An interactive daily music blog, featuring a
variety of tunes for Montreal college students to enjoy.
Listen to a selection of tracks from hip-hop, house, chilled music, reggae and indie rock.
I will also be writing reviews and profiling artists and DJs who are performing in Montreal.
Melbourne tag team production duo Denzal Park have made a name for themselves recently with their stunning remixes. Their latest work mashes up Julia McKnight's 'Diamond Life' with Avicii and David Guetta's 'Sunshine.' We have the latter's orginal below as well.
Julia McKnight vs. David Guetta, Avicii – Diamond Sunshine [Denzal Park Mashup]
Avicii & David Guetta – Sunshine
Earlier we gave you Hardwell's bootleg of Levels which we said couldn't really touch the original despite its best efforts. Denzal Park attempts a similar feat with 'Levels', but mashes up Avicii with...Avicii. That's right, 'Levels You Seek' pits the 2011 smash hit against 'Seek Bromance' produced under the Swede's original alias Tim Berg. Denzal Park have enjoyed success with this one.
Avicii vs. Tim Berg – Levels You Seek [Denzal Park Mash-up]
Some more Mac Miller today, DJ Capcom compiled this collection of unreleased Mac songs recorded in his teenage years. Here are a few selected tracks off the mixtape, which you can download in full here.
Mac Miller – When the Money Comin Slow [Prod. by Rod Da Blizz]
Some more house for today. David Guetta's single from August, 'Titanium' featuring Sia on the vocals, has been a smash hit. Remixes and edits are inevitable though, and several DJs have recently worked on the track, most notably Alesso, Arno Cost and Nicky Romero. For me though, Arno Cost beats his competition by a mile. We have more on him below.
David Guetta and Sia – Titanium [Original]
David Guetta and Sia – Titanium [Alesso Remix]
David Guetta and Sia – Titanium [Nicky Romero Remix]
David Guetta and Sia – Titanium [Arno Cost Remix]
Arno Cost is fondly remembered for his sensational house anthem from four years ago, 'Magenta,' which effectively shot him to fame and deservedly so; the track blew my mind and many others.' More recently though, the Frenchman has worked with Martin Solveig on 'Touch Me' and 'Ready to Go' and produced a remix of Moby's 'Lie Down in Darkness.' The French DJ clearly fiends remixes, and his talent is undisputed.
Arno Cost and Arias – Magenta
Arno Cost and Martin Solveig – Touch Me [2010 Remix]
Its hard to believe that Avicii's 'Levels' was only officially released last week. Numerous DJs have toyed around with the Swede's mega-hit, but few have enjoyed much success. Holland's Hardwell came out with his own rendition last week, crafting together his own upbeat, high-octane bootleg of the track. Nothing can come close to the original, however where others have failed in their attempts to remake 'Levels,' the 23-year old Hardwell does impress us with his talent.
Kid Cudi's been busy recently. 'Rain' and 'Mr. Kid' are two gems off his demo album 'Rap Hard' – recorded when he was around 16 but only released last week. Download it here.
Kid Cudi – Rain
Kid Cudi – Mr. K.I.D.
Cudi also announced via Twitter his recent collaboration with Dot Da Genius. The duo have adopted the name WZRD, and the album, which remains untitled, is due to drop in January. Today's release of the song 'Brake' gave us a taste of WZRD.
Swedish producer Avicii, who today inked a US singles contract with Interscope Records, has been playing this new track in his live sets recently. It hasn't officially been released yet, and everyone is expecting Mr. Bergling to add vocals. Nevertheless, the Swede provides his signature progressive build-up in 'ID2' which lives up to its predecessor, the original 'ID,' – aka 'Levels.'
Avicii – ID2 (Preview)
Polish producer, Pixel Cheese, added his own interpretation of 'ID2,' making a similar, but more complete version of the track.
Avicii – ID2 [Pixel Cheese Remake]
As a bonus, I have included Avicii's official remake of Coldplay's 'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,' which outdoes the Swedish House Mafia version in my opinion, as well as a tune which hasn't received the same recognition as his recent hits, the underrated 'Morphine.' Enjoy.
Coldplay – Every Teardrop is a Waterfall [Avicii Radio Edit]
Alesso has unleashed another track for all you progressive house fans; "Raise Your Head" is somewhat grungier than "Calling," having an almost Skrillex-like feel to it. And speaking of "Calling," Boston's Clinton Sparks came out with his own vocal interpretation of the hit single.
Alesso – Raise Your Head
Alesso and Sebastian Ingrosso – Calling [Clinton Sparks 'This is My Life' Vocal Edit]
Duke's Mike Posner continues to leak tracks off his upcoming mixtape, The Layover. Posner's latest tune is an entirely self-produced remix of the Oasis classic "Wonderwall," featuring rapper Big K.R.I.T. on a verse. This one's definitely a gem, but his other releases, "Hey Lady" with Twista, and "Rocket Man" featuring Bun B (which takes on Elton John's original), are worth checking out as well. All three have a similar chilled-out feel, equipped with synth loops, a groovy bassline, heavier rap verses and generally a little bit of everything that makes it so difficult to pigeonhole Posner into one defining music genre.
Philly hip-hop duo Chiddy Bang have delayed the release of upcoming debut album, Breakfast, to February 28, 2012. The album, which was originally due to drop around this time, features hit singles, "Mind Your Manners," which came out a couple of months back, as well as "Ray Charles" – a collab with Xaphoon Jones which just dropped last night.
Some more Wale, as we promised. The DC rapper's sophomore album,"Ambition", came out last week. We already gave you the title track with Rick Ross, (which you can find here). Now check out some other hits off the album and give your thoughts.
Wale – DC or Nothing
Wale – Slight Work [Feat. Big Sean]
Wale – Focused [Feat. Kid Cudi]
This one's not featured on the album, unfortunately. Maybe it should be. "Bait" has been blasting all around Washington; the locals absolutely love it. While the local images and references take us through the streets of DC, "Bait" projects that confident, somewhat cocky persona that has epitomized Wale's greatest work.
Exciting news for Drake fans. Take Care, Drizzy's upcoming sophomore album, was fully leaked this week, 8 days before the official release date. You can stream and download it here.
I will cap off today's post with a track released this week, in honour of the late British singer, Amy Winehouse. This poignant collaboration with close friend and rapper Nas, "Like Smoke" is the first to feature on Winehouse's posthumous album titled Lioness: Hidden Treasures. The track blends Winehouse's signature blues style with a couple of heavy verses from the rapper. The song was originally recorded by Winehouse in 2008, but the lyricist recently added his own feel and exceptional delivery that we have come to expect – a fantastic tribute to a talented, but troubled, star.
Amy Winehouse – Like Smoke [Feat. Nas]
Before that, Nas worked on a single of his own, featuring Rick Ross. Both MCs go hard on this one...
Nas – Its a Tower Heist [Feat. Rick Ross]
On a lighter note, there is plenty more coming! This week will feature Deadmau5 and some more house, new Wale, more Drake and Weezy, plus we'll get you ready for the upcoming album releases from Mac Miller and Chiddy Bang. And for everyone in Montreal, we'll be profiling Dirty Gold again, who spin at Tokyo and Korova every week (no big deal or anything). Not to mention we'll also be getting everyone stoked for Jay-Z and Kanye's "Watch the Throne" concert, as well as LMFAO and the Kooks who are also in town. November's a busy month people!
Foster the People just released the official video for "Call it What You Want" – the hit single off the band's breakout album Torches – A truly vivid, somewhat eerie, visualization of an otherwise upbeat and funky song.
Lupe's new album, Friend of the People is set to hit shelves on American Thanksgiving. Here's his first single from the album, "Lightwork," remixing Ellie Goulding and Bassnectar.
Another hot single, from a rapper who should be featured more often here, Wale. Check out this collab with Rick Ross and Meek Mill, 'Ambition.' Some inspirational, quality hip-hop and Ross, as always, is a key part of it.
