weekenditty : "Car Song" - Spank Rock ft. Santigold

It seems that I have been expanding my blog recently, post-wise, and (instead of just posting monday through Thursday (Remix Monday, Essential Tuesday, Fresh Wednesday, 3-Track (random) Thursday), I have been throwing in a lot of Friday entries... so we might as well call these (often fun and carefree tracks) weekend songs... So, here's your inaugural (official) Weekenditty:

This song is a must have for your Autumn song collection. It has been in my 10 or so song loop in the last couple weeks, and I now deem it quality enough to share with you bitches and hoes out there. Y'all will dig this track- I swear. It is by Spank Rock, an artist often seen playing second fiddle in a lot of indie/hip-hop tracks, but now is front-and-center for us to enjoy. His good friend, and super-talented girl, Santigold adds her unique flavor (goddamn, I love her vocals) to the track. This is just fun and lite without being watered down and boring. Enjoy!

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3 track thursday: new Feist, Fanfarlo, & The Rapture

The Bad in Each Other - Feist

Here are three tracks to which I have been jamming this week. First, we have the lovely Feist, one of the queens of indie folk, and a brief crossover (into pop) artist. She reverts to a slower (very Let It Die) version of herself.

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Replicate - Fanfarlo

Secondly, we have the awesome Fanfarlo, one of my favorite indie bands of the last few years. Their last album, Reservoir, was one of the best of 2009. The London-based band's newest track, Replicate, shows a band (with the talent to do so) moving in a really creative direction comparable to Arcade Fire. I'm a fan. Can't wait to hear the new record.

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Come Back To Me - The Rapture

Lastly, we have perhaps my favorite new track from The Rapture's new record (In The Grace Of His Love) titled Come Back To Me. They've been apparently playing this one a lot live, and I look forward to hearing it this week when I see them in Phoenix!

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fresh: new Wolfgang Gartner

Wolfgang Gartner is an interesting (and super talented) producer/dj. He really works to produce unique sounds that are his and only his, and it shows in his products. The diligence he has toward making music is admirable, and I am so happy to see him becoming more and more popular. This track has been stuck on repeat in my iPhone all week and I can't wait to play it live. It's exactly what I like in dance: aggression, deliberate danceability, and electro-heaviness. A must-have in your workout mix, for sure. Also, check out the entire album that just dropped this week, titled Weekend In America. The first track Get Em, featuring the return of the amazing rap queen Eve, is also stellar.

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essential: "All My Friends" - Franz Ferdinand (LCD Soundsystem cover)

There are songs in my life that mean so much that describing why would only leave more ambiguity than clarity. "All My Friends" is a song written so frankly and beautifully, while musically solid, that it embodies everything I love in a song. It is in my top 10 songs ever, and the Franz Ferdinand version is closer to the top 5 of that.

There is nothing to take away from the original version. It is amazing. One blogger once wrote, quite perfectly, that "The Franz Ferdinand version is constructed more solidly and they get a chance to show off their musical ability, while the LCD Soundsystem original has depth and honesty." I have to agree. Well, mostly. The former doesn't lack honesty, it just adds intensity.

In the moments of reflection, in my life, that this song emits... the moments when we think about what we're actually doing amid all the static; where everything seems to be moving in a slow motion accident around us; where we reflect on our 'actual' humanity and personal connections/intimacy in a life so fleeting...

...In those moments, I am not in a thoughtful state of inner rumination (like the LCD track)... I am in a barely simmering state of volcanic, passionate, deliberate dancing while crying tears of melancholy joy and screaming out at the top of my lungs "WHERE ARE YOUR FRIENDS TONIGHT?!" as my head swims in a whirlpool of the bitter and the sweet, as emotions soar up and down with the chords of a song that embodies the pure insanity that is the lucidity that is the life we live, and in which we must revel.

This song is that for me.

OK, I guess I described it.

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Where are your friends tonight?

remix monday: "Brand New Bitch (Laidback Luke remix) - Anjulie

Check out this new remix of the always lovely Anjulie, by Laidback Luke. This is a brand new track from the Canadian electro-pop vixen that is definitely worth the listen.

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Expect to hear this out at clubs soon:

Brand New Bitch (Laidback Luke remix) - Anjulie

Not too shabby, y'all. I heart Anjulie. She possesses such wonderful sass. Also, the video (and original track) are below. I would also, if you dig her, check out an older track "Boom," which is my favorite track of hers. Additionally, Bimbo Jones did a great remix of said track. Trackety-track-track-track.

NEW: 'Scab and Plaster' - Marina & The Diamonds

NEW

MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS

!!!!

That is all. Thank you.

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(PS: this is so much fucking better than Radioactive. It is so RIPE for a remix. She is going to bitchslap pop music like a high-end hooker at the Russia House.)

J-Lo defies aging & Ms. Cleo in "Papi" vidja

This is by far my favorite song to play by Jennifer Lopez. And, I'm glad they were smart enough to make it a single. Is that synth line slightly reminiscent of GaGa's The Fame album - well, that's because the song was produced by RedOne, and it has his dirty little Moroccan fingerprints all over it.

For those of you obsessed with making lists like I am, here are the major songs for which RedOne is responsible (in chronological order):

• "Just Dance" - Lady GaGa
• "Poker Face" - Lady GaGa
• "LoveGame" - Lady GaGa
• "Bad Romance" - Lady GaGa
• "Alejandro" - Lady GaGa
• "About a Girl" - Sugababes
• "Kick Ass" - Mika
• "Poison" - Nicole Scherzinger
• "More" - Usher
• "I Like It" - Enrique Iglesias
• "On The Floor" - Jennifer Lopez
• "Judas" - Lady GaGa

I gotta shout out to my buddy Michael Hoffman for his unending love of J-Lo. Without him, I doubt I'd have given this album the time of day, and I'm glad I did! If you don't have it, definitely download "Papi" (below), "Hypnotico", "On The Floor", "Invading My Mind" and "Villain". Here's the new "Papi" video:

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new Rihanna (prod. by Calvin Harris)

Gotta be honest... I LOVE IT.

This song has the interwebs' collective vagina all in a joyful twist. So, get this song before I get killed for posting it. (Remember that time I posted Only Girl [In The World] before everyone else...)... Anyway, I like this (because I love Calvin Harris), and I really dig that Rihanna is throwing her hat into the GaGa/Britney ring saying "MOVE OVER WHITE BITCHES!"

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"No Cars Go (Christian Strobe remix)" - Arcade Fire

ATTN: All douchenozzles who idolize Arcade Fire as a strictly guitar-heavy indie rock band- shut your face and listen up... this is quality shit. Christian Strobe turns this amazing original song into an amusingly danceable track. All you purists can suck my synth-loving sack.

Arcade Fire - No Cars Go (Christian Strobe Remix)

After all, I definitely want to go dancing after I cut myself listening to an Arcade Fire album. Balance is key, y'all. This is perhaps my 2nd favorite song by the heralded band (behind "Wake Up," of course), and I really dig how creative this remix is. Get on it... you'll be glad you did.

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fresh: new Clap Your Hands... album

One of the most interesting indie rock bands on the planet (and a fantastic act live), Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, returned this week with a new LP, Hysterical. This is a more mature take on the 5-piece Brooklyn-based band's sound that is both unsettling and sorta welcome, depending on your view.

Here's the first single titled Same Mistake, below, as well as a link to go buy (and support) this awesome band that built itself by giving the good ol' fuck you to record companies (they self-release basically everything and have been selling out shows since 2005). They're such a fun, solidly talented (and well written) band with their collective heart in the right place.

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GET THE ALBUM (iTunes)

essential: 'this island' - Le Tigre

Almost every old school homo hipster out there (I am still in recovery from this phase of my life) has a deeply rooted adoration for Le Tigre. They had a sound that cross-appealed to our shared loves of punk, electronica, wit and androgyny, while also being really fucking talented.

Here are three songs to the evidence of that, from their quality last LP (and my favorite), This Island (2005). If you dig the tracks, download the entire album below. Get your (g)ipster on.

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remix monday: "Inside Out (Shark Blood vs. DJ MAJR edit)" - Britney Spears

I did this a few days ago, and I'm quite happy with the response. This is seriously probably the worst song Britney Spears has ever "made." But, this remix is absolutely stellar. Shark Blood has some serious talent. I shaved it down, displaced some bass lines, played with the momentum/tempo, and voila! I'll let you listen for yourself, but I will say this: I hate dubstep more than any other genre of music. I'd rather listen to karaoke covers of death metal with accenting slide guitar and piccolo. It's a terrible genre for drunk white bitches to grind up on their girlfriends in some false sense of nauseating bro-dom. This remix gives the How's Your Father to the dreadful dance genre with some danceable electro and a club-ready house bpm.

Inside Out (Shark Blood vs. DJ MAJR edit) - Britney Spears by MAJRmusic

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The 7 Songs of My Summer

So, Summer is one week from being (technically) over. It's been a turbulent one, and my music loves have semi-reflected such. Here are the TOP 7 songs that rocked my Summer. All of these songs, I can't quite put them into words here... They're everything from introspective indie rock to high-energy electro-dance, to dirty dance-rock, to optimized pop. I just hope that you dig a few of them, as well, and hear why I adored them so much.

7.) That's Where You're Wrong - Arctic Monkeys

6.) Good Girl - Benny Benassi

5.) The Night Out - Martin Solveig ft. Phoenix

4.) Big - Sneaky Sound System

3.) Bittersweet - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

2.) Cherry Red - Ida Maria

1.) Circles - Digitalism

Honorable Mentions

That's My Bitch - Kanye West & Jay-Z ft. La Roux

The Sun 2.0 (Mackintosh Braun remix) - Shiny Toy Guns

Stay Young, Go Dancing - Death Cab For Cutie

Titanium - David Guetta ft. Sia

DOWNLOAD ALL 11. (.zip)

fresh: new FLORENCE + THE MACHINE!

So, we have some fantastic news... Florence + Her Vagine are dropping her/their new album, Ceremonials, October 31 (in the U.K.)! Happy Halloween, devil-bitches! So, I actually do love Florence + The Machine, and I have a listen of her brand new track, Shake It Out, below. Check it the hell out! How exciting...

Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out

Buffetlibre bangs The Rapture 'deep'

Is there anything Buffetlibre can get wrong, when it comes to remixes? Personally, as a big fan of The Rapture, I was not impressed by their (long awaited) new single "How Deep Is Your Love." It's just okay. But, Buffetlibre once again kicks us in the arse, or ears, rather. This is the latest in a long run of awesome remixes by the Barcelona-based duo of producer/DJs. I mean, seriously, let's look at the evidence:

• "Easy" - Dragonette
• "The Woods" - Cartridge
• "Someone Like You" - Adele
• "Mixtapes" - Plushgun
• "Two" - The Antlers
• "Remedy" - Little Boots (in collab with Sidechains)
• "Love Kills" - Little Boots (in collab with Sidechains)

Check them all out HERE on Buffetlibre's Soundcloud.

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"Big" new SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM vidja!

<3

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fresh: DJ MAJR dancifies Highway Unicorn

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So, I like this song by Lady Gaga. It's not her best, but it's a quality track, and I really wanted to make it ready for the dance floor. I cut it up into pieces, sewed it back together like a post-birth vagina, gave it a nice intro and outro for mixing (I especially love the outro), and sped up the tempo from 128 to 130. I, personally, love it... and I hope you do too! ("album cover" by the glorious Gordon Wells)

Highway Unicorn (Road To Love) [DJ MAJR club edit] - Lady Gaga by MAJRmusic

fresh: coldplay 'paradise'

In anticipation of their newest dive into pop-heavy art-ovary rock (not always a bad thing), Coldplay returns with this lovely tune that sounds just like you'd expect. It's no "Politik" or "The Scientist," but it's definitely a lovely-ass tune. Get on it.

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The new album Mylo Xyloto, is due out October 22.

essential: the black ghosts 'repetition kills you'

Here's a tune I've loved for a few years that came on my shuffle the other day. What a great little indie dance track this is from The Black Ghosts. The sound really takes me back to my original dance-roots sound of indie dance meets brit-rock (e.g. Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, Futureheads, etc.) that got me going out to clubs in the first place.

God bless this damned song. Now put on your hipster scarf that has no business being on you in early September and press back your Carrera knock-offs with their terrible plaid design... because it's the mid-2000's again, you can, and this song demands it, bitches...

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remix monday: bitter, party of sophie

Sometimes, though never when playing live, I just like a big ol' extended remix in my everyday life. This is especially true now that I walk to campus and require the 8 min+ uptempo cadence-maker to keep me moving and get my blood pumping on a morning where all I really want to do is eat pancakes and fall back asleep in a food coma.

This track, produced and remixed by The Freemasons, is sung the lovely Sophie Ellis-Bextor. A gay club icon in the UK, but barely known Stateside, was used in my recent Summer Pop 2011 mix, and the album track is one of my top songs of the Summer ("top 7" entry will be out later this week). Enjoy!

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fresh: benassi ft. pitbull

So, I don't like Pitbull too much, but this song is catchy. Perhaps that's the production by my beloved Benny Benassi? Who gives a shit, really. Just play it and enjoy a song that is super danceable. Hooray! I do dig once this song gets into gear (and you sort of get over the repetition of it all). I wish mr. 'bull was a better lyricist, but you can only polish a turd but so much. [Also, I don't care if you've had this track leaked for months. Good is good.]

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essential: new order 'ceremony'

If you do not own this song, you must. It is simply one of the best songs ever written, and you must own it.

There's something about the beauty that is/was New Order that still haunts me in all the right ways (yes, I know the song was originally written by Ian Curtis - sit down you stupid hipster). The melodies they could produce were enchanting. The guitar chords take me out of my own head- over and over and over. And, the vocals are so melancholy they almost cross into the realm of uplifting.

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This song just makes me want to dance around, arms in air, in the kind of slow motion that can only be felt after three or four shots of Jameson are mixed with the deafening laughs of those you love.

Oh I'll break them down, no mercy shown

Heaven knows, it's got to be this time

Avenues all lined with trees,

Picture me and then you start watching

Watching forever, forever

Watching love grow, forever

Letting me know, forever.

remix monday: my fav Moby remix

This is easily my favorite remix of ANY Moby track. By the banger-heavy Spencer and Hill, this remix has been on my rotation for a few years, now. It's straight-up get the hell out of your seat and dance- and that's what I love about it. The drop at :59 is nearly orgasmic, and then the drops during the choruses (first one at 2:12) are so wonderfully aggressive, you can't help but move. The song also slowly instrumentally builds, which you know I always adore. Anyway, give it a spin, y'all:

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Also, enjoy the remix video... haha: