PARTY TRACKS OF THE WEEK! - Lady Gaga, Azealia Banks, Disclosure

LADY GAGA - APPLAUSE (EMPIRE OF THE SUN REMIX)


Although Empire Of The Sun are cheating somewhat by taking their track "Old Flavours", chucking the "Applause" acapella over the top and calling it a "remix", there's no denying the mash-up is genius. Taking the mood down a notch from the Hi-NRG original, to a more groove-led nu disco mould, the Aussie synthpoppers turns the track from hysterical into hypnotic.

AZEALIA BANKS - COUNT CONTESSA


If Lone was the only producer Azealia Banks ever worked with, I would be happy. Her funky, choppy flow and his joyous Balearic house beats combine to make a truly inspiring sound that works wonders for Banks. If "Liquorice" and "Count Contessa" are anything to go by, Lone and Banks are a match made in heaven, or at the very least on a blissful sun-kissed beach.

DISCLOSURE ft. LONDON GRAMMAR - HELP ME LOSE MY MIND (PAUL WOOLFORD REMIX)


Although the track plays the role of 'album comedown' track on Disclosure's Settle, Paul Woolford's jittery chicago house take on "Help Me Lose My Mind" transforms it into an epic early 90s anthem. London Grammar's Hannah Reid sounds even more glorious on an out-and-out house track, and Woolford's confusing flurry of piano chords and bee-sting bass notes certainly helped me to lose my mind.

Party Tracks Of The Week!

KATY PERRY - ROAR (KENNEDY JONES REMIX)

Although we've been raving about it constantly (and raving to it in general) over the last week or so, this almighty Thor-sized remix absolutely deserves an official mention on this week's Party Tracks playlist. There's not really a worthy description of the drop this remix keeps up its sleeve, but suffice it to say, this razor-sharp progressive house remix is one of the best we've heard all year.

LITTLE NIKKI - LITTLE NIKKI SAYS (JONAS LR REMIX)

As much as we'd like to dismiss Little Nikki as another unnecessary Rihanna clone, her UK grime-flecked pop is just too damn infectious. Jonas LR takes the bounce-tastic "Little Nikki Says" and morphs it into something slightly more feral, with eerie and rave-tastic consequences.

JOSH BUTLER - GOT A FEELING (BONTAN & PLEASUREKRAFT REMIX)

Although this is not GiveHouseAChance, even the poppiest of you will find it hard not to bop along to this recent Radio 1 Dance favourite. Like a sexier, more melodic version of Breach's "Jack".

Party Tracks of the Week! (FREE DOWNLOADS)

MKS - Flatline (MNEK Remix)

#Garage #House

It's a capital letter collaboration, and one that deserves 3 more capital letters - WOW. Bafflingly busy teen prodigy MNEK is known for his soulful 90s touch, and on his remix of MKS's "Flatline" his production is anything but flatlining. The track's pretty melody is placed into a fiery garage party-scape, and out of a humble original song, MNEK manages to cut and paste his way to about 20 more vocal hooks.

lostchild. - Private Party

#House #Garage #FreeDownload

Taking on Baltimore synthpoppers Dungeonesse's "Private Party", London producer lostchild. brings the track forward from big 80s electro to loungey 90s house. Much like the MNEK track above, lostchild flogs the wordy chorus for every potential cut'n'paste hook he can find. You can download it for FREE from the SoundCloud link below.

Mike Mago - The Show

#ChicagoHouse #Funky #DeepHouse

Managing to combine 3 different eras of house music into one seriously addictive track, Mike Mago brings 90s Chicago House piano, and a delicious Funky House vocal sample to a slick Deep House beat and bass. Sometimes you can please everyone all of the time it would seem.

Party Tracks of the Week! (FREE DOWNLOADS)

Etta Bond x Raf Riley - 1 More Time (FREE DOWNLOAD)
#House #Electro

Etta x Raf always manage to put their own spin on a done to death current dance trend, and "1 More Time" totally subverts the art of a deep house anthem. Starting woozily with lazy synths and a simmering kick, Raf drops not one but two swaggering synth basslines as Etta reels off an awkward white girl rap. The EP itself is full of weird and wonderful fucked-up-dance anthems, and as with their previous EP, Emergency Room, it's totally free. DOWNLOAD HERE.



Lakim - Don't Need You (FREE DOWNLOAD)
#ChicagoHouse

Taken from the latest of Fat! Records increasingly quality free mini-compilations, US house DJ Lakim offers a clean slice of Chicago House - the ricocheting chords and hiccuping vocal hook are straight from 1992. In a saturated house scene, it's impressive that a track ticking so many standard boxes still manages to carry some real energy. DOWNLOAD FOR FREE FROM SOUNDCLOUD BELOW.




Wave Racer - Rock U Tonite
#Wonky #Chiptune

Hailing from Australia, Wave Racer's "Rock U Tonite" is a chip-tune flecked wonky tune that could easily be a collboration between the rough jittery beats of Hudson Mohawke and the druggy, euphoric synths of Unicorn Kid. It's joyous, even when sober.

Party Tracks of the Week!

Felon - Isla
#House #Dance

Another underground house gem. Somewhere between the blissful balearica of Tensnake and the sleek deep house of Disclosure, London DJ Felon's magnificent "Isla" lies waiting to be discovered.



Zinc - Only For Tonight (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Remix)
#House #Dance

Since his flawless debut record, TEED has been making a name for himself as not just an incredible songwriter and artist, but as a genius remixer. In contrast to the grimey garage of the original, TEED Takes Zinc's "Only For Tonight" and transports it from an underground club in Peckham to a beach in Ibiza.



San Cisco - Fred Astaire (Joywave Remix)
#Electro #Bass

A completely unexpected take of the chirpy Aussie-indie band's last single. Taking "Fred Astaire" from twee to tremendous, The "Tongues" electropoppers tease us with some bubbly Bondax synths before dropping in an almighty gritbomb bassline drenched in apocalyptic choirs and synths. Outstanding.

Party Tracks of the Week!

Chase & Status - Count On Me (ft. Moko)
#Rave #DnB

Making the transition from Drum & Bass front-runners to 90s rave will be a cop out to some and a clever move to others, but there's no denying that C&S bring the breakbeats and piano hooks just as hard as they brought their sharp D&B beats and roaring basslines, and a gutsy top line by crazy-voiced singer Moko seals the deal.
 

Sub Focus - Turn it Around (ft. Kele)
#Dubstep

Sub Focus' upcoming album Torus is a gift that keeps on giving before it's even been dropped. Final single to drop before the album, "Turn It Around" is, much like the rest of Sub Focus' string of singles over the past year and a half, unconcerned with it's shamelessly melodic and commercial nature. The track follows "Tidal Wave" in structure, beginning as a dreamy dubstep number before exploding into full blown D&B euphoria. Kele's angsty voice is a revelation on the track as well, hopefully opening the door to many more D&B guest spots.

Friend Within - The Renegade
#Garage #House

Updating Wildchild's "Renegade Master" for yet another generation, up and coming garage revivalists Friend Within are fast becoming house music elite in 2013, and this bass heavy interpretation of a classic dancefloor hit is sure to cement this status.

Party Tracks of the Week!

Disclosure - F for You (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Remix)
#House #Rave

Injecting Disclosure's pretty middle-of-the-road new single with a bit of T-E-E-D magic, this mix begins like tubular bells on the dancefloor, twinkling synths abound, before delivering a Fake Blood esque dirty bass drop.



Dr Meaker feat. Romaine Smith - Don't Think It's Love (TS7 Remix)
#House #Garage

Bristolian D&B upstarts Dr Meaker hand their latest apocalyptic breakbeat number over to TS7, who impressively transform it into 90s garage, with its sped up vocal hook providing a real old school high.



A-Minor - Thinking Bout The Things
#House #Rave

London newcomer A-Minor sounds like he's fully prepared to join nu rave elite like Duke Dumont and DEvolution with this debut track, which comes across as a darker, more soulful "Need U 100%" thanks to the husky, seductive vocals of London singer Bow Promise.

Party Tracks of the Week!

Kill Paris - Falling In Love Again (ft. Marty Rod & Alma)
#Electro #Dubstep

Future funk producer Kill Paris goes all gooey-eyed on his latest single "Falling In Love Again", with a lovesick duet no less between two sugary voiced singers. How does it pull it off? With a snarling bassline and earworm synth lead at the incredibly satisfying drop.



Drums of Death - True (ft. Yasmin)
#Garage #House

Token deep house number of the week, "True" ticks all the boxes to please your average house fun, and enough of the extra-curricular atmospheric boxes to please your more picky house fan.



TEED & Eats Everything - Lion, The Lion
#Electro #Garage #House

Two of the UK's more eccentric producers come together to make this somewhat unfriendly but thoroughly hypnotic dance track. A suitable growl of a bassline flattens all in its path, and TEED can be heard in the occasional speck of sunshine in the odd bright conga and shy synth chord.

Party Tracks of the Week! (FREE DOWNLOADS)

Avicii - Wake Me Up (ft. Aloe Blacc)
#EDM #Country

If you were searching for this year's definitive dance anthem, you could do a lot worse than to stop your search here. Dropping the huge slamming chords in favour of happy-go-lucky strumming and deliriously cheery country melodies, "Wake Me Up" is where EDM meets Country, and the risk couldn't have paid off more perfectly.



Blackstreet - No Diggity (Bondax Remix)
#RnB #Bass #FREEDOWNLOAD

After a relatively quiet few months, Bondax have dropped their long awaited "No Diggity" remix, and it's quite possibly their strongest release to date. Their trademark slip and slide mid tempo beats and chiming chords make Blackstreet's sleazy R&B classic sound as if it was released yesterday. DOWNLOAD FOR FREE BELOW!



Lone - Airglow Fires
#Synth #House #Wonky

Lone brings his gorgeous slightly wonky ethereal sound to the house playground, and judging by it's swanky beats and sleek 90s chords, it's an area he was born to play in. Begging for a topline though. Any takers?

Party Tracks of the Week!

Le Youth - C O O L
#House #Funk #Cassie

A deep and seductive house tune based around an iconic R&B hook, taken from Cassie's "Me & You" and morphed into an androgynous and ethereal vocal, this track is Cyril Hahn meets Bondax, and just as "C O O L" and funky as either act.



John Newman - Love Me Again (Kove Remix)
#DrumAndBass #Rave #Soul

As catchy as "Love Me Again" is on it's own, for those who miss John's bluesy voice on a high octane track, Kove gives the singer's debut single a euphoric D&B rework, and true to form, John's voice suits the style so much you could be fooled into believing he'd hooked up with Rudimental again.



DJ Fresh & Diplo feat. Dominique Young Unique - Earthquake (Golden Boy Remix)
#House #90s #HipHop

From one dance trend to another, Golden Boy's early 90s house rave vibe miraculously transforms the trappy hip hop of the original "Earthquake" into something that brings to mind a grainy music video of boys and girls in dark glasses, tie-dye and platform shoes voguing round a psychadelically decorated room.

Party Tracks of the Week!

Context - Small Town Lad Sentiments
#HipHop #House

Like Mike Skinner produced by Disclosure, Context's debut single "Small Town lad Sentiments" accompanies his london-boy bread-line dole-queue rap with a sleek and addictive deep house beat that contrasts his style so much that it couldn't be better suited.

Dorian Concept - Booth Thrust

#Wonky #2Step

Taking a typical Rustie-esque Glasgow sound, and yet hailing from Austria, Dorian Concept's bonkers "Booth Thrust" is short, sweet and confusing but it's jerky, hyperactive beats beg for a dance move to be named after this tune.

Dream McLean - Weatherman (Lynx Remix)

#Garage #2Step #Grime

Yet another huge single from Dream McLean, here getting the "what the fuck is going on!?" treatment from Lynx, with grimey hip hop beats giving way to a filthy beyond filthy drum and bass drop.

Party Tracks of the Week!

M.I.A. - Bring The Noize
#Matangi #Bass #Electro

With artists like Azealia Banks, Natalia Kills and Wynter Gordon all trying their hand at gritty electro recently, M.I.A.'s triumphant return is the only one that is truly fierce, thrilling and with an effortless dancefloor pull that can't be tamed.



Kidnap Kid - So Close feat. Sinead Harnett (Club Mix)
#House #Bass

As beautiful as it is, there was always a dance anthem spirit in the original "So Close" that is finally unleashed with this rework, with a new ricocheting bassline and thicker beat doing wonders for the track's dancefloor appeal.



Sophie - Bipp
#Wonky #Bass #Techno

There was something slightly unhinged and unusual about Sophie's dance anthem "Nothing More To Say", but "Bipp" is full on mental institution. Taking the eerie pop sound of Grimes, giving it some Glasgow Wonky touches a-la TNGHT and then giving it some Robyn euro-80s sheen. And it's bloody addictive.

Party Tracks of the Week! (FREE DOWNLOADS)

Disclosure - You & Me (Baauer Remix)
#Trap #Rave #Garage

Baauer gets a bit more hyperactive on his mix of Disclosure's latest single, with an alarming onward charging stop-start kick and bass lick giving the track a giddy rave vibe, far from the slick garage of the original.



Calvin Harris - I Need Your Love (Louis La Roche Remix)
#Dance #NuDisco #Synth #FREEDOWNLOAD

One of Calvin's weaker collaborations, Louis La Roche brings new life to this by bringing it closer to the Synthswamped territory of featured singer Ellie Goulding. Download it for free from Soundcloud below.



Baauer - Slip
#Twerk #Trap

This tune has been frustratingly circulating for months with no sign of a release date, when it's got one of the most dizzyingly good drops I've heard in this whole crazy instrumental hip hop craze. Treat yourself if you've not heard it yet.

Party Tracks of the Week!

Disclosure - Voices (feat. Sasha Keable)
#House #Garage #Settle

What with Settle delightfully managing the near impossible task of being an almost entirely perfect full-length dance record, highlight "Voices" is yet another luxurious garage house anthem in the vein of "You & Me" and "White Noise", a benchmark in funky basslines and earworm vocal hooks courtesy of the silkily voiced Sasha.



Disclosure - Defeated No More (feat. Ed Macfarlane)
#House #FriendlyFires #Settle

Something else a little experimental but brilliant from the Disclosure boys. Friendly Fires' Ed Macfarlane's performance on the slightly slower and lustrous "Defeated No More" is so distinct that the track feels like a full blown Friendly Fires collaboration. It's warm pulsating pads and tropical, soulful vibe meshes with the dance duo's deep house basslines and crisp beats like a match made in Ibiza heaven. For god's sake people, buy Settle!



Gents & Jawns - Holler
#Moombahton #Electro #Bass

Gent & Jawns are making quite a name for themselves in the tropical moombah/trap/bass scene for their grimy noises and face-scrunching drops, and at the drop of "Holler", the dubsteppy throb that ensues oozes with filth and just the right amount of groove to keep things addictive.



Pomrad - Pomslap
#Wonky #80s #NuFunk

More than just slightly bonkers, Pomrad's take on 80s funk has about 15 different sections, each one even more irresistably funky than the next, with slap basslines thwacking against hyperactive synth lines and stuttering pads.

Party Tracks of the Week! (FREE DOWNLOADS)

The Knocks - Modern Hearts (feat. St Lucia)
#Dance #Euro #Indie

Gloriously uplifting indie dance from these guilty pleasure connoisseurs with the lush St Lucia adding an irresistible 80s new wave vocal.

Laidback Luke - Pogo (feat. Majestic (Congorock Edit)

#Hardstyle #Electro

The craziest mix of a lot of crazy mixes of this crazy hard electro anthem. This mix doesn't so much encourage "jumping on a Pogo" as bash you over the head with said Pogo repeatedly  with each merciless overdriven kick.

L.A. Leakers - Do It (feat. Problem & Jahlil Beats)

#HipHop #Rap #FREEDOWNLOAD

Like a slightly more eager version of "Rack City Bitch", Problem drawls his horny teenager flow over a sickeningly money-hungry beat. Download this one for free on soundcloud below:

Loadstar - Distance (feat. Lloyd Yates)

#DnB #Dubstep #Breakbeat

Taking the gravelly male vocal trend to new heights, the flat-out rabid vocal of Lloyd Yates wrenches every inch of emotion out of this unhinged and apocalyptic Drum & Bass track, a highlight from Loadstar's volcanic and brilliant "Future Perfect" album.

Party Tracks of the Week!

Avec - Disappearer (feat. Jake Shears)
#House #Disco

Two deep house DJs, Doorly & Shadow Child, come together to make something shamelessly camp and insanely addictive. 90s piano house, gibberish vocals and a whole load of glitter.




DJ Fresh vs Diplo - Earthquake (feat. Dominique Young Unique)
#HipHop #Trap

The distinct blitz sirens of "Earthquake" have made the rounds already this year. First heard as the backing track of Angel Haze's middling Azealia Banks diss, then Diplo starts dropping it as an instrumental during sets, and now the track finally officially drops with a more tribal feel, more drums, and the cheeky, energetic DYU providing MC duties without attempting to do battle with the track's unrelenting stomp.




T.E.E.D. - Your Love (Fake Blood Remix)
#House #Rave #Electro

One of the dance anthems of 2012 with a typically weird refix from electrohead Fake Blood. Vocal samples dance drunkenly around, kick drums stumble over each other and a series of filthy basslines battle it out. The track retains it's euphoria, but in an altogether darker, more apocalyptic context.

Party Tracks of the Week! (FREE DOWNLOADS)

Naughty Boy - La La La (feat. Sam Smith) (DEvolution Remix)
#House #Garage

DEvolution turn this slightly mediocre big beat number into something approaching the glory of "Latch". Turning their faders to "Disclosure", the duo bring sharp beats and addictive synths to "La La La" resulting in one of the best house tracks of the year so far.




Artful Dodger - No I Turn You On (feat. Zoe Krypi) (Disclosure Remix)
#House #Garage

Yet another version of this, with Zoe Krypi bringing a female perspective to this remixed classic garage anthem, chucking some irresistible husky vocal hooks over the top, and all of a sudden it's diva friendly.



Sin Diesel - Bum Bum (Jesse Slayter) (FREE DOWNLOAD)
#Moombahton #Trap

I can't keep away. More rabid sirens, but this time over a ridiculously cartoony vocal sample and a jittery moombahton beat. It's free, so go on, indulge in some mindless rave.




Kento - Complicated (Prince Persona Remix)
#Rave #Chiptune #Dance

Looks like it's not just Unicorn Kid holding the 16-bit 90s rave torch. The hyperactive, colourful London producer Prince Persona turns electropop singer Kento's latest single into a garish 6 minutes of speedy distorted beats and bright neon synths, for widened pupils everywhere.

Party Tracks of the Week! (FREE DOWNLOADS)

Loadstar - Refuse to Love
#Drum&Bass #RAMRecords

One of RAM Records finest singles of the year, Loadstar's pulsating "Refuse To Love" rivals Chase & Status at their peak. Dark yet anthemic, and unrelenting.

Monsta - The MONSTA (FREE DOWNLOAD)

#Trap #Dubstep

A track as crazy as "The MONSTA" would be the crown jewel of many a dubstep or trap DJs, but for a group as benchmark-setting as Monsta, this is just a throwaway free download. Every weird trap and dub trick in the book, chucked into one surreal yet addictive tune.

Karma Kid - In My Arms (FREE DOWNLOAD)

#House #Garage #Summer

A sunnier tune you are unlikely to hear this summer. Somewhere between deep house and a juicy Hed Kandi tune, Karma Kid manages to create something ultra credible and yet totally joyful.

Party Tracks of the Week!

A*M*E* - Heartless (MNEK Remix)
#Bass #R&B #Pop

With A*M*E*s bubblegum pop solo material contrasting somewhat with her ultra-cool spot on Duke Dumont's "Need U (100%)", teen prodigy MNEK brings a remix of her latest single that mixes all the sugar sweet melodies and gutsy pop aspirations with a dirty underground bassline and thick garage beats. Dare I say, this will please everyone.



Rudimental - Waiting All Night (Kidnap Kid Remix)
#Garage #2Step #House

Remixing a drum & bass to house is often a recipe for awkwardly-slowed-down-vox disaster. Luckily Kidnap Kid has the right idea when remixing Rudimental's #1 single, cleverly twisting the vox from gutsy and energetic, to sultry and suggestive, letting the jerky stop-start bass do the talking.



The Partysquad - Badman (feat. Alvaro)
#Hardstyle #Reggae #Rave

A revisitation of The Partysquad's incredible "Badman Rave" EP from last year, an insane fusion of reggae, hardstyle and electronic dance. "Badman" itself is a slippery dub number that gives way to a dinosaur stomp of a kick drum and frantic, twanging synth lead.

Party Tracks of the Week!

Basement Jaxx - Back 2 The Wild
#BigBeat #Dance #House

After the colourful, urban-flecked "Scars", Basement Jaxx are indeed going back to the wild big beat dance of their debut "Remedy" with their latest single. A quirky tribal banger with playful vocals popping up left, right and centre over an irresistible sunkissed bass line, the track has festival favourite written all over it.



Major Lazer - Jet Blue Jet (feat. Leftside, GTA, Razz & Biggy)
#Dancehall #Moombahton

I could have easily chosen any one of the 14 tracks on Major Lazer's phenomenal instant-classic sophomore album "Free The Universe", but the crazy carnival vibe of the entire record is easily surmised by this crazy supernova of a tune. On "Jet Blue Jet", chopped up vocals ricochet off the walls, sirens screech and beats pound as if we even needed reminding - in a cliquey worldwide underground dance scene, Major Lazer run the show.



Amplify Dot - Kurt Cobain
#HipHop #Rap #Grime

"Live Fast, Die Young like Kurt Cobain" goes the main hook of this slick hip hop number from UK female rapper newcomer Amplify Dot, and her cocky flow combined with a snake charmer synth and crushing kick drum provide a convincing case, as least for a Friday night.



Branko - (One More) Silly Bitch (feat. Njena Reddd Foxxx)
#Dancehall #HipHop

Buraka Som Sistema's Branko one of the latest Diplo proteges, and despite "Drums, Slums and Hums" mainly consisting of Slums and the occasional hum, "(One More) Silly Bitch" is a defiant drum-driven hip hop/dancehall number that would suit both Missy Elliot and Azealia Banks, but Njena Reddd Foxx's tongue-twisting flow does the track remarkable justice.