Gotye & Passion Pit

So the first 30 seconds of this pop song keep you guessing, wondering if this track is going to be any better than the rest in your fresh batch of downloads. And then the beat drops, and it becomes evident that, yes, this song is better than most. And soon after, once the synths and vocals both start to really kick, you'll know you are ready to throw back the cocktail, put down the glass, get up and move, tied to nothing and no one. Just you, the darkness and the swell of right now.

Australia's Gotye gets a Passion Pit remix of their stellar A-side, "Learnalilgivinanlovin" In the words of Neon Gold, "Keeping the throwback guitar and drums of the original intact, Passion Pit take the blueprint laid down by Gotye and dress it up in all manner of synth riffs and washes in keeping with their signature electronic aesthetic."

Goyte - Learnalilgivinanlovin (Passion Pit Remix)

Simian Mobile Disco

Justin, thanks for sending this my way. The birthday boy is giving out presents! I hope to see everyone Friday night, August 21, at 15 Romolo. We'll be celebrating one great man's birth and cutting a rug while sipping some fancy cocktails. Lil Stel and Pierre will be pumping song's like this brand new SMD track all night, and expect it to be a fab time all around. Cheers to Justin, happy birthday stud.

Simian Mobile Disco - Cruel Intentions (feat. Beth Ditto)

Classixx

Every single thing these dudes touch turns to gold. Classixx have remixed the likes of The Ting Tings, Phoenix, Major Lazer and Fischerspooner, among others, and every single release is a sure fire hit cut out either for the dance floor or that energized commute to and from work in head-phoned solitude. Their remix of Lisztomania is in my top 5 from 2009 already, and I wouldn't be surprised if another track they remix or produce in the next few months adds its way into my short list as well.

For those of you who don't know Classixx, now you do...

Classixx - I'll Get You (ft. Jeppe)

Pheonix - Lizstomania (Classix Remix)

Major Lazer - Cash Flow (Classixx Glass Bottom Dub Mix)

Holy Ghost! - I Will Come Back (Classixx Acapulco Nights Version)

Chew Lips

Okay, just imagine...you're favorite bar or club is having a private party, you're on the list and since you know the bouncer, the bartenders and the club owner, all your friends are on the list too - as long as they are dressed to the nines and ready to party til dawn, of course. We're talking high heels, bright red lipstick, bangs, skinny jeans and a styli top for the girls and black boots, fitted jeans and a loose fitted long sleeved top with a nice texture to it and some chest hair showing for the dudes. Whatever, as long as everybody is rocking what is is they rock best.

You walk in and right then the DJ throws on this track to start you're night. Order a Sazerac cuz it's cocktail night and let the games begin...

Chew Lips - Salt Air (Jupiter Remix)

The Orange Lights & Alan Braxe

I cannot and will not claim to know much about The Orange Lights beyond what I gathered from their myspace page - the U2 and Stone Roses influences seem quite apparent. Anyhoo, the Alan Braxe remix of their Life is Still Beautiful single is nothing less than great, and certainly worth a dance, a drink and a tipsy good time.

The Orange Lights - Life is Still Beautiful (Alan Braxe Remix)

And in the spirit of tipsy moments with those you love, here's a Lifelike remix of Moby's Mistake.

Moby - Mistake (Lifelike Remix)

RIKSLYD (29-year-old-Norwegian-Village-Girl-Who-Makes-Electropop-In-Paris)

RIKSLYD's Amisexy just got played at Stella McCartney's FW09 Runway show, which means the girl knows how to make skinny babes walk straight, stop, pose, turn, pose again, and walk straight some more. Talent!

Here's 2 tracks of hers, both to be played when you are feeling like America's Next Top Negro Modelo...

RIKSLYD - Marimba Song

RIKSYLD - Amisexy

This Sweet Love

All Sunday's should be as Sunny as this one. Here's a sunny track I have been listening to quite a bit this past week, from coat to coast, finding sunshine in both cities.

James Yuill - This Sweet Love (Prins Thomas Sneaky Edit)

Fenech-Soler & Alan Braxe

UK outfit Fenech-Soler are in love with Alan Braxe. And French House guru Alan Braxe is in love with Fenech-Soler. The product of such a romance is Fenech-Soler's debut single, The Cult of Romance, out on Braxe's Vulture label.

Alan Braxe remixed that track, and a handsome baby boy was born. Have a listen to baby...

fenech-soler - the cult of romance (alan braxe remix)

Tom Ford

Pheonix v. Classixx

Not that Pheonix's 'Lisztomania' needed a makeover, but boy, I am very glad Classixx had the idea to do so. Classixx uses 'Lisztomania' to create a beautiful haze I regularly visit after midnight, where eyes gently close, body parts merge and the wave of right now, this moment, this breath, takes hold.

Pheonix - Lisztomania (Classixx Remix)

And just to be fair, here's the original.

Pheonix - Lisztomania (Album Version)

Bit Funk

It has been a while since I have fallen head over heels into a song like this. Bit Funk's Love Scientific is some damn fine electronic production work, and never ever goes overboard. I know a lot of people love their hard hard electro, but to me, it just always feels amateur, obvious and simply inaccessible. Bit Funk gives me faith that there is a breed of danceable and emerging electronic music still able to sooth the soul without resorting to chaos.

Bit Funk - Love Scientific

Catcall

I played this at least twice on Thursday's launch of The Bar Code, and I wasn't even Dj'ing! Thanks for letting me drop a track Lil Stel, twice!

Catherine Kelleher is Catcall. Catcall's August is my new jam.

Catcall - August

Sferro & The Sweeps

Life inside a video game...
Midnight on a submarine...
Lasers dancing the waltz...
Just listen...

Sferro - Replique
The Sweeps - When In June

THE BAR CODE

As Director of Design & Decor for The Bar Code, I have been curating a mean collection of furniture and art objects to have on sale alongside the fashion and the bar and the DJ's and the beautiful people. Please come check it out, and take home a piece of vintage and modern cool.

P.S. - Official After Party Thursday night at 15 Romolo, directly following the event. I'll be behind the decks at Romolo tipsy and happy, so come out to both the launch of the event itself from 6-11 and then on to the after party as well.

And here's a plug running on the Radio - Alice 97.3 FM - crazy.

Ellie Goulding

Another London female electropop vocalist makes me wish I was driving with the windows down all summer long...

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed

Goodbye Horses

Fan Death covers Q Lazzarus' classic and oh-so-sexy 'Goodbye Horses.' I tend to play the original late into an evening, late into a set, late into a haze of sweaty boys and girls who fell in love on the dance floor. Now I have two options when I feel like saying goodbye to a night and goodbye to some horses. Pretty awesome...

I'll include the original for those who don't have it, because you should, because its amazing, just because.

Fan Death - Goodbye Horses (cover)

Q Lazzarus - Goodbye Horses (original)

PS - Fan Death's original material is pretty awesome as well Here's a taste...

Fan Death - Veronica's Vail

Wave Machines

It happens to be 74 degrees, sunny as balls and the perfect Saturday afternoon to pop the sunroof, head north on 101 and sing along to the wave of happy pop and club bounce that the Wave Machines stir up. Keep the lights on, released on 4/20, is the first release off their upcoming debut album, "Wave if You're Really There." Enjoy, and break out the SPF...

Wave Machines - Keep the Lights On

My Monday Night, Your Twisted Wires

I love rediscovering music that lost itself in iTunes USA. Music, like dogs or dreams, often get lost in dark places. This song popped back into my regular rotation thanks to my upcoming Monday night trip down to Mezzanine to see Glass Candy. Opening is none other than Twisted Wires, a fellow Italians Do It Better cup of synthy disco Joy Division . Check it...

Twisted Wires - One Night at the Raw Deal

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Here's the first track off Pheonix's upcoming Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix , their 4th album, which drops on May 25th. Some pop, drop and roll.

Phoenix - 1901

Asobi Seksu & Twins

I just pulled this one off BigStereo and am a happy little boy as a result. I loved Asobi Seksu's breakout album, Citrus, and am happy to here these two being remixed by the likes of Twins.

Enjoy! It's a poppy jam indeed. PB & Jam!

Asobi Seksu - Familiar Light (Twins Remix)