Enlightened Listening for January 29

While weighing in a hair lighter than last week's hefty harvest, this week's Enlightened Listening is no featherweight. Spanning 20 releases, this 82 track six-hour odyssey is built around a ridiculous number of remixes and a couple killer compilation/mixtapes. Of the latter two, The Magician brings together an all-star lineup for his milestone Magic Tape, #100, while James Grant & Jody Wisternoff curate a killer second CD for Anjunadeep 12. Both deserve full plays, and that's easy with both, as they're each released in seamless, mixed form as well. Now, as far as remixes are concerned, there are plenty to highlight. I love the 'Foals' remix of Everything Everything, especially as, with the Gentle Dom remix two weeks ago, it paves a unique path. BRONSON again score some sick remixes with Hayden James, obli and Patrick Topping delivering a diverse trio. Similarly stacked, the Aluna Renaissance (Remixes) boasts brilliance from the likes of UNIIQU3, TSHA and The Martinez Brothers. Capping the remix conversation, Olof Dreijer, Dimitri From Paris, and ASHE, work wonders with "Monument," "Finally Ready," and "Grey Skies," respectively. Finally, I'd be foolish not to further direct your attention to TroyBoi's warm, resplendent and ingenious EP, V!BEZ, Vol. 4. Have a great weekend and enjoy!

Everything Everything - Big Climb (Jack Foals Grouse Party Remix)

The New Division - Broken (Christopher Sky Remix)

BRONSON - BRONSON Remixes N°2

Colombo - Pleased

Aluna - Renaissance (Remixes)

SOPHIE - UNISIL

Shadow Child - 4U

TroyBoi - V!BEZ, Vol. 4

Röyksopp & Robyn - Monument (Olof Dreijer Remix)

Nile Rodgers - Do What You Wanna Do (The Reflex Clubbed Up Revision 2021)

A-Trak & WEISS - Funk U

Hot Chip ft. Jarvis Cocker - Straight To The Morning (Mighty Mouse Remix)

The Shapeshifters ft. Billy Porter - Finally Ready (The Shapeshifters & Dimitri From Paris Remixes) 

Felipe Gordon & Cody Currie - Atlantic Exchanges, Vol. 1

Various Artists - Magic Tape 100

NTEIBENT - Colours (Theo Kottis Remix)

Hammer - Patella

Crimsen & Feyln ft. Oliver Wickham - Grey Skies (ASHE Remix)

Various Artists - Anjunadeep 12 (CD 2)

TÂCHES - For You (My Love) / I See You In My Dreams

Enlightened Listening for October 9

Time continues to somehow both fly and drag along, and here we are at yet another Friday. Despite being a mere nine releases, this edition of Enlightened Listening stretches over 4.5 hours and features 50+ tracks. On the album side of things, there's an insanely stacked lineup of Foals remixes, Machinedrum's highly anticipated followup to Human Energy, Mat Zo's triumphant return to Anjunabeats, and the killer collaboration of Sub Focus and Wilkinson. On the shorter side, ASHE delivers a divine EP to mau5trap, just as Amtrac, Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas, Planningtorock and Skream supply sensational remixes of their own. Dig into it all below and have a great weekend!

ASHE - Clairvoyance

Foals - Collected Reworks Vol. 3

Machinedrum - A View Of U

Amtrac - Madness To Mayhem (Amtrac's Steady Mix)

Jaga Jazzist - Apex (Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas Remix)

Zhala - Holes (Planningtorock Remix)

Paul Woolford & Diplo ft. Kareen Lomax - Looking For Me (Skream Remix)

Mat Zo - Illusion Of Depth

Sub Focus & Wilkinson - Portals

TSHA - Sister

London talent TSHA's circle continues to grow. Her bandwagon keeps filling with early support from Pete Tong and plenty of online/print publications. Her reach still stretches further with remixes for Lianne La Havas and Foals. And, over the course of lockdown, she gained a sister. Just as the two "got on straight away," TSHA seems to have struck instant inspiration from the feeling of family expansion.

"Sister," the lead track from forthcoming Flowers EP, showcases the stunning beauty and warmth of life that TSHA has quickly cultivated as her trademark. Digging into her expansive bag of tricks, the London based producer delivers a constantly evolving work with the piano, percussion, guitar, synths and even acid all leading the track in different directions. While the mixture of these elements could be chaotic, and at times borders on it, TSHA successfully swirls them together in sublime synchronicity. At the centre of this captivating moving picture, the vocals of "Sister" almost emanate from the growth and interaction of the elements, reaching their peak after each fulsome mix. An engrossing journey and uplifting, energizing experience, "Sister" can be yours now with pre-order of Flowers via Bandcamp.

TSHA · Sister

FOLLOW TSHA: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Enlightened Listening for July 31

It's a long weekend so I'm keeping this week's Enlightened Listening extra short. There's nine new releases below, all on the funky, disco, house tip moving more from the former to the latter as the playlist moves on. Find each release linked at the bottom and have yourself a great, safe weekend!

Charlie Puth - Girlfriend (Haywyre Remix)

Myd - Together We Stand (Radio Slave & Thomas Gandey Remix)

Foals - Wash Off (KUU Remix)

Roosevelt - Sign (Alex Metric Remix)

Aston Martinez & Marco Berto - Holdin' On (ft. Bryan Chambers)

Fat Sushi - Fanfare / Angry Driver

Kiwi - Hello Echo

SUZé - Urban Butterfly

Tim Engelhardt - Shine

Big Wild - City Of Sound (Alex Metric Remix)

Big Wild have teased their forthcoming four track Superdream remix package with the legendary Alex Metric's take on "City Of Sound." The always in demand Metric has once again delivered a stunning seven minute slice of dance delirium.

Following in the same steps as his recent Parcels, more classic Foals remixes and throwback Open Your Eyes (Remixes & Productions) album, this latest shows off diligent dynamics, brilliant bass, incredibly catchy craft-work and magnificent movement. In fact, there's at least a couple bits in "City Of Sound" that would suggest that it is a spiritual relative to both his massive original "Open Your Eyes" with Steve Angello and the aforementioned "Mountain At My Gates" remix. The rebuilds (or initial build as it were in "Open Your Eyes") deliver the same kind of sweep you off your feet movement and ease into ecstasy, as well as the same kind of stabbing synths.

That said, it would be unfair to characterize "City Of Sound" as a simple cookie cutter track, but should instead be considered as a part of the awesome evolution of output that makes Alex Metric one of the world's most trusted and well respected producers. As a fan, it delivers every element that I've come to expect from the master and in essence plays out like a fresh mix of some of my favourite tracks from his killer catalog. Stream below and get it now as part of the Superdream remix package here.
FOLLOW ALEX METRIC: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW BIG WILD: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Foals - Mountain At My Gates (Alex Metric Remix)

Three years ago, the uncontested song of my summer was Alex Metric's soaring and spine-tingling remix of Foals' "Bad Habit." To this day it remains one of my favourite tracks of all time, in large part because of Metric's incomparable treatment of Yannis Philippakis' poignant lyrics and quivering vocals. Metric's productions are always of the highest quality, pieced together to take listeners on a journey through more than just sound, but verily time and space. Now almost three years to the day, Metric has once taken on Foals, this time remixing their 2015 single, "Mountain At My Gates." Once again supporting the genius lyrical content of Foals, Metric's remix rises just as Philippakis describes the titular mountain, jutting up in ominous opposition. Its defiant progression, prevents the track from being nailed down to just one genre or feeling. It depicts a ceaseless struggle, with Philippakis in constant combat, attempting to overcome the growing obstruction, looming in the distance, yet creeping ever closer. With the telling lines "I see a darkness in my fate" and "Show me a signpost for where I should go," it makes one wonder not just whether they can conquer this bump in the road but whether they're on the right path at all.

Recklessly running into a wall, the line "I'll drive my car without the brakes," may be the most poignant of all, showing the faith the track's protagonist holds; time is linear, always moving forward. Metric's production so perfectly harmonizes with this narrative, becoming a celebration. As Foals climb the mountain, leaving it in the distance, the track hits its heavenly plateau, in a dance that seems to be handed down from those same heavens.

My soundcloud app got a workout last night as I had "Mountain At My Gates" on constant repeat, as the mastery of Alex Metric's remix got me home safely from a late night of baseball. You too will have to wear out soundcloud for the time being as no official release date has been set as of yet.

SUPPORT ALEX METRIC: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
SUPPORT FOALS: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER