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

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.

 

As we recap the year in disco and house music, I now have the chance to share my 10 favorite tracks this year. Make sure to also check Ru's top 10 tracks of 2012 on last week's post.

 

10. Jessie Ware: 'Running (Disclosure Remix)'

I still get the chills every time I listen to this song and will always remember when I heard it for the first time. Gigamesh played it on an early Summer night at Hudson Terrace in NYC and my curiosity was piqued after first listen at the power of this particular track. By that time, Disclosure and Jessie Ware were still unfamiliar to me, but this collaboration sure did the job of hooking me on both for the rest of the year.

 

9. Holy Ghost!: 'It's Not Over (Dimitri From Paris EroDiscoMix)'

Dimitri From Paris' recent "EroDiscoMix" series, in collaboration with DJ Rocca, has been successfully turning original songs into outstanding house anthems and in my opinion is one of the highlights of 2012. Many artists received the EroDiscoMix treatment so far, including The Rapture, Sébastien Tellier, Storm Queen, Midnight Magic and Holy Ghost! Some re-works are so incredibly well mastered that they make the original versions sound like a work in progress – such is the case for Dimitri's work on Holy Ghost!'s 'It's Not Over'. Though I still consider the original track to be a great one, it is nearly impossible not to imagine the EroDiscoMix version kicking in as soon as it starts playing.

 

8. Breakbot: 'Why (feat. Ruckazoid)'

Breakbot's debut album, By Your Side, was one of my favorite releases from this year, with the track 'Why' being my best pick in it. What caught my attention at first listen was how much Breakbot's new tracks resembled Michael Jackson's Off The Wall. The album is nostalgic, yet fresh, contemporary and very accessible. So much that it even "inspired" Bruno Mars to create his latest hit 'Treasure,' apparently after unsuccessful attempts on getting permission to cover Breakbot's 'Baby I'm Yours.'

TRACKS 1-7, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 12.7.12

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.

 

Chromatics: 'Cherry'

I first discovered the Chromatics when I heard their version of Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' and I was instantly in love with their dark disco-infused aesthetic. Following their latest album, Kill For Love, which was released earlier this year, the Portland-based group has contributed a brand new track to the second edition of the After Dark compilation, curated by one of the band members, Johnny Jewel. 'Cherry,' an 80's post-disco song with sweet vocals and beautiful bass, is just tender enough to listen to after a fun night out dancing.

 

Moullinex: 'Fauna'

My obsession with the Munich-based Portuguese producer Moullinex grows with every spin of his new album, Flora. Though it was released only a little over a month ago, Moullinex has announced he has a new EP coming out by the end of this month. Flora Club Versions comes packed with re-works of some of the tracks in the debut LP as well as a brand new song that blew my mind at first listen. This new track, 'Fauna,' carries a complementary theme to his recently released album, and is filled with distorted sounds of all sorts of animals, including birds, monkeys, elephants, and anything else you can think of. As weird as it may sound, it all comes together in a very well done track that surprisingly might become the next big dance floor filler.

 

A.N.D.Y. feat. Nyemiah Supreme: 'Pump It Up'

Belgium is increasingly providing the world with some of the best house music producers. Joining big names like Aeroplane and The Magician, Andy Faisca a.k.a. A.N.D.Y. is another artist to keep an eye on. Apart from having a very popular series of mixtapes, A.N.D.Y. produced a couple of his original tracks and several great remixes. His latest original work, 'Pump It Up,' is a collaboration with R&B vocalist Nyemiah Supreme and does an amazing job capturing the 90's house revival that has been going on recently. The boys of OXD are big fans of the 'golden era' of 90's house music, so we are all hotly anticipating what A.N.D.Y. does next.

CONTINUED, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 11.16.12

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.

 

Surahn: 'Watching The World'

Surahn Sidhu, an artist from Adelaide who has been part of the live band supporting the acclaimed Australian duo Empire of The Sun, is now ready to take off on his own. His first official release is 'Watching The World,' a slow disco track with a uniquely vintage sound to it that captured my attention at first listen. The acoustic instruments are really the star in this work and Surahn's voice accompanies it very smoothly. The track will be part of the Aussie's soon-to-be-released debut EP on DFA Records, home to other groups like LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture, and Holy Ghost!.

 

Chordashian: 'Call Me'

Brooklyn native Felix Feygin and Jersey boy Michael Banks started Chordashian in 2011 and since then have been gracing the world with their beautiful remixes and original productions. The latest, 'Call Me,' is a sweet electro-pop track that will surely be welcomed by a wide range of audiences, not limited to just the disco-savvy set. It is hard not to think of established music acts like Chromeo when listening to this one, with the feel-good, laid-back funky mood it creates.

 

Sohight & Cheevy: 'Travel Anthem (Moullinex Remix)'

The disco and house scene in Russia seems to be blossoming as of late. Following Tesla Boy's international success, St. Petersburg-based Sohight & Cheevy are becoming increasingly popular, especially now that their latest single, 'Travel Anthem,' has been remixed by well-known Munich-based Portuguese producer Moullinex. Moullinex's debut album, by the way, is my latest obsession and I have been giving it at least one full listen every day since its release. Make sure to check it out the OXD website.

MORE TRACKS, AFTER THE JUMP...

 

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 10.26.12

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.

 

Mitzi: 'Who Will Love You Now'

Electro-pop 4-piece collective Mitzi, hailing from Australia, has a sweet new release on Future Classic. Along the lines of fellow Aussies Cut Copy and Van She, Mitzi adds a touch of softness to the electronica influenced 'Who Will Love You Now,' creating a blissful and lighthearted song. I can easily see this becoming the soundtrack for a modern love story.

 

Tempogeist feat. Samuel: 'Hold On (Rogue Vogue Remix)'

Tempogeist has been around for less than a year, comprised of Belgian boys Dries Nijs and Thomas Swerts.  They decided to join forces and create disco-inspired tracks that are heavily influenced by French electronica. Their very first release, Transatlantica, is an EP which includes three original tracks and remixes by Satin Jackets, Rogue Vogue, and a free remix by Monitor 66, all of whom you may be familiar with from reading The OXD Mirror. Canadian producer Rogue Vogue adds his uplifting 90's house touch to 'Hold On,' and creates the highlight track of this release.

 

Bronx: 'Burnin' Up"

19-year-old Francisco Dávalos, known simply as Bronx, has released a new outstanding track this week. Josh showcased his previous single on The OXD Mirror last month, and Bronx's new work clearly keeps up with the good vibes. 'Burnin' Up,' out on Nurvous Records, is a noticeable shift from the magical balearic beats of 'I'll Be Loving You.' The young Mexican producer introduces a faster tempo and a stronger, more elaborate composition that will work very well on the dancefloor.

MORE NEW TRACKS, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 10.5.12

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.

 

Woolfy vs. Projections: 'Running Around Your Love'

LA duo Simon James (Woolfy) and Dan Hastie (Projections) have been making music together since 1999. They have recently released The Return of Love, their second full length album on German label Permanent Vacation, featuring chill soundscapes that range from house to dub and balearic. The entire album is filled with extremely well-composed tracks, and 'Running Around Your Love' stands out right away with its whispered lyrics, and funky bass. Make sure to check out The Return of Love in its entirety, as the track really comes to life when heard in context to the rest of the album.

 

DCUP: 'I'm Corrupt (Viceroy Remix)'

Mostly known for the infamous club track 'We Speak No Americano,' Australian producer DCUP has a new release that sounds much less eager to be a mass dance floor hit — but is no less audacious. The song has been re-interpreted by Viceroy, who injects a "summer-all-year-long" mood into the track. By putting together a piano, a great bass line and vocals by cheerful children and you he invokes a smile from anyone who listens. In this case, it's likely to elicit a few dance moves as well.

 

Jeremy Glenn: 'Partytime (Extended)'

One the most fascinating aspects of disco music is how it is constantly being referenced and re-interpreted, even three decades past its "death." With 'Partytime,' Jeremy Glenn reminds us of the 70's when he borrows Christine Wiltshire's classic vocal performance for Phreek's 'Weekend,' but he also takes us back to the 90's by mixing it all up with some claps and classic house beats. This modern song captures the joyous energy of the 70's, making it apparent why disco provided the soundtrack for gay liberation in the United States at that time.

MORE NEW TRACKS, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 9.14.12

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.

 

Emeron & Fox: 'Nightmares (Monitor 66 Remix)'

Brooklyn synthpop duo Emeron Kale and Fox Barrington craft beautiful, sweet audible landscapes, putting them in the same musical league with big acts such as Postal Service. Though the original version of their track 'Nightmares' is very ambient and chill, Swedish trio Monitor 66 re-shapes it to an upbeat house track that has one wishing it was sunny and breezy all year long. 

 

Kill The Hero feat. MK de Monde: 'Surrender (Shazam Remix)'

'Surrender' is a brand new blissful dance track that comes to us from the land of the rising sun. The Japanese duo known as Kill the Hero is releasing a remix package for this song soon and this version by Shazam is already out and making waves on the music scene.

 

Social Disco Club: 'Just One Touch (feat. Miss Bee)'

Allegedly working on 'Just One Touch' for two years, Porto-based producer Social Disco Club has put together deep house beats, 90's piano melodies and sexy vocals by Miss Bee on this track to create an uplifting mood that is perfectly suitable for a night of dancing.

MORE NEW TRACKS, AFTER THE JUMP...