Enjoy Your Life


I finish every post the same... "Enjoy!"
So when a disco track so funky that it comes with an extra serving of funk shows up and says "you just wanna enjoy your life" I found myself turning on the repeat function. The instruments are classic disco, electric bass, shaker, drums, amazing electric guitar riff, brass, and violins jumping in for that added zing. Aside from the insanely infectious and extremely danceable aspects of this song are the lyrics, which I mentioned earlier. They are delivered with the utmost of female swagger, inter-dispersed with those zinging violins. Enjoy!

Enjoy Your Life - Rayko (right click to save as)
Ray

Puma


"Now I've been working for free" If there is anything shittier than working for free then I don't know about it. This song celebrates those who can relate to that experience, and find a reason to celebrate the fact that though we have all suffered this crap, right now we're dancing! The track is uplifting, positive, and fun. People bond over many things, and suffering the same suffer is pretty high on that list of things. Enjoy!

Puma (Original Mix) - Xinobi (right click to save as)
Xinobi

Misses

Credit: Ellie Fox
Three very powerful words, "I miss you". I'm sure the words may be overused by a few people, but that's because of the sheer power. Hearing the repetition over the rather dancey and upbeat melody sounds really good while the other vocals sadly sing the verse. I also rather enjoy the sharp and quick bassline, as the song sounds swampy enough without a bunch of very long and resonant bass notes. Enjoy!

Misses (Mickey Remix) - Girls In Hawaii (right click to save as)
Girls In Hawaii | Mickey

From the Dust... We Ran to Greet the Dawn


Nine times out of ten I'm playing some instrumental post rock style playlist after a long weekend of too much fun and excitement. I have always enjoyed a beautiful instrumental, where the lyrical chorus is written in my head and changes with every listen. This track brings plenty of emotion and style along its journey. I especially appreciate the sprinkled xylophone use mainly in the lower register. Enjoy!

From the Dust... We Ran to Greet the Dawn - Hammock (right click to save as)
Hammock

Runaway


The way that "runawaaaay" is looped continually reminds me of that old style Daft Punk or maybe Alan Braxe even, well, someone from France that's for sure. What else is for sure is that this track hits hard and keeps rocking from start to finish.  It never gets old, the build up with synths piling on top of the vocal loop and then the drums start to layer on top of that and the energy just builds and builds until the piano breaks it all. Enjoy!

Runaway (Calling In Sick Remix) - Grum (right click to save as)
Grum | Calling In Sick

Select Sundays: Never Forget You


We've featured The Pipettes before, so you'll understand if I did a brief double take when I first heard this song. Did The Pipettes bring on a new singer? (As they're prone to do.) No, the Noisettes are another U.K. group with similar Motown influences. This track is from their 2009 album, Wild Young Hearts, and they have a new album I'm excited to check out. Basically any name with "-ette" at the end has to be good right?

Never Forget You - Noisettes (right click to save as)
Noisettes

Vinyl Saturdays: The West Wind Circus


Usually when I'm out digging through records I take a chance on something I've never heard of. This Helen Reddy album was that chance not too long ago. I had no idea who she was, or what she sounded like. But I was interested in finding out, so I brought her home with me.
The album is not my favorite, It's not cohesive with her style bouncing around without a base to foot back to. This song caught my ear on the second listen. I re-listened a few times, and really started to appreciate it. The song is dark and eerie, with sadness, loss, and mystery. I also appreciate how this song has a larger dynamic range, the quiet parts are quiet and the loud parts are loud. Enjoy!

The West Wind Circus - Helen Reddy (right click to save as)
Helen Reddy

Funny Feeling


This big room sounding track embraces the fun and emotion of what's huge right now in EDM. We all want that funny feeling, like when you climb the rope in gym class, or "slowly kiss her" as the song suggests. The hard hitting synths and drums may force your hands in the air and shake your body up and down. Enjoy!

Funny Feeling Feat. All Dom Wrong (Panic City Remix) - The Soundmen (right click to save as)
The Soundmen | All Dom Wrong | Panic City

Stuck In My Head


This white-boy-spoken-word style track talking about remembering the past actually reminds me of the past. This track with the speaking, the wild electric guitar, and the lower beats per minute than house but higher than hip hop takes me back to the turn of the century where songs like these from overseas prospered. Enjoy!

Stuck In My Head - Grafton Primary (right click to save as)
Grafton Primary

Gravediggress


I had never seen the term "gravediggress" before this song, a concept that most likely paints a different picture for everyone.  The huge standout here is the two female vocalists. There are such different voices that work in conjunction to create the eerie and dark track. I also appreciate the minimal use of instruments and the beatbox percussion that doesn't scream out at you saying "look we're beatboxing here instead of drumming".
I also think this hook is dying for an interesting electronic remix. Perhaps one exists that I haven't yet discovered. Enjoy!

Gravediggress - CocoRosie (right click to save as)
CocoRosie

Heavy Home


This sincere track reminds me of the era when songs of this style reigned supreme, and we were all enamored by that Death Cab For Cutie sound. I love the female support vocals on this track, they really bring it home for me. Enjoy!

Heavy Home - The Spring Standards (right click to save as)
The Spring Standards

Push It Back


I have a weak spot in my heart for Salt N Peppa's Push It. This isn't so much a remix of the 90's gem as much as it is a tribute to. Rotkraft lightens the rawness of the original, and smoothens it out resulting in a perfect summer jam. I also have a soft spot in my heart for steel drums and every variant imaginable, so this is a real winner in my book. Enjoy!

Push It Back - Rotkraft (right click to save as)
Rotkraft

Vinyl Saturdays: Conscious


This track got me the first time I heard it a few notes after that bassline started digging that amazing groove.  The track builds for a while, then tapers off only to reveal a smooth and collective jam. I feel that the track is overall slightly understated, it stays within many boundaries. Yet the song sets itself apart and keeps every moment interesting with hidden elements that I noticed only after 2-3 listens. Enjoy!

Conscious (gogsey's re-edit) - Stryker (right click to save as)
Stryker

69


There has to be something in that Parisian water, because the sounds that have been coming out of France just gets better and better! This track not only pays homage to the artist formerly and usually currently known as Prince, you can probably envision him singing this track in your mind's eye. Though the singer of this track more closely resembles a member of LMFAO.
But I'm here to talk music, and this song is music to my ears. The guitar riff is completely spot on. The vocals are so glimmery that I have to wear sunglasses to look a them. Enjoy!

69 (Jbag Remix) - Fancy (right click to save as)
Fancy | Jbag

Good Or Bad


The vocal melody of this track is completely infectious. There's more to the track than just the superb vocal melody, check out that groovy bassline, the strong essence of summer, and the feeling that you want to sing along even though this is the first time you've heard the song. Enjoy!

Good Or Bad (Satin Jackets Remix) - BB & Blake (right click to save as)
BB & Blake | Satin Jackets

Where The Wind Blows


That playful piano sample that sounds like it was pulled right out of steamboat willie works wonders on this track. Of course it opens up the track for her voice to smack you across the kisser when you hear it, which it does. What else does this song have besides a golden sample and an amazing voice? Soul. You hear the attitude yet feel the vulnerability. Enjoy!

Where The Wind Blows - Coco O. (right click to save as)
Coco O.

N.O.V.A.


Those pulsing waves of synthesizer massage my ears, and her vocals weave right into the synth heavy track perfectly. The track is a bit dark and echoey with a bit of that don't-fuck-with-me attitude, not to mention it's electric sexy. This is a track you listen to on the way home from a disappointing friday night, maybe your crush made out with someone else on the dance floor, or someone spilled a drink on you. Either way it has you down but nowhere near out. Enjoy!

N.O.V.A. - Emeron & Fox (right click to save as)
Emeron & Fox

Be Free With Your Love


There's a very candid message communicated by this song, to be free with your love. The genius is in the delivery. I love how the songs starts out, it's a flashback to the Paula Abdul production of the late 80's early 90's. The drum machine, the bassline, the you-must-clap-along index is extremely high, and the song gets continually better from there. Allow this song to put you in the mood to spread some love. Enjoy!

Be Free With Your Love Feat. Vinny Vero (Opolopo Dub) - Drop Out Orchestra (right click to save as)
Drop Out Orchestra | Vinny Vero | Opolopo

Vinyl Saturdays: The Heart Of Africa


This track, oh this track. That intro is captivating, where is it going I think to myself as it starts out. And then as the drums and bass start to create the scenery that saxophone shows up. Kapow, I'm sold. The track has deep soul, deep groove, but it's fast and upbeat tempo keep the song fit for a dance floor.  This particular record has a skip mid song, and I wonder if that's just this copy or if many copies were manufactured this way. But that's vinyl, take it or leave it -or blog it if you're us! Enjoy!

The Heart Of Africa (Martin's Original Mix) - Martin Solveig (right click to save as)
Martin Solveig

In The Sun


When I hear this song I feel just a bit cooler than I feel already. I want to grow my hair long and greasy, not give a shit about the outside world, and walk around being a badass. Perhaps that's just how I envision the Silver Rockets to be when I hear this track, cause the maker of something this awesome looks like that in my imagination. The guitars, the shaker, the vocals, all speak leather jacket rock and roll to me. Enjoy!

In The Sun - Silver Rockets (right click to save as)
Silver Rockets

Lo Lindora


I was completely on board with this track, loving the sped up samples, slowed down hand claps, and chopped up chants. Then out of left field I was hit with a 1990's flash back that crowbar'd a smile on my face. I guarantee that you'll recognize what I'm talking about well past the 4 minute mark, but make sure to enjoy the ride just as much as the destination, as this track has retaught me this lesson yet again. Enjoy!

Lo Lindora - Kodak To Graph (right click to save as)
Kodak To Graph

Trying To Be Cool

I've been jamming the new Phoenix album, especially "Trying To Be Cool". When I'm already in love with a song, I become weary of remixes for fear that it may taint the original in some strange way. Needless to say, I'm a fan of every remix effort attempted so far by The Chainsmokers. Similar to their other remixes, this brings an upbeat sunshine day vibe to the song with the energy kicked up a few notches. Enjoy!

Trying To Be Cool (The Chainsmokers Remix) - Phoenix (right click to save as)
Phoenix | The Chainsmokers

Silk


I'm ready for Giselle and her soft voice to spin my sorrow into silk. This remix does a great service to an already great track. The waves of synths make the track interesting, and cuts a bit of the melancholy feeling away from her lyrics. Enjoy!

Silk (Rummage Remix) - Giselle (right click to save as)
Giselle | Rummage

OPST


This smooth and soulful track is best played when feeling sleepy, sexy, or anywhere in-between . This may remind you of Sade or Rhye which we've blogged before. The track flows like silk, and her his voice dynamically jumps down to the lower register then back up again with ease. I want to put this record on and drink red wine and feel sexy. Enjoy!

OPST - George Maple (right click to save as)
George Maple

Select Sundays: 17


Sometimes you just need that melancholy in your life you know? Trevor Powers is in his young twenties and I'm sure his music has been used in some indie romcoms, perhaps starring whoever has taken the mantel away from Zach Braff. With this track, Powers captures exactly what heartbreak sounds like.

17 - Youth Lagoon (right click to save as)
Youth Lagoon

Dreamers


This angelic track is is a pleasing homage to 80's pop with a firm foundation of current dance floor sounds. The lyrics tell me to keep sleeping, don't worry cause I'll be woken up when the time is right, basically ridding me of any possible anxiety. It's comforting knowing that someone has your back, and that "you can stay where you want to", especially when they say it in a beautiful song like this one. Enjoy!

Dreamers (Xaphoon Jones Remix) - Savior Adore (right click to save as)
Savior Adore | Xaphoon Jones

Yes Game


The funkiness on this track is undeniable. The great guitar riff carries the beginning, to be taken over by the piano at breakdown #1. The song is executed perfectly. The track plays like a 6 minute track, even though it's over 8 and a half minutes in length. I'd drop this track 75% of the way into a DJ set since it's not too high energy, but allows plenty of upward movement in the following songs. Enjoy!

Yes Game (Bit Funk Remix) - Pat Lok (right click to save as)
Pat Lok | Bit Funk

Hero


Here's a nice soft and sentimental track doesn't necessarily have a unique name, but I suppose there's enough space in this world for another song titled "Hero". The track is simple, the message is clear, and the execution of the song is excellent. Enjoy!

Hero - Family Of The Year (right click to save as)
Family Of The Year