Cher - I Walk Alone (NovoGain Remixes)

The latest remix package for Cher's empowerment anthem has been serviced. This set of big room mixes by NovoGain are the hardest ones released so far. NovoGain delivers a set of mixes that are dark, tribal, and techy. All of them are loaded with hard, massive beats, deep, twisting synths, and gorgeous dramatic buildups and breakdowns. The main vocal mix is a tad more mainstream as it has all the vocals while the dub keeps just a handful of them and is perfect for peak hour and afterhours.

Listen to the main mix here:

The main NovoGain mix will be available for purchase on April 29 on Amazon.

Grade: A

Broken Bells - Holding On For Life (Remixes)

This single was released several months back and did modestly well on Alternative radio. The song was an interesting amalgam of late 70s Disco and 80s New Wave with its Bee Gees styled harmonies and synth-heavy production.

The song has been given some remixes by Solomun which stay close to the original. The mixes have a strong 80s Hi Nrg flavor which works well with the song. The only drawback, and it is a minor one is that only some of the vocals were used, but the gorgeous production makes up for it.  

-Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)

-Listen to the radio edit here (Soundcloud)

Grade: A

tyDi Feat. Dia Frampton - Stay

This is a collaboration of the Australian DJ and the former The Voice runner up. The result is an ultra catchy Dance/Pop song with a light Country flavor. Dia's vocals are lovely, and they are complemented by a smooth guitar-driven production. The additional remixes make this song even more dancefloor friendly. Frank Pole's mix is softer during the verses but then it is full on Electro House for the riff. Brad and Victor H's mix is a perfect balance of the soft original and the harder Frank Pole mix. Overall, every version is great.

-Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Listen to the Frank Pole mix here:


Listen to the Brad and Victor H mix here:
 

Purchase the remix EP here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Hudson - The Light Is In You EP

This is the new EP from the singer/songwriter. The EP opens with the title song which is an uplifting club track. It is in a big room style. "I Just Wanna Be With You" is a guitar driven midtempo ballad. "Disculpame" is in a similar vein. Things end on an upbeat note with "Balance" which is a festive, tribal number. Overall, this EP serves as a good showcase for the newcomer.

Listen to all 4 songs on the EP here:


Purchase the EP here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

The Rapsody - Prince Igor 2014

Several weeks back, Opera/Dance artist Kamaliya released a song based on the 1995 hit as her next single. Now the original artist has remade it in the Trap style. A new rapper and vocalist have been brought in to take over for Warren G and Sissel. The idea of fusing Rap, Opera, and Trap seems like an unusual combination, but they all work quite well together.

-Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)
-Listen to the main mix here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Cascada - Blink

This is the lead single from the German group's fifth album due out later this year. This single is a cover of a song released several years back by U.V.U.K. The production on this one is a lot more contemporary than the original. It's a good balance between the hard Eurodance sound they started with and the more recent Electro one they have been doing for the last few years. Natalie's vocals are much stronger, doing the song justice. There are several remixes on the single which are in a similar vein as the original, however, the original remains the best one.

-Watch the music video here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Avril Lavigne - Hello Kitty

The new Asia-only single from her recent album has quickly become a fan favorite. Although the song is supposed to be about the beloved Japanese character immortalized on everything from t-shirts and bags to stationary items and soft toys, the song could also be interpreted in a sexual manner. The song is super catchy and playful. It calls to mind some of Avril's other singles that were in a similar style.

-Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Information Society - Land Of The Blind (Remixes)

The 80s group is back in its original lineup and they have a new album. After a remix of their classic "Running" was released a few months back, their latest single recalls some of their biggest hits. The production is very faithful to their signature sound, something longtime fans will want to check out. Their sound is very current as well.

-Listen to clips and purchase here (iTunes)
-Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Tony Moran feat. Orion - I Give In (Remixes)

This song first appeared as a radio edit on the Sugarhouse Divas unmixed compilation nearly a year and a half ago. The full mix had been a staple in Tony's live sets for nearly 4 years. The full remix package was released earlier this week. The main version is an epic 10 minute mix with a massive tribal and synth buildup leading to the hot vocals. Bonnis Maxx & Marcelo Rivera, Eddie Baez, and Ennry Sena & Mauro Mozart provide the additional mixes. Bonnis & Marcelo's mix is suitable for peak hour but is not as hard as the original. Ennry & Mauro's mix packs quite the punch despite being less than 7 minutes long. Eddie Baez's mix gives the song a hard, tribal workout with lots of buildups and breakdowns. An acapella based on the main mix is also included. The main long mix ends up being the best of the bunch along with Ennry & Mauro's mix.

Listen to all of the mixes here:


Purchase the mixes here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Thrill and Rxn - Ilemi

Hard aggressive instrumental club tracks show no sign of slowing down. In the same vein as "#Selfie" and "Animals", "Ilemi" is an explosive peak hour floor burner. Just as the others, this one is begging for some vocals, but it works well as it is. This one should be everywhere in the next few months.

-Listen to a clip and purchase here (Beatport)

Grade: A-

Martha Wash - I'm Not Coming Down (Remixes)

The legendary, powerhouse vocalist released her new album several months back. She reunites with Tony Moran for this set of remixes for her song about overcoming difficulties. The original is a guitar-driven midtempo. Tony provides 3 different mixes. His main mix is a trancey, big room one allowing for Martha's vocals to soar. The 2nd mix with Deep Influence is harder and darker. The final one with Mauro Mozart is more contemporary, having a techy sound.

-Listen to clips and purchase the remixes here (iTunes)

Grade: A

Cher - I Walk Alone (Remixes)

The latest single from her Closer To The Truth album has been remixed for a club release. Pop/Rock diva P!nk wrote this song and also performed the background vocals. The rock tinged song was a fan favorite. The Dance/Rock/Country style of the original works really well and Cher sounds great singing over that production. There are remixes by JRMX, Mike Rizzo, Morlando, and Tracy Young on this first set. JRMX delivers a Disco/House mix reminiscent of the Freemasons' signature sound that works surprisingly well. Mike Rizzo provides an interesting mix that incorporates dub step elements which somehow works. Morlando's 80s sounding mix is anthemic, however, it lacks a certain something that would take it over the top. Tracy Young's mix is a big room oriented Electro House one. It's the most mainstream mix of the bunch.

Grade: A

Neon Hitch - Some Like It Hot (Mike Bugout & Michael York Remix)

The new single from the sexy singer doesn't specifically reference the iconic film, but the lyrics of the song could fit. This is far catchier than her last outing "Gold" which showed a different side of her.

Mike Bugout and Michael York have done a remix that gives the song a Deep House feel that calls to mind MK's classic work, but they combine it with modern EDM sensibilities making For a mix that could fit into a wide variety of sets.

-Listen to the original here (Soundcloud)
-Listen to the remix here (Soundcloud)

Grade: A-

Idina Menzel - Let It Go (Remixes)

The Oscar-winning big ballad from the Disney movie Frozen has been given remixes for the clubs by Dave Aude, DJ Escape and Tony Coluccio, and Papercha$er. Dave Aude's mix keeps the drama of the original and is quite pretty, though it just doesn't sound all that special. The Escape and Coluccio mix also suffers from a very one note production that just doesn't fit such a dynamic song. Their effects, builds, and breakdowns work really well though. Papercha$er saves the day with the perfect mix which balances the drama with a spot on production and uses nearly all of the vocals effectively. There is also another remix by Armin Van Buuren that will be appearing on a special Disney remix album.

Listen to all the mixes here:


Grade: A-

Kylie Minogue - Sexercise

This is the erotic dubstep influenced second single from her new album Kiss Me Once. It is written by Sia Furler who is known for her unique writing style. The song is about a different kind of exercise that can't be done in most gyms. While it is catchy and playful, the lyrics are a tad lackluster. The song works well when coupled with the raunchy music video.

Grade: B