[Electronic] Jamie xx, Romy & Four Tet – Seesaw (Club Version)

Jamie xx + Four Tet + Romy
Seesaw (club version)

Jamie xx‘s 2015 album In Colour hasn’t even been out for a year yet and it’s already clear that it’ll have some serious staying power. I don’t think a week has passed since it’s release that I haven’t given it a cover-to-cover listen. Although it’s impossible to pick a favorite, “Seesaw,” one of two songs featuring The xx-collaborator Romy Croft, possesses a particularly hypnotizing aesthetic. The combination of a house sensibility, UK garage-influenced percussion and Romy’s soaring vocals creates a texture signature to Jamie xx.

Unsurprisingly, Four Tet, a pioneer in his own right, also contributed to the production of “Seesaw,” which apparently stemmed from sessions all the way back in 2013. This year, Four Tet slightly re-tooled the song with, in his own words, “different drums and mix and arrangement.” The result, as its suffix suggests, is a dance floor-ready version of the track released today that manages to bring a new energy without losing a touch of the original’s magic. This one will definitely be a regular in the weekend mix. It’s also rumored that Justin Martin has a remix of “Seesaw” in the works. We won’t hold our breathe but this should do just fine to hold us over regardless.

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[15 to End 2015] Ninja Dom’s Best of the Year

As a sweeping generalization, 2015 will go down as a year dominated by collectives. Future Classic, Hegemon, Moving Castle, Soulection, HW&W, Wedidit, Monstercat, and French Express pooled their talents together to commandeer the music scene this year. The technical aspects commonly associated with “Future” crept into the DNA of producers, becoming a topical theme across genres from the most obscure to the most mainstream.

In particular, and as one of the most recent additions to the TMN staff, it has been quite a journey both as a contributor and music fan since early April. Without the collaboration of the entire staff – the guidance of editors and advice of my fellow writers – year one as a ninja would not have been possible. Along the way I’ve covered tours, shot music festivals, and met some of my favorite artists, who have graciously exposed me to their own intricate webs of sound. That being said, below is my best effort to reduce thousands of great tracks released this calendar year down to a manageable number. Enjoy the tracks below, in order of release date, and see you all next year!

’Oceaán – Veritas (Young & Sicks Mixed Feelings)’
Although it has nearly been removed from all channels of the internet, this remix of Veritas is a fluid tune, incorporating contrasting techniques in a way that set it apart this year.

’OBESØN – Mon Amour’
This is both my favorite song ever and the answer to the hypothetical question “if you could only listen to one song for the rest of time…”

’San Holo – We Rise’
Deserving of a spot on all lists, this has been the de facto party-starter and pregame anthem since it’s release in February.

’Alison Wonderland – Run’
The title track from AW’s debut album taps into the talents of fellow producers Djemba Djemba and AWE in creating this hooky, electronic masterpiece.

’Mura Masa – When U Need Me’
For an artist focused on quality over quantity, this is Mura Masa’s greatest creation to date.

’DIVERSA – Burning House’
Burning House is the most powerful release of Diversa’s, serving as a benchmark for the current wave of Drum & Bass producers to measure up against.

’Jamie xx – The Rest is Noise’
Jamie XX has been graced with near unanimous approval of his album In Colour; The Rest is Noise incorporates his most polished elements in a lengthy rainbow-colored instrumental.

’Tory Lanez – Acting Like (Prod. by Shlohmo)’
Another up and coming artist out of the blooming Toronto hip-hop scene, Tory Lanez, enlists the help of Shlohmo in putting together this dark, rhythmic jam.

’Golden Vessel – Borrowed Time (ft. Tiana Khasi)’
Melbourne locals Golden Vessel and Tiana Khasi teamed up to create one of the most enchanting and soulful pieces of the year, bar none.

’Thundercat – ‘Them Changes”
As the most groovy track of the summer season, this was also an introduction and revival of the nostalgia-pumping funk genre, which used to dominate the charts.

’Tame Impala – The Moment’
Parker shows off his adaptability on this one; in cutting the downtrodden lyrical content against a synth-driven bridge full of cheery guitar riffs and rhythmic hand claps, the single is inextricably linked with the bridge in fellow Australian band Pond’s recent release, “Medicine Hat”.

’Moi Je – Fais Rien (PETIT BISCUIT Remix)’
Although the title literally means ‘do nothing’, it is nearly impossible to hear this remix by Petit Biscuit and not be tempted to move by the upbeat tempo.

’Khai – Do You Go Up’
This bubbly, minimalist tune is carried on the strength of its hook and the catchy vocals of its creator.

’SevnthWonder – Maria I’m Drunk (Ft. Deverano) (Travis Scott Cover)’
As the most notable track by the best up and comer out of 2015, this remix displays a vision and creativity beyond SevnthWonder’s years.

’Finding Hope – Wonder’
With roots in the ambient genre, down-tempo is the most calming style of music. The deep, pleasant reverie continues through Wonder and does not end until the close of the song.

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[House] Jamie xx – Loud Places (ft. Romy) (John Talabot Dub)

Jamie xx
Loud Places (John Talabot Dub)

Last week, on WNYU’s Beats In Space radio, a new remix of Jamie xx‘s “Loud Places”–undoubtedly been one of the songs of the year thus far–was sneakily premiered. Created by fellow Young Turks artist, the Spanish John Talabot, the 4×4 re-interpretation takes just a bit from Romy’s soaring vocals building a steady, heavenly house groove with syncopated synths. Adding to the already ethereal feelings evoked, are gorgeous ambient pads that actually resemble a softer version of those that build on Jamie xx’s “Gosh.” Talabot’s re-imagination of the tune never loses the uplifting nature of the “Loud Places,” even without the original’s impassioned Idris Muhammad sample, all the while displaying his equally impressive signature aesthetic. It’s an impressive feat for a song this good, but it comes as no surprise that Talabot, a pioneer in his own right, was able to pull it off. Just bask in, and absorb, the warmth of this phenomenal composition.

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[NEW] Jamie xx – I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times) (feat. Young Thug & Popcaan)

Jamie xx
There's Gonna Be (Good Times) (feat. Young Thug & Popcaan)

When looking over the tracklist for Jamie xx‘s upcoming album, the Young Thug  and Popcaan feature was by far the most intriguing, unexpected inclusion. A little over a week ago, a leak of the far-out collab, featuring only Thug’s contribution, hit the Interwebs and it had all the makings of a summer anthem. The leak was swiftly removed from most major websites, but today we’re blessed with the final version of the song.

Jamie xx crafts an incredibly bright, and uncharacteristic, backdrop for Young Thug and Popcaan utilizing his signature steel drums and yet another masterfully placed soul sample echoing “I know there’s gonna be good times.” Popcaan’s perfected dancehall crooning opens things before Thugger’s playful, melodic flow takes over flawlessly, matching the instrumental’s overwhelmingly positive, bright energy.  Popcaan seamlessly takes back over between Thug’s verses and handles the outro before it fades into the infectious sample. This is, in our minds, one of the best songs to come out this year and we’ll be jamming out to it as we wait for the release of In Colour on June 2nd–pre order here.

Although this collaboration might come as a surprise to many, Jamie alluded to becoming a big fan of Young Thug while he was living in New York in a recent interview with XXL and, based on how perfect the combo sounds, he seems to have a true grasp of exactly what it is that makes Thug’s music so strangely addicting. It’s yet another testament not only to Jamie xx’s production abilities, but also his keen ear as a DJ developed through his immense, diverse musical knowledge.

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[Chill] Jamie xx – Loud Places Feat. Romy (Eekkoo Edit)

Jamie xx
Loud Places (feat. Romy) [Eekkoo Edit]

If you haven’t already checked out Jammie xx’s latest release, “Loud Places,” featuring the vocals of the xx’s Romy Craft, you may want to hop on that. The original production, both exquisite and mysterious, embodies such a profoundness that it’s pretty questionable as to why anyone would want to remix it. But that is before you listen to Eekkoo’s edit. He makes sure not to damage any of the song’s existing beauty by working around the melody and craftsmanship, only by adding in a subtle beat that continues throughout the entire duration of the track. The product is a club-compatible version with a hint of a techno feel that you’ll put on repeat for days.

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[NEW] Jamie xx – Loud Places (feat. Romy of The xx)

Jamie xx
Loud Places (ft. Romy Croft)

Jamie xx stopped by Annie Mac‘s BBC Radio 1 show earlier this week to premiere a single from his upcoming debut solo album, In Colour, and it truly lives up to the title of “Hottest Record In the World.” Calling on The xx bandmate, Romy Craft, Jamie crafts a beautifully anthemic number with “Loud Places.” Combining Romy’s signature somber vocals and ambient guitar licks with Jamie’s organic percussion and ear for a quality soul-sample, the track builds into an addicting, groovy chorus creating a perfect hybrid between The xx and Jamie’s solo work. In Colour is slated for release on June 1st and the iTunes pre-order comes with 4 instant downloads, including “Loud Places.” UPDATE: Watch Jamie and Romy relive their childhood below as they skate through London in the official video, which elevates the vibes of the track even further.  Continue reading

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[Electronic] Jamie xx – Alba

Jamie xx
Alba (Radio Rip)

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from The xx and their mastermind producer, Jamie xx, but with a new record on the way from both, hopefully all of that will change soon. Yesterday, on BBC Radio 1Jon Hopkins shared a tune from Jamie xx, which was released a few months back on Nowness as part of the Continuum experimental video project,  and as always it’s a uniquely beautiful and intricate composition. “Alba” carries a similarly tranquility as “Sleep Sound,” feeling like a hazy lullaby powered solely by an electronic instrumental. Little info is known about the release schedule for Jamie’s highly anticipated debut solo album, but if the releases thus far are any indication, it has the potential to be a game changer. Enjoy this short but sweet joint above and look out for new music from The xx, who are set to release their third album this year, soon. “Alba” will be released as a limited edition vinyl on April 18th for Record Store Day. 

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