fresh: "How To Be A Heartbreaker (MAJR club edit)" - Marina & the Diamonds

So, I'm dying to play this song in sets, but it's been very difficult to do so, so I made this. 

It's really that simple.

You're welcome.  

This was a little more of a pain in the ass than I expected, but it was totally worth it.  I had to drop the tempo to a more mixable speed (133bpm), and then adjust the bass levels so that they had more dance floor intensity.  In certain areas, I basically dropped the bottom out of the song in order to make the chorus pop more.  In the end, I think this MAJR club edit does Marina & the Diamonds justice, and makes me dance around when I play it... and that's all that really matters.

The one thing I will say is that I couldn't quite get the bass levels right, so you DJs out there might want to drop your level a tiny bit, depending on your system.

Enjoy:

BE A HEARTBREAKER

RMX MON: "Only Insomnia in the World" - Rihanna v. Faithless

 

About a month ago, I discovered this mash-up (which originally dropped in October 2010), and I cannot stop using it in my workout mixes.  I edited it a bit, but it's definitely the best of both worlds.  DJs From Mars really worked this out well.  It has the unmistakable trance feel of Faithless' Insomnia... which basically takes me back to "those days" of questionable choices.  To make it even better, the most iconic chords in Insomnia are laced behind the chorus of one of (perhaps) Rihanna's most powerful tracks.  If not her most powerful, it's easily her most empowering.  In any case, this is great for working out, running, or just doing "questionable" deeds.  

As far as my editing, I definitely increased tempo, took out a great deal of fat that would bore a dance floor, put a back-beat on the down-tempo moments (which were superfluous), added a really cool quiver in the middle of the song that makes my heart smile, and made the most of one of the best mash-up ideas I've ever heard.  Also, check out the original tracks, below- it really brings it all into context.  Enjoy:

GET THE SONG

Song of the Summer #8: "Live in this City (Heren v. MAJR edit)" - Dragonette

Dragonette, how I love thee.  I cannot wait to see you in a few weeks, and then to hear your new album the following week.  It's going to be an indie pop eargasm all autumn.  Woot.  This is also basically my theme song for my graduate tenure in Tucson.

IMPATIENT BITCHES CLICK HERE

In any case, a remix was released that was pretty great, but needed to be beefed up a bit, while cutting the fat, and that's what I did here... so, instead of boring you with some nonsensical shit... here's a good weekenditty:

Below is the original version of this track.  It isn't too different, just less mixable.  It really is making me, as previously stated, anticipate the new LP.  So excited.  Thanks to Heren for making a hell of a remix, by the way.

fresh: "Big Bright World" - Garbage (song & video)

Garbage has been in my top 4 bands since the mid-90's, and at one time was listed in the top spot, tied with only Radiohead.  Once again here, they reemerge with an album and a single that fortify their penchant for unrelenting quality in sound, aesthetics, and focus on the an equal marriage of immense talent and unrivaled production.  

Big Bright World is perhaps my favorite song in their new album, Not Your Kind of People, and this week the video and song were released to the masses as the LP's second single.  The video is vintage dark-meets-accessible Garbage (and, oh lord, do we know Garbage loves its black and white footage), and the song is nothing short of phenomenal.  And, yes, that's me in the photo... JEALOUS?!  Enjoy!

MAKE YOUR WORLD BIGGER AND BRIGHTER (with one click)

remix mon: "Get a Job (MAJR club edit)" - The Gossip

Granted, this is not the most exciting of posts, but I wanted to make this track available for those DJs out there who want a mixable version of what I consider one of the best dance songs of 2012: The Gossip's Get a Job.  Now, this club edit is no prize winner, it is more utility-based (it does have a few fun tweaks, though).  I wanted something I could play live, and this does the trick.  I dropped it last Thursday at Club Congress to quite the reception, and that's all this DJ wants.

GURL, GET THE SONG

Reactions to the original version of this track seem to be quite polar/dichotomous: adoration or abhorrence.  For me, well... I love it more than my luggage, obviously.  It is gloriously sassy and has a drop that is sensationally danceable.  So those of you who do not care for it, 

YOU ARE WRONG!

xo

PS: werk werk werk werk werk-werk werk werk

MAJR Live Set (Club Congress | Tucson AZ | 16Aug12)

INCLUDES
Rye Rye, Savage Skulls, Robyn, Azealia Banks, Nicki Minaj, Scissor Sisters, Marina & the Diamonds, Salt N Pepa, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Run DMC, Stevie Nicks, Michael Jackson, Bonny Tyler, Lily Allen, The Gossip, Icona Pop, Kylie Minogue, No Doubt, Spice Girls, Lana Del Rey, Niki & the Dove, Cynthia Fee, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey

DOWNLOAD THE BITCH

Song of the Summer #7: "The Riot's Gone" - Santigold

As I've stated a few times, my favorite 2012 album so far is Santigold's sophomore LP (suck it, slump) Master of My Make-Believe.  Within this album there are no less than FIVE superb tracks, and three in particular I consider to be in the top 10 best songs of the year, thus far.

Here's a little taste of this brilliance:

GET THE SONG

Santigold really puts herself on an incredibly vulnerable stage here.  She speaks from a place of inner turmoil turned vanquished soul, yet always potently self-aware.  To me, at least, it is a song about being trapped within oneself, and how one relates to the world - yet oddly comfortable in one's self-made bed of nails.  A song that can easily be related to relationships, as well as the psychological storms that often beget a lush creation.

This is definitely my reflective song of the summer.

I've been looking for a fight
All the trouble that I know
Trying to lose the world inside
But, it's got no place to go

Oh, I'm only dangerous at the whim of my command
I've been searching for an angle
For a cause I can defend

Oh, take me home
Let me go all day
Just be here 'til I know
The riot's gone, the riot's gone away

fresh: "Settle Down (Jonas Quant v. MAJR edit)" - No Doubt

No Doubt returned recently from a massive hiatus- but didn't we all know that they were going to be great upon return?  I mean - let's be real - Gwen Stefani is golden.  She is one of the most likable female vocalists in the world, and brings the kind of genuine energy that makes even the bitchiest of critics smile.  And, she can deliver live- all you doubtin' hipsters can shove it.

Just a peach, that bitch is.   

So, I looked and looked for a proper remix of this downtempo return to the radio (first single: Settle Down), and finally came across one by Jonas Quant.  Known as simply QUANT to the dj/producer worlds, this veteran producer comes from SWEDEN... such a surprise.  He is responsible for producing all of Hurts' 2011 album Happiness (which debuted at #4 in the UK), and has also worked with No Doubt (outside of this remix) and Leona Lewis.

GET THE SONG

So, check out the edit I did of this lovely piece, and feel free to dance around like a fancy white lady.  

Also, get off your lazy ass and go out and buy/support the return of one of the best bands out there. 

Push & Shove drops on September 25! 

(fantastic artwork below)

Song of the Summer #6: "Breathing Underwater" - Metric

Metric's latest album, Synthetica, is definitely a different direction for the Canadian kings (or queens) of indie pop.  It is somber, cerebral, and completely a different direction from the pop-sensitive (see also: catchy as fuck) Fantasies.  The highlight of this album is easily one of my favorite songs of the summer, Breathing Underwater.  

GET THE SONG

Just give a second to marinate, and I dare you to not love this song:

fresh: NEW Two Door Cinema Club & Helio Sequence

As a fresh addition to your indie rock collection, you get two little gems of joy today.  The Helio Sequence finally returns after a 4+ year hiatus.  In January 2008, they released what was easily the best album of the year, Keep Your Eyes Ahead.  I still listen to it often, and am haunted by the chords of the title track in all the right ways.


GET THE SONG

Two Door Cinema Club, my favorite dance-rock band to pop up in the last few years, returns with the unenviable task of topping their 2010 debut album, Tourist History, which drew heavily positive reviews (not only from yours truly, but) from virtually all of music critics.

Both of these tracks, from each respective act, are simply solid returns (even if they don't quite stack up yet to the previous albums' works. All in all, these are solidly optimistic signs.  Two Door Cinema Club's album, Beacon, is due out the first week of September.  The Helio Sequence's Negotiations is due out the second week of said month.


GET THE SONG

By the by, here are couple little video previews: 

"Goods (MAJR club edit)" - iamamiwhoami

IAMAMIWHOAMI is a Swedish act/project (SWEDEN! AGAIN!)  of singer/lyricist Jonna Lee, an immensely talented broad worth hearing.  The debut album, Kin, is getting fantastic reviews since its release on June 11 of this year.  It is worth noting that IAMAMWHOAMI has been leaking a lot of these tracks since 2009, and finally put them on one album for the world to distribute and enjoy.  So... do that.

As much as I know this track will probably never fly at regular pop-laden gigs (i.e. gay bars), I am in love with it and can't get it out of my head.  It is a beautiful combination of haunting synths, cerebral pop/lyrics, and the kind of danceability that cannot be denied.  It is a wonderful piece of work, and was worth editing to play in house sets.  It is definitely a track I'd have to sandwich (between two 'winning' tracks), but I hope (in my foolishly optimistic mind) that one day someone will request it.

And we shall marry immediately.

GET THE SONG

ORIGINAL VIDEO/SONG

song of the summer #5 - "Dance" - Rye Rye

First of all, BUY THIS ALBUM!  Secondly,...
This song is definitely my go-to energy song of the summer.  Rye Rye (a.k.a. Ryeisha Berrain) is from my hometown of Baltimore, and is a wonderfully talented 21 year old with a bright future.  Taken under the wings of both M.I.A. (on whose label she exists) and Robyn, she has been provided an excellent boost by artists respected for defying the lines of contrived pop- yet remaining respected throughout the pop world.  One of the other reasons I have grown to love this girl is that she consistently has supported great acts, as an opener, such as Scissor Sisters & The Gossip - something you rarely see from a hip-hop artist.

The sad part about her debut album, Go! Pop! Bang!, is that it was supposed to be released in 2009.  The parent company to M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. label, Interscope Records, persistently delayed it- which probably had a lot to do with her having an ill-timed (career-wise) baby that year.  So, the LP was polished more and more until finally they gave the go-ahead.  

GET THE SONG

I think she is a nice alternative to the COMPLETELY plastic aspect of Nicki Minaj.  She's self-made Baltimore Grime to Nicki's diorama of a career, and is set to take over the world's speakers.  It's just a matter of time until the shallowness of Ms. Minaj's career annoys its market; making room for talented artists like Ms. Berrain to assume the proper throne.  

So go get the record, or download this track....it is pure ... well... DANCE!

Here are some other Go! Pop! Bang! tracks worth having: 

fresh: "Let Me Love You" - Ne-Yo (written by Sia)

Ne-Yo, one of the worst guilty pleasures of a lot of neo-hipsters out there, returns with his second single from his upcoming album, R.E.D., so that you can make fun of him yet secretly love him because he reminds of you of your teen years when you still listened to Usher and liked it your way.  

Also, I'd like to take a moment to point out that his real name is SHAFFER CHIMERE SMITH, JR. 

I suppose that when you're last name's Smith, you should spice it up with a name that sounds like a luxury sofa.  Enjoy that.

In any case, he hooks up here with none other than amazing songstress Sia to write and produce this dance-friendly whiny-assed track that you will first hate, then secretly love for a while, and eventually shamefully hate again until, at last, you forget about- because it wasn't really that good in the beginning.  

That's temporary pop.  Learn to separate the good from the shit in this sub-sub-sub-genre.  

Dive in: 

GET THE SONG