Airport

She Wants To Move (DFA Remix) - N*E*R*D - She Wants To Move (2004, Virgin)

While trawling through Spotify on my way to create a novelty playlist (“Songs which have dogs barking in them”, if you must know), I suddenly stumbled across a DFA remix that I was previously unaware of. I’m unsure how to describe just how elated this discovery made me, but the feeling is probably akin to a small child finding their Christmas present stash, or a labrador coming across food on a table, accidentally left at an accessible distance.

For those who are not in the know, DFA remixes are widely acclaimed as the best in the game. Yes, James Murphy and the people who gave you LCD Soundsystem also do awesome remixes. Indeed, one wonders where to place the line between ‘remix’ and ‘cover’, as DFA often put so much work into recording new bass lines, percussion tracks and whatnot that it’s hard to simply call it a ‘remix’. But one thing is certain: their remixes are all infectiously funky and irrepressibly danceable, without fail.

Their take on N*E*R*D’s 2004 hit She Wants To Move is no abberation. The new synth solos lend the track a distinct essence of house party, the fresh bass line doesn’t care in the slightest whether you previously felt like dancing or not, and if there was a lack of cowbell in the original, DFA have definitely turned that around now.

disconaivete:

After Running and 110%, Jessie Ware strikes yet again with her new single Wildest Moments. She did not pair up with usual partner in crime Julio Bashmore for this one but got Dave Okumu (from The Invisible) to produce this jam (he is also producing a handful of other tracks off her debut Devotion). Just got even more excited for Devotion - pretty sure nothing can stop it from being a great album. Pre-order your copy now, it’s out on August 20. “Meet me in the wildest moments, you can be the greatest (you can be the greatest)…”

Desired Constellation - Björk - Medúlla

Medúlla is Björk’s vocal album— the only instrument you’ll hear across the whole LP, aside from the human voice, is the sequenced keyboard in the background of this track. It’s such an interesting album, and really demonstrates her vision as an artist. 

Maybe if you haven’t heard much Björk before, you’ll get put off. I know it took me a while to get into her style. But if you make the effort, you won’t be disappointed. She is, at least in my opinion, one of the most talented musicians around. And this is one of the most beautifully hypnotic and haunting songs I know of.

pitchfork:

“Aquababe” is a Machinedrum-produced track from Azealia Banks’ forthcoming Fantasea mixtape, due out July 4. Artwork by Christina Lu. 

Seven - Fever Ray - Fever Ray (2009, Rabid Records)

Felt Mountain - Goldfrapp - Felt Mountain (Mute, 2000)

I’m God - Clams Casino - Instrumental Mixtape 2 (self-released, 2012)

New Jersey beatsmith Clams Casino has just released a second Instrumental Mixtape, available as a free download. Following on from last year’s highly acclaimed first volume, this iteration sees dub versions of tracks he produced for A$AP Rocky, Lil B, The Weeknd and more, as well as including a couple of remixes that he recently completed for the likes of Lana Del Rey and Washed Out. It’s also the first official release of his stunning Imogen Heap rework I’m God, easily one of his finest productions to date.

Somno - Last Step - Sleep (2012, Planet Mu)

“Sleep are tunes I recorded while falling asleep. These tracks are really different for me, really mellow and dreamy, that nice comfortable feeling when you’re falling asleep. Feels pointless to describe it, that feeling, there really shouldn’t be words for that state, so I describe the process a little instead. For awhile, when I was really tired and ready to go to bed instead of going to sleep I would make a tune. Get some stuff going on my sequencers, drum machines, patch up my modular and just jam it. Would fall asleep alot listening to the sequences, few seconds of sleep or a few minutes, wake up in it. This is what I sound like in my sleep.”

Released under the alias of Last Step, Sleep is the latest album from the prolific producer Aaron Funk, an artist you may know better under his breakcore guise Venetian Snares. However, although there are definitely echoes of his most well-known musical incarnation here, this record ends up being an entirely different beast. The whole album is tied together by a fascinating concept— it was produced while the artist was slipping in and out of sleep. At times it echoes a woozy Plastikman, or a less frenetic Aphex Twin, but in the end it’s a highly individual, “eminently relistenable” album of experimental house music, and a laudable musical lane change for Aaron Funk.

A Life In The Day Of Benjamin Andre (Incomplete) - Outkast - The Love Below (2003, La Face / Arista)

Closing up the album, A Life In The Day Of Benjamin Andre (Incomplete) is the only real rap track on The Love Below, but like all the songs on the LP it fits right in where it is, and even just by itself it’s simply an excellent track. Quite possibly my favourite rap song.