There are thousands of popular artists out there today making new singles all the time. With the increase in bedroom producers though, the ability to simply download a whole studio that you can use right on your lap has made original songs more scarce. Now it seems that you're finding tens of thousands of remixes by artists with more and more ludicrous names leaving you wondering, "Viking Sword Bro- what?" This weekly segment will bring you the popular remixes and the never heard of "Viking Sword Brothers" remixes of your favorite artists. From all these bedroom producers we are seeing one thing, and that is absolutely fantastic, manipulated, warped remixes.
This week is a two-part series that features the signature sounds of Avicii. From prog house to dubstep to even some DnB, you'll find it all here. Enjoy.
POPULAR REMIXES
There is no question that almost every remix of Avicii has had some moment in the spot light on Hype Machine or the radio because, let's face it: there have been so many remixes of "Levels". You literally hear that catchy melody on every radio station, in every club, through every speaker at every pre-drink. There is no escaping it. So what does George Monev do? He comes along and decides he's going to become famous by literally doing nothing. He plays the main tune in reverse; it doesn't get much simpler than that (but don't get me wrong — its genius). As for the outcome? People loved it. It was re-living "Levels" all over again. I was even asked at one party, after playing this simplistic edit, to have it repeated for a total of five times. Five. Enjoy as you re-live "Levels" all over again.
DUBSTEP REMIXES
I'm sorry to have to put you through this but here is again, another slew of "Levels" remixes (don't worry, the amount of "Levels" will be kept to a minimum). When it comes to this catchy tune though, iNexus makes quick work of the original as he adds a new crazy structure. CTLGD (or formally Glitchdick) also does wonders with Tim Berg's "Bromance" as he adds a hectic structure but first uses the vocals from the original. Scully's remix of "Fuck School" could be considered dubstep, though I prefer the title Horse-step since he takes a horse 'neighing' and weaves it into the drop as well as some familiar sounds from other songs you're sure to recognize. Haydn Hoffman also takes on the challenge of remixing "Levels" and I have to give this San Diego native credit since his remix was literally the first remix of "Levels" there was. Hoffman's 'hipster' track certainly set the bar high with an energetic structure and his illustrious grime.
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DRUM AND BASS REMIXES
Delta Heavy's remix of "Street Dancer"comes as no surprise for those of you familiar with this duo's usual terrifying sound. They manage to start quickly, then come down slow and successfully bring it back up to a typical intense paced bpm. The highlight of this week's DnB section though is directed towards Ryan Sauvage's crazily catchy remix of "Fade into Darkness" which is a happy DnB mix of the original prog song. He manages to mix a high bpm with the vocals and a catchy melody. Did we mention Ryan's only 14 years old?
ELECTRO HOUSE REMIXES
Mick Kastenholt and Andrew Dee's remix is a great tweak of the original and uses a heavy style to its advantage, working with a building synth that captures your attention. Jonathan Gering is one of my favourite electro house producers to this date because his roaring synths and kick-snare pattern always seem to impress. This remix of "Bromance" is a prime example. Albin Myers remix is constantly being played by Avicii in almost every set, which in itself is an honour. Myers takes the blissful intro and comes in hard at the drop with an energetic beat that changes the original completely. Surprisingly I haven't heard too many remixes of "Silhouettes" but Kastra does it right with an energetic build, managing to keep the vocals from the original. Kastra's remix is by far my favourite remix that I've heard of "Silhouettes" so far since it has such a perfect harmony between the vocal and an uplifting beat.
PROGRESSIVE HOUSE REMIXES
What better way to remix Avicii than by dipping it in progressive house? After all, it's Avicii's own sound. Alesso and Sebastian Ingrosso's remix was satisfactory. Considering the names that were remixing them, you would expect something colossal. Aylen and ThatMoment, on the other hand have made an astonishing remix. These two have worked together often and see no sign of stopping with huge synths and precise layering which build to a flawless drop. Project 46 is no new name to prog house. I often expect big things from this duo and this remix was sure to deliver. I figured I'd give Alesso a chance to redeem himself from his disappointing remix of "Never Die Alone" so I have included his tech-sounding remix of "Alcoholic".
DISCO HOUSE REMIXES
For the disco house section I tried to draw a fine line between disco house and progressive house. Regardless, whether or not this is the appropriate title of 'disco house', Dirigo and Fjaestad's bootleg of this unreleased track by Avicii is simply amazing to listen too. This track was arguably one of my favourites as it's a happy mix of Avicii's regular sound with a smooth beat.
MASHUPS
What more could you ask for than "Levels" mixed with Journey's "Don't Stop Believing"? These two were mixed together by Project 46 and flow well. Journey's vocals seem to have been made to fit perfectly on top of "Levels" tune. "The Longest Road" mashed with "Bromance" is another amazing mix of two tracks that seem to be have made for each other. Iacabone's mashup is EARMILK's highlight for this week's mashup section.
DUTCH HOUSE REMIXES
Clockwork's remix of "Levels" was played non-stop in clubs after the hype surrounding "Levels" had waned. I wasn't huge on the drop and found that I was left expecting the original but the heavy and complex percussion and drumbeat combination make it stand out more than any other "Levels" remix. Miami Life's remix of "Seek Bromance" is a low-key, dutch sounding remix with high synths and blaring lead sounds. Two Fresh's remix of "Street Dancer" is another great remix and definitely gives the dutch house section a heavy kick. One of my favourite remixes on here, Two Fresh uses the piano riff from the original and mixes it with a heavy dutch beat.
TECH HOUSE REMIXES
Although I'm not a huge fan of tech house, Albin Myers remix of "Alcoholic" (an already tech house sounding track) really opens my eyes to the sound with his smooth transitioning of snares and the dark vocals.
OVERALL FAVOURITE REMIX
My favourite remix this week is of "Fade into Darkness" by an 18-year old producer Nifty. This remix opens with the original tune and remain nearly the same right up until the drop. Once you hit the song's climax Nifty changes everything as he comes in with a shattering dutch beat that builds its way back into the original tune again where the second drop he mixes his dutch house with the original prog melody into a somewhat jazzy combination. This remix caught my attention immediately upon hearing that first drop with such an eerie silence. Nifty works it perfectly and has certainly become a producer I have my eyes glued too. Amazing work Nifty.
