Cut Copy - Remixed

It's only a matter of weeks 'til Zonoscope, Cut Copy's third studio album, is released to European fans, and already it seems that most of the record has found its way onto Youtube. Is nothing sacred?! I've restrained myself, both physically and chemically, from copping a look at this leaked content - I want to the hear the album in its high quality entirety - I feel this record deserves as much. So, until the album's release, I've been making do with the various remixes of the band's new material. Most of them are a bit meh, though this one, by Illinois' Tigorilla - featuring some Tears For Fears style xylophone action - is a noteworthy effort:

MP3: Cut Copy - Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution (Tigorilla Relevant Remix) DOWNLOAD

Bagraiders - Sunlight

In celebration of Bag Raiders self titled debut album hitting American shelves today, Modular records have kindly offered up the track Sunlight to the baying masses. The song features the vocals of international quirkster Dan Black, and is described as a "four minute slice of summertime bliss". Oh the irony of listening to a sun drenched record while still waist high in British winter. The single release will see Sunlight remixed by Armand van Helden, Tiedye, and GLOVES. Stream the entire album over at the Spinner website.

MP3: Bag Raiders - Sunlight (Feat. Dan Black) DOWNLOAD

Cut Copy - Take Me Over (Tim Goldsworthy Remix)

Continuing with their steady drip-drip of Cut Copy/Zonoscope related news, Modular Recordings have sent out a re-work of Cut Copy's tropical-slash-Men At Work inspired track Take Me Over, featuring Tim Goldsworthy, producer of In Ghost Colours and all round legend, on remixing duties. Also confirmed is the track listing for forthcoming album Zonoscope, which will hit European shelves on 07/02.

Zonoscope Tracklisting:

1. Need You Now

2. Take Me Over

3. Where I'm Going

4. Pharaohs & Pyramids

5. Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution

6. Strange Nostalgia for the Future

7. This Is All We've Got

8. Alisa

9. Hanging Onto Every Heartbeat

10. Corner of the Sky

11. Sun God

MP3: Cut Copy - Take Me Over (Thee Loving Hand Remix by Tim Goldsworthy) DOWNLOAD

BONUS!!!!

MP3: Bag Raiders - Sunlight (GLOVES Remix) DOWNLOAD

Polarsets

Does anyone remember the Vacanti Mouse? No? Allow me to jog your memory. It was the mouse that researchers controversially grew what looked like a human ear on the back of. Now you remember? The reason I bring it up is because it was one of those things that you'd never think possible. The same thought crossed my mind when I first heard Newcastle based trio, Polarsets - a band who have successfully blended the seemingly incompatible sounds of indie-rock and anthemic Euro-trance. Polarsets? More like Polar Opposites.

Single Leave Argentina was released back in April this year. Catch the band's latest release, Morning, over at their Bandcamp page.

MP3: Polarsets - Leave Argentina DOWNLOAD

MP3: Polarsets - Leave Argentina (Thomas Sagstad and Hawkins Remix) DOWNLOAD

Dancing With The DJ (Monsieur Adi Remix)

(Not my arm)

Like master brewers, The Knocks know a winning formula when they see one. Last time it was their summer ditty Make It Better that got the once over from Parisian electro wonderkid Monsieur Adi. Now, the two have teamed up again; this time on single Dancing With The DJ, which Adi has stretched into seven minutes of shimmering French-disco. A wonderful pairing.

MP3: The Knocks - Dancing With The DJ (Monsieur Adi Remix) DOWNLOAD

Kids Of 88

I think it was during the Louis and the Nazis episode, when Louis Theroux meets pre-teen skinhead pop group Prussian Blue, that I learned the significance of the number 88 to the white power community. Translate the numbers to the alphabet and you get HH - or Heil Hitler. Now, as far as I'm concerned there can only be two reasons why a band would name themselves Kids Of 88. Either they're an enterprising electro group attempting to create a niche in the white supremacist market; or they are literally kids of 88 - 1988. I suspect it's the later.

After signing up with Sony records, this Auckland city duo released their debut LP Sugarpills to much fanfare in their native New Zealand. Now, on the back of an appearance at CMJ and a mini-tour with fellow kiwi's The Naked And Famous, their new wave dance-rock sound is deservedly gaining attention outside their homeland. Check out Feed The Birds, a track that comes complete with wailing guitar and In The Air Tonight style drum fills.

MP3: Kids Of 88 - Feed The Birds DOWNLOAD

While I'm covering New Zealand music, I hit on a singer who goes by the name Ruby Frost. She won some big MTV competition last year, but hasn't yet achieved breakthrough status. Judging by this gem of a remix, Ruby is definitely one to keep an eye on..

MP3: Ruby Frost - Moonlight (Leno Lovercraft Remix) DOWNLOAD

Crystal Castles - Not In Love

I recall briefly listening to Crystal Castles back in '08 and thinking "Boy, I just don't get this". I was ashamed. They where everything I was supposed to like; I mean NME featured the band's eponymous release in their top 100 albums of the decade list, and heck, those guys know a thing or two about music, don't they? So, you understand my slight apprehension at giving the bands latest offering Not In Love a whirl.

Interestingly this is the songs third incarnation - that's right, it's a cover, initially released by 80's New Wavers Platinum Blonde. Its second manifestation featured on Crystal Castles' second, er, eponymous album released earlier in the year, which brings us to this current version. The track replaces the chipmunk-ish vocals of the bands frontwomen Alice Glass with the emotive croon of The Cure's Robert Smith (whose dishevelled hair will no doubt be heading any upcoming Goth revival). On any other Crystal Castles song, the addition of Smith's vocals would result in a musical train wreck. But here, bizarrely, sitting atop of a darkly euphoric trash trance hook, it shines. It actually reminds me of The Killers, circa Human, not least because it's now clear Brandon Flowers modelled his voice on that of The Cure frontman.

The more I listen to Not In Love, the more I feel I may need to re-evaluate my opinion of Crystal Castles, for this is a truly fantastic track. My worry is that it's only Smith's vocals that I find appealing. I guess a listen to the album will show if this is the case. What is he up to these day's anyway? Does he not fancy turning this experimental dance music duo into a three piece?

MP3: Crystal Castles - Not In Love (Feat. Robert Smith) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Platinum Blonde - Not In Love DOWNLOAD

Dancing With The DJ (Chiddy Bang Remix)

The ever wonderful Neon Gold Records blog has just unveiled an exclusive Chiddy Bang remix of The Knocks latest release Dancing With The DJ. I've not been overly enamoured with The Bangs previous work, but this, I like. From what I can gather, the remix is a precursor to The Knocks debut London show at XOYO this coming Wednesday. In support will be label mate, Spark, with Chiddy Bang man Xaphoon Jones on turntable duties. If you're in the vicinity, head on down. It's free!

MP3: The Knocks - Dancing With The DJ (Chiddy Bang Remix) DOWNLOAD

Cut Copy - New Album

Cut/Copy (has that '/' always been there?) are turning up the hype up for their hotly anticipated follow up to their seminal album In Ghost Colours, sending out press releases to all and sundry. So, what do we have? Well, we have a name; Zonoscope (cool), an album cover (cool), and a U.K. release date; 7th February 2011 (er, not so cool). The danger with whipping up such a frenzy about something so far away (s'cuse the pun) is that, much like Christmas which appears to start in late September, when it finally arrives, it can often struggle to live up to expectation created in one's mind. That said, I have full confidence the boys can deliver the 'goods', so-to-speak. What else can you expect from an album described as "Cut Copy boiled down to [its] purest form, a suite of futuristic visions built upon primal rhythm tracks". What could possibly go wrong, eh?

If you didn't already catch it, here's the free MP3 the band released early this year.

MP3: Cut Copy - Where I'm Going DOWNLOAD

No. 26

"Setting a good example is a far better way to spread ideals than through force of arms" Sen. Ron Paul

.
MP3: Flowers Of Doom - Happiness DOWNLOAD
MP3: Peter, Bjorn And John - Lay It Down (Punks Jump Up Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Red Blooded Women - Enjoy The Silence (Heads We Dance Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Plants And Animals - Bye Bye Bye DOWNLOAD
MP3: Plump DJ's - Beat Myself Up (Don Diablo Re-rub) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Modeselektor -Suckerpin (Feadz Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (Me Gusta Remix) DOWNLOAD
.
The Revolution.

Hometown Glory (CCC Remix)

Here's the story behind the track (how very VH1):

"After meeting her at Heathrow Airport (we were on the same flight to NY. She was in first class and CCC was in no class) (That was supposed to be funny, so please Laugh!) it was LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! During the flight, her album, '19' was included in the 'on board entertainment. How cool is that!?!?!? You fly from London to NY and your album is available to all the passengers. Perfect time to show off. Very very cool!!! Anyway, 'Hometown glory' is simply amazing, and this is CCC's hommage to her beautiful voice."

So there you have it. Destiny? Fate? Luck? Whatever it was, s'nice when things come together, innit?

MP3: Adele - Hometown Glory (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) DOWNLOAD

BMK

If you have a thing for MSTRKRFT and the Nordic countries, then let me introduce you to BMK; Sweden's answer to the Ontarian duo. Known in their homeland as Blandmissbruk (a word which I'm told refers to the mixing of many nefarious habits at the same time), BMK are rumoured to be masterminded by members of the Swedish band, Division Of Laura Lee. They where brought to the attention of label Swedish Columbia via their notorious warehouse parties in the outskirts of Gothenberg. The label was impressed enough with their slightly murkier brand of electro-dance, that they whipped out the bands second single, We Don't Care, backed by a sweet Tanimura Midnight remix.

Get the record HERE for free.

MP3: BMK - We Don't Care DOWNLOAD

MP3: BMK - We Don't Care (Tanimura Midnight Remix) DOWNLOAD

No. 25

"We American's, we're simple people...but piss us off, and we'll bomb your cities" Robin Williams

MP3: Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy (Paul Epworth Version) DOWNLOAD

MP3: East 17 - It's Alright DOWNLOAD

MP3: Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning (Alex Metric Remix) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Mike Keneally -Sisters (Steve Vai Cover) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Vitamin String Quartet - Viva La Vida (Coldplay Cover) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Sniper - Nique Le Pen DOWNLOAD

MP3: Don Henley - Dirty Laundry DOWNLOAD

Adverts

What in God's name is going on in world of commercials? First we had John Lydon of Sex Pistols fame dressed in stately home regalia flogging Country Life butter (whose sales, I hear, have risen considerably as a result). Following that, Iggy Pop stuffed the remnants of his dignity down the bog by advertising car insurance. Car insurance!!! And last night, I watched agog, as the latest Pantene shampoo advert was backed by a 'classical' version of Daft Punk's Aerodynamic, played by all round pain-in-the-arse Myleene Klass. Is nothing sacred?

MP3: Daft Punk - Aerodynamic DOWNLOAD

MP3: Daft Punk - Aerodynamic (DJ Dstar Remix) DOWNLOAD

Heads We Dance - Computer Love (Kraftwerk Cover)

In a shrewed move, Leeds based electro-pop outfit, Heads We Dance, have covered Kraftwerk's classic track, Computer Love, as part of the Buffet Libre DJ's Rewind2 Project. I say shrewd as I find it rather appropriate that a song about discovering romance through technology should get reworked by a band who sing about Love In A Digital Age.

All songs featured on the Rewind2 Project are available to download for free HERE.

MP3: Heads We Dance - Computer Love (Kraftwerk Cover) DOWNLOAD

.

And while we're on the subject:

.

MP3: Kraftwerk - Computer Love DOWNLOAD

MP3: Coldplay - Talk DOWNLOAD

.

No. 24

"The rich are always advising the poor, but the poor seldom return the compliment". Sir Arthur Helps

MP3: Osborne - 16Th Stage DOWNLOAD
MP3: Tommy Sparks - I'm A Rope (Yuksek Rework) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Bitclipr - Discofreak DOWNLOAD
MP3: Tiga & Zyntherius - Sunglasses At Night (Black Devil Dub) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Kent - Vy Fraan Ett Luftslott (Punks Jump Up Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: System Of A Down - B.Y.O.B. DOWNLOAD
MP3: The New Standards - Such Great Heights (The Postal Service Cover) DOWNLOAD

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool are a band who will achieve success in 2009. This time next year, I'll smugly be uttering the words: "told you so". They have it all. They exude confidence, they've given up on their birth names, and they sport moustaches. Oh, and they make gloriously dingy disco tinged electro. Think The Human League on a downer. Enjoy.

MP3: Ou Est Le Swimning Pool - Dance The Way I Feel DOWNLOAD

.

No. 23

"I tried comminting suicide by sticking my head in the oven, but there was a cake in it". Lesley Boone

MP3: Jen Feldman - Kaddish For Britney DOWNLOAD
MP3: Housemeister - What You Want (Siriusmo Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Kaiser Chiefs - Golden Skans (Klaxons Cover) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Shannon - Let The Music Play (Death To The Throne Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Skew - Stadiums Are OK Too DOWNLOAD
MP3: Blue Sky Black Death - Once Away DOWNLOAD
MP3: Jedi Mind Tricks - Monolith DOWNLOAD

.

Audio Bullys/Shinichi Osawa News

Few bits of news I want get through. Firstly, electronic music duo, Audio Bullys have made a comic...that's right, a comic! Basically, the narrative fits round the lyrical content of the track Dope Fiend, which, when you purchase a physical copy of the comic you get a download link for. Here's you click-through banner:

--

Second up is some swell news from the Shinichi Osawa camp: a competition entitled 'Who is The One who could remix and release your track?' Submit your MP3 for Joe public to listen to and vote on, after which Shinichi will take a butchers at the 10 highest rated tracks and choose an overall winner. Top dog will have their track released on Southern Fried Records together with an accompanying remix from Shinichi himself!

MP3: Audio Bullys - Flickery Vision (Jamie Anderson and Deepgroove's Idiotproof Remix) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Shinichi Osawa - The Golden DOWNLOAD

Clubfeet

Melbourne trio Clubfeet have just released their debut studio album. I'm rather surprised at the fact that last Wednesday was the first time I'd heard the bands refreshingly humorous brand of smooth electronic pop. The first single off their Gold On Gold album, Teenage Suicide, kind of sounds like it's been commissioned by the Samaritans, featuring the lyrical refrain "Teenage suicide, don't do it!". Very festive. But seriously, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't check these dudes out.

Purchase Gold On Gold.

MP3: Clubfeet - Teenage Suicide DOWNLOAD
.