top 10

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)