Winter is normally a drag (said everyone, ever). No need to dwell, but it suuuuucks. So it helps when some fun and uplifting music comes around the blogosphere. Nothing too summery that makes you miss the warmth and relaxation on a Saturday in the Park in Chicago (whhhaaaatt did I just do?) But that will come with time. For now, suck it up, watch a few more movies, catch up on your shows, snuggle with a loved one or two.
Right, music.
I'm a sucker for strong and pronounced baselines. The crunchier the better, and underneath The Knocks' down tempo crashes lays that fret clanging bass. Collab'd with Wyclef this time around, "Kiss the Sky" will be on their new album, 55, due out in March (see fig. 1a).
Speaking of collaborating, who aren't The Knocks working with nowadays? Walk the Moon, Phoebe Ryan, Wyclef, Cam'ron, Powers, and Magic Man are all on the new album. Speaking of Powers, she was featured too on The Knocks' more popular tracks evar (see fig. 1b).
The Knocks - Kiss The Sky ft. Wyclef Jean
The Knocks - Classic ft. POWERS (RAC Remix)
Art by Jeremy Mann
Jan 19, 2016
The Knocks + Wyclef Jean [electro house]
May 28, 2015
Kid Cudi + Steve Aoki [#tbt]
An endeavor is defined an attempt to achieve a goal. What goals do I have in life? What goals for my kid... for this blog... for this apartment.. my job.. my family. And of what purpose does achieving those goals do for my well being or betterment?
I could continually get raises at work by overachieving and outperforming my peers. For what though? To be turned away at the next promotion opportunity and set aside for another bright upstart?
I could look at improving myself both in self image, physical well being, and expected life longevity. But why? For my son? So he can take care of me in hospice as I wither away slowly. Ever so gradually losing grasp on today's ever accelerating world?
I could be nice to people in my life, support them in times of need and desperation, laugh with them in times of amusement, hold them close in times of sorry and regret. Or see it all not matter and be washed away like a half gallon of spoiled milk.
So do what it is that makes you happy. That's the only thing that matters. The selfish pursuit of what keeps you going every day. The good things the get caught up are all just big bonuses in your path.
Kid Cudi - Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki Remix)
All art by Craig Davison
May 16, 2015
DATA + Benny Sings [french electro]
May 7, 2015
La Roux + Jack Beats [#tbt]
Starting up a new thing here... trying to stay hip with the youngster hashpound lingo (fuuuuck you kids). But each Thursday we'll be resurfacing some of our favorite tracks of the last 8 years of running this blog.
First up is an old favorite, both in original artist and remixer. Originally posted in our bestuvohnein post well over 5 years ago... i think that fits in the throwback category, at least in the blog world where two weeks is already ancient news.
I picked this track because it features La Roux, whom recently released her second studio album, of which I loved, but not as much as her debut which exploded with singles like Bulletproof, In For the Kill, Quicksand, and our title track, I'm Not Your Toy.
On the other side of the track title, Jack Beats was a favorite for much of the later aughts producing remixes in the stylish and trendy jacked house sub genre. It's a look back at how quickly things transition from one like to the next hash.
art by DevintheCool
Dec 1, 2013
Jan 8, 2013
A-Trak + Oliver [electro]
/bitchen loves us some Oliver, and luckily we also loves us some A-Trak. Been a while since we gave the decorated DJ some love here on the site (but lets be honest here, it's been a while since we've given anyone much love).
The song is off the A-Trak's Tuna Melt EP (Fool's Gold, 2012) which features all of the glitchy electroness that A-Trak has become known for. But Disco Nap took my attention as the best performer on the EP due to it's 'dark synth' disco subtheme, and absolutely killer drop.
A-Trak - Disco Nap ft. Oliver
Photo by Caesar Sebastian
Jan 2, 2013
Public Enemy + Featurecast [hiphop electronic]
Kind of amazing how laying down some crisp beats and upping the tempo slightly can transform a song from a hiphop classic, to electro banger. Elementary.
Public Enemy - Harder Than You Think (Featurecast Remix)
Photo by tariq12
Jan 1, 2013
Ben Ivory + Robotaki [electro pop]
Not a lot of time for blogging in the recent months, doesn't mean I've been ignoring music though. Robotaki has been on my radar for a while since I caught whiff of his remix of DJ Shadow/Little Dragon's sweetness.
I like his style, chill but not pretentious. Solid beats and timing without breaking your door down at 3am. Follow him on SoundCloud so you dont miss out.
Ben Ivory - Better Love (Robotaki Extended Mix)
Photo from Brooklyn Museum
Jun 12, 2012
Dillon Francis + D.veloped [electro mashup]
First post in well over 9 months... doesn't mean I've been completely devoid of indulging in good music, just that my time has been better spent in raising a family and getting my shit together in other areas of my life. It's summer in most relevant places on this Earth (sorry Australia), and summer means happy, bouncing beats.
I'll admit that I missed Dillon Francis' IDGAFOS the first time around, but hearing D.veloped's mashup with the typical hip-hop vocal overlay, shows that I got lucky in stumbling over this mix on the old hypem charts. Because the song underneath it all is a joyous, melodic, staccato'd, whistling dream of far off wondrous places.
Dillon Francis - IDGAFOS (D.veloped Extended Edit)
Mar 29, 2010
The Shirtcast #21 - O.K. Drums
The mighty O.K. Drums swings by The Shirtcast to melt some faces and break some stereos.
O.K. Drums: O.K. Mix
Justice - Genesis (O.K. Drums Remix)
Aston Shuffle - Stomp Yo Shoes (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)
Les Petits Pilous - Housi
All Leather - I don't hate fags, God does (Gongorock Remix)
A1 Baseline - Badman Horror Theme (Mustard Pimp Remix)
Van She - Kelly (Shinchi Osawa Remix)
Simian - We Are Your Friends (Justice Remix)
The Bloody Beetroots - Warp 1977
Crookers - Big Money Comin'
O.K. Drums - What Heys?
Douster - King Of Africa
Major Lazer - Pon De Floor
Major Lazer Feat. Ninjasonk & Tasleema - Pon De Floor (Diplo Rap Remix)
Sidney Samson - Riverside
Kid Cudi - Day N' Nite (Crookers Remix)
Ugod - Ugodzilla (Yuksek Remix)
Uffie - Mc's Can Kiss
Felix The Housecat - Elvi$ (2ManyDjs Edit)
D.I.M. & Tai - Lyposuct
download / stream / subscribe to The Shirtcast HERE.
thanks for the ears!
Jan 13, 2010
Archangel - Disco Robot
Archangel's new album "Chicken! I'm list." is shaping up to be an interesting blend of electro, house, breaks and otherwise. His latest preview of the record is a groovy electro blast of vocoded goodness.
Archangel - Disco Robot
