house music

Top 50 Remixes of 2014 (50-26)

I wrote the following last year, but the words don’t belong to 2013. What follows is an evergreen sentiment that applies to all remixes. Here it is:

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 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).”

50. alt-J – Left Hand Free (Lido remix)

 

49. Rita Ora – I Will Never Let You Down (Steve Smart & Westfunk Club Mix)

 

48. Jaymes Young – Moondust (Sound Remedy Remix)

 

47. Echosmith  – Cool Kids (Sample Gee Club Mix)

 

46. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps (Tommie Sunshine, CID, Modern Machines remix)

 

45. alt-J – Taro (Panda remix)

 

44. Massari – Brand New Day (Hudson Leite & Thaellysson Pablo remix)

 

43. Katy B – Crying For No Reason (Infinity Ink remix)

 

42. Lana Del Rey – Young and Beautiful (Sound Remedy remix)

 

41. Coldplay – Magic (Sebastien remix)

 

40. La Roux – Bullterproof (Gamper and Dadoni remix)

 

39. Broods – Bridges (ASTR remix)

 

38. The Weeknd – Often (Kygo remix)

 

37. Tom Odell – Another Love (Zwette Remix)

 

36. Rudimental f. Emeli Sande – Free (Zwette remix)

 

35. Royksopp and Robyn – Monument Dance (Marcus Marr remix)

 

34. alt-J – Hunger of The Pine (Golden Pony remix)

 

33. Lucius – Turn It Around (FlicFlac remix)

 

32. Neon Trees – Sleeping With A Friend (The Chainsmokers remix)

 

31. Sigma f. Paloma Faith – Changing (Sigma’s VIP remix f. Stylo G)

 

30. Kyla La Grange – Cut Your Teeth (Kygo remix)

 

29. Royksopp and Robyn – Do It Again (Moullinex remix)

 

28. Anna Graceman – Words (Glastrophobie remix)

 

27. Kyla La Grange – Cut Your Teeth (FlicFlac remix)

 

26. Ryn Weaver – Octahate (Cashmere Cat remix)

 

Top 30 Songs of Summer 2014 (30-16)

As I mentioned in my previous list (https://thepunissure.com/2014/09/16/top-10-songs-of-summer-2014-that-are-not-from-2014/), music carries a special weight in the summer. It can whisper with the wind, lay and linger with the light, and kiss ears like the sun kisses skin.

For many, the warmth of summer brings a certain type of hope and happiness (especially to those of us living in a 4-season part of the world), and songs have a singular capacity — unlike any other art form — to soundtrack the season and the moments therein.

That said, I’ve decided to do another Best Songs of The Summer list. Here are my favourite 30 songs from the summer of 2014:

30. Sir Sly – Gold

Sounding like one of The Neighbourhood’s better tracks, “Gold” is a valuable metal.

 

29. Anna Graceman – Words (Glastrophobie remix)

Words, words, words… piano, gitch, and melody. The original is pleasant too, but this version has a particularly attractive zest about it.

 

28. Tiaan – Devil’s Touch

Breezy, fresh, and relatively minimal pop, “Devil’s Touch” is a spritely summer song.

 

27. Spoon – Do You

Spoon’s comeback single is a winner. It’s a spork to save the day when you’ve neither the time nor the inclination to decide which utensil is most appropriate.

 

26. Rdgldgrn – Turn

Really got into this jam. A little 311, a little Sublime, a little bit of an earworm.

 

25. Seether – Words as Weapons/Same Damn Life

These two songs are the cleanest, most polished I’ve heard Seether. This might not do it for some, but I’m down with it. Shaun Morgan’s voice sounds great with strong supporting melodies.

Words as Weapons

 

Same Damn Life

 

24. Sia – Elastic Heart

Sia’s voice is a weapon. An elastic one with a heart as strong as a diamond. Possibly the best track from her latest album.

 

23. Sophie – Lemonade

“Lemonade” doesn’t just push and prod the boundaries of pop in 2014, it obliterates them. What a fantastic “is this really happening” track.

 

22. Twenty One Pilots – House Of Gold

Already huge, or getting there, I’m not sure. What I am sure of is whatever attention it garners is well deserved.

 

21. OK GO – The Writing’s On The Wall

OK GO always make amazing videos. “The Writing On The Wall” is no exception. What they’ve added to the formula is the best song they’ve ever done. (Seriously, watch this video if you haven’t already — it’s awesome.)

 

20. La Roux – Kiss And Not Tell

I would’ve chosen another tune as the 4th single, but that’s no slight to “Kiss And Not Tell”. This is a super stylish ditty and one of the better songs on La Roux’s sensational second album, Tropical Chancer.

 

19. Charli – Boom Clap (Cahill Radio Edit)

Almost as excellent as the original, the Cahill Radio Edit achieved an impressive level of ubiquity for a dance remix. This is because it’s really, really good.

 

18. Iggy Azelea f. Charli XCX – Fancy

Didn’t fall head over heels in love with this track when I first heard it, and frankly, I don’t think I have to this point. But I can’t deny its power. It’s a massive banger with a simple beat, slick rhymes a wicked hook from Charli XCX. Oh, and I can’t count the number of people I’ve annoyed and possibly offended deeply by “singing”, ad nauseam, “first things first, I’m the realest.”

 

17. James Arthur – Recovery

It’s the massive chorus. And Arthur’s vocal delivery. And the verses. And how it gets distorted near the end. But that chorus. That sprawling, loopy, heart-racing chorus.

 

16. Duke Dumont – Mumble Man

Mumbling has never sounded so catchy. And the bass at 1:32 is killer. This is house music that needs no introduction. It just needs a dancefloor and some speakers. The victims will reveal themselves. They’ll have no choice.