I'm declaring 2009 the year of the remix. In many ways remixes became as important as the original songs this year, sometimes even eclipsing the popularity of the original. Style, beat, genre can all be flipped, adding, or subtracting from the original. Most times remixes end up less than, and much less sucessful than the original. But these few I selected all change that. Oh. And you can probably now dance to all of these songs. Def. Plus.
#10 Anthonio - Annie (Fred Falke Remix)
What remix list would be complete without something Fred Falke has done? Singlehandedly bringing back any warm fuzzy feelings we might be able to muster for disco, Falke's MO might get a little boring from time to time, but when he gets it right its sonic gold. Annie icy Sweedish vocals work well to counter the warm back beats and synthy fuzz added by Falke. Shes consitently been the muse for remixers from crystal castles to girl talk, yet hasnt really broken into the mainstream on her own. Maybe 2010.
#9 Help I'm Alive - Metric (The Twelves Remix)
So you may have noticed that even after all the praise I heaped Metric's videos this year neither a song nor album from these indie rock mainstays made it into my other superlative lists at year end. Overall they were a tad disspointing and made music that wasn't really all that catchy or that had a lot of meat. Thank jesus the Twelves stepped in and infused soem life into this otherwise sagging single. It maintains the best of Metric while making it ready for the floor.
#8 Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun (Danger Remix)
#7 Shake a Fist - Hot Chip (Diplo Remix)
First off, gotta say thanks to Meegs to sending this to me. Its half amazing I ever got it since I probably only ever asked for it after bacon night and by the time she got back to her computer her BAC was probably only rivaled by her triglyceride levels. And secondly, damn Hot Chip, you have sneakily wormed your way into every single list I've made so far. It really goes to show you how well they can make catchy singles, cohesive albums, and stuff that inspires others. Get this song on your party playlist now. It sounds like popclub dancing music, but you'll get serious points when people realize its... not.
#6 The Kids Don't Stand a Chance - Vampire Weekend (Miike Snow)
#5 Nylon Smile - Portishead (Scienticians Remix)
This is the album that just keeps giving. I called it a dead tie for my fav album of 2008 (with crystal castles). And in early 2009 we saw this fantastic remix by the Scientitions. I almost couln't imagine a dancy, techno remix of this song working well at all, but the prominent drums do lend themselves to some speeding up. The whole album was frenetic and powerful to begin with so it took a deft hand to make it more so. Download it, crank it, and you wont be disappointed.
#4 Little Secret - Passion Pit (Lehtmojoe Remix)
OKOKOK, so this song already made it into my top 10. But seriously, start playing the link now while you're reading this. This is practically an entirely new song with only the vocals lifted, and even those are heavily distorted at some points. This again points to the future of remixes where techno genres aren't autamatically imposed in a good remix. This song stands on its own reimagined legs, even without hearing the original. Every part of the much fuller original is in here at some point, but every melody and beat has been distilled and tweaked to paint an entirely different portrait.
#3 Little Bit - Lykke Li (Gigamesh Remix)
Again we have a 2008 album who saw light and digital airtime in 2009 due to a fantastic remix. Lykke Li has such a knack for infectious melody yet it is nearly hidden behind harps and soft focus. Take her initial spark, amp up the energy, add a little funk, cymbals cymbals cymbals, and you have the Gigamesh remix. Sure to please at a party, it retains its super sexiness and indie cred while being very, very dancable.
#2 Yea Yeah - Matt & Kim (Flosstradamus Remix)
I love when the remixer is arguably more famous than the remixee. Most often its up and comers showing their skills and trying to get noticed. But remixes are really Flosstradamus's own thing; masters and commanders of the turntable. I remember seeing them back in Pittsvegas, they put on a pretty decent Halloween dance party. But this song is really just great work on the part of both artists. Normally restrained to a drum kit and a keyboard, Flosstradamus fills in with synthed marraccas and a tweaky new backbeat. OK the song sounds like the soundtrack to a hipster invasion, but damn, at least the dancing will be good.
#1 Triangle Walks - Fever Ray (Tiga's 1-2-3-4 Remix)
There you are, the best remixes of 2009! Right click save for the ones you don't have.