grouplove

Continuing, here are my favourite songs of 2013, Honourable Mention style, in alphabetical order (J-M).

Jagwar Ma – The Throw/Man I Need

Jaymes Young – Moondust

Jhene Aiko f. Childish Gambino – Bed Peace

Jimmy Eat World – Appreciation/Damage

Justin Timberlake – Tunnel Vision/Suit & Tie/Not A Bad Thing/Only When I Walk Away

Kanye West – Bound 2/Black Skinhead

Katy B. – 5am

Katy Perry – Roar/Unconditionally

Keep Shelly In Athens – Recollection

Lady Gaga – Venus/Gypsy/Do What U Want/Applause

Lilly Wood & The Prick – Where I Want To Be (California)

Little Mix – Move (original & The Alias Radio Edit)

Los Campesinos! – What Death Leaves Behind

M.I.A. – Exodus f. The Weeknd

Major Lazer – Watch Out For This (Bumaye)/Jessica

Manchester Orchestra & Grouplove – Make It To Me

Massari f. French Montana – Shisha

Mo – Maiden/Pilgrim

Moon Taxi – The New Black/Running Wild

Mother Mother – Bit By Bit

Mikky Ekko – Kids

Miss Kittin – Bassline

Mr. Little Jeans – Oh Sailor

My Body – New Cat

Love this album artwork. Remix After All.

Love this album artwork. Not of this year, but it is Remix After All.

Transformation can do many things to an object. It can make something louder, quieter, bigger, smaller, heavier, lighter, darker, brighter, and so much more. The process of transformation is of some measure science, art, and parts unknown, and thus, cannot be coerced into formula. Remixes seek to transform, in some manner, the source material into something new, fresh, and vibrant. The best remixes do this, and also pave a bridge of familiarity to the original. Developing something new while maintaining some semblance of the old is an enormously difficult task, and that’s why it rarely happens.

If a remixer is smart, the simple act of picking the right song to treat will come with a certain amount of cache, and will garner a certain level of intrigue (read: there will be a built-in audience). But that doesn’t mean the remix will end up being good. So many are not. There are some though, that are good, and some, even better than that. Not only do they transform, they transcend: the source material, emotions, and every so often, time itself. To be lost in a piece of art where an entire dimension (time) ceases to exist is one of the joys of the artistic process, and indeed, one of the joys of this life.

To remix is to change. The best of the best though, remember to keep something of the original intact, whether it’s on the surface or buried deep beneath it. The great Roman poet Ovid, in his sprawling poem, “The Metamorphoses”, gives us an idea that serves as supreme directive for approaching remixes, “Omnia mutantur, nihil interit (everything changes, nothing perishes).”

Here are my Top 40 Remixes of 2013:

40. Postiljonen – All That We Had Is Lost (Keep Shelly In Athens Remix)

39. Britney Spears – Perfume (Cheiro De Quenga Remix)

This remix is brand-spanking new. If I had more time with it, I’d probably like it even more. As it stands now, it’s already one of my favourites.

38. Lady Gaga – Applause (Liam Keegan Bootleg Remix)

37. Mo – Pilgrim (Ms Mr Remix)

36. The 1975 – The City (No Ceremony Remix)

35. The Knife – Let’s Talk About Gender Baby… (Planningtorock Rework)

Even though this is a remix, it’s far and away the most playful tune associated with The Knife’s super-dense Shaking The Habitual. Planningtorock always bring that fire. This is a sneaky prancer of a remix.

34. Moby – The Perfect Life f. Wayne Coyne (Fuck Buttons Remix)

I prefer this remix to the original. A slow burner.

33. The Neighbourhood – Let It Go (Ghost Loft Remix)

32. Puscifer – Breathe (Drumcell Remix)

Drumcell really Donkey Punches The Night out of this remix.

31. Ms Mr – Hurricane (Chvrches Remix)

It’s not like Chvrches were busy or anything — they only crafted one of the best debut pop records of the past 10 years. Yet they still found time to do a few covers and remixes. Absurd hot streak.