It's the middle of finals week at my university and honestly I'm getting absolutely pummeled right now. All I can think about is how much I wish I could just be kicking it somewhere like the picture above, but alas I'm mired in seemingly endless amounts of work. Luckily, LA based producer Urulu has the answer. His newest 'Untitled' EP, which he released for free on monday, is one of the most relaxing, groove-filled things to hit my ears in a long time. Did I mention that it's free? Untitled 01 and Untitled 03 are especially soothing, while Untitled 02 has a bit of a techier edge. They're definitely all worth checking out, and if you like what you hear be sure to send some love over to his Facebook page.
Download: Urulu - Untitled 1 (Original Mix)
Now for some stuff on the more energetic side of the spectrum, first up I have a recently released Digitalism track that I haven't been able to get enough of lately. It's Digitalism…remixing Digitalism…and sounding like classic Digitalism. In other words, it's fucking awesome. Recently they'd moved away from their creative approach to electro in favor of a a poppier sound, but this shows them connecting without their glorious 2007-era Idealism roots. Check the whole EP on Beatport for some other dope remixes by Eric Prydz and Jeremy Olander as well.
Download: Digitalism - Circles (Digitalism Remix)
Next up is a pumping remix of Dirty South and Thomas Gold's 'Alive.' I have to be honest I wasn't as crazy about the original track as some people were when it first came out, but DC local Das Nibley takes it to a new level here with a really smooth reworking that starts fast and keeps the energy up all the way until the end. If you like what you hear (which I know you will), make sure to head over to his facebook page to stay up to date on all things Das Nibley.
Download: Dirty South & Thomas Gold - Alive (Das Nibley Remix)
We're a little behind on this one, but it's still worth sharing with you guys. The Duck Sauce single 'Big Bad Wolf' gets the Dada Life treatment here. You can probably guess what that means... lots of champagne and bananas. Forreal though, this one is hard hitting and party rocking as per usual from the crazy swedish duo - another festival anthem. I'm also excited to announce that Sir Real and I will be interviewing Dada Life this Saturday in Chicago.. so get stoked for that. If you guys have any burning questions that you want us to ask them, leave it in the comments section and we'll try to fit them in. As always, the more ridiculous the better.
Download: Duck Sauce - Big Bad Wolf (Dada Life Remix)
Subb-an dives way off the deep end on this one. This remix tools around a thick, delirious beat that weaves in and out around an addictive bassline. The perfect stomper for a dark dancefloor somewhere around 5am.
Download: Noir & Haze - Around (Subb-an Remix)
I thought the Alvaro remix of this song couldnt be topped, but Joe Maz proves otherwise. This remix is straight up bonkers and ludicrously catchy. By far the best version of this song that I've come across. "Johnny, la gente esta muy loca... what ze fuck?"
Download: Sak Noel - Loca People (Joe Maz Remix)
It's been far too long since I posted around here - what's up with that? I'm not really sure, but I do know that I'm here now with a heaping serving of good music to make up for it. Today's post comes in two sections, first the more mainstream festival-style bangers, and second the more underground side of things, so feel free to browse accordingly. *Also be on the lookout for me and Sir Real's monstrous review of the Electric Zoo festival in New York, which will be coming out in the next couple days.
Festival-Style Bangers
Some of you might have these next two already, so I'll get them over with first, but they're simply too good for me not to post.
First off, the new Dada Life is absolutely epic. Olle and Stefan have cooked up another instant classic here following the Dada Life recipe for success: start with a catchy, simple melody, add in some hard-hitting electro, mix in a couple massive build ups, top it all off with some bannanas and champagne, and poof, Happy Violence. Show them some love and grab the release on Beatport here. Download: Dada Life - Happy Violence (Original Mix)
I'm not particularly crazy about these MC Flipside vocals (or any vocals he's ever done for that matter), but Adrian Lux and Blende make this song well worth listening to with the dope, sort of 80's feeling electro drop that they've fashioned. This track really knocks when its played on the right soundsystem. Check the full release on BEATPORT.
Download: Roger Sanchez & Mobin Master ft. MC Flipside - Worldwide (Adrian Lux & Blende Remix)
Another club-oriented banger, this one is a track that I managed to completely sleep on when it got released a couple months ago. This track isn't your average heavy grinding Felix Cartal electro track, rather it's a tasteful balance of progressive, dutch, and electro influences and the result is a really catchy and highly listenable club banger. A testament to how good this remix is; this is the version Benny himself is dropping in his sets these days instead of the original.
Download: Chris Brown ft. Benny Benassi - Beautiful People (Felix Cartal Club Mix)
Underground Sounds
If you only download one track from this entire post, make sure it's this next one. I simply can't get enough of this remix. "How Deep Is [my] Love" for this remix you might ask? DEEP. VERY DEEP. I'M IN LOVE. I could listen to this song on repeat for days. The thundering piano stabs wash across the track like Picasso's paint strokes across a fresh canvas. They embody everything good and wonderful in this world. And the way that the bass is engineered to make the track really sway without a lot going on is just masterful. Excellent, excellent work by Wax Motif & Neoteric. Busy P dropped this during his set at Electric Zoo the other week and it was simply sublime, but more on that later in our official review.. The coolest part of all this? They gave the track away for free, so you don't have to feel guilty about downloading it below.
Download: The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love (Wax Motif & Neoteric Remix)
Bright & Shiny favorite, Danny Daze from Miami, recently gave away this Madonna bootleg for free on his facebook. What a gentleman. Deep, lush vibes as always from mr. Daze. Check the preview for his forthcoming EP with Matches below too, it looks like it's shaping up to be pretty amazing.
Download: Madonna - Bedtime Stories (Danny Daze Dark Rooms Mix)
Our friends over at La Bombe sent us this promo the other week, and I have to say, this track is definitely a 'bombe'. Dutch duo TWR72 give the classic 'Hysterisis' by our homeboy Sharooz a pulsing, absolutely mental reworking here. This remix has already been supported by the likes of Brodinski, NT89, and PeaceTreaty among others and I can see why. The track was released yesterday on Beatport, be sure to grab a copy HERE. Sharooz - Hysteresis (TWR72 Remix) by La Bombe
And finally to round things out, The Bingo Players give Sander Van Doorn's biggest single of 2011, 'Koko', a completely sideways and thumping do-over with their remix. Reminds me a lot of their remix of 'Welcome Home', in the best way possible. Can you say massive?
Download: Sander Van Doorn - Koko (Bingo Players Remix)
Guess what? Bright & Shiny has just reached 600 likes on facebook and to celebrate we're giving away our brand new, never before seen, limited-edition Bright & Shiny stickers!
Guess what else? You would have known that three days ago if you followed us on facebook or twitter! Way to go, ya dungle!
So before we go any further, you had better be sure to follow us on both. All the cool kids are doing it.
To win, simply tweet @Br1ghtShiny with the hashtag #stickaz for your chance to win some nice, vinyl stickers! Many will enter, few will win.
Guess what else you would've seen if you followed us on facebook like everyone else? This hilarious preview of Dada Life's new track, "Happy Violence." Did he just slap the other guy with bacon? Sounds promising.
I actually meant to post this a ways back, but it must have slipped my mind. Coming off of the absurdly massive Miami Noize 2 compilation on BNR, "Glass" combines that frenetic techno sound we all know D.I.M. & Tai bring to the table with an almost funky melody.
John Poincarre is a name I've just recently come across, and given that his website is entirely in French, I don't know too much about him. What I've gathered though is that he know a thing or two about making fine ass disco house, as proven by "Get Up, Yeah!" whose sample you may recognize from Foamo's "Generate Some Heat".
Boston duo and Bright & Shiny hall of famers Nightriders can do no wrong, it seems. This recent remix they did for Cassian has it all, knocking drums, a catchy vocal sample, and quirky synths that build into a drop of one of their signature groovy basslines.
Poolside's "Do You Believe" is the perfect song with which to welcome some warmer weather and more sun: a slow, light-hearted romp with hints of an 80's vibe and a sing-along chorus that you'll be glad you can't get out of your head. Also check out the James Curd remix on beatport, he kills it.
Now, if you're like Patrick and myself and you missed out on all the Ultra festivities this year (again) or you just want to re-live the experience, check out pretty high quality recordings of sets from Afrojack, Avicii, and other big acts at beatmyday.com. Thanks to Khiz for the heads up on that.
Alright I just spent a retarded amount of time writing this post...and then it somehow managed to delete itself... so here's the music but without much description. It doesn't even matter though, cause all of these songs are pure gold, and they should have you going strong from now till Monday. Happy first day of the weekend.
Ok so today is the first time we're using our new music player, let us know what you think. We think you'll really enjoy it, it has higher quality audio than our old flash player and you dont have to go through zippyshare. All you do is hit the play button next to the song to play it and right click---> download linked file to download the song. Onto the music..
This track has been blowing up the blogosphere, but not without good reason. Lazy Rich takes this Porter Robinson track to the next level here, combining grinding electro with splashes of prog-house chords to make a dancefloor killer of massive proportions. Porter Robinson - Wildcat (Lazy Rich Remix)
I don't know much about the Canadian Lazy Rich, but this other remix has been in my library for a while and it's equally wonderful to listen to. He kind of reminds me of some older Wolfgang Gartner. X-Press 2 - Lazy (Lazy Rich Remix)
After watching him literally tear apart hundreds of concertgoers at Hard Haunted Mansion, I've thought that Brodinski is one of the most exciting talents to emerge for a while. He's done a lot of work with fellow Frenchman, Noob, such as the older (but still really awesome) Oblivion Remix which I've added below the new track. Both of the two artists have a deeper, sort of techy, but also sort of dutch sound, that's distinctive and highly addicting. This new track they've done, Cajou Club, seems to be an evolution of the sound that was present on Oblivion. I like where they're headed Noob & Brodinski - Cajou Club (Original Mix)
Speaking of Ed Banger, if we ever get around to making a best of 2010 list, I'm sure Cassius' I <3 U SO will be near the top as one of 2010's greatest set-closers. JFK has done a complete reworking of it here, twisting the slower anthemic ballad that it was into a newer, disco-electro fueled dancefloor monster. JFK has been really impressive lately, although it'd be nice to see some new MSTRKRFT every once in a while.. Cassius - I <3 U SO (JFK Remix)
This new Jokers Of The Scene track was released on Fools Gold, which was a little surprising to me since a 9 minute epic electronica piece doesn't really seem like something you'd associate with mr A-Trak. I suppose it just means the man knows talent when he sees it. Either way, this track is beautiful and expansive. Bright & Shiny approved. Jokers Of The Scene - Joking Victim (Original Mix)
I was browsing around youtube the other day only to find this hilarious and kind of awesome video with a Dada Life song I was unfamiliar with. After a little research I found out it was basically their first song to get them noticed. It sounds surprisingly mature considering it was one of their first tracks, almost a little more controlled than some of the stuff they're doing now. Anyway, if you missed it like me when it came out, check it out below. Dada Life - Vote Yes!
UPDATE: You can download all of the songs in this mix as a .zip file by clicking HERE
It's that time of the week again.. Saturday night. The best part of the week. Surely you'll all be out doing irresponsible, reprehensible, and thoroughly Bright & Shiny things tonight, so we've come up with the perfect soundtrack to supplement your adventures. This is the first of what will become our weekly saturday mix. It's a collection of the editors favorite songs, plus a few chosen by the dj, mixed together by Bright & Shiny collaborator and partner in crime DJ Ruthy Lopez (be sure to check out her Soundcloud and Facebook pages). We'll be offering the continuous essential mix, as well as download links to all of the songs. Without further ado, we're pleased to present the first ever Bright & Shiny Saturday Essential Mix. Warning: Due to the nature of these mixes, they should not be played within 75 feet of old people or hospitals
TRACK LIST (Click HERE to download all of these songs as a zip)
Etienne de Crecy - Hope (Studio Version) Villains - Victims (feat. Whiskey Pete) (Designer Drugs Remix) Disco of Doom - Sex Face Felix Cartel - Popular Music Intro (Original Mix) Fuzzy Hair - I Like (Joachim Garraud Remix) Erol Alkan & Boys Noize - Waves Eric Prydz - Pjanoo (Dada Life Guerilla Fart #7) Seductive - Underground Sound Bingo Players - Devotion Thomas Gold - AGORa (Short Edit) Laidback Luke feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn - Till Tonight (Original Mix) John Dahlback - Everywhere (Rustler Remix) Don Diablo - Who's Your Daddy? (Blogula Mix) Light Year - Sex Education N.A.S.A. Featuring M.I.A., Santigold, and Spankrock - Whatchadoin' (Villains Remix) Chris Kaeser - Who's In The House (Chuckie Remix) Fake Blood - I Think I Like It (Tommie Sunshine & Figure EC$TACY Edit) Duck Sauce - Barbra Streisand (Afrojack Meaty Mix) Afrojack - Amanda Cirez D - The Tumble Round Table Knights - Calypso Uppermost - Rox Sox (Original Mix) SILVA, Sandro - Told Ya & Blaze (Apster Remix) Altern8 - Frequency (Soulwax Remix) Boys Noize - Yeah C-Mos - 2 Million Ways (Axwell Remix) Robbie Rivera - Escape (Original Mix) Martin Solveig, Dragonette - Hello (Club Edit) Style of Eye, Magnus - Antidote (Original Mix) Aeroplane - Without Lies (Breakbot Remix) WTF! & Dead Prez - It's Bigger Than Hip Hop UK (Dubbed Out Mix)
Of all the classical forms of art, music is, by nature, the most abstract. The characteristics of a piece of music have no tangible base or visible grounding in reality; the sound comes and goes like a breeze and after that all that's left are the wisps that you manage to catch in your memory. This inherently transcendent aspect of music is what allows certain pieces to move us, to instantly shift the way we're thinking, or to change our mood - the sound drifts through your ears and grab control of you before you even get the chance to object. For this reason, I've always thought that music does the best job at replicating the sensations and feelings of dreaming; because (if done correctly) music can echo the same abstract qualities of our subconscious. This first song is a perfect example.
This sounds exactly like what floating through a surrealistic dreamscape would feel like, and it comes at the hands of an unlikely source. Diplo has been on a creative rampage recently, churning out remix after remix and bringing his Mad Decent label around the world, but this is completely unprecedented. It's unlike anything I've ever heard by him. It's outstanding. The more I listen to it, the more I can't get enough of it. Check out the music video below. Deerhunter - Helicopter (Diplo & Lunice Remix)
New Dada Life.. You guys already know how we feel about doing the Dada. We love it. Can't get enough of it. We do the Dada every day of our lives. This new Dada goes in a slightly different direction though, but I think they pull it off really well.
Djedjotronic (try to say that out loud 5 times fast) has been wreaking havoc recently as a part of Boys Noize Records. Somebody played this one at HARD Haunted Mansion but I can't remember exactly who it was. All I know is that when I first heard this I was gripped by an insatiable urge to dance and I suspect that you will be too. Gonzales - I Am Europe (Djedjotronic Remix)
Remixing Daft Punk is pretty much the most hubristic crime an artist can commit, but every once in a while a remix comes out that makes it excuseable. Keatch does a nice job here, keeping in tact enough of the original while still layering on a new, harder-hitting edge. Daft Punk - Rollin' and Scratchin' (Keatch Edit)
Russ Chimes' Midknight Club EP came out on Itunes and Beatport the other day, and I really hope that you go buy it. It's absolutely gorgeous, and the epic music video trilogy that comes with it should be enough for you to give Mr. Chimes the respect he deserves. Here's my favorite track from the EP, Targa (but, once again, you should go buy it, because this is a lowly 126kbps). We posted the music video trilogy a while back, but incase you missed it, there's a continuous version of it below. I highly recomend checking it out if you haven't already. Russ Chimes - Targa
I heard this one a while ago and - I can't explain this - I didn't think it was very good. I put it on the shelf and sort of forgot about it. However, I saw it posted over on Vacay the other day and it prompted me to revisit it. I don't know what I was thinking; this one is bomb. Fukkk Offf channel the funk here with a deliciously stutter-stepping beat and attitude-packed vocals. Fukkk Offf - Worldwide
We posted Uffie's single "Difficult" a while back, and since then I've encountered some quality remixes that deserve to be shared with you all. Mysterious and Canadian duo Azari & III are responsible for the first, drifting from their usual 90's classic house vibe with some upbeat, bouncy synths and percussion. Next one is from Uffie's labelmate, SebastiAn, who brings the that heavily distorted grungy sound he's become notorious for. (here's the download link for the original)
Next, we have a track from Australian house producer Kraymer. It starts off innocently enough, some catchy vocal chops and a pretty house feel, but then launches unexpectedly into a grimy-ass bassline that you best be prepared for.
I'll always have a soft spot for filter house, especially if guys like Leonardus keep cranking out tunes like this. The production is typical of the Dutchman and'll be sure to get you moving through the rest of your Tuesday.
Alright, now we'll move onto the heavier stuff, beginning with none other than Steve Angello, whose remixes and originals are pretty much synonymous with "massive". This edit of "Where You Are" is of course, no exception, building steadily into a huge, ravey drop right before the 3:00 minute mark. And it only gets better from there. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.
I'm just becoming familiar with Max Bett, a rising tech-house producer out of Russia with skills beyond his years. His minimalistic synth melodies and addictive tribal percussion combine to create a seriously trance-inducing sound, as evidenced by this original.
Augustus warned you, and now it's here. Dada Life's latest is an absolute banger, exactly what we've come to expect from these crazy ass swedes. Nothing more really needs to be said about it. Give it a listen, show the guys some love, and buy the track on beatport here so we can all keep on doin the Dada.
Up first we have a really beautiful remix of the 90's classic Wonderwall. I love what Questions does here; he's managed to tie in the acoustic and dreamy feel of the original, while still bringing the track in an entirely new, electronically lush, direction.
AIR is not a band you'd typically expect to see alongside French electroDJ's Etienne De Crecy and Alex Gopher. Yet, all three of them manage to find a harmonious middle ground here that unfolds over 5 minutes to form a truly awesome collaboration. Ash Sync builds out of the ethereal French sound that AIR's made famous over the years into a gorgeous synth-feuled riff that bears the markings of Gopher and Crecy. Pure gold.
This remix by F.O.O.L. is simply epic in proportion.The synth progressions are nothing short of masterful, and everything about this track screams "play me as loud as possible" ... to quote one of the lyrics,"what are you waiting for?"
If you haven't heard it yet, Deadmau5 has released a new track by the name of A City In Florida. Its sound retains elements of Joel's older work while still having a distinct new flavor that feels similar to Sofi Needs A Ladder. Perhaps what we have here is a good indicator of the next mau5-album?
I went on a Calvin Harris binge recently,listening to every track that I could find by the man, and in the process I rediscovered a couple of my favorite remixes that I hadn't heard in forever. They're both must-haves for any fan of the scottsmen (or good music, for that matter).
I'm honestly not sure whether or not it's possible for me to post these days without including something from Dada life. Their sound is infectious and it's dangerous and I can't get enough of it.
Sultan & Ned Shepard take this Sander Kleinenberg track and push it to the next level, putting together a pulsing, irresistible drum beat that serves as the perfect canvas for the zeitgeist-capturing vocal sample. Club. Anthem.
French Touch gods Daft Punk are true jacks-of-all-trades. Their robotic interpretation of the R&B/hip-hop beat is refreshing. The duo crafts a smooth, muffled soundscape over which Pharrell exercises his famous falsetto with his funk band N.E.R.D. along for the ride. To be honest, I'm not even close to digging the vocals, but try and listen to the backing track because it's gorgeous; this brand of robot hip-hop is something I could definitely get used to. N.E.R.D. - Hypnotize U (prod. Daft Punk)
Before his Daft Punk days, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo was one half of Le Knight Club off the legendary French house imprint Crydamoure. Quinten 909 of the Netherlands (another goddamn Dutchman) has impressed the whole of Bright & Shiny with the consistently outrageous quality of his productions. He does it again here, making this song more like Daft Punk than it already was. Do yourself a favor and watch out for this guy. Le Knight Club - Soul Bells (Quinten 909 Remix)
Geht's Noch?, a couple of nice young men from Belgium, have made a very nice song. The build-up is very strange, but when it drops... well, you know the rest. And make sure you're wearing a helmet. Geht's Noch? - Body Jack (Original Mix)
I don't know what this says about me, but I had never heard of Martin Solveig until the release of his Hello EP with Dragonette. That being said, I am now convinced this man is a genius. The lineup of artists he commissioned to rework this track is so obscene that he will have forced us to put nearly every track from the EP on the blog by the end of the week-- it's THAT good. Now, I do have a conscience, so I insist that you go and buy the "Hello (Club Mix)" on beatport this instant. It's better than all the remixes, which are incredible, because it will have everyone from your girlfriend to your grandmother on the dancefloor faster than you can say "Who the fuck is Martin Solveig?" The first remix is from Dada Life who bring their uniquely ragetastic brand of electro direct to your face. The second is from Dutch warlock Sidney Samson, taking it back to the good old days with some delicious acid house. God, I love acid house and Martin Solveig. Martin Solveig & Dragonette - Hello (Dada Life Remix)
Today's edition of Clubhaus is a mainly Dutch production... like usual. First up is Oliver Twizt, with this sexy, afro-latin inspired track. Oliver Twizt - Loca ft. Maluca
AFRO YAAK. This is just a preview ripped from Tongy's show on Radio 1, but it sounds to me like Afrojack is taking his interpretation of the Dutch sound in a new, more club compatible direction. This is the most spacious shit I've heard out of him in a while. I dare you to listen to this and not imagine yourself dancing your ass off in some futuristic, warehouse rave like the one in that awesome Yeasayer video. Afrojack - Amanda (Radio Rip)
Speaking of spacious, I am very proud to bring you today a beautiful, prog-house song from AMERICAN producer, Ian Carey. Apparently Carey hails from Maryland like 3/4 of Bright & Shiny. Weird, right? Think again. Maryland is the next Netherlands. Mark my words, one day we'll all be listening to Maryland house when we're too drunk to do anything but dance. Anyway, this is the only good remix I've heard of chart-smashing single "Take Over Control" by Afrojack and it's VERY good. Afrojack - Take Over Control ft. Eva Simmons (Ian Carey Remix)
Check out this sexy video for Swedish House Mafia's summer anthem "Miami 2 Ibiza" which came out a week ago.
