[Electronic] Gauntlet Hair – Top Bunk

Denver’s Gauntlet Hair wowed the internet with their debut track last year, and now they’re back with another, ‘Top Bunk’. The lead single off forthcoming self-titled album, ‘Top Bunk’ is a wild menagerie of sounds, all bursting forward and clamouring for the listener’s attention. It’s more spaced-out affair than their other work, with instrumentals that verge on shoegaze at times, before whirring back into a more energetic phase. It’s difficult to find a track to compare it to, but describing ‘Top Bunk’ as a condensed version of The Horrors’ ‘Sea Within A Sea’ comes close in conveying the disjointed rhythms and haunting vocals that demand constant relistening. A stellar return from Gauntlet Hair. ‘Top Bunk’ is featured on the forthcoming record ‘Gauntlet Hair’, available October 18 via Dead Oceans.

Gauntlet Hair – Top Bunk

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[Indie/rock] Peter Bjorn and John – Is This It

About ten years ago, a band of New Yorkers going by the name of The Strokes released Is This It, and pretty much redefined modern indie-rock music for the rest of the decade. To celebrate its tenth year of gracing us with ridiculously catchy guitar riffs and brilliant vocals, Stereogum has presented the public with a tribute album featuring some rather big names in indie music today (including The Morning Benders) interpreting each individual track. Playing the title track from this magnum opus are the Swedish indie-rockers Peter Bjorn and John.

Taking the stance of “we just wanted to play it as good as we could” it should be no surprise that the Swedish rockers don’t differ from their source material as radically as their contemporaries. But the way they play it isn’t much like The Strokes; they play it as Peter Bjorn and John, and—as such—they transform the track into a new-wave sounding ballad with a lot more punch than the original. Everything from the stronger drumline to the absolutely fantastic guitar solo that graces the end of the track is fabulous. It’s a glorious tribute to The Strokes, and—while it might not surpass the original for the hardcore fans—it is one of the better covers I’ve heard in recent memory.

Peter Bjorn and John – Is This It

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[Folk] Armand Margjeka – What a Feeling

The spoken word is often harsh in sound, but Armand Margjenka’s rhythmic cooing brings moments of sincerity and invincibility. From the probing opener to the softer musings, ‘I’m riding on, I’m riding on, this feeling I’ve never felt before’ his passion never waivers. Taken from the debut album ‘Margo Margo’, ‘What a feeling’ is a noteworthy record for an artist who is about to whip up a storm.

The contrast between this release and his debut track ‘Alive’ released earlier this year, represents this small town guy’s diverse ability and musical adventure. There is no doubt he has embodied aspects of his childhood idols Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, delving into the sounds of old greats and infusing them with his bricolage of modern genres. With the whole album online, go and become absorbed in a blissfully fine creation.

Armand Margjeka – What a Feeling

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Armand Margjeka – Alive

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Revolver – Tomorrowland (Darth&Vader Remix) + Lazy Rich Show – Guest Mix

Well… holy shit! Can you say “potential song of the year”? Darth & Vader‘s astounding remix of Revolver’s “Tomorrowland” SHOULD make year-end countdowns across all music media outlets. Unfortunately, we don’t have any information on a release date for the original or remix. But, while things are hush-hush in both camps, I can talk about the 3 min 30 sec preview. Darth & Vader provide their brash and head-pounding Electro tricks around the original’s main hook. The wildly stuttered break-beats and seizure-like crescendos are dizzying and explosive, while the funkiness of the main hook shines through. Absolute perfection…and it’s only the preview!

The Brazilian guys of Darth & Vader seem to keep their biographical history on the down-low, and let the music do the talking. They’ve been releasing superb original tracks and remixes since 2010, with featured tracks like “Return of The Jedi”, “LukeSkyTampa” and a massive remix of “Hey Yo” by DJ Maxsie and Alex Speaker. As I look at their tour schedule, their fame and success may change, soon. They’re passing through North America in the coming months, and I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more of them in the near future.

Revolver – Tomorrowland (Darth&Vader Remix)

***Side note: For you sample-junkies, the main sampled hook from the track is from the 1979 stand-out single, “Wear It Out” from Disco-Funk trio, “Stargard”. It’s been a go-to sample for many House tunes over the past 3 decades.***

Darth & Vader SoundCloud – Darth & Vader Facebook

To get an idea of what Darth & Vader dish out during their live shows, check out their brand new guest mix from the Lazy Rich Podcast. It’s an epic showcase of their talent. The set-list is solid from start to finish, presenting some of their favorite Electro House bangers and is worth repeat listens. Do it!

Download: Lazy Rich Show – Guest Mix From Darth & Vader (sendspace link)
Lazy Rich Show – Guest Mix From Darth & Vader by Darth & Vader

Track List (more…)

[Hip/Hop] Sol – Dear Friends Vol. III Mixtape

We recently featured Sol, the star of Seattle’s hip-hop scene, when he released ‘This Shit’, the phenomenal teaser for his latest mixtape, ‘Dear Friends Vol. III’. Now, ‘This Shit’ set the standard high, but the rest of the mixtape exceeds any expectations you could have had. A beguiling mixture of up-and-at-’em tracks (the intoxicating ‘Addicted’) and slower numbers such as ‘Farewell’ and ‘WTF’, ‘Dear Friends…’ is lyrically powerful throughout and doesn’t fall into predictability. Artists Grieves and Dice make cameos on ‘The Times’ and ‘For The Love’ and add to Sol’s sound without taking over. ‘Dear Friends Vol. III is available via iTunes and Bandcamp.

Sol – For The Love ft. Dice

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Previously: Sol – This Shit

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You can also download the mixtape at Sunset In The Rearview

Ed Sheeran – The A Team (KOAN Sound Remix)

I cant believe I lost this song. I first heard this song a couple months back on Hypem while looking for music and for some reason or another I closed the window without committing the tracks name to memory. Well thanks to our music ninja Julian, we were reunited at last.

Yes, this is a bit somber for a Friday evening, but it is one of the chillest dub remixes I have come across. Featuring 20-year-old UK singer songwriter Ed Sheeran’s dark story ‘The A Team’, producer Koan Sound gives the song a much heavier and well deserved undertone, lightly sprinkling guitar chords with seductive wobbles. Just like the original, the song is full of breaks, smooth build ups and releases that feel rewarding to mind, body and soul. Ok, THAT may have been too corny but the slow violins, heartwarming bassline paired with Ed’s vocals makes this the perfect song to add to your practicing-to-make-babies playlist. Have a good Friday Everyone.

Ed Sheeran – The A Team (KOAN Sound Remix)

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UPDATE: Listen to Birdy Cover “The A Team” @ RAK Studios. This is the first in a series of studio sessions from Birdy showcasing material from her forthcoming album.

[French Electro] Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed (Daze remix)

French DJ/Producer Daze has just dropped a super fresh remix of electro popstar Ellie Goulding‘s track ‘Stary Eyed’ that you’ve gotta hear. Sounding more frenchy then a Celine Dion singing “Le Tricolore” – the popping beats and upbeat feel is enough to give you some serious RSI from tapping those feet and nodding that head.

Going under the ‘real name’ of Mister B, Daze started back in 2009 and has gradually gained more and more momentum with his last remix of Passion Pit gaining a lot of attention. Sticking to his previous philosphy of sharing good music for free, this Ellie remix is available for free in all its 320kb glory.

Download: Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed (Daze remix)

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Daze: Facebook | SoundCloud

Bonus:
Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Daze remix)

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[Remix] M83 – Midnight City (Christian Strobe Remix)

Nothing beats the blues on a Thursday better than some spacy shoegaze electro, right? Well maybe not, but either way, this remix is legit. German producer Christian Strobe has recently released his EP – Midnight Call. Prior to releasing this, he remixed M83′s track – Midnight City, which is below. The naming is a little confusing, but doing this remix obviously helps promote his EP.

Before you hit play, make sure to lace up your British Knights and be prepared to gaze. Strobe’s remix pulls in the reigns on the synth a little bit, but gives it even more of that shoegaze, 80′s feel. Enjoy.

M83 – Midnight City (Christian Strobe Remix)

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