I can imagine the first time I listened to Foster the People, thinking that Mark Foster’s voice was a bit too delicate for my taste. But once you habituate that lovely thang, you realize it’s not the voice, but how he carries it that makes it so.damn.fresh. + those choruses of his are killer!
This time around, we get a remix of “Helena Beat” by YoungLife, which puts a electro-funk twist to these unforgettable chorus lines. Splash in some House and a little demented dubstep at the end and it’ll get you goin at any club.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/30811137" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]With this Halloween themed song (at least it reminds me of it), Engima Dubz takes on Afrojack & Steve Aoki’s “No Beef,” in an allout dubstep grinder. Where it differs from the original is in the infamous drop. Where Afro & Aoki go for the high-pitched dirty bit, moombahton style (anyone got a better descriptor), Engima Dubz take on the hypnotic bass rummmmbles – and it definitely goes with Miss Palmer’s vocals like no other.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/29258082" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]Don’t mind me, I’m just trying to wrack up the vivacious vocals // dirty dubstep combos for year end’s top lists (hint, hint). In this installment, we get Florence’s gazing vocals chopped & slopped by Mr. Wonk. No overstated drops, just beautiful bass buzzin throughout. And great vocals distortion to boot.
[audio:You-Got-Love.mp3|titles=You’ve Got The Love (Mr. Wonk’s Dubstep Mask Mix)]Last month, I did a tribute to 31 great producers I’ve come across on SoundCloud in a series I dubbed SoundKlout. It was mostly just to pump out a shitload of good music, but I also wanted to engage more with the SoundCloud community and immerse myself in its user experience.
While searching for the 31 SoundKlouters, and about a year’s worth before that, I’ve noticed that most producers sample & remix other works or produce everything electronically. There just isn’t enough legitimate collaborations with vocalists & instrumentalists. One reason is the musicians that make up these genres aren’t all that involved in SoundCloud’s community. Another reason, which may be even more detrimental, is the lack of tools to help these musicians connect, especially across different genres.
So I’m gonna lay out how I can help SoundCloud attract more of these genres through two communities I’m actively involved in, the hip-hop & blogging communities. I’ll take care of how they can improve connecting between musicians in the next article.
Now I’ve seen everything… or heard it. It’s not easy to surprise me, especially with music, but Skrillex has shocked the hell out of me with this. “Breathe” is no ‘brostepper,’ it’s a melodic dubstep track that’s nothing but relaxation. Only thing I’m not sure of are the vocals, reminds me of Owl City. However, major props to Skrillex for trying something different (all musicians should). Wondering what his fans think, though…
Once again I find myself posting up Drake because of a remix. I don’t know what’s up with the Young Money millionaires, but put an alternative beat to ’em and all of a sudden I’m feelin it.
The Academy Productions’ remix of “Overdose on Life” by Drake, is a pleasant jazzed-out tune that settles that enthusiastic Drake voice down. Sometimes the lyrics still bring me back to the original (nogood beat), but overall it’s a fresh new take that puts me on ride for a few.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/26589200" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]Now this is more like it. Had my qualms with Common’s last leak, “The Believer,” really, just because I have such high expectations for him. But now I think it’s just “Raw” is more of the flavor I love from Common and really has nothing to do with the actual quality in music. Whether or not I like “The Believer,” I sure have faith in what Common’s all about.
[audio:Raw.mp3|titles=Raw]Snoop & Khalifa are about to drop their Mac + Devin Go to Highschool soundtrack and the first single, “630,” just leaked. I’m vibin’ to it now and really startin to feel Khalifa’s flow (I know I’m late). Guess will have to wait till its full release tomorrow to see what’s up.
[audio:630.mp3|titles=630]Yeaaa, IanJ is stereotypical college boy rap. With lyrics that mean just about as much as a college actually educates you and a style that sounds so much like Mike Posner, I’m still wondering why I posted him. But where he has his setbacks, IanJ does have a few things going for him.
“Hang Over From You” has one killer beat to strobe along to with lyrics that are pretty damn catchy (can’t get the chorus out of my head). His voice is very Posneresque, but he’s got at least one ball hanging low […]
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/27758562" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]Damn, do I wish Whitney was making music today, she could do wonders for the electronic scene. But least we have these remixers to give us a glimpse of how it might’ve gone down.
Van Hooft & Forever Kid take to one of Whitney’s most memorable tunes, “How Will I Know,” and puts one inspired House remix down to support it. Definitely a club-worthy track, Van Hooft & Forever Kid take all the bullshit out of what’s happened to Whitney in the more recent years and puts back the purity of what made her so famous, that powerHOUSE of a voice.
[audio:How-Will-Remix.mp3|titles=How Will I Know (Van Hooft & Forever Kid Remix)]