Star Slinger remix of The Go! Team: Apollo Throwdown

After an extended hiatus for life, I'm back with a passion. Since the last time I wrote for you guys, I've moved cities, I've been broken up with, I've has a couple different jobs, I've started new relationships and ended them. I've seen a hearse do a doughnut, I've climbed the highest mountain I could see just to scream off the top of it. I've driven more hours than I care to calculate, and I'm still not where I want to be. Now, the music.

The Go! Team are a Brighton, United Kingdom-based six piece band (with two drummers!!) whose songs are a mixture of action-theme songs, cheerleader's chants, noise-pop guitars and early hip-hop, with a hint of some 1970's funk. On record, their songs are often pieced together from samples, although live the songs are performed mostly with live instruments.

Hippie Sabotage remix of Kyla La Grange: Cut Your Teeth

UK based singer Kyla La Grange's latest track "Cut Your Teeth" is intricately laced with soothing vocals that explore the rhythmic sensation of pop as well as R&B, with basic percussion and droplets of indie and scratchy futuristic sounds. Although Kyla La Grange is quite the colorful woman, equipped with a vibrant presence and pastel rainbow-colored hair, her vocals also carry their own weight with a  brightening effect. With that in mind, it's quite interesting to delve into the remix that Cali-based production duo Hippie Sabotage have spun to the turntable.  Hippie Sabotage alter the song's original poppy aura by drastically lowering the pitch, morphing it into a sound that closely resembles what an AlunaGeorge and an XXYYXX fusion might sound like. Overall, this remix of "Cut Your Teeth" beautifully contrasts with the original by adding thicker and heavier dimensions to the already existing one. 

Blackmill featuring Veela: Let It Be

Blackmill is a native of Highlands, Scotland who produces melodic dubstep. Veela is a 17 year old focused on electropop hooks and dance rhythms. Their collaboration produced a chilled out track with deep bass, high melodies and a far out feel.

We Were Promised Jetpacks: Act on Impulse

We Were Promised Jetpacks exudes awesome, via strings, keys and drumbeats. Though a little different from their normal repertoire, Act on Impulse delivers this awesome--ALL THE WAY FROM SCOTLAND. Edinburgh, to be exact. 

Los Campesinos!: Tiptoe Through The True Bits

Los Campesinos! is an indie-rock musical collective originating in Cardiff, Wales. As with any musical collective, their line-up and sounds are rather eclectic and this transfers to their sound, changing from song to song. 

Mogwai: Mexican Grand Prix

Mogwai is a band from Glasgow, Scotland. Most of their songs are elaborations on a single theme, playing it out lengthily, through the use of alternatively loud and soft dynamics, clearly defined bass riffs, and a protruding ambient sound that wavers between dark and grandoise. Their influences are include  The Cure, Joy Division, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, as well as post-rock Slint--even though the band detests the post-rock classification that is given to them.

And, yes, Mogwai is named for the Gremlin, which is spectacular--just don't feel them after midnight, get them wet, or expose them to direct sunlight

CHVRCHES: Now Is Not The Time

Chvrches (which is pronounced churches) is a Scottish electronic band residing in Glasgow who have some serious talent backed up by some serious brains and careers. The vocals and sometimes-synths are done by Lauren Mayberry, who has a Bachelor's in law and a Master's in Journalism; Iain Cook, the guitarist, bassist, sometimes-synths and sometimes-vocals, was with two other bands, as well as a passion for film/television, while the synths, sampler and sometimes-vocals Martin Doherty was a member of another band prior. The two male members were long-time friends, and this project started because of that. Mayberry was known to Cook from her days in Blue Sky Archives and suggested she be vocals for them. Their influences are a bit like the Cocteau Twins, MJ, Depeche Mode and perhaps more.

"Nothing now can ever come between us
As we hide and watch the city burn
There is much that I still want to tell you
But now is not the time to speak of love."

Florence + the Machine: Heavy In Your Arms

Florence and the Machine are absolutely delicious, with their heavy indie feel and Florence's RIDICULOUSLY good voice.

"And is it worth the wait
All this killing time?
Are you strong enough to stand?
Protecting both your heart and mine?"

Jacob Plant (remix of Oh Land ): Sun of a Gun

Jacob Plant, Britain, does an excellent job remixing an already awesome song, taking a track that's somewhat reminiscent of Katy Perry, with a doo-woop feel and throwing in some electronics that just mesh oh so well. They take the accents that already exist, and amplify them, playing the snap concept. 

Passenger: Let Her Go (Acoustic)

Passenger's Let Her Go showcases Mike  Rosenberg's melodically-clean picking, his crisp, clear voice and his amazing choice of subjects, as well as his song-writing abilities.

"Love comes slow,
and it goes so fast."

"Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low."

Cloud Boat: Dréan

Cloud Boat is a British Indie-rock band that sounds so clear that it could echo for miles and miles. Reminiscent of other Brit rock bands, such as the Beatles and Oasis, this band is a new-age spin on the mysticism that Britain's island offers to the rest of the world. 

The Get (remix of Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross): Blacks

Gary Get does a really nice job mixing such a beautiful song, blending the smooth ambient with glitches and beats in a fashion that doesn't destroy what was already present in the original song. 

Deptford Goth: UNION

Deptford Goth is the stage name of British experimental pop producer, artist and chill guy, Daniel Woolhouse. His music exists as an example of real and synthetic, produced partially electronically and partially with a voice as spectral as the afterlife. His synths are pretty hip, and his beat is sparse but real enough for me. 

Rusko (remix of Kid Sister): Pro Nails

I originally received this track for driving a Scion tC, as well as the experience from the car. My only real complaint is the general lack of noise (which is where the CD came in), as well as the mPH limiter (~120 mPH on the version I drove, limiting its track performance a tad). The resulting experience has provided me with quite a bit of aural pleasure, including this Rusko remix of the song made famous by Kid Sister. Rusko takes the song and runs in a different direction (primarily to his home of Great Britain), providing his characteristic beats throughout the song. He also takes a beat song and makes it partially counter-beat and syncopated, introducing some serious reggae elements into the already-awesome song.

Inkships: Cassette

Inkships is a British Indie-rock group that uses electronic sounds to supplement their indie sound. What remains is pretty chill and nice. 

The Lumineers: Ho Hey

This band is a mix between Irish Pub music and college alternative, and it's pretty great. They'll have your foot tapping and singing "Ho Hey" all day!

The Swell Season: Sleeping

I used to have issues sleeping (still do) and I dealt with them by making a sleep playlist of music. The Swell Season was give or take about half of it. So relaxing.

Star Slinger reworked by Cocteau Twins: Elizabeth Fraser

I love anything that Star Slinger mixes. Anything-smoothies, songs, icecream-I like it all from Star Slinger!

Damien Rice: Cannonball

O is by and large the best album I've heard, and the decision of which song was again a struggle. All of them are something else, and should be listened to! Check out the whole album if you've got the time.