Showing posts with label Armand Van Helden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Armand Van Helden. Show all posts

Friday, September 11, 2020

Enlightened Listening for September 11

You know why you're here. All this week's new music that you need to hear compiled in the playlist known as Enlightened Listening. This week's edition opens with a slice of genius from SebastiAn, a new single from New Order and perhaps my favourite band's new album RE-ANIMATOR. The playlist then turns towards house with sick stuff from Bruno Furlan, Valentino Khan and Bassani x Prayer Handz. Finally we get a bit manic as Kölsch and DJ Swisha lead us into a couple remix packages which surround a killer EP from Sodhivine. Find each release linked at the bottom and listen now below.

SebastiAn - Hysterias

New Order - Be A Rebel

Everything Everything - RE-ANIMATOR

Matroda - The Movement (Bruno Furlan Remix)

Valentino Khan - Blackmail

Bassani & Prayer Handz - Sour

Douglas Greed ft. Odd Beholder - Numbers (Kölsch Remix)

DJ Swisha - Nothing But Net

Big Gigantic - Free Your Minds Remixed

Sodhivine - Future Bollywood Trap Sounds

Maddy O'Neal - The Rush EP (Remixes)

Armand Van Helden & Riva Starr - Step It Up (ft. Sharlene Hector)

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Point Point Live at AccorHotels Arena

I've gushed about Parisian supergroup and Record Record founders Point Point a number of times, both here and on FUXWITHIT, but I'm not sure I've been as in love with them as I am today with the release of their sublime live set from this past weekend. Recorded at AccorHotels Arena in the French capital; Aazar, LH4L, Devoted To God, and Nömak have illustrated exactly what it is I love about them. I knew that their unique brand of 'future bass' spoke to me, whether it be as individuals, as Point Point or in their releases on Record Record, but I see now why it does with this mix. It hits on so many classics and staples of the club, trap, jersey club, hip hop, and even funk scenes. The hour long set really has some of everything: it goes hard, it gets emotional, it features a number of their own tunes and so many of the tracks and artists that they draw inspiration from. Let me now do a quick run-through, below.

The epic arc opens up with sweet strings, easing our ears in slowly before the bright, bleepy vibes burst over the skyline like the first beams of morning light. The energizing opening is the first of dozens of flawless transitions, this one in particular plays into San Holo's "We Rise." Then as if writing this piece for me, the cinematic arc becomes blatantly clear as we get the now classic "Cinema Slasherr" edit from Benzi & Elephante. Following that we get the first of multiple Kanye cuts, this one coming as their own remix of "Power." The flurry of nostalgia stays steady with Sam Smith's vocals from "Latch" leading into the lap of power that is Freekill's remix of Aazar's "Gyal." Minutes later we're treated to the classic Run DMC/Bob James sample, which then transitions into an ungodly edit of KC & The Sunshine Band's "That's The Way (I Like It)," before slipping into Chicago's "Street Player" and then MERCER's "Satisfy." Just writing this has me hyperventilating. Someone get me a paper bag! This is too good.

The first third of the mix concludes some classic grooves from Armand Van Helden before giving way to the gritty genius that is Pyramid's remix of "Utopia." And then here comes your answer as to whether the mix could get better, and astonishingly the answer is yes, as in comes The King with "Beat It." I wish I could line this article with GIFs and emojis to better illustrate just what Point Point is making my face do. This is just crazy and quite simply one of the best mixes I've ever heard. It is incredibly enjoyable and while it leaves me wanting more, it keeps feeding me like Homer Simpson being fed donuts on a continuous loop. And if you thought I was done with the insane play-by-play, how about this transition from the Spice Girls aided "Oooops" of Drippy Dolphin into SOPHIE's "MSMSMSM" and then Carmada's remix of "Right Here, Right Now."

As we round into the second half of the mix we get more of Point Point's own productions including "All This" and "Korean BBQ," before a flurry of San Holo, Galantis and Jack Ü. These classics are then followed by a bit of a new music jam session, that neither I nor Shazam are able to identify. We're then beckoned towards the finale with a foursome of Point Point tracks "Life In Grey," "Serious Mood," "Part Of The Game," and "Hands." The grand finale comes in the form of a whistle aided live version of M83's "Midnight City." You're likely left both a shadow of your former self and a more fulfilled, actualized version. I for one know I'll be coming back to this mix many times in the coming days and months, and am grateful to be able to download it absolutely free. Do so here, and follow Point Point below.FOLLOW POINT POINT: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Monday, February 26, 2018

Justin Timberlake - Sexy Back (Birthdayy Partyy Remix)

Three weeks ago, in honour of his Superbowl halftime performance, I made a list of my five favourite remixes of Justin Timberlake, and surprisingly my favourite original JT track was not represented. Of course I'm talking about "Sexy Back." For me and I think many others, it was the track that made JT cool, leading out FutureSex/LoveSounds which I've said previously, still stands up as one of the best albums of the aughts (2000-2009). Taking on the immediately identifiable and deliciously dance-worthy original is a tough task, and while the likes of Tom Novy and Armand Van Helden have already done so, I believe Birthdayy Partyy has proven themselves to be up to snuff.

This mix breaks from the above offerings that find themselves more tuned to the club sound of yesteryear, as this bass house revision fits perfectly in the 2018 sphere. Similarly, Birthdayy Partyy have kept the more of the flow and direction of the original. Its 4:45 runtime, while longer than the original, simply allows for an extended tempestuous twist. And this is exactly the thread that runs through this mix. Seemingly each and every element is turnt and tortured in a kind of S&M manner. The vocals, the drums and, most effectively, the bass synths are scarred and stricken with a malice that makes the diabolical drops deliver an indignant amount of mayhem. It could survive as a mere instrumental but the noxious nostalgia of the lyrics have you holding on harder and leave you more mindblown when the distorted drop deforms your face. Pick up this potent club pulverizer free, here.FOLLOW BIRTHDAYY PARTYY: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Friday, December 01, 2017

Pete Tong with Jules Buckley and The Heritage Orchestra - Ibiza Classics

Last year Pete Tong teamed up with Jules Buckley and The Heritage Orchestra to release Classic House, a masterful album of covers of some of Ibiza's favourite songs. After featuring the likes of Katy B, Ella Eyre, and John Newman, Tong and Buckley have tapped Jessie Ware, Becky Hill and even Seal for their new album, Ibiza Classics. This new hour and a quarter epic sees The Chemical Brothers, Armand Van Helden, Kolsch, The Prodigy and more take on a new symphonic sound. After the success of the first album, it's hard to believe that things could get better, but dare I say it, they may have achieved the impossible. Hearing Seal sing "Killer" and RAYE sing "Body Language" is one thing, but once again the win in my ears comes with the multi-track melodies "Running/Finally" and "Rej/Man With The Red Face/Yeke Yeke." I know I'll be enjoying the entirety of this undeniable excellence for days, weeks and most likely months to come. Stream Ibiza Classics below, and download from iTunes here.FOLLOW PETE TONG: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER