Meeerrrryy Christmas. Joyeux noel. Frohe Weihnachten. Feliz navidad. Even though it's a little late, it seems only natural that we celebrate this holiday the only way we know how to celebrate anything here at Bright & Shiny - with lots and lots of pounding techno music. Just a note - these are not happy go lucky Christmas tracks, these are massive pieces of electronic destruction, most of which will probably best suit you during the new years eve madness that's about to be upon us. Happy holidaze.
Up first is the latest magic from up and coming producer and Bright & Shiny homeboy Ekstra, and let me say this one REALLY thumps. A mix of pounding tech house with a hard dutch electro edge, 'Forte' simply has festival madness written all over it. If you like what you're hearing, be sure to show him some love over on his Facebook page and grab the exclusive Bright & Shiny download HERE. Forte (Original Mix) by Ekstra
Also, check this sneak peak of one of his latest projects, I can't wait to hear the final version of this one. Straight ridiculous.
Another great track from some of our favorite up and coming producers, this time from LA based duo (one half of whom runs the awesome DSCOtech) No Body, this is far and away the best remix of Dada Life's gargantuan single Happy Violence that I've come across yet. Nothing else even comes close. See (hear) for yourself below, and make sure you hit up their soundcloud for all things No Body.
Download: Dada Life - Happy Violence (No Body Remix)
We never got around to giving you guys our full HARD Haunted mansion review, but if there's one thing you should know it's that Paul Chambers absolutely stole the show. The dude brought a party full of face-melting electrons like few other people I've ever seen. One of the craziest parts of his performance was this remix of the ZZT anthem Partys Over Los Angeles, which he actually talked about on his twitter he just finished like the day before HARD haunted, specifically for that festival. Feeling the Christmas spirit, Turbo Records gave it away for free the other day. Grab it below.
Download: ZZT - Partys Over Los Angeles (Paul Chambers Remix)
This track is one that I have a hard time finding words to explain. Upon first listen, it might not seem like much, but if you hear it blasting out of some proper speakers at full volume, this one is straight lunacy. The repeating (wood block?) percussion hits sew together a vicious groove that seems ripe for any underground dance party deep in the AM. Don't sleep on this one.
Download: Alex Jones - Shoe Of The Year (Original Mix)
The recent debut "Be As One" EP from mystery duo BS1 on BNR Trax is one of the most well rounded and dangerous dancefloor-oriented releases I've come across in a while. The EP features four different tracks, all of which have slightly varying flavors but feature a unifying retro-futuristic take on techno that seems right at home on Boys Noize's label. All of the songs manage to bring together moments of spacious, pad filled beauty somewhat reminiscent of Julio Bashmore's best work along with straight relentless and pounding beats that Boys Noize himself would be proud to call his own. Here's two of the tracks off the release, but scope the whole thing on Beatport. It's well worth the money.
Download: BS1 - Nothing But U (Original Mix)
I'm finding it hard to accept that summer is actually over, which is something I unfortunately had to confront with my first day of classes starting today at 8 in the morning.. Luckily it's thursday which means the weekend is upon us and I can pretend like it's still summer for at least a couple more days. I've got a selection of massive tracks to help jumpstart your weekend so you can pretend like me that it's still the golden season for a little bit longer. Or at least they'll help you rage like it.
Next up I have the latest from Bright & Shiny homeboy and fellow UCSB student Ekstra along with Dave Tannin: an absolutely bomb bootleg of the Carte Blanche remix of Scissor Sisters' classic 'Any Which Way.' The bootleg, which honestly sounds more like an official remix, is a straight up stomper with a hard knocking electro drop. Be sure to follow both of them on facebook to keep up with their latest sounds (Ekstra & Dave Tannin aka dxdt).
Download: Scissor Sisters - Any Which Way (Ekstra & Dave Tannin Bootleg)
This next track is a bit different from the last two, falling way further on the tech house spectrum, but it's nonetheless just as gigantic. This has been a staple in sets recently by all stars like Claude Vonstroke and J. Phlip, and for good reason. This track is absolutely badass. The 808 drums in it take you straight back to the jackin' 90s but with a fresh, bass-heavy 2011 style to it. Eats Everything has emerged recently to be one of our favorite up and coming artists at Bright & Shiny, start listening at the build at 2:45 to see why. Show some support and grab the track off of beatport here.
Stream Only: Eats Everything & Worthy - Tric Trac (Original Mix)
LA Riots decided to release their personal mix of the MSTRKRFT classic 'Bounce' for free on their facebook the other day. It's a party-ready, absolutely jumping track, perfectly tailored for destroying dancefloors. Weekend approved.
Download: MSTRKRFT - Bounce (LA Riots Unreleased Remix)
Another party starter that's perfect for the weekend, Chuckie's latest remix of Joachim Garraud goes back to his traditional bouncy dutch style, and it's good to see Chuckie back at what he does best because for a while it seemed like he was wandering into kind of generic electro-house type stuff. This track isn't released yet, but you can grab the 320 copy below cause we're good like that.
Download: Joachim Garraud - Are U Ready (Chuckie Rmx)
Finally to round things out this next track is from the (way) deeper end of the spectrum. I found it alongside some other high quality deepness on the Beatport September Deep House Chart. The bass and vocal sample on it are outrageously catchy. House Nation. Bump this on a quality sound system to truly appreciate the old school jackin' vibes on this one.
Download: S.A.S. - House Nation (Original Mix)
Nicky Romero's masterful reworking of Green Velvet's Flash is a track that everyone has heard by now, (whether they know it or not) as it was played at just about every festival in the world for this past year. Romero has come up with another huge track on his remix of Sidney Samson's Dynamite here. The name 'Dynamite' is fitting because thats exactly what this track is.. dynamite. The drop is ridiculously big. The first time I heard it I thought it was almost too jarring how suddenly it just slams you in the face, but the more and more I'm listening to it the more I'm realizing it's straight genius. I can't even imagine this track blasting out of the speakers in a festival setting... it would be simply ridiculous. Crank this one up to 11 and fast forward to the 1:00 minute mark Sidney Samson, Tara McDonald - Dynamite (Nicky Romero Remix)
I'm actually completely mystified that this next track never got more attention from everyone, including by myself. I only bothered to download it the other day, but why I have no idea. Avicii and Daft Punk, that's like a dream combination.. And this track actually lives up to the hype. Avicii takes the ominous Daft Punk track Derezzed from the recent Tron movie and transforms it into an elating wondrous chunk of melodic house. I remember Avicii dropping this main stage at ultra and watching the entire crowd go berserk, people jumping all over the place and every single hand reaching straight into the air.. This one's a banga Daft Punk - Derezzed (Avicii Remix)
Up next I have two new tracks from Dutch duo Bingo Players. Just a warning, if you're looking for another 'Cry (Just A Little)' you're not about to get it. These two tracks are more along the lines of the duo's first breakthrough hit 'Devotion,' showcasing a really unique, stripped-down tribal style of dutch house. Both of these tracks are completely bonkers. Fellow Dutch duo Chocolate Puma's deserves credit for their influence on the second track, 'Disco Electrique' too. Bingo Players - Get On Move (Original Mix)
Swedish youngster Alesso has been on the tip of everyone's tongue recently after his massive remix of Pressure basically took over the world, getting a #1 spot on the beatport charts and finding its way into sets by everyone from Avicii to Swedish House Mafia. He's back here on a huuuuge remix of the recent SHM single 'Save The World', taking the track and giving it a (much needed) harder edge than the original. The drop around the 4:30 mark is incredible. Swedish House Mafia - Save The World (Alesso Remix)
Rising Dutch star R3hab shows here that he can do more than the standard off-the-wall dutch house drops that he's known for, going for a more progressive leaning sound on this one. Absolute big-room thumper, this song shows why R3hab's one of the fastest growing names coming out of the Netherlands right now. BOMB Cahill, Joel Edwards - In Case I Fall (R3hab Remix)
Finally I need the help of everyone in the Bright & Shiny nation with a beatport account on this one. Whether you know it or not, there's currently a remix competition going on for Afrojack & Quintino's track Selecta. The winner gets an official release on Afrojack's label, Wall Recordings, along with a bunch of other cool stuff. My good friend Ekstra has recently submitted his own remix, and I need all of your help in the voting process to help get him some attention. The voting is really simple, all you have to do is go to THIS PAGE, log in on the top right and then hit 'spin it' on the player next to his song. Any support would be awesome, this kid works really hard and could really use the recognition. Plus his remix is about 20 million times better than every single one ahead of him in the voting process (check for yourself, all the other ones are garbage). Let's get this kid some spins!
Peep two of his newest tracks below, including the Afrojack Remix:
After a prolonged absence from posting due to my computer being broken, I come back to you, the Bright & Shiny nation, today on the day that my summer officially starts, and I've brought with me an appropriately boss soundtrack designed to gear you all up for the ensuing period of r & r (rage and relaxation) that's about to come up in these next couple months. A couple of these tracks I've been sitting on for the past few weeks while I waited to get my computer fixed, and while I feel slightly irresponsible for not getting these wonderful beats to you all earlier, I'm also filled with a ton of joy that I finally get to bring 'em to you today. Enough of the words; let's get on to the music.
We'll start with the newest single from (in my opinion) the most talented and consistently original young dutch producer out there right now, Bart B More. 'Traction' is a beast of a track that lures you in with a smooth and catchy melody that sounds like it could have been hijacked from a Calvin Harris song, only to suddenly take off and drop into a pounding electro beat so packed with energy its practically bursting at the seams. Truly massive, expect to hear this track all over the place this summer. Of course, be sure to show the kid some love and grab the full release off of beatport. Bart B More - Traction (Club Mix)
Next up we have the long anticipated, absolutely bomb, Kaskade remix of the Skrillex hit Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites. We brought you guys a preview version ripped from the radio a while ago, but I'm proud to present you all today with the full version in all its high quality glory. Kaskade really orchestrates a masterpiece on this one, using his unrivaled skills at making gorgeous progressive house to stretch out and elevate the progressive portion from the original, only to ditch Skrillex's dubstep stylings in favor of a jackin' electro-house beat at the drop. The result is truly awesome, and further underscores why Kaskade is one of the biggest and most widely loved names in dance music today. [Beatport Release] Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Kaskade Remix)
Next up is a track that's my personal favorite track out of this whole post, and it's also one that I'm sure 50% of you will hate and 50% of you will love. Gessafelstein's recent release, Hatred, is a monstrous, almost diabolical techno track that practically jumps out of the speakers at you and compels you in some alien language to dance like a total loon. Gessafelstein has been slowly building a reputation around his refreshing and original approach to pounding techno music, and recently he's received lots of attention from big name djs all across the spectrum and rightfully so. Turn your speakers up to full volume and blast this song to understand why. [Beatport Release] Gesaffelstein - Hatred (Original Mix)
On the more mainstream club side of things, the new Afrojack and David Guetta track, Sweat, is a total bomb and it shows a return to form for Guetta, who at one point before becoming the face for mainstream cheesy sounding house music was actually a moderately respectable forward thinking producer who, among other things, helped pioneer and push the dutch sound behind the scenes that would later go on to achieve widespread fame through artists like Afrojack and Chuckie. 'Sweat' features an almost irresistible panty-dropping vocal sample and a perfectly executed combination of big room progressive house with dutch-flavored pulsing beats that make it perfect for the sole purpose of demolishing huge crowds. Possible summer anthem? I think so. [Beatport Release] David Guetta & Snoop Dogg - Sweat (Afrojack & David Guetta Dub Mix)
DJ Mehdi cranks the funk up to 11 on this remix of The Krays (a collaboration between Brodinski and Yusek). It's been stuck on repeat on my ipod for days recently, probably because it's the perfect compliment to the sun soaked days and bodacious babes that are becoming increasingly common as we delve further into the summer months (I'm sorry, for some reason I felt compelled to quote Spicoli right there). Can you say jaaaammmmm? [Beatport Release] The Krays feat. Ebony Bones - We're Ready When You Are (DJ Mehdi Remix)
Even a couple years after its release, Lemonade by Boys Noize & Erol Alkan is still one of my favorite tracks across any genre for the raw, creative, and authentic-feeling energy that seems to burst through every facet of the song. There have been few to no attempts to remix it, probably because the original is so flawless in and of itself. With that said, my good friend slash producer extraordinaire, Ekstra, has managed to take Lemonade to a new echelon of energy and power that I'm sure even Boys Noize himself would find impressive. He keeps all of the elements intact that make the original so loveable and awesome, while managing at the same time to give the track a fresh feel, one that's techier and harder hitting than the original. Ever since he sent me a copy, this track has been a staple in my dj sets for its pure energy and awesome reglossing of a classic. Grab it below and see why I think Ekstra is one of the most underrated producers out there right now. Mark my words, this kids gonna blow up. Boys Noize & Erol Alkan - Lemonade (Ekstra Remix)
We've been pouring a lot of love on British producer Lone recently, but not without good reason. The dude has been churning out musically gorgeous and unique house at a prolific and impressive pace. This new remix of the Chilly Gonzales track Knight Moves is a serene, elegant song that sews together a beautiful acoustic piano melody with tribal drums, a reoccurring sample that seems to be birds chirping in a tropical jungle, and various ambient synths to form a truly stunning piece of music. It's a further exploration and reaffirmation of the sound that Lone continues to pioneer on his own, and a perfect example of why he might be one of the most forward thinking producers around at the moment. [Beatport Release] Gonzales - Knight Moves (Lone remix)
Last, but most certainly not least, comes a track that I first heard amidst an excellent dj set by detroit wunderkid/enigma Seth Troxler, and later found out its name when Brodinski put it on his facebook page declaring it one of his favorite tracks. If support from artists as different and equally awesome as Troxler and Brodinski hasn't convinced you yet, consider that Resident Advisor declared it "a song so damn catchy it obliterates any questions about where it came from, who it might be for and why those things might matter." Forward Motion by Hot Natured is a true house track that is pure goodness any way you slice it. Check it below, but if it ends up stuck in your head for the next week don't say I didn't tell you so. Hot Natured - Forward Motion (Original Mix)
Once again, sorry for the lack of content flow, I promise we'll get back to the steady stream of wonderful music you've come to know and love us for soon enough (meaning, as soon as we're all done with school for the year, which is really soon). We'll start things off with the latest from the half-robot German known as Boys Noize. This newest remix doesn't adhere to his typical pounding german techno style, but rather uses the elements he's known best for as subtle, but awesome, compliments to an overall more acoustic feeling song. The result is really fantastic; I hope this is an indication of what we'll see if Boys Noize decides to start producing for more non-electronic acts. Charlotte Gainsbourgh - Trick Pony (Boys Noize Remix)
Young gun producer Ekstra gives Adele's Rolling In The Deep a monstrous remix treatment here; the opening lures you in with gorgeous vocals and complimentary piano stabs, only to completely floor you at the drop. Every song I hear from this dude is better than the last one. This kid is the future. Adele - Rolling In The Deep (Ekstra Remix)
Ever since their new album dropped, I've been stuck in a Holy Ghost! phase. I just can't get enough of their retro and groovy style. Their newest release, a collaboration with Black Van (producers Kris Menace and KoweSix), lives up to the sort of garage funk-band style they've established for themselves. The EP comes with a couple versions, including an Aeroplane remix, but it's the Holy Ghost! Edit that really takes the cake. Everything these guys do is pure quality, James Murphy clearly chose right when he took them under the DFA wing a couple years ago. Black Van ft. Holy Ghost! - Moments of Excellence (Holy Ghost! Version)
Turbulence by Laidback Luke & Steve Aoki started off as one of the type of songs I could tell that at the outset I wouldn't enjoy (after all it has Lil Jon obnoxiously screaming all over it), but after hearing it blaring out of a proper soundsystem at a Steve Aoki show earlier this spring, I realized that those doubts were misplaced and the track was a proper anthem, Lil Jon and all. The remix package came out recently and of them all one remix stood out to me in particular, and that's the Sidney Samson effort. Mr Samson takes all the energy from the original, adds a touch of dutch flavoring and some acid house, and the result is absolute lunacy. Totally massive. Laidback Luke & Steve Aoki - Turbulence (Sidney Samson Remix)
Our friends the Dublin Aunts seem to be really stepping up their game recently. We at Bright & Shiny have long known these dudes bring the funk, but this is (in my opinion) way above anything else we've heard from these guys. Feel-good, sun-splashed house music. Gotta love it. Dirty Laundry - Mexico (Dublin Aunts Remix)
EDX has been one of the titans of progressive house for a while now, but I'm not always the biggest fan of his stuff since sometimes it can be too formulaic or cheesey. With that said, this remix is totally gorgeous and I fully endorse it. I love the deadmau5-ey spacious feel on this one. Dinka - Elements (EDX 5un5hine Remix)
I thought TAI's Big Bass Drum EP was solid, but ultimately it left something to be desired. Etienne de Crecy seems to have found the missing elements on this remix, taking the original to new heights with the addition of well put together builds and a ridiculously filthy drop. TAI - Big Bass Drum (Etienne de Crecy Remix)
This is what's been waking me up in the morning recently. Lot's of energy and a riff that'll be stuck in your head all day. Goose - Black Gloves (Original Mix)
Afrojack released 2 tracks worth noting recently. First off Selecta is an electro house track with strong dutch house influences, a style that afrojack seems to be favoring more and more recently. Definitely a massive track, as per usual from Mr. Afrojack. Second up is Pop On Acid, which he released for free on his facebook page recently. It's basically Pacha On Acid, the Afrojack classic, redone 2011 style with a little more edge. Nothing completely groundbreaking, but still definitely worth grabbing. Afrojack & Quintino - Selecta (Original Mix)
And finally to close things out I bring you a track off of Lone's impeccable Echolocations EP. Resident Advisor gave the whole EP a 4.5/5 - they virtually never give anything above a 4. I'd have to agree with them, the 6 track EP is essentially perfect, I'm completely in love with every song on it. The track I'm bringing you today, Dolphin, is an ethereal and sublimely beautiful electronica track with a sort of oriental feel to it. Honestly I'm not really sure how to explain it because it's unlike anything I've ever heard. Buy the whole EP here if you have a soul and/or any respect for good music. Lone - Dolphin (Original Mix)
*Also, in honor of reaching our 500th+ fan on facebook, we will be giving away free Bright & Shiny stickers (swag) to the first 10 people who ask for them, so head over to our facebook page and drop us a line if you want one!
This new Luckybeard (alternate alias of Phra from Crookers) remix of A-trak's Ray Ban Vision is totally ill. He takes the original and twists it into a sexy bass and kick drum driven track that ends up, in my opinion, way more interesting and bangin' than the original. I heard crookers say in an interview that they started off in Hip Hop and then progressed into electro. This sounds like some straight Crookers-style hip hop, I'm definitely hoping we see more of this.
The Djedjotronic remix part 1 of Chromeo's Hot Mess was a thumping techno track that has long been on the Bright & Shiny list of favorites. However, it's the little known 2nd remix that I have for you today. For whatever reason the track never really got any attention and was never released in America. I don't know why though, because it's equally as crazy and huge as the first remix, maybe even more melodic. Plus, after witnessing Djedjo himself raging his face off shirtless in the middle of a group of (what appeared to be) 4 american college girls during Sidney Samson's set at Ultra this year, he has been awarded a Bright & Shiny lifetime champion award and all of his crazy music should be praised and listened to on repeat. Chromeo - Hot Mess (Djedjotronic Remix 2)
The new Jack Beats EP lives up to the hype and then some as the follow up to their world dominating 2010 remix of Big Boi's Shutterbug. Both of the Jack Beats originals on the EP, Elevator and All Night, are ridiculously good and worth your money: buy them on beatport. All Night is the best track on the release though, as it's one of the rare instances where sheer beauty meets club destroying beats and the two mesh seamlessly. John B and Jack Beats bridge the gap with a set of piano stabs for the ages, pulling together the ambient beginning with the sideways tribal dance rhythms of the middle, and the result is a top notch track that retains a real sense of completeness from start to finish. I've seriously had this song on repeat since first buying it. Simply incredible.
We brought you a preview of this track a while ago when we first sang the praises of LA group No Body. They have since won the remix contest for Steed Lord with this remix, and upon winning gave it away for free. It starts off beautifully and builds into an absolutely filthy bassline drop. Dancefloor pandemonium ensues. This song is MASSIVE. Steed Lord - 1 2 3 Want Me (No Body Remix)
And finally we have the latest from 18 year old producer slash Bright & Shiny homeboy Ekstra. He sent over this remix of Junior Jack's My Feeling a couple days ago - you might remember we posted the absolutely amazing Deniz Koyu remix of it a while ago, and let me tell you this Ekstra remix is right up there with the best of them, pure progressive-electro madness. If you don't believe me fast forward to the 2:40 mark and tell me you don't get an irresistible urge to fist pump.. Junior Jack - My Feeling (Ekstra Remix)
It's monday, and this means I know you all need a hefty dose of face melting bass and thumping beats to get you through the impending doom of the work/school week. Lucky for you, that's exactly what I've got. We'll start off with some newer talent..
Allow me to introduce: Ekstra. Ekstra, aka Bright & Shiny homeboy Kevin Suhr, is a 19 year-old producer from Santa Barbara, California who's been quietly honing his skills of electronic dance destruction for a while now. He recently sent me his newest track Formula, and let me tell you it is an absolute BOMB. Part dutch-house, part electro, and entirely freakin' nuts. If this track is any indication, expect huge things coming from Ekstra in the near future. Be sure to head over to his soundcloud to check out some of his other tracks. Remember where you heard it first.
No Body are LA based producers Ruben Smulovitz and Kevin Chapman. They're a recently formed group, but based on their few productions, they're definitely one of the groups to watch right now. Also Smulovitz runs one of my favorite blogs, DSCOTech so he gets respect for that too. Their newest release We Speak American is a hard hitting electro track that features one of the most hilarious samples ever used in a song (from Pulp Fiction). Check it out below, also have a listen to the still unreleased Steed Lord remix they did, it's great as well. No Body - We Speak American (Original Mix)
Hey Today! firmly established themselves on the electro scene in 2010 with a series of extraordinarily high quality and high energy remixes and releases including their remix of Tiga's You Gonna Want me, which peaked at #1 on the beatport charts. Their newest release, a remix of Busy P set to release on the forthcoming Ed Banger compilation Bee Sides, is a pumping track that manages to bridge the gap between techno and electro and has already been supported by big names like Brodinski. Check it below. Busy P - Procrastinator (HEY TODAY! Remix)
The new Crookers Dr. Gonzo EP dropped today, and if nothing else, it definitely lives up to the strange off-kilter electro sound that Crookers have made their name off of. My favorite track off the EP is Springer, a quirky and bouncing electro track that I can honestly say is unlike almost anything I've ever heard. Bizarrely catchy.. Crookers Present Dr. Gonzo feat. Neoteric & Wax Motif - Springer (Original Mix)
