I finally managed to collect my thoughts and create a top 10 with my favorite remixes of 2008. Looking back, there has been an amazing amount of great remixes in 2008, which resulted in a difficult process of choosing, but here’s the list. I would love to hear from you, whether you agree or disagree, so be sure to give your keyboard a spin.
10. Studio – West Side (Klumpfisk Remix) (New link)
It hasn’t been more than a few days since I blogged about Klumpfisk’s remix, where his Young Folks remix made me label him as a really prominent artist. But the remix that really made me believe in Klumpfisk was his remix of Studio’s West Side. I must admit I haven’t heard the original, but I don’t really want to after hearing this remix. Things just flow so seamlessly with the vocals cut into bits and pieces where the 2nd drop just makes you wonder how this kid got so good.
9. Munk – Down in L.A. (Shazam Remix) (New link)
Shazam has been one of the most prominent artists in the revitalization of the “australian” sound. It was hard to choose between the tracks in his amazing lineup of 2008 remixes, where a lot of them were highlights for me this year. This remix (and the instrumental one for that matter) are the best examples of what Shazam is good at with a perfect match between groove and melody. Oh the sweetness!
8. Kid Cudi – Day ‘n’ Nite (Crookers Remix) (New link)
Not a list like this without a little bit of Crookers. After all they’ve become some of my absolute favorites this year, with a huge catalog of great tracks and remixes. It’s safe to say that this is the most successful of their tracks where Kid Cudi’s neat flow is surrounded perfectly by wobbles and Crookers trademark fidget sound.
7. Friendly Fires – Paris (Feat. Au Revoir Simone)(Aeroplane Remix) (New link)
When I first heard Paris last year, I knew that the track had something special to it. What I didn’t know was that Aeroplane would make this even more addictive when they turned up Au Revoir Simone’s vocals for their highly anticipated remix and made this impossible to get around in 2008. I know that Aeroplane will be releasing some awesome stuff in 2009 so be sure to stay tuned. They will be huge!
6. of Montreal – Id Engager (Mad Decent Remix) (New link)
Ok, Skeletal Lamping was a bit of a disappointment for me… My expectations were huge after Hissing Fauna… where their schizophrenic electropop made my heart a little warmer. But Skeletal Lamping was schizophrenic beyond the point where it was fun. Therefore it was nice to hear Mad Decent reworking them, making them stick to a single groove with an amazing mount of omph.
5. Lykke Li – Breaking It Up (Punks Jump Up Remix) (New link)
Lykke Li is queen of 2008, enough said. Breaking It Up was a damn fine popsong before it was remixed, but Punks Jump Up’s remix just made it an absolutely stunning track that truly captures what feel good songs should be.
4. MSTRKRFT – Bounce (Tommie Sunshine’s Class of ‘89 Remix) (New link)
My favorite remix of MSTRKRFT’s Bounce was an unlikely but addictive one. Tommie Sunshine removed all the larger than life glory about MSTRKRFT’s bold statement when the repetitive synths were his weapons of choice along with some sirens of course. It’s not a banger by any means, it doesn’t really fall inside what I would call a feel good track, but I keep on returning to this track for a shot of Tommie Sunshine’s glory.
3. Kid Sister – Pro Nails (Rusko Remix) (New link)
If you haven’t heard me rave about dubstep yet, use the search function above immediately. While the digital side of the genre has been relatively modest, some gems made their way onto my computer this year. Most prominent was this semi cross-over remix where Rusko made Kid Sister meaner and heavier with some serious bass. I have been dancing in many ridiculous ways to this track this year, but I gave up counting them a long time ago.
2. Chromeo – Fancy Footwork (Russ Chimes Remix) (New link)
My ravings about Shazam above could easily fit this track too. Fancy Footwork suddenly felt very different from the original after this remix that doesn’t really have anything fancy to it. That isn’t negative in any way though! The track is turned inside out and even feels vulnerable in some places, but the two drops in this track are just perfect.
1. DJ Mehdi – Pocket Piano (Joakim “Berger” Remix) (New link)
I could go on and on about this track. This track has everything and you don’t even get to feel tired, even though this almost hits the 10-minute mark. The best things from Mehdi’s Ed Rec 3 highlight are turned up and sampled with Joakims classic sense of quality with a remix that’s remarkably simple and incredibly effective. I actually didn’t discover this until recently but I’ve been playing this almost constantly ever since.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
You should listen to the Studio original os West Side if you like nu-disco/balearic because their stuff is quite wonderful.
That was a pleasant surprise! really neat disco feel and a cool vibe to it, I must get my hands on some of their stuff
Sick Tracks! Check the fresh Crookers artwork @ rudecanvas.com
Saftey
hey i just made a mix the id engager song, it’s on my music page http://www.myspace.com/iScreamSocialll The mix i made is called “The Jiggle on Repeat”. If you like it and want the MP3 and info about it to post on your blog let me know! (my e-mail iScreamSocialll@gmail.com ) you can also check out my other stuff on the myspace link too, thanks.