quick audio picks: 123
Throwback single from Air! After a couple albums filled with ill-thought out pop experimentation ("Surfing On A Rocket"??), "Cherry Blossom Girl(1)" was a breath of fresh… no, wait, let me start over. "Cherry Blossom Girl" is classic Air, a lush and beautiful...
expand review track that came out of nowhere during a really stale period in their career, and which could easily be mistaken as an outtake from Moon Safari or their Virgin Suicides soundtrack. But of course, you're buying this for the seldom heard Simian Mobile Disco remix(2). You're in luck, 'cause that happens to be a burner, too, proving that SMD have been doing this Daft Punk-y electro house thing since way back in… 2004. Everything about this mix is cool: the glitchy sound kits, the electrified (and hella sped up) riff from the original track, and especially the big breakdown / build-up in the middle. Also included is "Fanny(3)," a gentle, stripped-down demo version of "Cherry Blossom Girl" that's totally worth listening to on its own. A-side plays at 45; B-side plays at 33. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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How do you follow up a string of singles with remixes from MSTRKRFT, Emperor Machine, Radio Slave, Jesse Rose and Crookers? You gotta call in the big guns, and that's exactly what Mr. Van Helden has done for "Je T'aime(1)," the original...
expand review of which is a seriously bumpin' Armand production in the old skool style with vocals from up and coming neo-soulstress Nicole Roux. Switch(2) turns in another of his unique and off-kilter mixes, alternating between blaring rave synths and rapid-fire vocal snippets while keeping time with a traditional Bmore / "Sing Sing" break. Simian Mobile Disco's remix(3) sticks more to the script, as they create a plonging Italo-influenced burner for the dancefloor. Also includes Riva Starr's "Acid 80" remix. -Larri Byrd
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Kitsune's baaaack. It hasn't been long has it? They seem to consistently be pumping out releases. This here is the second one from London's indie electro outfit, Autokratz. "1000 Things(1)" is the harder of the two tracks - more of
the fist...
expand review pumping variety. The video game generation is going to be amped on this one, with lost of blips and bleeps. You get a nice little vocal hook and your set. Almost sounds like a Klaxons remix. "Last Show(2)" is a bit more calm, but still built for the dance floor. It sounds like what those new Depeche Mode tracks I imagine would sound like in a better world, if Timbo moved to Germany for a year and lost a bunch of weight and muscle mass through measured anorexia. A nice guitar line at the end adds an extra dimension to the band that you might not find with a lot of the newer electro groups. -Rezound
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It's Kitsune, but hey! Where are all the heads? I guess they made it special for this Autokratz 12" and judging by the sound, it's fitting. The main track "Reaktor(1)" reminds me of a electrorock carpet ride, laced with italo...
expand review synths boosters, and epic midnight landscapes. It could easily fit in your hype set although the soundscape is still mellow. It's cool though, you feel like soaring rather than bashing your head. "It's On" on the flip is really the banger on this, with more of a rock feel with noise and vocal chops. When the sustaining high synth hits, wait for it to blow! Recommended. -Cmish
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By now everyone knows that Kitsune has a trendsetting track record, releasing the first singles from big names like Simian Mobile Disco, Digitalism and Klaxons among others. Big Face, hailing from Glasgow, bring a straight ahead electro-pop tune that could...
expand review very well be the start of something big. Perfect fun for the dancefloor, or the headphone dance-walk thing down the street. Think iPod commercial for this one. A real focused harmonic build at the end proves this is no novelty and that these dudes can produce with the best of 'em. Recent Calvin Harris tour partner and former "Gameboy" music maker, David E Sugar, takes a more minimal approach, keeping the vocals low in the mix and playing up the bass. The track is pulled and tugged into a happy disco jammer. If you like Justice then I promise you'll be pleased with fellow Parisian DatA's remix which goes all crazy electro organist on us with properly placed synth jabs and a pounding drum accentuated hook. It even ends with a jamcity guitar solo! -Rezound
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Now available on vinyl! I really haven't heard anything like this since I stopped listening to Swamp Terrorists and Frontline Assembly back in high school. Black Strobe aren't as hard as those dudes (more of an electronic house feel) but this is...
expand review still a great listen. Check out "Blood Shot Eyes(1)" and "Not What You Need(2)." Yeah, I know you're thinking what I am: where were Black Strobe's parents? They totally let their kids listen to too much KMFDM and Killing Joke. Then again, if they hadn't, we wouldn't have tracks like "Lady 13(3)," would we? "Shining Bright Star(4)" is the lead single off this album and is basically a reworked Ministry track. Fifty bucks goes to the customer who can guess which one. Get at me. Anyways, spring is here and yes it is ok to wear all black, go to the park, and lurk out while listening to this. -David Pitts
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They just released a 12" of this song featuring some hot remixers (Vicarious Bliss, Streetlife and Autokratz) but truthfully I don't know what's more appealing than the original. You can digitally chop something to death but it's kinda like stretching out the...
expand review ingredients in a recipe, don't ya think? The original has the youthful energy of the band, and although it may not be as dancefloor friendly, it still bangs. Here you have the original track(1) and the bonus track "Both Sides (Version 1)(2)" on the flip. Both songs are prime examples of the guitar based rock energy this band holds. Hype basslines, crispy drums and raw guitar riffs make the backbone, with a vocalist that'll turn the underground's ears as well as pop-minded peeps.
-C'mish
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Don't know if you keep up with the guitar bands overseas, but these London dudes are causing a stir with their tight, sharp licks, addictive melodies, and dance energy. This is their second appearance on Kitsune since their "Poor Innocent Boys" track...
expand review on Maison 2, and it seems they've only gotten more potent. Check their heavy chords and riffs on "To Cut A Long Story Short(1)." They've got monster sounds! To follow that up you've got Vicarious Bliss doing two remixes(2, 3), that slow it down and add a dense instrumental touch. Pure fire for the French-Electro minded. Streetlife, who did a sick remix for CSS' "Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above" earlier this year, also turns in a vox chop ballistic missle of a remix(4) that deserves an stadium sized audience. Autokratz turns in a choppy 80s flavored remix(5) that's a little more jammin’ than his tasty 12" earlier this year. All in all, a powerful original track with some insane remixers on wax can't be a bad look. Break out the strobe lights and cigarettes, it's party hardy time! -C'mish
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Limited edition pic disk 7" for Chromeo's latest hit, "Bonafied Lovin'(1)," adorned with the now-famous Surface To Air keys/legs image. On the B-side, Kitsune's Teenagers turn in a smoothed out remix(2) that swaps out 80s synth-funk for 80s electro-pop influences. Just a...
expand review note: the version of "Bonafied Lovin'" is the radio edit, but you're not missing out on all that much. -Larri Byrd
quick audio picks: 123
New domestic pressing! Brand new remixes of CSS' seemingly unfadeable single, "Let's Make Love and Listen To Death From Above." The original album version is a bit stale by now, so these big name remixes are more than welcome. Simian Mobile Disco(1)...
expand review chop Lovefoxxx's vocals to shreds and turn in a vicious "new rave" remix, while the Hot Chip boys turn in a decidedly more restrained mix(2) filled with haunting harmonies and lush Italo synth work. Calvin Harris rounds it out with the most entertaining remix(3) of the bunch - check the 80s electro boogie bass and squiggly Zapp keys! -Chris Lemon-Red
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More Digitalism! We've had "Idealistic(1)" before as a 12", but who can resist the perfect packaging on this little 7"? Open it up and feast your eyes on the sweet lime green colored vinyl. It's like candaay. Sure, the A-Trak remix on...
expand review the 12" was look, but WhoMadeWho's(2) is the slept on heat and it bangs just as hard. Plus, it's Kitsune. They never do you dirt. -C'mish
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Love him or hate em, Felix makes the people dance, but that's a separate conversation here as we only get the remixes of his latest crossover stab "Radio." Shinichi Osawa, who has recently done work for Kitsune, drops a remix(1) that...
expand review has summer anthem lasered all over it. It's got that happy Cut Copy new wave thing going and a spectacular ethereal, trance breakdown in the final quarter. DaTA, another Kitsune affiliate, drops the straight electro-pop version(2) for frolicking in uncorked fire hydrants on those mega-hot summer days. Yup, new wave and electro-pop are gonna be huge this summer. For harder electro takes, check the Junior Sanchez mix(3) or the Ed Bangerish Infadels remix(4). -the mgmnt
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"What does it cost to live a life of your dreams?" "How long will I be wondering of how I can be?" Just some of the real talk lyrics on this new single from that crazy electroclash duo Fischerspooner. I...
expand review know they've been dormant for a bit, but when I first started working here in 2005 they were HUGE! I couldn't look anywhere without seeing their name. It's now '08 and they're now on the fashionable electro rock label Kitsune, backed by two of their spotlight producers. The original of "The Best Revenge(1) is is sure to wet the palette of thier fans, but seeing how all music is cross pollinating, Autokratz' electro rave remix(2) is sure to get hipster DJ's sniffing out the goods. The real fire though is on the flip, where Alex Gopher(3) of "Motorcycle" fame, turns it into a super extended bass version, where escalating heartbeats and crunchy basslines lie. Just one last comment about the artwork, isn't dripping paint all over your face mad toxic? -C'mish
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One of the best tracks from the Kitsune Maison #3 comp is finally on 12"and in a pic sleeve that made several people in the office nearly lose their lunch no less! The main mix of "Youth Alcoholic(1)" is still the one...
expand review to beat, but the "Gimme The Booze" edit(2) is fun as hell and probably better for primetime, kicking the sleazy electro up to ghettotech speed and looping key words/lines from the track's cutesy vocals. The ONDA mix(3) goes in completely the opposite direction - was this made by a Houston DJ? Dirty south drums, screwed vocals, the whole mess. Surpringly, it's not a complete musical abortion. Flipside has the super-extended mix from Etienne de Creacy(4). A-side plays at 33, B-side at 45. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Heat alert. French maestro Joakim is behind the edit action here. This guy has an impeccable release history, so I had high expectations for his first set of edits on wax. The first track fulfilled all those expectations: totally (ironically) leftfield selection,...
expand review fresh as hell sound, and a nicely executed edit. "Let Em In(1)" is actually an edit of Paul McCartney's 1972 classic. In this new context, it's fucking awesome (not to say it wasn't "fucking awesome" to begin with). Love that extended intro and the subtle dub effects, it's totally heroin-chic. The b-side offers quality as well, as Joakim takes on the Rolling Stones' "Hot Stuff(2)" and Frogman favorite "Troglodyte(3)" by Jimmy Castor.
-the mgmnt
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This Klaxons EP is a god-send for those that missed out on their string of hyped remixes (and a couple slept-on ones too). You get Switch's "Golden S
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