Laidback Luke is throwing down at Lima lounge in DC tonight to officially kick off the weekend. As far as weekends go this is shaping up to be an absolutely legendary one.. Laidback tonight, Chicago house icon Derrick Carter at U street on friday, and finally Avicii on Saturday at Fur. Bright & Shiny will be reppin at all of those so if you're there keep an eye out for some stickaaaaz. Anyway here's a brand new BOMB of a track from mr. Luke himself to set the tone for tonight.. Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Laidback Luke Remix)
This one's a little older but I don't think we ever actually posted it and I've been bumping it in my car recently, so I think it deserves a revisiting. Some hands-in-the-air massive progressive house at its finest from dutch youngster Hardwell. Hardwell & Franky Rizardo - Asteroid (Original Mix)
I'm not the biggest fan of the first section but the piano breakdown about halfway through and the subsequent drop are absolutely gorgeous. This is one of the few times where a remix is actually better than the Avicii original. Avicii - Jailbait (Vandalism Remix)
I posted the R3hab remix of Lady Gaga's single Judas a little bit ago. If that was the epic dutch version, this effort by Thomas Gold is the equally huge big-room progressive version. I still don't know how people ever listen to Lady Gaga's original stuff though. Lady Gaga - Judas (Thomas Gold 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)
Summer jobs have consumed my life. Free time has been unexpectedly scarce lately, which has delayed your regular dosing of musical treats. My apologies. So here are a whole lotta songs I've been holding on to and some I've recently come across. Enjoy.
Even if this song weren't golden I would still be posting it solely because of my love for Super Smash Bros. (For those of you who don't get the reference, go and find yourself a childhood). However, this guy doesn't just have a sweet name. Avery Henderson, Falcon Punch, takes the 70's track Darlin' by Delegration, keeps the bassline and guitar riffs, flips a few things around, and cuts most of the original vocals to produce this gem.
Para One and San Serac recently teamed up to form Slice & Soda and released a Year of The Dragon EP with a few remixes on it. The Villa remix adds quite a bit more energy to the otherwise plain original, spicing it up with a higher tempo and more intense instrumentals.
Afrojack remixes an indie pop band song? OK, I'll go with it. He doesn't seem to take his usual approach, but there's still a distinct Dutch house sound in the drop. If your undecided about the lyrics, like some seem to be, there's also an instrumental version. Props to the Afroman for branching out.
16 year old French producer, Madeon, Does some serious work on this Deadmau5 original. He pretty much only uses the vocals of Greta Svabo Bech and does the rest hemself, which pleases me because he gets rid of all that dubstep nonsense. The heavier electro comes in at around 1:23 and is gorgeous. He has complex production skillz seldom shown by anyone near his age. If you haven't checked out any of his originals, his remix of The Island, or his remix of Que Veux Tu, also posted in our Yelle interview, please do so here. Look out for this kid.
This Swedish young gun signed with Sebastian Ingrosso's label, Refune, released his 'Dynamite' EP a few months ago, has come out with huge remixes, and has been supported by the likes of Avicii, SHM, and Pete Tong. Alesso is blowing up fast. If you haven't heard of him already, the songs I'm about to throw at you will surely convince you of his ability.
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!
Three extremely Bright & Shiny singles came out recently that you need to know about if you don't already. First off, Washington DC homie Will Eastman's 2011 debut single No Sleep is a funky ass (almost) nu disco jam that will have you breakin' to the dancefloor faster than you can spell boogey backwards. The Treasure Fingers and Tagteam Terror remixes are noteworthy as well. Next up, the new Justice single, Civilization. Everyone's talking about ;we mentioned its release earlier, but it's super sick and its got the signature Justice sound to it, though not everyone seems to love the vocals so much. I think they fit in with the unpretentious feel of the rest of the song. Either way, it's dope and I'm glad to see something new coming from the mysterious frenchmen. Apparently this represents the coming of their new album, which I've heard is slated to be released as soon as the next week or two. The third single is the new Afrojack, which came out on afro's own label Wall Records earlier this week. For any of you who were there at Ultra, you saw him drop this song and you saw how it completely demolished the crowd. This one's a certified banger crafted straight out of the typical Afrojack sound.
Also check out the full version of the commercial that uses the Justice single (directed by Romain Gavras, the guy who does most of the Ed Banger video art)
It's finals week, and you know what that means! Life fuckin' sucks and I've got very little time to allot to blogging. So instead of boring you with my normal nonsense, I'm going to share with you my studying playlist. Some old, some brand-spanking new, all ideal (at least, for my malformed brain) for studying to. So plug in, sit forward, and study your face off to these beats.
I've been on somewhat of a tech/deep house binge recently, probably a natural response to all the maximal electro-house craziness I've been bombarding my ears with over the past couple of months, so I'll start things off today with some jams you'd find in the corresponding aisle of your local supermarket.
Coming off of BNR's sub-label Trax, Strip Steve and Das Glow combine to release the flawless techno bomb that is "Calcium". Simple? Yes. Destructive? Absolutely. Do yourself (and the artists) a favor and purchase the track along with the rest of the EP hurr.
It's tracks like this that got me into this tech-house phase in the first place. The second drop gets you moving like none other. Classic sweetness from one of our favorites, Bingo Players.
Now, back to that maximal stuff. M.I.A.'s "Internet Connection" was quite a disappointment..until Houratron came in and seriously shook things up. Substitute this one for your morning cup of coffee.
To say that Afrojack had a successful year in 2010 would be an understatement. He has cemented himself as a top producer in the dutch house/electro game and is now very much a household name. You all know what to expect from the man. Here's the result of a collaboration with Bobby Burns.
SO we took a bit of a holiday hiatus in order to ring in the new year the Bright and Shiny way [read: waking up in trash bags with pounding, techno headaches on New Years day], but now were back and ready to take over the blogosphere in 2011.
Honestly, I don't know what's happened to Joachim Garraud over the last few months but he's been churning out violently strange, yet alluring, hard electro music like its, well... like its his job. Check out this track, replete with tire-ripping sounds and a gorgeous, synth breakdown. Robbie Rivera ft. Ozmosis - Keep On Going (Joachim Garraud Remix)
English indie super group Mystery Jets do a gorgeous reworking of this track from fellow Brits Everything Everything. The Everything brothers' vocals find a comfortable spot to work their magic in between some Arabian synths and an afro-type drum pattern.
And now for something completely different, I bring you the master of strange noises, Swedish Tony Senghore. This mix of "Burnin'" was featured on the EP of the same name that dropped earlier this month. It shows off the Swede's creative potential as he continuously toys with his vocal sample until it drops into a downright nuts pitter-pattering drum beat.
I can't help but get excited when I hear news of a fresh Boys Noize track. Yet, this one doesn't quite display the Berlin-based techno genius' typical style. As Sir Real said to me, this is what it would sound like if Boys Noize did dubstep. Anyways, it's still spacey, beautiful and definitely worth checking out.
Alright here's where you really get excited. New Pryda. Nothing really needs to be said about this dude; it's common knowledge that Eric Prydz produces some of the best prog/tech/and straight house around. "Illusions" is simply out of this world. Take a listen below.
Bustin' loose with some Afrojack. The Dutchman does a massive mixing of that strangely addicting Black Eyed Peas hit "The Time (Dirty Bit)". Strap your faces to your skulls everybody!
I'll cap things off with a preview of a new Wolfgang Gartner track that's been floating around the blogosphere recently. It sounds pretty insane. Garnter incorporates some more typical Dutch house sound than we're used to seeing from him, but it still maintains much of his unique sound. Can't wait for the release.
Underground rapper Donnis has been on for a while now but this shit is unprecedented, with Needlz absolutely tearing it up on the beats. The ultimate pregame jam, bump this shit in the whip with a jay in your right and a cup in the left. Donnis - Gone (prod. Needlz)
And check out the chillin' ass commercial I jacked this jam from. Props to adidas for successful branding.
the Clubhaus This rarity escaped from Afrojack's brain somewhere around two years ago when some crazy person saw fit to release it to the masses. Afrojack - Esther
Denzal Park have been working together for two years now and have made a name for themselves in the Australian club scene. This progressive track has all the funky, high pitched bleeps you could ever ask for, complimented beautifully by a deep, rolling bass line. Thanks to resident Bright & Shiny™ DJ Ruthy Lopez for throwing this into our second ever Saturday Essential Mix which is available here for download! Keewix - Mariachi Loco ft. Messinian (Denzal Park Vocal Mix)
What's good everybody. Today's post will be somewhat of a sampler. I've got a smattering of nu-disco to set the mood, some prog house to lift you up, and some bangin' electro house and dirty dutch to smash you into oblivion. These songs will leave you about as satisfied as I am that I just used smattering in a sentence.
We'll start off with a nice little remix from an artist I've only recently become familiar with, but one I'll certainly be monitoring diligently in the future. I speak of none other than La Bombe label boss Sharooz. If you recall, I posted a killer edit he did of labelmate Opptimo's "Travellers" last post. I'll continue the magnificence with his remix of David Sugar's "Flea Market"
Typical feel-good jam from Bit Funk. Although I didn't think it possible, the dude continues to exceed our expectations with his productions, garnering the love of the entire B&S crew. One needs only to skim through the history of our blog to see how much love we have for this guy.
Seriously uplifting synths define this stadium-filling tune from Max Vangeli and that other Angello, aka AN21. The aptly title "Swedish Beauty" comes off of the Size Matters compilation, which was mixed by the two Angello brothers.
Massssive remix from LA Riots. The duo have been flaunting a bit more of their big room side lately, and I can't say that I'm upset about it. I don't even want to think about the destruction this tune would cause if it were to be carelessly dropped in a live set...or maybe I do want to think about it.
Huge, gigantic, big, holy shiiiit, and where the fuck are my pants are all words I would use to describe the official release of Dutch madman Afrojack's Replica. Everything you've heard so far has been leading up to this guy, so pump up the volume, clear the room of all pregnant females and house pets, and press play. Then show the man some love by purchasing it here.
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)
