Round Up 2009 : Mixed Bag

The term 'Mixed Bag' can be represented by a bag of lollies. Inside the bag of lollies are chocolate, jersey caramels, and fruit chews, but with them lie liquorice, industrial strength popping candy, as well as the occasional sweet proudly claiming that it has 'no poison'. All in all, the good and the bad are in the same bag.

Fred Falke : In a time where peaceful, dream-like synths are gaining in popularity, you would think that one of the behemoths of the genre would stick to it. Apparently not. Even though I applaud him for having, what we Australians call, the balls to change, I'm not too sure about his new sound. But Mr. Falke is wise enough to keep enough of his sunshine synth in his productions to keep people hooked, and by changing his sound he's opening himself up to new fans and horizons, so I guess you can say Mr. Falke is one smart cookie.
2010? : As long as he retains enough of his signature sunshine, 2010 should be a healthy year for Mr. Falke.

Burns - First Move (Fred Falke Remix)

The Twelves : I don't know if it's just me, but a lot of the stuff from The Twelves just sounds stale and unappealing to me now. On the other hand, sometimes it's absolutely brilliant, oozing funk and glitter. Even so, I shouldn't have to force myself to listen to the majority of their remixes.
2010? : Should be a stellar year for The Twelves, considering the amount of blog love they get. Although they haven't been churning out as many remixes lately, but this probably means an album is in the works.

Terry Poison - Comme Ci Comme Ca (The Twelves Remix)

The Bloody Beetroots : The Bloody Beetroots have had a very successful year. Warp was an incredibly popular track, as was their album (it was advertised here in Australia on posters, which is uncommon). Problem is, a lot of Romborama is crud, as are the remixes that were aimed at capturing a wider audience. However, The Bloody Beetroots still manage to occasionally put out gems that hit us hard or make us cry (not really), and remind us just why we fell in love with them in the first place.
2010? : Although it probably won't be as successful as 2009, 2010 should treat The Bloody Beetroots quite well, especially if they can afford to set Pioneer CDJ1000s on fire.

Proxy - Who Are You? (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)

Boys Noize : I have to be honest - I didn't like Power. Everything else that Boys Noize released this year was right on the ball, but Power just didn't do it for me. I found the whole album incredibly repetitive, and not catchy at all, which is a shame, as an album based on the Starter EP would have met all my expectations and more.
2010? : Seeing as he released an EP and an album this year, I think it's safe to say we can expect a rest from Boys Noize, or at least some more of his spiffy remixes and edits.

Chromeo - Night By Night (Siriusmo Remix) (Boys Noize Edit)

2010 will be a great year. I can feel it. Can you?

Round Up 2009 : Up & Coming

Expect a pearler of a 2010 for these guys, they deserve it.

Justin Faust : Everybody should dig Justin Faust. He has an enviable consistency, one that many artists struggle to achieve, as well as an almost perfect mix of dreaminess and the ability to make you tap your feet.

Bestrack - With You (Justin Faust Remix)

Crystal Fighters : I Love London should just be a starting point for these guys. They have that hectic, youthful sound down, as well as Spanish accents. Oh, and Spanish guitar. How can 2010 not be their year?

Pony Pony Run Run - Hey You (Crystal Fighters Remix)

Two Door Cinema Club : Two Door Cinema Club have that peppy, upbeat sound that is just so easy to love. Reminiscent of Mystery Jets, these kids know how to make a song that make you smile.

Two Door Cinema Club - Undercover Martyn

Marina & The Diamonds : The way for electro-pop darlings have been paved by acts such as Little Boots and La Roux, so expect Marina & The Diamonds to come storming in next year, with her catchy vocals and quirky sound effects aplenty.

Marina & The Diamonds - Hollywood (Fenech-Soler Remix)

Mille : We might have someone here who can throw Danger off his throne, provided Danger doesn't pick up his game in 2010. That alone says a lot, as Danger is miles (I was tempted to use 'Milles') in front of other artists who have a similar style of music. But then again, even if Danger does kick in 2010 and keeps his throne, what's to say Mille won't share it with him?

Edwin Van Cleef - Overtaken (Mille Remix)

Proxy : Album coming out early 2010? Noice. The album will almost certainly cement Proxy's place as our favourite Russian avant-garde dance floor destroyer, as well as spreading his name to those who are less well informed.

Tiga - What You Need (Proxy Remix)

Mustard Pimp : Often referred to as "like The Bloody Beetroots, but better", I don't think that really does them Justice (spot the pun). They're maximal, but not too maximal, and that's how we love it here. Their recent signing to Dim Mak has almost guaranteed that a Mustard Pimp Warp equivalent will be made. Not that that's a bad thing.

Steed Lord - Take My Hand (Mustard Pimp Remix)

Iron Curtain

Back to regular blogging? Perhaps not. But I will endeavour to post as regularly as possible.

Russia has seen an emergence of new talent in the Electro scene, mainly, Proxy. Proxy is renowned for his pounding, droning, and somewhat violent music, as well as his ability to experiment with new sounds and mix it in with his music almost seamlessly. Who Are You?, a track off his newest EP, is a prime example of this skill. The voice in the song is sampled off, wait for it, an anime called Black Lagoon. Cool.

Enjoy the Proxy, in all of his dancefloor obliterating glory.

Proxy - Who Are You?
Peaches - I Feel Cream (Proxy Remix)
The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die (Proxy Remix)

Polymorphic, a stablemate of Proxy, crafts music which is just as brutal and unrestrained. Also hailing from Russia, he just released his Rock On EP, which, as expected, hurts the ears.

Polymorphic - Rock On
Polymorphic - Scream

I think I need to lie down now.

A Game Of Chess

"A game of chess... is like a swordfight... you must think first, before you move."

I think that picture sums up Proxy pretty well. A unique and thought invoking, yet blunt and somewhat traumatising look at what is now an established yet complex form of art.

Pretty nifty picture too.

Anyway, let's look into the brilliant and haunting mind of Russian producer Proxy, with his more recent work. 'Think First', which samples the 1979 Kung Fu film, 'The Mystery Of Chessboxing'. Brilliant stuff.

Meanwhile, '8000' and 'Indian Film' seem to have switched names. 'Indian Film' sounds like it's from the year 8000, while '8000' sounds like it's pulled from the newest Terminator movie, which was outsourced to India to save money.

'Who Are You? (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)' is, quite frankly, just noise. But damn good noise at that. I like it. Very Much.

Proxy - Think First
Proxy - 8000
Proxy - Indian Film
Proxy - Who Are You? (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)

In Soviet Russia, you make the beats dance.

Give Me The Proxy

Dark, heavy bass that slams you to the floor and beats you if you try to get up. Here's one of his more recent remixes.

Tiga - What You Need (Proxy Remix)

An old favourite of mine.

Digitalism - Homezone (Proxy Remix)

It's Just A Decoy, Boy

Piano melody? Some Russian dude shouting "One Time (?)". Bass growling in the background. Suspense. Suspense let loose. Heavy, ground-up bass. Indie kids, stay clear. This one's a banger.

Proxy - Decoy