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 the second half of a two-part series which features the signature sounds of Avicii. From prog house to dubstep to even some Dutch, you'll find it all here.
POPULAR REMIXES
There is no doubt that one of the most popular remixes of Avicii is Skrillex's remix. Nothing else really needs to be said because I'm sure every single one of our readers has heard this overplayed track.
DUBSTEP REMIXES
Tristam's remix starts off this week's dubstep selection with a grizzly snare and clap that makes it shine above most "Levels" remixes. I only found this remix a couple of days prior and despite it being a "Levels" remix I still have a huge appreciation for the signature grime. I featured Scully's remix in Artist Remixed – Part 1 of "Fuck School", today I'm back with Scully's second Avicii remix that (unfortunately) has no horse step but packs a punch with a dark bass and a moombah structure. Dubsective's remix of "Sweet Dreams" builds up with a ton of suspense then comes crashing down with a deep bass line. Since I'm not trying to murder you with "Levels" remixes I searched for some unique and interesting remixes. TYR's remix does just that, it's a blend of the original vocals with a grimey structure that sounds as if Avicii was thrown in a food processor.
ELECTRO HOUSE REMIXES
To start off our heavy bangers I have Alyen and ThatMoment's smooth blend of Avicii's uplifting "Enough is Enough" which turns into an angry synth mix of high snares and low troughs as it tears up the original. I have two remixes by one of my favourite electro house producers Cazzette. The first is his remix of "Levels" which was included on Avicii's Levels EP which came with Skrillex's. Despite the hype over Skrillex's remix, I though Cazzette's rework was greatly overlooked. It's heavy, hard-hitting and packs quite a punch with a grimey beat. The second Cazzette remix I have is his remix of "Sweet Dreams." Another great track by the duo, this remix uses the vocals as it works right into the drop with just as much punch. Last, but not least, Ryan Enzed's remix of "Seek Bromance" is another huge remix that uses Avicii's rhythm to its advantage and still comes with a wobbly synth that slowly comes into the track without you even realizing it.
DUTCH HOUSE REMIXES
To start this section off I have Afrojack's huge banger which is a mix of "Fade into Darkness". Afrojack takes the original melody and changes the drop into a dutch sounding dream. Next, I haveJonas Sellberg's remix of "Alcoholic" which starts off with an almost trance-like sound as the original does and then proceeds to weaves its way into a dutch style albeit much slower and smoother than your typical heavier dutch style production. This track creeps up on you slowly and before you know it has taken your breath away with its transitions and eerie beat. Disco Fries' remix of "Silhouettes" was another huge remix when it came out because Disco Fries was the first to take on the challenge of remixing the brand new track. They certainly delivered with a heavy drop and distorted kicks, all the while still keeping the positive side that Avicii always layers on his tunes. The highlight though of this week's dutch house offering would have to be Aylen's remix of "Blessed". Aylen uses the original pounding melody to build the mood which then comes crashing in with his own aggressive style.
PROGRESSIVE HOUSE REMIXES
This week I have a huge selection of Progressive house tracks. Starting off Whelan and Di Scala's remix works perfectly with "Street Dancer" as the original tunes blares and a new piano riff makes its appearance into the track until it comes crashing down into a 8beat mayhem. Icabone'sremix of the original instrumental for "Fade into Darkness" is one of my favourite tracks on this list because when I first heard "Penguin" I absolutely loved it. Iacabone keeps the original melody yet changes the beat with a smooth quicker pace that is layered over the rhythm. Another amazing track on our list is Sex Ray Vision's, the main tune has a much happier beat as SRV works from sound to sound. Alesso's remix this week is a huge track with a big room sound, the beat is changed into a pump up style yet still makes you feel amazing. Tinman's remix is built with high peeks that are transitioned over each other amazingly. Enjoy.
TECH HOUSE REMIXES
Here is the last remix of "Levels", I promise. As stated before though I seek out interesting remixes of "Levels" and Harvard Bass' remix is interesting to say the least. Barely resembling the original, Harvard Bass turns "Levels" into a smooth soundscape and a transitioning beat . With soft layering he makes this track a must hear.
MASHUPS
To start our mashups off we have BackPack's mashup which features J.Cole and "Levels" in reverse. Next we have Gareth Westmorland's mashup which takes David Guetta and Avicii's "Sunshine" and mixes it with two banging house classics by Herd and Fitz' and Stunt. My personal favourite though, this week, is 3LAU's mashup of Gaga, New Boys and Avicii. When it comes to mashup no one can do it better than 3LAU, his flawless entwining of each track is superb.
OVERALL FAVOURITE REMIX
My overall favourite remix this week coe rom legendary house producer Gregori Klosman. After first hearing his work featured in EARMILK's The Club I knew I loved what I heard. His remix of "Sweet Dreams" is a perfect mix of lively synths combined with the original vocal. Klosman provides an insane builds up which comes slamming down with a snare and a punch. This remix is energetic and filled with dutch synths.
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