All posts by jason

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March 5-Star Song Fridays

One of my favorite new Friday rituals is that when I get off work (usually a little early since it’s Friday), I put on my “5 Star” playlist (i.e. a playlist of all my favorite songs — the playlist itself has 864 songs while my entire iTunes library has a little over 65,000 songs: so these are the top songs) and then I narrow that down even more by listening to my favorites of my favorites — essentially “6 Star” songs. It’s a nice way to end the week and feels a bit nostalgic (I’ve noticed that most of the 5-star songs are over 5 years old). I was telling one of my friends about this and got the idea to post some of the songs I’ve listened to lately. Not sure if I’ll do this regularly or what. Check em out!

March 11

Artist Song Name Remixer
Elvis Presley Suspicious Minds
Annie Heartbeat Röyksopp’s Mindre Tilgjengelige remix
The Smashing Pumpkins Thru The Eyes Of Ruby
Sonic Youth Teen Age Riot
Junior Boys The Equalizer Morgan Geist Graphic Mix

March 18

Artist Song Name Remixer
Madonna Hung Up
Étienne De Crécy Am I Wrong
Kanye West Homecoming (feat. Chris Martin)
Nine Inch Nails Ruiner
M83 Don’t Save Us From The Flames Superpitcher Remix
Cassius Foxxy Cassius remix
Pearl Jam Yellow Ledbetter
Nine Inch Nails The Hand That Feeds DFA Mix

March 25

Artist Song Name Remixer
Lush When I Die
GusGus Your Moves Are Mine
David Guetta Memories (feat. Kid Cudi)
Underworld Rez
Muse Knights of Cydonia Ocelot remix
The Wolfgang Press Going South
Róisín Murphy Overpowered radio edit
Metronomy Not Made for Love Joakim remix
Foo Fighters Everlong
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Gold Lion Diplo’s Optimo remix

April 1

Artist Song Name Remixer
Paul Van Dyk Nothing But You PVD Radio Mix
Underworld Push Upstairs
Morcheeba God Bless And Goodnight
Depeche Mode Enjoy the Silence
Röyksopp Someone Like Me
Tiga Move My Body Boys Noize remix
Kelis Bossy Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Earth Out remix
The Breeders Doe
50 Cent Ayo Technology (feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland)
Paul Revere and The Raiders Kicks
MGMT Kids
Missy Elliott Play That Beat
Helium All The X’s Have Wings

February 2016 Chart

Seattle

Artist Song Name Remixer
Lana del Rey Video Games Copycat Night Drive Version
How come I didn’t know about this remix earlier?? Copycat is one of my favorites (and has made numerous appearances on charts past). This remix adds a dark disco-y feel to the haunting original.
Beyoncé Formation video edit
How could I not include it? This song is amazing on so many levels.
The 1975 The Sound
I’ll admit the album version isn’t as good as their performance on Saturday Night Live but it’s still catchy as hell.
99 Souls The Girl Is Mine (feat. Destiny’s Child & Brandy)
I haven’t been a huge fan of mash-ups for quite a while but this is a nice one. Feels like an entirely new song that heavily samples others.
Tiga Planet E Dense & Pika Remix
THEY. Motley Crue Gener8ion Remix
Riton Rinse & Repeat Brodinski & Myd Remix
Loredana Bertè Ti Piacerebbe Bottin Rework
Leonardo Gonnelli Stay (feat. Forrest)
I haven’t been able to track down the lyrics yet, but it’s something like, “Stay with me. I’m never going to leave. Can’t you see it’s something that I’ll never be. I’m never going to ask you anything. What you feel is just something I’m never going to feel” and I find it so powerful and amazing.
Daco Meine Killer Live Mix
That German deadpan or whatever that I love so much…
Jaytor The Love Track David Garcet Remix
Rome Fortune Dance Fred Falke Remix
Mr. Fingers Qwazars
James Rod Journey To Jupiter AIMES Remix
I only wish a journey to Jupiter would sound this fun.
Eagles & Butterflies We Get High Eagles & Butterflies Remix
A long dark high, then.

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January 2016 Chart

slate

Artist Song Name Remixer
Florence + the Machine Queen Of Peace Hot Chip Remix
LA Priest Mountain Jam City Remix
Gladiator Fairfax
AIMES Marvin Gardens
The Shoes Us & I (feat. Esser)
J. Cole No Role Modelz
“Fool me — you can’t get fooled again” (yes, this song samples George W. Bush)
Kanye West No More Parties in LA (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
Sia Move Your Body
If this song gets remixed expect to see it show up again.
Bloc Party The Love Within
Wow! It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a Bloc Party song this much. Different energy than their earlier more angsty stuff.
The Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra Step Into My Life M&M Mix by John Morales
Lord Huron The World Ender
Reminds me of Timbre Timbre — especially the Timbre Timbre song “Broken Arrow” (and I mean that in a really good way).
Vince Staples Lemme Know (Feat. Jhené Aiko & DJ Dahi)

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December 2015 Chart

Flip Phone

Artist Song Name Remixer
Jack Ü To Ü Clean Bandit Remix
This month’s c89.5 contribution.
Diplo & Sleepy Tom Be Right There MK Remix
Tiefschwarz Free Falling Skream remix
It was really tough to choose between the Skream remix and the Acid Pauli Clouddiver remix. Great song and great remixes.
SHARER Into This Love
Olivia Newton-John Magic
Alessia Cara Here
Red Axes Sabor Isolée Remix
JR JR Gone Tensnake Remix
KDA Rumble Shadow Child Re-Edit
Jlin Guantanamo
Lianne La Havas Tokyo
Grimes KIll V. Maim

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November 2015 Chart

Bitter Lake

Artist Song Name Remixer
Dinosaur L Go Bang François Kevorkian mix
Louisahhh!!! Change
Miike Snow Heart Is Full
I’ve been a longtime Miike Snow fan and really love them branching out into sampling. This song samples a bit of “Waiting for Charlie to Come Home” by Marlena Shaw and it’s wonderful.
Roman Flügel Picnic For Players
Sam Tiba U Just Have to Be U
Adele I Miss You
Obligatory Adele track. This one was done with Paul Epworth who previously did “Rollin’ in the Deep” with her. Unfortunately this song isn’t as good, though it’s easily my favorite off her new album.
Julio Bashmore Holding On
Unique 3 The Theme Unique mix
I knew this track from The Chemical Brother’s early mix/compilation Brothers Gonna Work It Out. I was recently looking for the songs on that mix and came across this one.
Tiga Don’t Break My Heart
Terranova Skin & Bones Karl Friedrich Mix
Special Request Damage
Art Department The Agent Mathew Jonson remix
Missy Elliott WTF (Where They From) (feat. Pharrell Williams)
Too many great things to say about this song and the video. Missy is back!!
Big Sean Play No Games (feat. Chris Brown & Ty Dolla $ign)
Yes it annoys me how often Chris Brown appears on this list. But I love this song — especially his vocals. And the music video is great, too.

It seems that SoundCloud has disabled embedding new playlists or something, so here is a link to my November 2015 chart on SoundCloud.

Fall 2015 TV Review

static
In case you all were wondering, here are some brief thoughts on the fall 2015 television season.

Favorite Shows

American Horror Story: Hotel – Even though I don’t know what is going on half the time I love the visuals and especially the music
The Leftovers – The opening scene of the second season was so surreal I’ve gone back to watch it a couple times now. Somehow this show feels perfect and magical. I enjoyed season 1 but I’m loving season 2.
PS: These two shows also have the best songs in them…

Favorite New Shows

Scream Queens – I’ve loved every Ryan Murphy show and this one is no different. Thankfully I went into it with enough American Horror Story experience so I knew not to worry about a coherent plot or anything like that.
Quantico – It’s cheesy but I dig it.

Shows I Dumped

The Blacklist – I didn’t understand or care what was happening and lost interest. I figure if after the show ends people say it was great I can go back and watch.

Shows I’m Wayyyyyy Far Behind On

e.g. shows that I figure I’ll watch eventually but let them build up on my Tivo

  • The Walking Dead – I started watching the season but it didn’t grab me and I’ve been bored with it the past few seasons.
  • Gotham – I watched the first two…
  • Fargo – I blame this on the episodes sometimes being so long. Plus I binged season 1 and I think that may be the best way to watch the show.
  • The Affair – Ditto. Binged this last year and even though I love it I figure it’s a good binge-able show.
  • Heroes Reborn – I got through the first 3 episodes and it didn’t grab me. I figure I’ll wait until it’s done and watch a couple episodes at a time.

Superhero Round-Up

Arrow and Flash – Love em! Some of my favorite shows to watch every week.
Heroes Reborn – See above. I’m behind on this one…
Supergirl – Somehow I remember the “leaked” pilot to be not as good as the one that aired? But I think I’m wrong. I’m enjoying it more than I expected.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Unfortunately sort of “bleh” for me. I’m not loving the Inhumans stuff. That said, the where was Jemma? episode was absolutely amazing.
Gotham – See above. I want to love this show, I really do…

Best Shows I’m Not Watching

1. You tell me.
2. Anything streaming. I’ll watch those when I have days off later in the winter or something…

October 2015 Chart

lights

Artist Song Name Remixer
Drake Hotline Bling
Hot Chip Huarache Lights Soulwax remix
So nice having Soulwax remixing things again… they make this song so much more dancey
In Flagranti Double Talk Wolfram Remix
Akase Murmur Ewan Pearson Remix
Annie Cara Mia
It’s Annie so of course I like it, but I gotta admit I like her slightly darker stuff better.
Neneh Cherry Everything Loco Dice remix
Lady Gaga I Want Your Love
This is such a great cover. Bonus: Nile Rodgers (who produced the original Chic version) did the song with her!
S-Man & Man Without A Clue Drop the Needle Kevin Knapp remix
Chris Brown Zero
Ahhhhhh why do I love so many Chris Brown songs?!?!
New Order Tutti Frutti Hot Chip Remix
Love what Hot Chip do with this song — they stretch it out even more. And while I love how “Hot Chip-y” most Hot Chip remixes sound, this one feels like a totally natural version of the original — as if it were some alternate take.
The Bryan Ferry Orchestra Don’t Stop the Dance Greg Wilson & Derek Kaye mix
I’ve always dug this song but heard it on American Horror Story: Hotel the other week and was reminded of what a great song it is. I usually try to go for remixes whenever possible and this excellent one by Greg Wilson (who has appeared on a few of my charts) is pretty close to the original but stretches it out a bit.

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September 2015 Chart

martian

I dunno about you, but I like the charts where I have tons of songs and I don’t want to edit it down much more than charts where I only have a few songs and with the exception of like 1 of them, it was tough to come up with.

Artist Song Name Remixer
Mike Mago & Dragonette Outlines
I’m not sure why it took me so long to find this song but I absolutely love it.
Dave Audé Figure It Out
I recently started getting back into running and this song showed up on my old “Gym Songs” playlist.
Alex Metric Drum Machine (feat. The New Sins)
The vocals on this song sound like Peaches.
Auxiliary tha Masterfader Disco Machine A Copycat Remix
Claptone Dear Life Claptone Night Remix
Dim Zach Primal Unleashed David Garcet Remix
Go Satta Zoo Statickman Remix
Guy Gerber & Miss Kittin Rumors On The Dance Floor, Part 2
Hot Chip Started Right Joe Goddard Disco Remix
…and thus begins finally really digging the latest Hot Chip. It took some time and a few remixes (yesterday another awesome remix dropped that’ll be on next month’s chart I’m sure) but now I’m starting to love it. This seems to be a trend when it comes to Hot Chip.
Phon.o Bodycheck (feat. Born in Flamez)
Tame Impala Let It Happen Soulwax remix
This is awesome and not just because it’s an excuse to put the song on a chart again.
Big Grams Drum Machine
Big Boi (of OutKast) + Phantogram.
Jacques Renault Goodnight Moon 004 (feat. Mark Verbos)
New Order Tutti Frutti (Feat. Elly Jackson)
I’m very much loving the new New Order album, Music Complete. Tons of great tracks but this one always stands out for me (and no, it’s not a cover of the Little Richard classic).
Gallant Weight In Gold
Carly Rae Jepsen Warm Blood
I knew it had great reviews and all, but I definitely enjoyed this album more than I expected.
Crookers Embrace The Martian (Feat. Kid Cudi)
I’ve been thinking a lot about Mars lately. (water and movies)

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August 2015 Chart

Couch

Artist Song Name Remixer
NTEIBINT The Owner Extended Mix
Avicii Waiting for Love
This month’s c89.5 earworm
Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique Love Is Free (feat. Maluca)
Flush Come Back Baby
When I first heard this song I was like, “Whoa! I love this!! Who is this Flush person that created it??” so I go to the SoundCloud page for the song and oh turns out that Flush is the new project/alias of one of my all-time favorite DJs: Aeroplane (who has made a few chart appearances already)
Julio Bashmore Simple Love (feat. J’Danna)
Bicep Just
Duke Dumont Ocean Drive
I got this song stuck in my head for days and then it finally came up during a shuffled playlist and I was like, “Of course! Another great Duke Dumont track!” (he’s also made a few apperances on the chart before — with both original songs and remixes).
Sam Smith Lay Me Down Flume Remix
Bon Voyage Booshie Andy Bell Remix
John Hancock III Left Me
Just Her Silence Pete Oak’s Slowhand Remix
Panthera Krause If Benjamin Fröhlich Basic Refix
Escort Actor Out of Work
33Hz Stephanie All Night
A relatively older song (from 2011) that I re-discovered while listening to a Richard X Pandora station at work.

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July 2015 Chart

A View

Artist Song Name Remixer
The Chainsmokers Let You Go A-Trak Remix
Go Satta Brand New
Kerri Chandler Turn Off The Lights Who’s Afraid Of The Dark
I love how dark and slighty twisted this sounds. Who’s afraid of the dark?
Kölsch DerDieDas
Huxley I Want You Deetron Remix
Mark Ronson I Can’t Lose Duke Dumont Remix
Mark Ronson’s Uptown Special album continues to be amazing. And it’s been a while since I’ve had a Duke Dumont remix. (Last time he remixed Tensnake’s “Love Sumblime” and his take was killer.)
Miguel …Goingtohell
It was tough choosing which song from his new album I should include here. Really love his new album Wildheart. Bonus points: After I picked this song I found out that it was produced by Cashmere Cat!! — a producer I really love (and has appeared on two of my charts).
Tiga Bugatti Cliff Lothar Solid Pleasure Remix
“Bugatti” was definitely a grower for me. When I first heard it I didn’t really like it much. Then I heard this remix the other week and I started loving the song. My favorite part of this remix is the really spaced-out/computered-out background voice that sort of echoes/calls things out.
Jori Hulkkonen Ready Player One
This song is so fucking energetic. And has such an amazing 80s vibe. It’s a shame there isn’t a music video for this (hmmm… maybe I could make one?)
Disclosure Holding On Melé remix
Felix da Housecat Freakz on Time
Hudson Mohawke Brand New World
Louis La Roche Jealousy

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