Time

"I don't have the time, and I don't have the patience" I can directly relate to that. This song has a big monster facade, and is equally as big on the vocals.  I love the opening lyrics accompanied by the piano chords. Then a tidal wave hits, and the song is put into high gear. The energy from songs like this motivate, inspire, and drive me when I need a nitro boost. Enjoy!

Time Feat. Delilah - Chase & Status (right click to save as)
Chase & Status | Delilah

The Stillness Is The Move

This remix is a great revisit to a modern classic. Hidden cat adds a more dramatic environment to this track. I enjoy the creation of a slow build while maintaining the integrity and feel of the original song. My favorite part of the track is the beginning, hearing that recognizable melody creeping in gives me goose bumps. Enjoy!

The Stillness Is The Move (Hidden Cat Remix) - Dirty Projectors (right click to save as)
Dirty Projectors | Hidden Cat

De Nacht

I'm partial to flutes, and this track pulls on those heartstrings. Speaking of strings, I also love the addition of the acoustic guitar. This track soothes my mind as the flute notes flutter about in the air above all the other instruments.  I love the melody, the sunshine, and the touch of electric guitar riffs that peppered throughout the song. Enjoy!

De Nacht - De Hofnar (right click to save as)
De Hofnar

Moon

This smokey track has a low down groove with colorful imaging and playful sounds. I love the "do it again" sample that is threaded in and out of the mix. The song is a great late night song, as it's easy on the ups and downs, for when you just need to keep it on cruise control. Enjoy!

Moon -  Abstraxion (right click to save as)
Abstraxion

Needle

I find myself swaying left to right with the chorus of this song, it's got tons of sway power. The beginning lyrics dig deep hooks into my ear, I wait with heavy anticipation for the explosion. And when the explosion isn't nearly as big as anticipated, I'm almost relieved. The track takes its time building, layering, and introducing all of the elements. Enjoy!

Needle - Born Ruffians (right click to save as)
Born Ruffians

Magic

I always prepare myself when I see a remix by Viceroy, who owns the slogan "Summertime All The Time". It's funny to me since he's from San Francisco, a city that should have the slogan "Foggytime All The Time", I should know I live in SF too.  This track has some steel drums, a great chorus that you can belt out with, and an overall fantastic summer vibe. Sometimes you need some summertime in December. Enjoy!

Magic (Viceroy Remix) - The Knocks (right click to save as)
The Knocks | Viceroy

Talk in Technicolour

Though the song isn't "in your face", when I hear it I want to dance like it was "in your face". I'm not even sure what that means, but I'm sure of what it feels. The vocals pushed back behind the instruments makes the music feel more powerful, and the sound is upbeat but not overly happy or cheesy like most dance hard songs these days. The kick drum and bass working with the piano make me want to slam my feet on the floor to the down beats. Enjoy!

Talk in Technicolour (Dino Soccio Remix) - Convaire (right click to save as)
Convaire | Dino Soccio

You & I

This track is soft and gentle to start with, tender sounds with a prominent kick drum foreshadow what lies ahead. I like to lay in bed and play this song just a tad louder than my neighbors prefer on Sunday afternoons. Mid track the percussion makes its presence known, with a very up front placement making the song nearly unrecognizable from the early seconds. I love the progression and transformation this track goes through, it's like life. Enjoy!

You & I (Molo Remix) - Crystal Fighters (right click to save as)
Crystal Fighters | Molo

Skip To The Good Bit

Usually when Yuksek puts his name on something, I dig it. So I had some expectations going into this track, and sure enough he sprinkled some magic on the Rizzle Kicks track. The title speaks to our way of life today, everyone wants to fast forward through the commercials and find out what happens at the end. The journey isn't as rewarding as the payout, the paradigm now is to just keep jumping from payout to payout. Or maybe they're just talking about making out in this song, either way I love how this track sounds. Enjoy!

Skip To The Good Bit (Yuksek Remix) - Rizzle Kicks (right click to save as)
Rizzle Kicks | Yuksek

Try To Be

The simplicity and beauty of this song is gripping. I really enjoy the vocals filling in for the roles of instruments. Although my first impression of this song was "it's too artsy fartsy for me" and "I need more from this stripped down song".  After a few listens my mind was changed and I found myself playing this song over in my head. Enjoy!

Try To Be - Blue Hawaii (right click to save as)
Blue Hawaii

Curl

I love the piano break after the beginning of the track, it's got a fun shimmy that carries through the rest of the song. Methodically building blocks are placed around the centerpiece piano part. The sample is quick and short, it just exists to perk your ears up a bit to the rest of what's happening throughout the song. This song is real DJ friendly and begs to be part of a great mix. Enjoy!

Curl - Chymera (right click to save as)
Chymera

Through The City

This dark and scary track is how I'm feeling today.  There's a cold steam pouring out of the manhole, and I can't make out if a figure on the other side is looking at me. I find myself paying attention to the baseline progression more than any other individual instrument or sound, it's the story teller. The shakers add to the intensity and anxiety that builds tension through the middle of the track up to the end.  Enjoy!

Through The City Feat Hazel Tratt (Alien Alien Remix) - Earl Grey (right click to save as)
Earl Grey | Hazel Tratt | Alien Alien

Waves

I'm time warped back to feathered hair, white Reebok sneakers, and acid washed jeans with this track. The chorus hook is so dang catchy, and the synths are bold yet soft and carry a youth rebellion with them.  This song seems to simplify the complexities that come with being young and in love.  With words like 'summer', 'sun', 'ocean' and 'light', I can't help but picture good looking young adults driving around the beach in a red convertible. Enjoy!

Waves - Magic Man (right click to save as)
Magic Man

Select Sundays: On the Line

We've already covered Dev Hynes and his various projects plenty before. Now he's released another Blood Orange album and even before listening to it in full I think I'm gonna love it. I mean, Dev Hynes hasn't missed for me yet so this album was highly anticipated. This track is a casual and easy listen, and the ideal moodsetter for an active but rainy day. Get on it! Also, don't miss this "An Annotated Media Guide To Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes."

On the Line - Blood Orange (right click to save as)
Blood Orange

Blush

The opening is dramatic with simple guitar strings and her voice. I find myself immediately in love with her sound. There's some magic in the lyrics "Punch drunk, dumb struck, pot luck, happy happy". The track is a sad one about trying to be happy, but I love listening to it as it makes me feel happy. There's a great payoff as the song builds from those simple two elements at the beginning to an epic landslide of rock. Enjoy!

Blush - Wolf Alice (right click to save as)
Wolf Alice

Pyrakantha

This tune soothes me. I love a track that can tell a story, paint a picture, or convey an acute feeling without relying on words. This is one of those tracks. I feel like mid song the clouds open up and the sun shines through with enough intensity to warm the air within minutes. The beauty is that everyone has a different story, picture and feeling associated with songs like this. Enjoy!

Pyrakantha - Balmorhea (right click to save as)
Balmorhea

Bleed

Take me back to the late 90's when you'd find me in a forest, abandoned warehouse, or patch of desert 4hrs away with this track. The style from that era was hard and fun with that combination kick drum bass note holding the dance floor steady. The trumpet on this song sings high over all the other instruments, making it extremely recognizable. I can imagine the whistles and the hooting and hollering that would accompany a track like this at 4:30am deep into a great party. Enjoy!

Bleed - Timmy Trumpet & SCNDL (right click to save as)
Timmy Trumpet & SCNDL

Whorehouse

From the name, I had no idea what to expect from the title of this song. There's that pretty awesome sample about Pandora's box opening up the song. I am grabbed the the amazing melody of the chorus, and how fun this track sounds with all the hooting and hollering at the beginning. I'm not sure what the young voices are saying, something about "shell shock"? I guess that's what it feels like to be lost inside a whorehouse. Regardless I love it all. Enjoy!

Whorehouse - CEO (right click to save as)
CEO

Real Slow

If I heard someone play this song out, I would definitely not move 'real slow'. Bad pun. But my drift is direct, this track moves me. I love the lyrics and bassline. I can't get enough of those beginning "ba ba ba baaa" either.  But most of all I love the chorus. It's simple but perfectly executed, and I deeply appreciate that. When I'm dancing to this beat maybe you'll say to yourself "that guy sure thinks this song was perfectly executed", or maybe not. Enjoy!

Real Slow (Plastic Plates Remix) - Miami Horror (right click to save as)
Miami Horror | Plastic Plates