Stella's Way

This track resurrects a vocal sample from the late 90's that used to rock the raves of my youth. I quickly got over the quick nostalgia trip thanks in part to the monstrous beat that this song brings. The build and break are completely epic, this is that killer song every DJ dreams of dropping at exactly the right moment to blow the roof off the house. Have a Happy New Year, and Enjoy!

Stella's Way - Maxxi Soundsystem  (download disabled per request)

Maxxi Soundsystem

Select Sundays: Fade Into Darkness

Now, house music is hardly my thing but for our pre-NYE New Year's Eve, we went out to a local club and this was the featured artist. Well, Andreas Moe, the Bieber hair-a-like who sings the hook, was the featured artist. Here's an acoustic version he did, which I think I like better, but it's less dancey. And we know how important dancing is on pre-NYE New Year's Eve, right?

Fade Into Darkness - Avicii (right click to save as)
Avicii

Safe and Sound

Find yourself sining along to the words "Saaaafe aaaaand Ssssssound". It's fun, this indie-pop track is short, light, and inspiring. Enjoy!

Safe and Sound - Capital Cities (right click to save as)
Capital Cities

We Run The Nite

For me, just Christmas winds down New Years Eve seems to be only moments away. This track has me past over eating and giving presents, and into strobe lights, bass cabinets, and sweaty walls. I love how this song's choppy delivery goes in sync with my desire to shake my head and stomp my feet. Of course, I'm a sucker for a children's choir and organ synths, which this song delivers on both accounts. Enjoy!

We Run The Nite (Night Dimension Remix) - Tonite Only (right click to save as)
Tonite Only | Night Dimension

It's Not Over

I love how three minutes into this track everything drops and the piano picks up, the song is reborn at the halfway point. I listen to this song as a burnout song, one that helps me unwind from a long day or night. My mind can wander while the track stokes reflection for the past, while subtly telling me over and over that "it's not over". Inevitably another day will come tomorrow. Enjoy!

It's Not Over (Ejecta's Rave To The Grave Remix) - Panama (right click to save as)
Panama | Ejecta

Thirteen Thirtyfive

More so than the lyrics to this song, I love how she enunciates the words as she sings them. It is hard to ignore how socially unacceptable a physical relationship between a 13 year old and a 35 year old is today, but I don't see that as the focus of this beautiful song. The song finds beauty in attraction, daydreaming, and desire. I dig this remix especially, really brings the lyrics to life. Ha, Merry Christmas eh? Enjoy!

Thirteen Thirtyfive (niceFingers Remix) - Dillon (right click to save as)
Dillon | niceFingers

Alive And Kicking

This silky song caught my ear right away. The vocals come off so casual, even subdued a bit. I love how the lyrics are question after question in an almost creepily suggestive manner, yet don't come off that way from the mood and tone of the music. The soft synths, and minimal percussion give this deep house song just the right amount of groove. Enjoy!

Alive And Kicking Feat. Jasper Vergeer (Zimmer Remix) - Jean Winner (right click to save as)
Jean Winner | Jasper Vergeer | Zimmer

The Burning Circle

When I hear the first 3 minutes of this song, and that beautiful guitar plucking, I can't help but hear the soft voices of Simon and Garfunkel singing the lyrics to Sound of Silence.
"Hello darkness my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again"
And then the lyrics show up and blow you away, the effects on the vocals are perfect. Enjoy!

The Burning Circle - Hidden Orchestra (right click to save as)
Hidden Orchestra

Need U (100%)

The attitude on this track has me strutting with confidence.  The humming at the beginning and the strong synths lay a great path for when the lyrics come smashing out of the gate. It's a great combination of soul, attitude, and danceability. Enjoy!

Need U (100%) Feat. A*M*E - Duke Dumont (right click to save as)
Duke Dumont | A*M*E

The End Starts Today Mixtape #6

The process of making a mixtape varies each time for me. This is my 6th, and so far making mixes hasn't necessarily gotten easier, nor do I feel that the quality is increasingly better. However, I do feel plenty of growth after each one, learning about myself while trying new things.  The goal is always the same, put together a mixtape that I'd like to hear. I like hearing this mixtape. I hope you do too, Enjoy!

Tracklist:

1. Inside (Oliver Remix) - Black Van
2. Freestyler - Bomfunk Mc's
3. DIY Disco (Greg Wilson Version) - Groove Armada
4. Bright Lies (Rip Tide Remix) - Sumera
5. Whatever U Like (Original Mix) - Kolombo
6. Joanna (Champione Remix) - Little Comets
7. Taxi - O Safari
8. World On Fire - The Royal Concept
9. Let's Go Home (Sound Remedy Remix) - Carousel

The End Starts Today Mixtape #6 - Ameer Says (right click to save as)
Ameer Says

Plush

I love it. "I don't need a calculator, to know I'm going to see you later". This track is upbeat and fun, but is serious about moving the floor. I also love the breathy vocals repeating Tiga's name over and over at the beginning, a pretty ballsy move to say your name over your song (unless you're a hip hop artist i guess?). Enjoy!

Plush (Jacques Lu Cont Remix) - Tiga (right click to save as)
Tiga | Jacques Lu Cont

Song For Zula

This song speaks to me. There's not some catchy melody or infectious hook that keeps me playing this song back. It's the subtle power and raw emotion that make this six minute song go by in two minutes. I love the heavy reverb'd percussion against the strings in the background, but best of all is his voice and the emotion that pours from it. Enjoy!

Song For Zula - Phosphorescent (right click to save as)
Phosphorescent

Select Sundays: Hardcore Girls

After reading this Atlantic article about female rappers, "The Novelty of Up-and-Coming Female Rappers Isn't That They're Females," I checked out all the artists mentioned and am already a big fan of Rye Rye. She obviously pairs nicely with Azealia Banks, who I loved already. Now if only I could hear this somewhere out on a dance floor!

Rye Rye - Hardcore Girls (right click to save as)
Rye Rye

Hands In The Sand

The track starts off silky and smooth, you think you know what all 6 minutes are about after the first thirty seconds. There's a beautiful deep sound that slowly builds. The track turns into a bit more than an instrumental deep house song, there's a bit of wobble and bounce that joins in and pushes the track to a bit more of a dance element. Enjoy!

Hands In The Sand (Lauer Remix) - Walter Jones (right click to save as)
Walter Jones | Lauer

Love In Vain

This track has a raw Lykke Li slash Reggae feeling. From that description alone you can tell that I love this track. El Perro Del Mar means the dog of the sea, which may explain the beachy vibes I'm getting from the tune. The slow bass line and raw vocals oddly pair well with the ambient background noises like heavy machinery clanking and spraying steam in the background. Enjoy!

Love In Vain - El Perro Del Mar (right click to save as)
El Perro Del Mar

What Can I Do

This beautiful track opens up at the minute and a half mark. I like the subtle aura this song gives off, the beginning is quiet and very DJ friendly. If you are able to notice the synths dancing between the left and right speaker then make sure to pay special attention to that when they come in, I really enjoy details like that. Shake Shake Shake. Enjoy!

What Can I Do (The 8th Era Remix) - Kai Urig (right click to save as)
Kai Urig | The 8th Era

Yellow

I've been re-watching the Chapelle Show, so when this last verse said "fuck yo couch" and followed up with "yea, remember that Dave Chapelle shit". Besides some the amazing rhyming that happens in this song, I'm attracted to the stripped down production. There's a drum machine, some hand claps, urban ambient sounds, and heavily chopped vocals. Enjoy!

Yellow Feat. Heems - Weekend Money (right click to save as)
Weekend Money | Heems

Beta Love

It is beautiful when a band that you admire drops a new track that rekindles your love for their work. This song has lots of positive pop and falsetto working for it, though singing along may prove to be a negative experience for those in earshot of me. I could have used about a minute more of this track, as it ends just under 3 minutes. I guess that's the sign of a good song, repeat. Enjoy!

Beta Love - Ra Ra Riot (right click to save as)
Ra Ra Riot

Select Sundays: Sympathique

It's no "Zou Bisou Bisou" but this track is just as likely to get stuck in your head. If I had done better in high school French, I would know what lead singer China Forbes is saying, but it really doesn't matter, I like the mystery. Tragically, this track crept up to me from a movie but now I can't remember the film. Help? Contrary to what you may expect, Pink Martini is a "tiny orchestra" from Portland and their sounds seemingly changes by the song.

Sympathique - Pink Martini (right click to save as)
Pink Martini

I Am A Ghost

He sounds so monotonous and down in the dumps for the first few minutes of the song, as if he really is a ghost. Eventually some emotion starts to pour out and he opens up a bit, the instrumentation paints a brighter picture and before you know it the song is closing out. I love when he first says "and I am a ghost". Enjoy!

I Am A Ghost - The Farewell Circuit (right click to save as)
The Farewell Circuit

Slow Notion

There's a magic soul embedded in this song. The vocals have a slowness to them, which I find paradoxical as the lyrics say "traveling at the speed of light". The song carries quite the groove, as told by the electric guitar riffs. The true beauty is realized with those long sweeping synth chords, I just can't get enough of them. Enjoy!

Slow Notion (Dubka Remix) - L'Equipe du Son (right click to save as)
L'Equipe du Son | Dubka

Your Kisses

My friends have a music share meet up from time to time, where we bring 2-3 songs that connect with a pre-chosen theme. In light of Hurricane Sandy, we chose "Weather the Storm" as our theme. This is one of the tracks I brought. Elena's melancholy voice and vivid imagery of a hollow relationship remind me of the sad movie scene that is almost always filmed with heavy rain fall. She also mentions tears quite a bit, which my mind's eye sees as rain. Enjoy!

Your Kisses - Daughter (right click to save as)
Daughter

It's Not Over

There's a blend of new and old that I get from this song. The slow violin notes and mid-track piano remind me of tracks produced 10+ years ago. But there's something new-ish that this song brings, maybe just the overall feeling of the song speaks "new" to me. Regardless of the time origin of this piece, it is done very well, and I have been appreciating it from the first listen. Enjoy!

It's Not Over (Ejeca's Rave To The Grave Remix) - Panama (right click to save as)
Panama | Ejeca

Pump It Up

There's a decent amount of attitude pouring out of this banger. Nyemiah doesn't hold back, she pushes up into your face and makes you 'pump it up'. That's not all, the production on the track with quick punching synths and a hard popping beat up the energy on the track. The I don't quite the finger snaps that accompany the bass at the song opening, I'm still deciding whether I dig it or I don't. Enjoy!

Pump It Up feat. Nyemiah Supreme - A.N.D.Y. (right click to save as)
A.N.D.Y. | Nyemiah Supreme

Select Sundays: Boylife in America

It's been over a decade since Cody Chesnutt's released a full length album. On my first few listens, Landing On A Hundred is great but it's made me nostalgic for my favorite track off 2002's Headphone Masterpiece. It's got Cody's dirty dirty lyrics but also his incomparably sweet and soulful voice. Juxtaposition!

Boylife in America - Cody Chesnutt (right click to save as)
Cody Chesnutt

Sweetness Alive

I get imagery of slow motion sexy models, glitter floating in the air, taking place at parties that even the elite dream of being a part of when these sound waves hit my drums.  The song is delicate and elegant, but also something that could soundtrack a trashed mansion at sunrise.  Enjoy!

Sweetness Alive (Feat. SLL) - Goldroom (right click to save as)
Goldroom | SLL

San Francisco

This happy melody had me at San Francisco. The happy go lucky indie-pop song makes me feel ready to face the day, the city, the rat race, and all those other things that can either bring you way up or slam you below ground. The optimism of the song fills me with hope. I am also a sucker for the careless "doo doo doo doo..." Enjoy!

San Francisco (Little Daylight Remix) - The Mowgli's (right click to save as)
The Mowgli's | Little Daylight

CompuRhythm

This track is humongous!!! The way that the bass line introduces itself is like a skyscraper falling on its side. The track reminds me of producer, Gui Boratto. I feel that the bass line quick steps around the industrial movements and steam driven machinery that comprises this dark song. Enjoy!

CompuRhythm (Dixon 4 4 Treatment) - Ian Pooley (right click to save as)
Ian Pooley | Dixon

Night Braces

In 5th grade band I chose to play the saxophone. The following years I quickly learned that band was not for winners, at least the school band wasn't, so I quit. I never stopped loving the beautiful sound of the sax, and when I discovered house music with saxophones there was an instant connection. This song in particular speaks to me, it's got such a strong groove with an extra thick layer of soul slathered on top. Enjoy!

Night Braces (Sammy Bananas Sax Dub) - Free Magic & Jkriv (right click to save as)
Free Magic &  Jkriv | Sammy Bananas

Chariot

There's a slight bit of rasp in his voice that I really adhere to. That rasp is offset perfectly with the innocent and crisp sound of the metal keys of the xylophone. This song paints a carefree and fun picture for me, there's lots of positivity. Enjoy!

Chariot - Page France (right click to save as)
Page France

New Years Day

Today is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. What better day to jam a song titled New Years Day, if for no reason other than the comedic irony. This track is much better than the irony that can be had playing this track on any other day than Jan 1.
I especially enjoy those infrequent tambourine hits. The song also completely provides the feel of those emotional east coast coming of age films of the early 2000's, at least for me it does. Enjoy!

New Years Day - Exlovers (right click to save as)
Exlovers

It's You

What a bangin' track! There's no reluctancy, staring out with "I feel the heat" and moving right along.  The background singers in conjunction with her voice is dance floor magic. I also enjoy how the track takes its time getting going, allowing for some fantastic mixing from a DJ perspective. Those warm synths don't drop until almost the two minute marker. Enjoy!

It's You (Charles McCloud & VIn Sol Remix) - FCL (right click to save as)
FCL | Charles McCloud | VIn Sol

The End Starts Today Mixtape #5

I've really enjoyed mixes in the 30minute range vs the traditional hour mix so I'm keeping with what works on this mix. A DJ I admire said "track selection over transition every time". These words are so wise. On the fifth track I took some sound bytes from a favorite youtube video of mine by Dom Mazzetti, and played it over the beginning of the track. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

1.) California Daze - Peace

2.) Now We Only Wave - Fifty Grand

3.) D-D-Dance - The Royal Concept

4.) Spitting Image (Little Daylight Remix) - Freelance Whales

5.) Promised Land (Villa Remix) Dom Mazzeti EDM Edit - Findlay Brown

6.) Cochon Ville (The Magician Remix) - Sebastien Tellier

7.) We Can't Fly (Oliver Remix) - Aeroplane

8.) Get This Party Rockin - Trouble Men

The End Starts Today Mixtape #5 - The Nose (right click to save as)
The Nose

Love Is All I Got

Singing about 'the only thing you have is love' has been done, but it can always be done. This track has a indie-Black Eyed Peas feel to it, if that means anything. I do like the temperature of the music video, [link here]. I can't fight the desire to play this song at an inappropriately loud level, but perhaps some music lovers have more self control than myself. Enjoy!

Love Is All I Got - Feed Me & Crystal Fighters (right click to save as)
Feed Me & Crystal Fighters

I Won't Kneel

I dig this electro dance indie twist on the Groove Armada anthem. Learn the lyrics and then shout them out when blasting this song in your car, even when you're at a stop light with the windows down. Bouncing laser lights everywhere... Enjoy!

"But you give me something, something to hold!"

I Won't Kneel (Beaumont Remix) - Groove Armada (right click to save as)
Groove Armada | Beaumont

The Wheel

That cut up sample that persists through the track is just so good! I love when songs that are so minimal and stripped down are able to fill a room with sound. This track sounds like much more than the clanky clank percussion, smooth keyboard, and vocals that make it up.
"All this fuss over nothing, reinventing the wheel" can be interpreted in so many ways particular to your own life experience. The line is powerful and inspiring. Enjoy!

The Wheel - S O H N (right click to save as)
S O H N

Regular Town

Here's a nice Vampire Weekend-like track from New Navy.  The instruments are fun and light, the message is a bit of a broken heart, and everything put together is an overall fun song to listen to. Enjoy!

Regular Town - New Navy (right click to save as)
New Navy

Ether Drift

Embrace the 80's, embrace the keyboards, embrace this song. I usually am partial to electronic songs that build to the melody, but this one starts straightforward with the melody, and it makes me smile. I always drift into daydream when I hear this track, ether not included. Enjoy!

Ether Drift - Ether Drift (right click to save as)
Com Truise

Monsters

After hearing this track, and visiting Angus's webpage I  was not surprised to see a picture of a Volkswagen bus.  Unsure of what that meant, all I could do was give a head nod to myself and move on. In other news, I have found that I've grown quite the affinity to the banjo. This song's pace and feel are beautiful, humble, and interesting. Enjoy!

Monsters - Angus Stone (right click to save as)
Angus Stone

Changes

I have always loved the Bruce Hornsby original, and I am a big fan of the Tupac take on this song. It's hard to accept someone's spin on a classic, but after a few listens of this track I found myself wanting to hear it again. "Things won't change until we do" is a very basic and common sensical statement, but when you get wrapped up in all the details it's easy to forget a fundamental like this. Inspiring words are powerful when simple, and this song drives that. Enjoy!

Changes (CFCF Remix) - LOL Boys (right click to save as)
LOL Boys | CFCF

Take A Walk

I get excited when I see the words (Classixx Remix) behind a song title, and this is a prime example why. The song has been completely retooled, toned down a few notches, and given completely new life. It has a humble epicness to it, it's understated and poised all while being a complete stand out.

Take A Walk (Classixx Remix) - Passion Pit (right click to save as)
Passion Pit | Classixx

My Hands

Right away her voice is just so cute and innocent. As the lyrics unfold, the picture of a stronger woman is painted. This woman is independent, confident, and sick of being wronged. The arrangement is powerful while still being delicate. Enjoy!

My Hands - Chaos Chaos (right click to save as)
Chaos Chaos

Where I Stand

I discovered this track from a set my buddy over at Pacha threw down recently for the new Destino venture (check out the soundcloud page). I love how the subtle bassline drives the song with a hit of funk, but doesn't steal the show -the synthesizer steals the show! I do also love the soft male vocals that slide over the track expressing those dance floor indecisions. Enjoy!

Where I Stand Feat. Lostcause (Karmon Remix) - Fabo (right click to save as)
Fabo | Lostcause | Karmon

None Of Dem

I keep changing my mind about what it is that I like about Robyn so much. Do I like her independent I-don't-need-you-attitude, her cute yet strong sounding voice, or is it her raw and catchy melodies? Standouts for me are that small giggle after "None of these drugs, get me high", and "None of these beats are raw, none of these beats ever break the law".  I continue to love the Robyn songs that cross my path. This remix has an especially nice danceability to it. Enjoy!

None Of Dem (Clancy Discoteca Remix) - Robyn (right click to save as)
Robyn | Clancy

The Same Love

There's something special that happens to me when a solid remix hits my ears. This is what happened with this track. The lyrics of Mr. Withers used in a soulful and danceable beat that carries on for a very short 10 minutes. This song is probably the fastest 10 minutes of my day. Enjoy!

The Same Love (Whiskey Barons Rework) - Bill Withers (right click to save as)
Bill Withers | Whiskey Barons

Select Sundays: Gettin Up

New York took a beating from Hurricane Sandy, as we all know. One of the things I've re-discovered since coming back out here in recent months is how much certain bands need to be enjoyed in their natural environment. In this case, it's A Tribe Called Quest and the subway. Q-Tip's 2008 solo album, "The Renaissance," is what Tribe fans wanted from him years ago. The whole album is killer but this one is classic and smooth. ATCQ!

Gettin Up - Q-Tip (right click to save as)
Q-Tip

Harlot

Felix has this style that is so glimmery, so glammy, the track essentially sparkles. I didn't know exactly what a harlot was, until this song prompted me to look it up. That didn't taint the song for me in the least, I still enjoy every note, it's fun and sexy. The track also sorta does this go-stop-go-stop flow, which makes it more interesting, but not ideal for a dance floor. Enjoy!

Harlot - Felix Da Housecat (right click to save as)
Felix Da Housecat

The Cricket

This song comes with power! There's a strength that comes from the commanding notes that make up this song. I don't think this song sounds anything like a cricket, per the name, more like a titan or Godzilla. Enjoy!

The Cricket (R/D's Emo Mash-Up Remix) - R/D (right click to save as)
R/D

The King Of The World

At first the beautiful harmonies sang by the sisters of First Aid Kit caught my ear. Continually listening allowed me to soak in and appreciate the lyrics of this song also. I love the positive energy this song emits, especially when they belt out the last line of the chorus. This feels like a time warp to me, from the arrangement using hand claps, to the violins and accordion who knows what decade this could have taken place in. Enjoy!

The King Of The World - First Aid Kit (right click to save as)
First Aid Kit

AWWWKWAARRRDDD

I feel that everyone can relate to the point of low self esteem that occurs moments before a pivotal moment. Of course it's the advice of your friend in their early 20's to use good ol' liquid courage to boost that self esteem before asking the girl out. When the inevitable happens, you over do the drink and end up as a drunk, super awkward. Enjoy!

"I'll probably end up fucking up, and make it super awkward"

AWWWKWAARRRDDD (ft. Kate Na$h) - FIDLAR (right click to save as)
FIDLAR | Kate Na$h