The OXD Mirror: New Music for 2.22.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / RU BHATT

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based collective created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world. 

 

Ali Love feat. Kali: 'Emperor (Waze & Odyssey Remix)'

Ali Love is the voice behind Hot Natured's essential tune, 'Benediction'. His latest track, 'Emperor,' which releases April 1st, falls in suit with 'Benediction' with its soulful vocal styling, courtesy of Love, and energetic drum fills. UK-based Waze & Odyssey transform the disco infused original track into a lively house anthem that is sure to be a hit on the dancefloor.

 

Justin Timberlake: 'Suit & Tie (Julio Bashmore Remix)'

  

After producing hit songs for artists like Jessie Ware, British producer Julio Bashmore tackles Justin Timberlake's comeback single 'Suit & Tie' and predictably yields impressive results.  Bashmore chops up Timberlake's original vocals so they match his heavy organ production, and turns the infectious R&B-styled original song into a nu-disco-esque deep house banger that has much more appeal. 

 

€urocrats: 'Follow Me (Eliot Rollerblade Vocal Remix)'

 

€urocrats is a new musical project by two producers that are no strangers to this column: Dimitri From Paris and Aeroplane. While collaborations by hit producers are certainly on trend these days (see Hot Natured, DuTonc, and others), I am especially excited to hear what two of my absolute favorite DJs can come up with. The disco dons' new EP, Unite, has an impressive list of remixes from the likes of Fingerpaint and Busy P but it's Eliot's Rollerblade Vocal Remix of 'Follow Me' that is my favorite. The tropical 80's pop production by Eliot perfectly complements the New Order-ish vocals, creating a catchy track that transports you back in time.

 

Eli Escobar and Nomi Ruiz: 'Somebody to Love Me'

 

Eli Escobar & Nomi Ruiz's cover of Mark Ronson & Boy George's 2010 hit, 'Somebody to Love Me,' finally sees an official release on Escobar's forthcoming EP, Somebody To Love Me/Drifting, which drops on February 26th. Escobar's piano and saxophone laden production emphasizes the house elements of the song while the lyrics take an interesting twist when the openly transgendered Ruiz croons "I want somebody to be nice, see the boy I once was in my eyes." 

CONTINUED, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 2.15.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / JOSH APPELBAUM

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.

 

Mighty Mouse: 'Love Is Gonna Lift You Up (Sunrise Mix)'

We always get excited when one of our favorite producers, Mighty Mouse (who we have featured HEAVILY on Towleroad), drops a new track. It's not like the UK-based DJ and producer has been idle – he recently announced his new musical project, Du Tonc, with Van She's lead singer Matt Van Schie.  That hasn't stopped him from doing what he does best: creating lush electronic dance and disco tracks.  His latest, 'Love Is Gonna Lift You Up,' samples Bobby Womack's 2012 song of the same name and Mighty Mouse has given the track 3 different treatments: a Sunrise, Sunset and Church Mix. All three take the soulful R&B song and turn it into something inspiring. I especially like the Sunrise mix, as it injects nu-disco elements to make this once smooth song even more powerful and uplifting. We're hoping to hear this in person when we Occupy Brooklyn's Cameo Gallery for Mighty Mouse next week; Check out the details on our site.

 

The Carry Nation: 'House Like This'

I am really excited to share this release from NYC-based DJ duo The Carry Nation. Two of New York City's best gay DJs, Nita Aviance and Will Automagic, are the brains behind this outfit. Nita is known for DJing New York Times-profiled party Westgay while Will is resident DJ for Spank! Magazine's Brooklyn loft parties.  Both of these guys are talented in their own right and together are a force to be reckoned with.  'House Like This' is their first release and serves us their dirty underground brand of house music NYC has come to know and love.

 

Golf Clap: 'Another Way (Grant Nelson Remix)'

I stumbled upon this cut from deep house label Freeze Dried Records and I can't get enough of the slick 'evening time over cocktails' feeling this song evokes.  Apparently the Detroit based act Golf Clap is resonating well with others too, as this particular remix by British producer Grant Nelson went to #1 on Traxsource's top download charts this week.

MORE NEW MUSIC, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 2.8.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / TADEU MAGALHÃES

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.

 

Yelle: 'L'Amour Parfait'

Yelle released my favorite album of 2011, Safari Disco Club, which is one of the most fun and sophisticated pop records made in a long time. Just as it took years and a major label investment for widely-celebrated pop artist Robyn to become a hit here in the States, I'm hoping that the same happens with Yelle. This week, the French singer shared her newest track, produced by GrandMarnier and one of OXD's favorites, Aeroplane. It goes in a bit of a darker direction than Safari, and despite my initial resistance, I'm falling in love with it with every listen. The slower beats and heavy bass make for a dirtier sound, which is offset very nicely by her sweet vocals. I'm looking forward to hearing what is coming up for her new album.

 

Little Boots: 'Superstitious Heart'

Another under-the-radar artist that plays to a very gay sensibility is Little Boots. The British electropop singer, born Victoria Christina Hesketh, is a multi-instrumentalist house music lover who is best known for her 2009 hit "New In Town" from her Illuminations EP. Following the quieter releases of 'Shake', 'Headphones' and 'Every Night I Say A Prayer", her new song, 'Superstitious Heart,' is a chill introspective tune that keeps on with the more underground mood of her recent work, indicating a clear shift from her ultra-pop debut album, Hands.

 

Jagwar Ma: 'The Throw'

Aussie duo Jagwar Ma is the latest addition to the Future Classic Records family. Their new single, 'The Throw,' is a lysergic, nearly 7-minute long track that starts off as an innocent indie rock song, only to transform itself into a dancing beast halfway through, incorporating elements from balearic disco into a sophisticated upbeat work.

CONTINUED, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 2.1.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / RU BHATT

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based collective created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world. 

Sky Ferreira - Everything is Embarrassing (Krystal Klear Remix)  

Sky Ferreira is a young American singer, songwriter, model and actress, who grew up in California with family friends like Michael Jackson hanging about during the holidays (how's that for a musical influence?). While we are still waiting for a debut studio album from the 20-year-old, 'Everything is Embarrassing' has been gaining lots of buzz, no doubt partially because of its hot producer, Devonte Hynes (the mastermind behind Solange's 'Losing You'). This brand new remix, by UK-based Krystal Klear gives the original song a nice 90's style house groove, making the song much more dancefloor friendly.

Viceroy - 'Dream of Bombay'

After wowing us with a steady stream of remixes and original songs in 2012, Viceroy ropes in Australian chanteuse Chela for the vocals on 'Dream of Bombay,' his first original release of 2013. The San Francisco-based producer stays true to form as he imbues this track with dripping sunshine and includes electro-pop elements, providing the perfect escape from your winter doldrums.

Hot Natured feat Ali Love - Benediction

Hot Natured released this massive tune in October of last year, but it wasn't until I heard NYC-based production duo Donkey's first mixtape that I finally was able to identify that song that I was hearing everywhere. Producer Jamie Jones teams up with fellow Hot Creations label co-founder Lee Foss (who produced 'Electricity' from my last Mirror) and Luca C to create a dance anthem full of italo synths and classic drums that effortlessly highlight Ali Love's seductive vocals. The song's catchy lyrics celebrate the feeling of domestic bliss we all deserve to cherish.

Charli XCX - You Ha Ha Ha (Goldroom Edit)

Los Angeles-based Goldroom (née Josh Legg) drew inspiration from the lyrics of Charli XCX's latest single to create my favorite type of song: the heartbreak-infused dance anthem. It's obvious why songs like these especially resonate with gay audiences–we've all been there. Goldroom manages to capture that feeling and produces a delicate, beautiful song that is perhaps better off enjoyed alone.

Jessica 6 - In The Heat (EL!OT Remix)

Eliot's epic 80's style treatment of Jessica 6's 'Prisoner of Love' earned it's own spot in my top 10 songs of 2012 so it should come as no surprise that I'm excited to see him tackle another Jessica 6 track, which will be included in the forthcoming remix album See The Light (The Remixes). Eliot continues with the 80's style here a bit albeit with strong tropical influences. While Jessica 6 has yet to announce details about their next album, learning that Eliot has joined the band has me very excited for what lead singer Nomi Ruiz has in store for us.

MORE NEW MUSIC, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 1.25.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / JOSH APPELBAUM

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the gay world.

 

Disclosure: 'White Noise ft. AlunaGeorge'

There's nothing I love more than seeing two buzzworthy up-and-comers team up to put out some great work. Disclosure has been teaming up with talented vocalists like Sam Smith to create sexy, garage house-inspired tracks like their latest hit 'Latch,' which climbed up to #11 on the UK singles charts.  After burgeoning popularity with their original tracks and with remixes for artists like Jessie Ware, they've teamed up with Aluna Francis, lead singer of the hot electronic duo AlunaGeorge,  to create a fun, upbeat dance track that will keep your feet moving.

 

The Embassy: 'Related Artist'

Swedish duo Embassy have a knack for creating breezy indie-pop tracks inspired by the likes of Elvis Costello and Saint Etienne.  Their latest single, 'Related Artist', combines guitars, some bird noises and husky vocals to create an ethereal track that seems well-suited for a roadtrip playlist. 

 

Grizzly Bear: 'Gun Shy (Lindstrøm Remix)'

Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based band, fronted by openly gay lead singer Ed Droste, who is known for their generally mellow and sweet sound and very tender vocals.  The band's most recent release, 2012's Shields, was widely acclaimed by music critics and reached #7 on the US Billboard 200.  'Gun Shy' is a track that does not stray far from Grizzly Bear's very mellow sound - until Norwegian producer Lindstrøm adds his blend of danceable synths and fun beats to the song.  Droste's voice lends itself nicely to this upbeat remix; perhaps some pop-inspired tracks could be a fun side project for the very talented Droste some day!

MORE NEW MUSIC, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 1.18.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / TADEU MAGALHÃES

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.

 

Toro Y Moi: 'Say That'

Though usually associated with the indie "chillwave" movement that has been on trend in the past couple years, Brooklynite Chazwick Bundick, better known as Toro Y Moi, has recently flirted with stronger disco beats, particularly on his EP Freaking Out. With his new album, Anything In Return, which comes out next week, Bundick seems to be inspired once more by disco and house beats, as we can hear on the first single, 'Say That'. The slightly upbeat track has a laid-back feel for most of its duration, but it really comes alive during instrumental breaks with powerful bass lines.

 

Kamp!: 'Melt'

Polish electropop trio known as Kamp! has a new single out and it is flawless. I first encountered them when they released the track 'Cairo' on one of my favorite labels, Portuguese-based Discotexas, and was instantly hooked to their 80's synths and beats. 'Melt', off their self-titled debut album, is a catchy song and will very likely please most of the Cut Copy aficionados out there.

 

Goldroom: 'Sweetness Alive (Bufi Remix)'

Goldroom, hailing from LA, has made quite a name after his massive remix for Niki & The Dove's 'Mother Protect' in 2011. His latest released, called 'Sweetness Alive,' is a rather cute track and, as the title suggests, very sweet, with vocals by Saint Lou Lou. Bufi, a Mexico City-based house music producer, shapes the original work for the dancefloor with added piano melodies and synths that reverb in the best balearic style.

 CONTINUED, AFTER THE JUMP...