"Hit Me, Door of Tears"
New music this week from Caroline Polachek, Joyhauser, Janine and more
Another unexpectedly busy year as the year comes to a close. Alongside the expected crop of Christmas songs - getting thinner and thinner - we were blessed with a series of remixes from Caroline Polachek’s Pang Era, the Troye Sivan and Gwen Stefani tracks I announced last week - that live up to my expectations - and a couple of house and techno cuts to bop to. Let’s get into it.
Absolute Fave
Door (Oklou Remix) - Caroline Polachek
Door is already one of Pang’s highlights so you can imagine how hesitant I was going into a remix - how dare she?! Oklou did the original justice, taking the track in a whole other direction and injecting her hurried synth arpeggios with brio. I appreciate her decision not to stick too much to Caroline’s version and still managing to preserve the song’s sentiment somehow. Caroline has been gravitating more and more to the PC music adjacent sphere since her work with Danny L Harle on Pang. I wonder what to expect from the new original music whenever that comes out.
Other Faves
Let Me Reintroduce Myself - Gwen Stefani
Leave it to Gwen Stefani to come back with a groovy ska-infused sunny song in December. Fans will delight in the lyrical puns and winks to her discography - culminating in the Hollaback nod “I already gave you bananas”. It’s effortless Gwen, suggesting a willingness to lean more in the sound of her earlier work and forgo the poppiest of pop she released most recently (when she’s not making Christmas music) - nothing’s written in stone yet though.
Ocean of Tears (umru Remix) - Caroline Polachek
Another stellar track being remixed by PC Music friend umru. There’s no comparing it to the original, each holds their own in their respective lanes. Upon seeing the name ‘umru’ tagged on the remix I knew to expect chaos and cleared the room of any fragile items. Boy was I right. This is one for the Spotify hyperpop playlist. Thank you Caroline for letting them take your work in this direction.
Hit Me Where It Hurts (Toro y Moi Remix) - Caroline Polachek (feat. Chino Moreno)
Yes, another Caroline Polachek remix. Promise it’s the last one - well not technically, there was also a Hey Big Eyes remix and as much as I disliked the original, I ha-ted the remix so no chance of it landing on here. Another one with more gritty percussion - this time a bit closer to the original although Caroline’s vocals are distorted to extremes. It feels a bit like being trapped in another dimension, not knowing whether you’ll make it back home. Mom!
The Christmas Song - Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello
Shawn Mendes kept the collaboration he should’ve done with Camila Cabello on the standard edition of his album for the deluxe version. It’s a cute rendition of The Christmas Song - I’m ok on holiday music now, let’s stop it for 2020.
Last Christmas - Janine
Ok just one more. A stripped cover of the most deceptive devastating holiday song of all time. New Zealander Janine makes it even more potent in my eyes (ears). Keeping my heart to myself this Christmas. Vocals to melt to. I keep melting, keep, keep melting.
Element (Remix) - PJ (feat. Flo Milli)
Hip hop meets R&B meets neo-soul meets absolute bouncy heaven. I haven’t jumped on the Flo Milli train yet but this brings me closer to the next station. Each part of the song is great in its own right and when they all come together they make for the R&B highlight of the first half of December 2020.
Anomalie bleue - L’Impératrice
It’s the story of Daft Punk inspiring a whole generation of DJs and songwriters. L’Imperatrice avoids sounding too derivative as the song progresses, keeping the influence tasteful and just that: an influence. Feel good disco house cut to fill your space with holiday cheer.
Easy - Troye Sivan (with Kacey Musgraves, Mark Ronson)
I’ll be honest I was hesitant about putting this one in. Loved the original in Troye’s late August EP. Mark Ronson takes it into 80s territory with such unabashed force it can be quite overbearing. But I couldn’t ignore Kacey Musgraves’ incredible contribution (it’s the way she sings “darling” for me). Goosebumps. So I’ll forgive the Ronson production mess if only to hear Kacey calling me darling on a loop. Also the bridge she added. And the harmonies sheesh.
Velvet - Black Loops
House music with flavor. In spoonfuls. There’s no rushing Black Loops when he’s in it to win it. I just stand in awe by the DJ station (ie. my Macbook Pro on my bed).
Think People - Joyhauser
Been a while since I heard a techno track I really enjoyed. Joyhauser’s Think People is the frantic track I needed to pummel my way from the bed to the fridge to the desk to the couch. Rinse & Repeat. Your neighbors might resent you. Just a lil’ bit.
Man’s World (Stripped) - MARINA
Man’s World the original version came out a couple of weeks ago, officially kicking off MARINA’s next album cycle. It’s another alternative pop cut with a message - and one I stand by. The stripped version is audibly a one-take recording and the live recording keeps intact all its ephemeral charm - principally carried by MARINA’s angelic vocals.
Need more? Also check out:
All Three - Noah Cyrus
Los Puntos - Bandalos Chinos, Tei Shi, El David Aguilar
If Not Now, Then When? - King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Hold Us Together - H.E.R.
His Rope - Burial, Four Tet, Thom Yorke
FWB - CHIKA
Kissin’ In The Cold - Julia Michaels, JP Saxe
Merry week ahead! Thanks for reading / listening!
Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated! Hope you enjoyed some of these! Any tracks/artists you think I’m definitely sleeping on? School me!
Twitter: @REDTAKES1
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