XLR8R MP3s

Dema "1000000"

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800

Artists on the LuckyMe roster most definitely have a thing for R&B divas. First there's Hudson Mohawke's remix of Tweet's "Ooops (Oh My)" single, and now we have Dema hijacking the vocal track from Aaliyah's "One in a Million" for his own rendition of the song.

TRUTHLiVE "Shoot Me Down"

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0800

As owner and founder of Interdependent Media, Evan Phillips (a.k.a. TRUTHLiVE) knows how to spot a solid hip-hop beat, and here he takes an epic instrumental from Tha Bizness—a track full of strings, synths, gunshots, pianos, and plenty of slap—to serve as the backdrop for his storytelling flow.

M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade "Donut (Gui Boratto Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800

Whenever M.A.N.D.Y. and Booka Shade collaborate, the result is sure to be some floor-filling, ass-shakingly elegant tech-house. Here, the quartet's single, which originally appeared on the 2007 5 Years Get Physical 5 compilation, has been remixed by Gui Boratto, who uses a dub techno stem from the original to form his version's heart, propelling the track towards an early peak that practically oozes arpeggiation.

Class Actress "Journal of Ardency"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800

New York is no stranger to disco-influenced electro-pop, what with The Golden Filter and the stable of DFA artists, but there's always room for another addition to the party. Elizabeth Harper and Mark Richardson are Class Actress, a Brooklyn outfit born from a mutual love for vintage synths and classic pop.

Little Girls "10 Mile Stereo (Beach House Cover)"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0800

If being called Little Girls wasn't creepy enough for you, how about turning "10 Mile Stereo" by Beach House (a favorite of many little girls to be sure) into something that sounds like Ian Curtis reuniting Joy Division from beyond the grave. Producer Josh McIntyre removed Victoria Legrand's original vocal from his version, and inserted a particularly large amount of lo-fi doom and gloom in its stead—leaving the rest of the music more or less intact.

Owen Pallett "Keep the Dog Quiet (Simon Bookish Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0800

With a new album out and a major tour starting soon, Owen Pallett (a.k.a. the Canadian pop composer formerly known as Final Fantasy) continues to gather fans, and this remix from the UK's Simon Bookish is certain to please even the most cynical ears. "Keep the Dog Quiet" is sped up and given a more bouncy flair, complete with multi-layered orchestral stabs, deep bass, and cut-up samples of Pallett's vocals.

Kingdom "Mind Reader (L-Vis 1990 Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800

The debut single from Brooklyn's Kingdom, out now on Fool's Gold, features all the elements we've come to expect from his productions; R&B vocal work (provided here by Shyvonne), spacey electronics, warbling low-end, and big, bouncing dance beats. For his remix, L-Vis 1990 ups the track's future-house vibes with a mass of tweaked vocals, extra percussion bits, and all sorts of interjecting synth lines.

Loose Shus "Taurus"

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:00:00 -0800

The fact that several incarnations of "Taurus," by San Francisco producer Dave Luzius (a.k.a. Loose Shus), have been floating around for years in live sets and on self-released CDs before receiving a proper release from Plant speaks volumes to its classic sound. The funky Quincy Jones bassline, smooth Donna Summer string section, and motorik Giorgio Moroder beat of "Taurus" all pay homage to the golden eras of pop and disco, yet the track remains new and original in its own right.

loscil "Dub for Cascadia"

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0800

This March, Scott Morgan (a.k.a. loscil) will be unveiling his fifth album, Endless Falls. Lucky for us (and you), the folks at kranky decided to slip us a little preview in the form of "Dub to Cascadia." True to form, the Vancouver-based producer burns slow rather than hot, as the song finds him meticulously layering ambient washes, digital fuzz, thudding bass notes, and haunting hints of melody.

Neurotic Drum Band "Neurotic Erotic Adventure (Dub Mix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0800

The first New York edition of the Unsound Festival is just a few days away, so the festival organizers have been kind enough to stuff our inbox with all kinds of exclusive goodies from the participating artists. Take this previously unreleased Dub Mix of "Neurotic Exotic Adventure," which strips the vocals out of the Neurotic Drum Band's original and takes its psychedelic, slow-motion space disco even further into orbit.

Oy "Snake (Mexicans with Guns Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0800

Next week, Switzerland's Oy will be releasing her debut album, First Box, Then Walk. "Snake" is just one of 27(!) tracks on the record, yet its sultry vocals and warped take on electronic pop serve as a suitable primer. This Mexicans with Guns remix, taken from the "Snake" single, actually tones down the weirdness by swapping out Oy's loop-based noodling with chunky basslines and warbling synth melodies.

Polargeist "Home From the Can (Tensnake Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800

Little information is available about Polargeist other than it's the musical output of two guys from Germany. Here, the a-side from their first 12" is remixed by fellow Deutschlander Tensnake. He takes out the warbling low-end and buzzy synths of "Home From the Can," and transforms the whole mess into a smooth and funky disco-influenced house number—complete with a playful sax hook.

Mux Mool "Lady Linda"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

Be it dirty, sampled breaks or shimmery, electronic loops, the mark of a great hip-hop producer usually lies more in the bang-and-slap than notable melodies. Yet Brian Lindgren (a.k.a. Mux Mool) has no need to worry, as the Brooklyn producer is strong in both categories. His new single, "Lady Linda," makes use of all his talents as it oscillates focus between a few Boards of Canada-esque synthlines and a shuffling beat that could make FlyLo jealous.

Pavel Ambiont "Error Asking Thread to Dub"

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800

When the Unsound Festival kicks off in New York next week, many people will flock to see heavy hitters like Carl Craig and Vladislav Delay or buzzworthy up-and-comers like Untold. Yet the festival curators have taken special care to invite all sorts of artists to participate, and the man traveling the farthest to perform is none other than Belarusian dub-techno producer Pavel Ambiont.

Rimer London "Intercity"

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

Crafty producers have been churning out upbeat, analog-synth-powered dance tunes for decades now, but the infectious nature of a good arpeggio is practically undeniable, especially when paired with a solid backbeat. Amsterdam's Rimer London, who also spends time in electro-disco outfit Le Le, has learned this lesson well, as "Intercity" is a delicious dose of spacey-yet-danceable electronic pop.

BFlecha "Ceja De Carnival"

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:00:00 -0800

Sounding something like a lush combination of Hudson Mohawke's stuttering productions and Top 40 radio's sugary hooks, "Ceja De Carnival," from Spain's BFlecha, is a surprisingly brilliant original track to be coming from such a young artist, especially one whose native stomping grounds in Galicia aren't exactly known as a hotbed of wonky beats. The talented female producer seems to not only know her way around a solid hip-hop beat, but also the kind of synth work that makes those kinds of productions flow so well.

Lali Puna "Remember"

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800

The first taste of Lali Puna's first album in over five years comes in the understated electronic pop of "Remember." Per usual, singer Valerie Trebeljahr's soft-spoken voice provides an ideal counterpart to the song's pulsing bass synths and clicking drum beats. "Remember" manages to be upbeat without being giddy, somber without being sullen, and altogether memorable.

Our Inventions is out April 1 on Morr Music.

Son Lux "Weapons III (Polyphonic Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

One of numerous remixes on the upcoming Weapons EP by classically trained singer/composer Ryan Lott (a.k.a. Son Lux), Polyphonic's version of "Weapons III" utilizes tumbling synth melodies and droning atmosphere to create a tense noise composition not unlike something from Matmos' Supreme Balloon album. The song helps round out a varied release that also features re-works from Nico Muhly and Alias alongside Son Lux's original tracks.

Blondes "You Mean So Much to Me (Acid Redux Cut)"

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800

Brooklyn duo Blondes spent much of the past year perking up ears with their lo-fi, hands-on approach to synth-driven dance music and techno, and now the boys are getting ready to step up their profile with an appearance at New York's Unsound Festival.

Caribou "Odessa"

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

Ontario native Dan Snaith has gone through plenty of transformations over the years, including changing the name of his long-running project Manitoba to Caribou. Yet Snaith's ability to craft engaging pieces of electronic psychedelia has remained constant, and if "Odessa" is any indication, more of the same can be expected when his new album, Swim, is released on April 20.

Golden Ages "Everything Will Be Alright"

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800

Philadelphia's Golden Ages is another one of these bedroom producers whose actual identity is shrouded in mystery. Yet although we're not sure what his mom calls him, we do know that he's coaxing his undoubtedly lo-fi equipment into producing some of that obnoxiously named yet undeniably pleasant chillwave (no, we don't like the name either) à la Memory Tapes, Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, and the rest of the glo-fi gang.

Helsinki 78-82 "Cruising"

XLR8R Magazine — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

If the steady stream of club heaters is any indication, the Top Billin collective appear to have Finland's party scene on lock. The latest offering comes from Helsinki 78-82, a new project from crew members Flipper and Koobra. The duo's self-titled EP marks a creative left turn of sorts for Top Billin, as the guys eschew heavy bass and B-more beats in favor of sunny synth disco.

Joy Orbison "BRKLN CLLN (Michna's Brooklyn Bridge Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:00:00 -0800

It's nice to see New York's Michna taking a stab at remixing a Joy Orbison track that's not "Hyph Mngo." That song's breakout has threatened to completely overshadow the producer's other brilliant tunes, and, here, Michna gives "BRKLN CLLN" its due by pumping up the bass and percussive elements—making his hometown-referencing version a sort of laidback banger.

Dosh "Subtractions"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800

Characterizing Martin Dosh's music has never been easy. Take "Subtractions," which features scatting vocals, arpeggiating bass synths, stabbing string sections, and an entire roll call of percussive instruments. It could fall into the realm of Tortoise-esque, jazzy post-rock, but there is hardly enough "rock" in Dosh's sound palette to fit such a genre.

Scaffolding "D-Tron (Michael Fakesch Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

The beginning of Michael Fakesch's remix of "D-Tron" sounds like the revving of some over-sized futuristic train engine, and once the motor starts running the track happily chugs along. The original was produced by Denver's Scaffolding, but gets a rework here by Fakesch of Funkstörung fame. The resulting track is a carefree slice of techno that could put a grin on any dancefloor enthusiast.

Thomas Fehlmann "In the Wind"

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

Electronic producer extraordinaire Thomas Fehlmann moves easily between many genres, but is perhaps best known for his serene ambient works. "In the Wind" hums with warm synth washes, delayed bells, and intentional clips that bring rustling twigs to mind. Taken from Pop Ambient 2010, the latest installment of Kompakt's ambient compilation series, the track proves Fehlmann's staying power in all fields of electronic music.

Poirier "Marathon"

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0800

The latest in DJ/producer Poirier's series of EP releases for Ninja Tune, all of which are leading up to his forthcoming full-length album Running High, Low Cieling is said to be inspired in part by his early years in the underground rave scene. The booming 808 kick which leads in and carries "Marathon," not to mention the playful synth melodies, lay testament to that, but it's the track's dancehall and bass inclinations that make this tune a real part of the Poirier sound.

Dibiase & P.U.D.G.E "Smoke it Over"

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

Kicking off a set of collaborative 10" releases highlighting acts from LA's beat scene, a series oddly enough curated by the Irish All City label, Dibiase and P.U.D.G.E's joint production, "Smoke it Over," seems to encapsulate their Southern California hometown in total, as elements of Stones Throw-style hip-hop, FlyLo-esque bass music, flashy electro-house, and even some experimental noise all make their way into this jam.

Javelin "Me Thing Drawing Me"

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:00:00 -0800

On today's episode of XLR8R TV, Brooklyn cut-and-paste duo Javelin added another chapter to our ongoing Tune in an Afternoon series. Using some thrift-store cassettes they picked up while on tour in San Francisco, the boys crafted another pleasantly warped slice of leftfield fun. Grab the track and, if you haven't done so already, watch how the guys' creative process unfolded here.

Nocando "Hurry Up and Wait"

XLR8R Magazine — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

LA's Nocando brings some slo-mo heat with the first single from Jimmy the Lock, his latest record and first for Alpha Pup. Produced by Nobody, "Hurry Up and Wait" features a prominent vocal loop, beats as chunky and wet as cat food, and Nocando's lazy rhymes that somehow recall a more blunted Aesop Rock. With other album tracks produced by Nosaj Thing, Daedelus, and Th' Corn Gangg, one of the latest LA beat phenomenons is still running hard.