THE BEST MUSIC: NEW & OLD
There is some good music out there in the world. There really is. Hopefully I’ve helped you find some of it. Some of it is moody, some dramatic, some calming, some mysterious, some angry, some sad, some happy. And then there’s some that is really fucking happy. This track falls into that final category. I defy anyone to listen to this track and not break into a grin.
So today I have something really special for you. Beyond the Wizard’s Sleeve (Erol Alkan and Richard Norris) give US rock band Interpol the remix treatment. And boy they flip it into something fucking tasty.
The angst of the original vocals remains. But where there were minor sliding guitars, they overlay the most brutal of synths. One of my favourite synth loops of all time. Hit it.
Bonus track: hey, in case you are interested. Interpol aren’t even very good. And Beyond the Wizard’s Sleeve are pretty hit-and-miss, so don’t bother looking around too much. Apart from this one. Cool and spooky in equal measure.
Youandewan (Ewan Smith to his mum & dad) creates beautiful, intimate, introspective, wandering gems of tracks. They make me think of watching the world and its lights go by through a rain-soaked window on the top deck of a bus. Anjou was his first hit, and even though it was released almost a decade ago, it sounds as fresh as if it was yesterday. And if anything 1988 is an even purer treasure of a track.
If you are liking what you hear then check out his debut full-length album from 2016. You can hear how his style has changed over the 8 year gap between the records, a time that also coincided with a move to Berlin. Two stand-out tracks here: 10405 (Alice) and the closing track, 4D Anxiety.
Yo! Some feel good electro from the vaults. Get up and ‘ave it.
Last week I posted The Magician Remix of I Follow Rivers. For me, there’s one other track that hits that upbeat electronica vibe so perfectly, and it’s this. Again it is the vocals of a Swedish producer being lifted by feel-good keys. Ah, 2011.
Sing it with me: “Oh my heart is like an eagle, I love to fall from the sky / It’s so beautiful, I see right through the water’s edge / And I love your hands, I let them lead me into the cage / So tender, but your body was warm, so frail / But your eyes like mine / The colour of ice”
Here in Harry’s head we’re building up to the weekend. Three bona fide pure gold bangers from electro royalty coming right up. Also, it says something about how deep the discography is for these guys that none of these tracks appears in their top 10. You can go for hours on the Chem Bros.
First up Swoon. Never have sirens sounded so bloody good. And just you wait until you get to 2 minutes in. Phwoar.
To follow, a touch of Saturate.
And finally, the Shinichi Osawa remix of Star Guitar. Enjoy responsibly.
I don’t know how The Juan Maclean have passed me by. They were brought to me hard on Saturday by Sean Johnston & Andrew Weatherall (together, A Love From Outer Space – more on that later) and since then I’ve been hooked.
The Juan Maclean (by the way, he is actually called John Maclean, which I like) is a Brooklyn-based producer and DJ, and he’s good. Add the super-cool Nancy Whang’s vocals (of LCD Soundsystem fame) and you are onto a 12 minute clubby electro winner. If you like it, check out the album The Future Will Come for more of the same. And if you are lucky enough to live in Brooklyn, go see them live.
So, Saturday. It’s 4am, the music is loud, the energy is flying and this comes on. For those of a darker persuasion. (Not too proud to admit this one is courtesy of Shazam).
Hello and welcome to a super-special post. The 101st HME post. Yeah it’s traditional to celebrate 100s, but I missed it, so here we are. #101isthenew100
Today we are going back to 2011 and this glowing, endorphin bubbling re-edit by The Magician. Golden piano chords and Lykke’s longing, devoted vocals are a golden combo. Smile.
There’s a lot being said about the UK’s drag scene these days and a lot of it seems to be coming back to the opinions of RuPaul. I don’t know if I’m super late to this or what – I thought that RuPaul was a scenester / TV personality – it seems he is a lot more than that. Exhibit #1 this track from 1993. It’s a camp, glittery, disco anthem.
Wondering which dance move to trot out? Check out this video from Peach’s Boiler Room Manchester set. She’s launched all the levels. Skip to 0:45 for a some tip-top vogue-ing action.
It’s 2012. To make a successful dance track:
It might be a formula, but the man from Bern Cyril Hahn kind of nails it with this Destiny’s Child remix. Simple, but deep and effective – I can’t help but love this one.
HARRY'S MUSICAL EMPORIUM 