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 1.11.13

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. 

 

Lee Foss & MK feat. Anabel Englund - 'Electricity'

Lee Foss cut his teeth on the competitive DJ scene in Chicago, Foss' birthplace (as well as the birthplace of house music itself), before shifting to Los Angeles to focus on music exclusively. Foss has teamed up with Mark "MK" Kinchen to create this musically restrained house track which features Anabel Englund's sultry vocals. If you're in New York, Lee Foss will be spinning at Highline Ballroom on 1/18, details can be found here.

 

Duke Dumont - 'Need U (100%) [ft. A.M.E.]'

 

Before 2012's smash hit, 'The Giver', Duke Dumont's name was virtually unknown to the masses. DJ's and producers, however, knew to turn to him whenever they needed a floor-filler to please the crowd. Of course, now Dumont's popularity could have become his downfall as the expecations are set very high for his follow up, 'Need U (100%).' Thankfully Dumont does not disappoint. He manages to deliver a classic 90's house sound that is furthered with sexy vocals by the 17 year-old UK starlet, A*M*E. Although this track won't officially be released until March 2013, I have no doubt you'll hear the addictive song on the dance floor soon given Dumont's track record.

 

Monarchy - 'Distintegration - feat. Dita Von Teese (Mighty Mouse Remix)'

 

UK-Based Monarchy will always hold a soft spot in our hearts as OXD was founded on the night of their 2011 concert at NYC's Highline Ballroom. 'Disintegration' is the first release off their yet-to-be-titled second album, and it includes guest vocals by Monarchy superfan, Dita Von Teese. Von Teese heard the band at Coachella and used Twitter to get in contact with them, resulting in not only this collaboration but a great friendship as well. UK-based Mighty Mouse's signature Nu-Disco, dance-floor-friendly remix gives us a preview of what's in store from the band and we can't be more excited to hear what's next!

 

the xx - 'Chained (John Talabot & Pional 'Blinded' Remix)'

 

Spaniards John Talabot and Pional have combined their mastery of Balearic beats and house music to create this pulsing remix to the xx's 'Chained.' The duo has borrowed the iconic synth loop from The Streets' 'Blinded By The Light' (hence the remix's name) creating an eight-and-a-half minute druggy (another Streets reference), deep house treatment that emphasizes the lament of a couple's distance from each other.

 

Jessie Ware - 'No To Love (George FitzGerald Mix)' 

 

UK-based producer George FitzGerald is celebrated for his awareness of light and space in his productions, as evidenced by the sparkly introduction to this phenomenal remix to the fifth (!) single off of Jessie Ware's hit album, Devotion, which finally sees its US release next week. FitzGerald removes the rap-speak and R&B elements from the original song, creating a bass-line heavy escalating house track that showcases Ware's vocal cries.

CONTINUED, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: Ru's Top 10 Songs of 2012

 

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. 

As this is my last post of 2012, I want to showcase my top 10 favorite songs, including both remixes and original tracks.  In addition to providing streaming links you can also download them as part of my Ru-Mix 2012 podcast, available here.

 

10. Disclosure - Latch (feat Sam Smith)

While Disclosure's remix of Jessie Ware's 'Running' initially caught my ear, this band of brothers truly impressed me with their original song, 'Latch.' The UK-based duo latches on to you using newcomer Sam Smith's full-bodied R&B vocals and skipping electronic beats to tell the tale of deliriously falling in love.

 

9. Van She - Jamaica (Plastic Plates Remix)

The steel drums and enchanting falsettos of Van She's 'Jamaica' are supplemented by Plastic Plates' signature squeaky beat, bringing the loungey original song straight to the dancefloor and making it my personal 'song of the summer.'

 

8. Jessica 6 - 'Prisoner of Love (EL!OT's 1987 Mix)

With this remix, EL!0T has crafted an effusive "totally 80's" production that perfectly complements the rich vocals provided by former Hercules & Love Affair collaborators Nomi Ruiz & Antony Hegarty. It's no surprise that Nomi prefers this remix to the original and actually performs this version when on tour. 

CHECK OUT TRACKS 7-1  AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 11.30.12

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. 

 

Charli XCX - 'Spoons (Extended Edit ft. Rudimental & MNEK)'

Charlotte Aitichison, better known by her stage name: Charli XCX, is a London-based songstress that has been making waves on the pop music scene since the release of her debut You're the One earlier this summer. In addition to her EP, she's released a few mixtapes via Soundcloud such as Heartbreaks and Earthquakes, which includes Charli's covers of some of her favorite artists such as Blood Orange, Blood Diamonds and Drake. With 'Spoons,' Charli gives us her version of the Rudimental track of the same name creating a deep house mix that maintains Rudimental and MNEK's verses and adds Charli's effusive vocals on top.

 

 

How To Dress Well - '& It Was U (Pional Re-work)'

Towleroad commenter and OXD fan, "Kirkyo," was the first person to bring singer-songwriter How to Dress Well (the stage name of Colorado-born Tom Krell) to my attention via Krell's haunting cover of Janet Jackson's 'Again.' Krell's sophomore album, Total Loss, includes the single '& It Was U,' a sultry R&B track that highlights Krell's beautiful falsetto. The Spanish producers known as Pional have already created a name for themselves with their remixes of Lemonade and The Rapture. With this re-work, the team has jumped on the altered-pitch bandwagon by lowering Krell's vocals and added a pulsing disco rhythm to the already sexy tune, creating a sensual, soothing track.

 

 

Solange - 'Lovers In The Parking Lot'

Solange released her latest EP, True, earlier this week to rave reviews around the music world. While the whole EP (produced by collaborator Blood Orange, née Devonté Hynes) is absolutely fantastic, 'Lovers In the Parking Lot' is a standout R&B track that tells the tale of a lover deciding to end her relationship because she's too young to be rooted down (the song is partly autobiographical, as Solange drew inspiration from her failed relationship with her son's father, NFL player Daniel Smith). With this EP, Solange has stated she wants to echo the genius of über-producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (the duo behind most of Janet Jackson's hits) which is evident by this song's familiar, nostalgia-inducing chorus.

 

MORE TRACKS AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 11.9.12

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. 

Edwin Van Cleef: 'Nala (Summer Best Pals Remix)'

Britain-based Edwin Van Cleef has put together a house tune that is completely mesmerizing in its lush production. Every time i hear this song I literally stop what I'm doing and imagine frolicking in the sun with my friends. Of course, it's my understanding that 'Nala' refers to the Lion King character, and imagine the Summer Best Pals moniker is a nod to Nala and Simba's carefree existence (at least before the wildebeest stampede). Regardless of whether or not you share my theory, this song certainly shows off the fact that lyrics are not necessary to captivate an audience.

 

Kim Ann Foxman: 'Return It (Populette Mix)'

Though Tadeu posted a Kim Ann Foxman track a few weeks ago, I am far too obsessed with this song to not include it in this week's column. The NYC-based producer and DJ's original version demonstrates her expertise over house music (check it out the fantastic video on OXD), and Brookyln-based Populette's haunting remix takes that sound even deeper into the nightclub. The duo, comprised of Max Pask and Andrew 'Wiz' Potter, have stripped down the original in their signature fashion, adding in an almost spooky sound, creating a song that showcases Foxman's suprisingly strong vocal presence as she tells a tale of unrequited love.

 

AlunaGeorge: 'Your Drums, Your Love (Duke Dumont Remix)'

AlunaGeorge is a London-based musical project, comprised of singer Aluna Francis and producer George Reid, that "isn't afraid to do something a bit weird" (by which they're referring to work by The Neptunes and Timbaland). The pair may be heavily influenced by 90's R&B, but leave it to breakout sensation Duke Dumont to turn the original song into an insatiable house anthem. Hot off the heels of 'Giver' (the go-to floor-filling jam by the likes of Aeroplane and The Magician), the UK producer has created yet another house gem that is certain to create quite the sweat-induced sheen on the dancefloor.

MORE TRACKS AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 10.19.12

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 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. 

Holy Ghost - 'It Gets Dark'

Holy Ghost! is a band and DJ duo comprised of New York-based childhood friends Nick Millhiser and Alex Frankel. They made a huge impact on the nu-disco scene with their singles 'It's Not Over,' ‘Wait and See,’ and ‘I Will Come Back’ in addition to massive remixes for Mark Ronson’s ‘Somebody to Love Me‘ and Monarchy’s ‘Love Get Out of My Way.’ After waiting over a year and a half, we finally have new original music from the duo with ‘It Gets Dark.’ The song features sinister synths and a thumping beat that quickly progress into the wonderful sparkly disco sound that granted the band with critical acclaim on their self-titled LP. While it’s unclear whether the song will be included on Holy Ghost!’s yet-to-be-announced sophomore release, this spooky disco tune serves to remind us that the 'Ghost!' of disco’s past is here to stay.

 

Mike and Cody - 'Monster Soul'

Mike and Cody experiment with brilliant lyrics, droning synths, and funky falsettos on this track to create a harmonic musicality self-described as a mixture of Foster the People, MGMT and Michael Jackson. While that combination may sound a bit aspirational to the casual listener, the D.C.-based duo have managed to successfully meld those elements and deliver a catchy, haunting pop gem.

MORE TRACKS AFTER THE JUMP...