Hyper Crush, Chew Fu, Black Noise, Foamo

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 >> Blog
Written by Dani Deahl

It’s been a tough couple of weeks! Again it looks like I’ve been AWOL from the blog, but I’ve been completely preoccupied. Not only have I been working on the Lolla Remix Throwdown and finishing up some new written pieces, including one with Jen Lasher, but the new website is almost done and will probably launch this week. Speaking of the Remix Throwdown, there’s only a few more days to enter – the open round closes on the 25th! If you haven’t entered yet, do it! Don’t get scared off by the people who already have a bunch of votes – a portion of the semi-finalists will be selected by the judging panel, regardless of vote count. The winner gets to play Lollapalooza and also receives a prize pack worth $6,000 with goodies from Pioneer, Shure, Satellite Records and Music Industry Workshop! ENTER THE LOLLA REMIX THROWDOWN HERE.

Did I tell you? I told you so – Hyper Crush is blowing the eff up. Their newest track, “Ayo”, is produced by Diplo and a departure from the heavy, straightforward electro sound the trio has been known for in the past. It’s got hints of Dutch, pop and with a slightly slower BPM has a slight nod to moombahton. Not sure how much Diplo I really hear in the track, but it’s certainly a nice producer line to throw in there. I’m happy to hear a sidestep for the group.

Hyper Crush: Ayo

Double 99′s “Rip Groove” is still one of my favorite tunes from back in the rave days and RuN RiOT updates the rave with his remix that has layers of shuffled drum patterns and accent notes with a supplemental synth that sound like complete presets – but I mean that in a good way. The almost basic nature of the additions, done in a way that compliments the original, maintain the inherent fun nature of the tune while adding a bit of grit. A breakbeat around 2:30 is a nice touch.

Double 99: Rip Groove (RuN RiOT Remix)

Two Deadmau5 remixes in, and coincidentally, they use the same track, “Some Chords”. The first, by Fixd, strips away some of that signature Deadmau5 ‘epic-ness’ in favor of darker tones and lots of tiny stabs and secondary melodic lines that break up the patterns nicely. STEEP goes a completely different direction, combining “Some Chords” with another Deadmau5 tune and a Benny Benassi track. I was afraid of it sounding like a complete mess but the punchiness of the selected Deadmau5 samples counter nicely with Benassi’s full, big synth work. Really interesting combo.

Deadmau5: Some Chords (And Some More Notes Fixd Remix)

Deadmau5 vs. Benny Benassi: The Reward Is Some Satisfying Chords (STEEP Bootleg)

And again, two similar submissions, this time with Foamo. The first is Reset!‘s remix of “Superman” which keeps a lot of the original elements but adds a bit of fidget and wobble to the mix which helps it sound less like an interpretation of disco house. The second is Foamo‘s instrumental remix of Nas & Damian Marley’s “As We Enter”. I think it’s sensational as an instrumental with only tiny bits of the vocal needed. The real star is the rubbery bassline and utterly clean and crisp percussion. Total sidestep, but I have a fun Damian Marley story – I had to play at the W Hotel a few years ago and was told he came in to eat dinner. The manager requested I put on a Marley track so I threw on that amazing “Sun is Shining” remix by Funkstar Deluxe. I saw Damian’s head perk up and he actually came over to tell me how much that meant to him. He wound up signing the record for me – I still have it

Lee Mortimer & Foamo: Superman (Reset! Remix)

Nas & Damian Marley: As We Enter (Foamo Remix Instrumental)

I’m just as over Gaga I’m sure as much as you guys are, but damn, it’s DJ Kue. He hits it out of the park again with a punchy mix of “Monster” that utilizes minor chords to give a really interesting tone to the entire track. It actually compliments the vocal quite well. Overall it feels pretty traditional in terms of a remix, but the wise choice of notes combined with certain electro hallmarks (like his snare that’s a bit overly punchy) make this otherwise straightforward remix pop.

Lady Gaga: Monster (DJ Kue Remix)

Chicago’s Radioaktives are back! This time they have an original, and it’s a totally fun party starter, making no apologies. Ego-laden lyrics will prove to be the tune’s secret weapon. With a hook that screams “we came to get the dancefloor packed” over electro mainlines, touches of bell in the percussion and a serious ass clap that’s used liberally, I can’t see how this track won’t make the rounds.

The Radioaktives: Warning

Don Diablo’s at it again – but this time it’s not anything from him proper – they sent over two remixes of “Who’s Your Daddy”. A.Skillz‘s version is choppy with touches of disco house buildups and drum-centric mini breaks. Those elements frankly save it from being too noisy. The chopped nature of the track, while unique, is a bit hard to get into for extended stretches. Black Noise‘s remix is completely different, with staccato notes over constant changeups – dubstep influences, heavy, distorted synths and really well utilized small bits of the vocal, also distorted in most instances. Becoming a huge fan of Black Noise – love how the sounds he uses may not be unique, but his subtle touches with them are.

Don Diablo: Who’s Your Daddy (A.Skillz Remix)

Don Diablo: Who’s Your Daddy (Black Noise Remix)

Talk about a mashup of sounds and sub-genres. Electro, Dutch, fidget and more make their appearances in the ETC!ETC! & Mr. Vega remix of The Brockouts’ “Shake Down”. I am in love with the over the top drums which come into play most noticeably around 2:30. Normally I’m not such a fan of tracks with tons of layers in them but here it fits – everything seems to work. I also love the sense of fun the duo inject into the tune – like the complete cut outs towards the beginning which sounds like someone having way too much fun with the crossfader.

The Brockouts: Shake Down (ETC!ETC! & Mr. Vega Remix)

Finally, I get a remix of Rude Boy that’s at an appropriate tempo so the vocal isn’t time-stretched to shit. DJ Panic City uses the acapella over some Kennedy (the exact track escapes me at the moment – maybe one of you lovely readers can help). The result is a whole lot of funk with a base that doesn’t force the vocal into a tempo that feels disingenuous. Who would have thought the two would match so well together?

DJ Panic City: Rude Boy (Panic City Disco Remix)

This reminds me of the remixes we’ve been seeing of “I Need A Dollar”, except MyKill amps it up with the break that not only slows down the tempo but adds a nasty dubstep beat. For me the break is a touch long and becomes tedious, but nothing quick editing won’t fix. Besides, it’s a small critique for a track that otherwise kills. Reminiscent of G-Swing and other swing-influenced labels, the mix deftly transitions between house, the original song and the dubstep bits without making anything seem irrelevant.

Gromophonedzie: Why Don’t You (MyKill Drop It Down Transition)

I see 3OH!3 and my first instinct is to just delete it…but I do listen to everything, and I’m glad I did. This Skeet Skeet remix of “My First Kiss” is so freaking funky I can’t stand it. Horns on top of horns chopped and rearranged every which way make me forget it’s a mix of a mediocre electro hop group. In fact it feels a little retro, a little ghetto, and a touch trashy in a delicious way. It’s the kind of remix that will have those feather earring-wearing, bandeau sporting, PBR drinking hipster-ettes booty dancing on the speakers. Yeah.

3OH!3: My First Kiss (Skeet Skeet’s Sassy & Brassy Remix)

Bonus tracks:

Esmee Denters: Love Dealer (Chew Fu Let’s Make A Deal Fix)

Aout6: Don’t Care (Ophex Remix)

Fake Moustache: Dance With Me

Delooze: Big Love (Full Length Suxx Remix)