yet the difference is not drastic enough for any meaning to be lost in the translation. Stream them both below.

DOWNLOAD: Joywave – “Tongues (Ft. Kopps) (RAC Remix)”

STREAM: Joywave – “Tongues (Ft. Kopps)”

The Knocks‘ ”Modern Hearts” is a great song. Dave Edwards agrees and transforms that greatness into something even more extraordinary (dare we say, the anthem of summer ’13?). Edwards’ remix is about as rave-ready as they come. In fact, if you could hold on for just one second, I’m going to crack my glow sticks real quick (I kid – I used the last of my glow sticks when I lost power the other day). Anyway, Edwards’ remix experiments with a series of chord progressions that avoid the all too familiar monotony typically found in this genre; he manages to work these chords in a way that allows them to exist as stand alone beats during the absence of the original’s melody and lyrics. But when the two come together, it’s magic. With some subtle yet ostentatious enhancements courtesy of his creative mixology, Edwards makes this song a playlist must. Stream it below.

STREAM: The Knocks – “Modern Hearts (Dave Edwards Remix)”

Disclosure‘s “You & Me” has already seen official remixes from the likes of Baauer and Toro y Moi – diverse names that added unique twists to Disclosure’s collaboration with Eliza Doolittle. If the Brothers Lawrence have peer in the fast-rising producers rankings, it may in fact be Sydney-based Flume, whose dramatic, bass-driven brand of hip hop and electronic music has made him the toast of Down Under. The original track pairs Doolittle’s light, poppy vocals with Disclosure’s distinct, skittering drums and grooving basslines. Flume’s remix of “You & Me” – which he labeled as “Orchestral Crunkwave” on Soundcloud – opens with steadily building strings and Doolittle’s vocal, climbing until it descends into a wobbling, bombastic hip hop beat. Brash and broad synths almost sound like horns, like a vintage Trick Daddy beat updated for today’s electronic times (and who doesn’t miss Trick Daddy?). An elegant and simple breakdown with a steady quarter beat clap builds the energy back up to towering heights, before joyously tumbling back into frothy glory. Stream it below.

STREAM: Disclosure – “You & Me (Flume Remix)”

It’s always interesting to see seminal records get the “official remix” treatment where modern producers are given the master tapes and freedom to run wild. These projects typically end up in two categories: one filled with great tracks that subtly re-imagine the originals to highlight a unique instrument or groove, and one filled with train wrecks. This mix from My Morning Jacket front man Jim James is one of the good ones.

The apparent goal was to highlight the amazing vocals above all else; the mix largely does away with the staccato piano rhythm that defines the original and starts off with nothing but the vocals and a minimalistic bass synth that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Postal Service B-side. As the song progresses, little bits of other instruments come into play – some splashy drums here, a lush guitar solo there, a little bit of the Hammond B3 organ – until the mix starts to glue together. If you told me this was a Soulwax production, I’d believe you. I mean that in a good way. Stream it below.

The rest of Legend: Remixed drops June 25th and there’s sure to be more tracks trickling out in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

STREAM: Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Waiting In Vain (Jim James Remix)”

CHVRCHES‘ latest electro-pop gem “Gun” gets spun on its head with a moody remix from South Londoner Jamie Isaac. The young producer trades the sparkling synths of the original for distant chords, sacrifices some of the infectious vocal hooks and lowers the pace several notches, all without losing the intensity of Lauren Mayberry’s vocals. It’s gentle and dark off-kilter jazz that brings to mind some of the very best aspects of English electronic music at the moment. We know you’re already keeping an eye on CHVRCHES, but the 18-year-old’s latest remix serves notice to keep an eye on him as well. Stream it below.

STREAM: CHVRCHES – “Gun (Jamie Isaac Remix)”

Since Phoenix’s Bankrupt came out last month, a veritable deluge of remixes has flooded the music world. Few, though, will be able to stand above Breakbot‘s spin on “Trying To Be Cool.” The Ed Banger artist takes the light and wistful original and adds a funky groove that nabs you from the first measure. Thomas Mars’ recognizable voice hops and skips above Breakbot’s upbeat disco, springy guitar riffs and a rubbery bassline. Stream it below.

STREAM: Phoenix – “Trying To Be Cool (Breakbot Remix)”

My love for RAC is quickly approaching that of a 12 year-old Belieber. Every single one of his remixes hits the nail right on the head. This time he takes on Sylvester James’ 1978 single, “You Make Me Feel Mighty Real.” Back then this song held down the top spot on the Billboard Dance/Disco chart for six weeks, so it makes total sense for André Allen Anjos to put his unique twist on this classic. Old meets new and the result is bliss. Stream it below.

DC: You can see RAC along with Viceroy at All Things Gold 020 on Thursday, June 13th. Advance tickets are available at the link below…

STREAM: Sylvester – “You Make Me Feel Mighty Real (RAC Mix)”

The Colourist have had a monster 2013 with two singles — “Little Games” and “Yes Yes” — that absolutely tore up the Hype Machine charts. It’s only appropriate, then, that the latter of those tracks gets an amazing remix courtesy of another band having a great year: Magic Man. The Rhode Island five-piece’s take on “Yes Yes” makes good use of the momentous synths that got them a deal with Neon Gold/Columbia earlier this month. Stream this electronic masterpiece below.

You can pre-order a copy of The Colourist’s upcoming Little Games / Yes Yes 7″, out June 4th via ATG Records, here.

STREAM: The Colourist – “Yes Yes (Magic Man Remix)” [PREMIERE]

With the breathless crisp of her soprano unmistakable in any context, Ellie Goulding‘s become known for her ability to fully remake songs all across the spectrum – and her latest, a sax jam take on Alt-J’s “Tessellate,” is a big addition to her cover canon.

Produced by Xaphoon Jones, who gave Goulding’s version of The Weeknd’s “High For This” a similar wash of hypnotic delicacy, the track is impeccable down to the tiniest touches (note the heart-stop sweep on “not quick enough”). Goulding’s vocal is precise and ethereal against the pitch-black atmosphere of the track – an ice cube sliding down your skin in a dark room. But the best part of this cover may be the saxophone solo, which meanders into a circular lick and then riffs, perfectly, upward as the drums and bass kick in to push and pull against the melody. Sax jams for all! Stream it below.

STREAM: Ellie Goulding – “Tessellate (Alt-J Cover)”

We’ve traveled back in time with Viceroy before, and this morning he set the dial on his hit-maker time machine for 1996 with the release of his remix of “Pony” by Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, aka Ginuwine.

Viceroy hasn’t just re-purposed this 90’s classic though; his remix breathes new life into “Pony,” transforming it from bedroom anthem to poolside hit. With remixes like this, it’s no surprise that Viceroy’s motto is “summertime, all the time.”

STREAM: Ginuwine – “Pony (Viceroy Jet Life Remix)”