The Pit go in on the #1 song in America; dialing up the song’s harmony tracks, doing some killer inversions with the beats and claps, topping it all off with some most excellent countermelodies in the synth lines. Bruno Mars, Passion Pit, b3sci 2011, hands in the air.
Bruno Mars – Grenade (Passion Pit Remix)Rating: 8.6
The Fenech boys flip the script on the Jessie J ode to crotch-grabbing. The electrojam refashioned as a piano ballad. Works.
Fenech-Soler – Do It Like Dude (Jessie J Cover)Rating: 8.0
Unearthed this cool new 2Pac remix from depths of the Youtube slums. 2Pac sounds nice here over Saadiq’s shoeshine smooth vocal tones.
2Pac – Crooked Nigga Too (Raphael Saadiq Remix)Rating: 8.2
Hello Seahorse! come to us straight outta Mexico City. The trio packs such a cool interesting variety of sounds into the track for “7 Dias”. The rattle of the bass, the scratch of the synth, the flourishes of electronica-tinged counter-rhythm, and most definitely the beautiful airy floating vocals of frontwoman Denise Gutierrez.
Hello Seahorse! – 7 DiasRating: 8.2
The Holidays are the talk of the Oz music press. Equal parts sunshine, vibes, and smooth rhythms, the band builds on the oft-plundered sound of the shoegaze forefathers adding a pop sensibility and tunefulness that separates them from their other hard chilling peers. “Broken Bones” is our choice record from their Post Paradise LP from last year. Get into it below.
The Holidays – Broken Bones via circle square triangleRating: 8.0
This song couldn’t feel any better for a beautiful day’s cruise… anywhere. The vibe is light and jaunty in all the right ways. “Beautiful Trash” comes from New Zealand born, Australian producer, Lance Ferguson best known for his guitar work with The Bamboos. With a tasteful touch from the talented multi-instrumentalist Megan Washington, it’s the perfect preview to the forthcoming Her 12 Faces LP which drops official on March 7th.
Rating: 8.1
ATL producer heRobust flips the script on KP & Envyi’s one-hit wonder 90’s jam. Ever the conservationist, heRo dutifully preserves the refs to “Tenderoni”, “Swerving”, and “Physical Action”. Word.
heRobust – Shawty Swing My Way (Busted)Rating: 8.0
New killer shit lifted off Gilles Peterson Worldwide. Ninjasonik rep BK, they link up here with the Spank Rock dudes for an A+ collab. The beat bangs.
Ninjasonik – Global (Feat. Spank Rock)Rating: 7.9
Anything Esthero (also co-producer on the track) touches is premium shit. “Don’t Pass Me By” by Atlanta singer-rapper-songwriter Spree Wilson is no exception. Esthero’s production/influence fit the broadly influenced Spree superbly. The warm tones of guitar feel something like Curtis Mayfield-era Impressions or “Just My Imagination”, the ambient bits of electronic percussion in the rhythm track sound as if they could be on an Esthero record, the melodies reveal themselves birthed from the best of pop & r&b.
Spree Wilson – Don’t Pass Me By (Feat. Esthero)Rating: 8.1
Contributed by Erin Routson
Even though their homebase is covered in snow and ice, midwest loyalists Flosstradamus take U.S. Royalty’s “Equestrian”, run it through an 8-bit bubble noise machine, add Paul Simon vibes, and end up with something that leaves everyone mentally tan. Keep it on repeat til you can stop taking vitamin D supplements.
U.S. Royalty – Equestrian (Flosstradamus Remix) via RCRD LBLU.S. Royalty purchase / Flosstradamus Facebook
Rating: 8.2
Boddika guested on Benji B’s Radio 1 show last week and let loose this Joy Orbison untitled track in the mix. Rumored to be named “Ellipsis”, the tune is a bit of departure for Joy O with cascading pianos and smooth house-esque breakdowns.
Joy Orbison – EllipsisRating: 8.3
