It's that time of the year.
Here are my 15 favorite remixes (plus runner-up tracks) – spanning genres from house to hip-hop to trap, and more – released in 2015.
15. "Fly (FKJ Remix)" by June Marieezy
Genre: Electronic / Vocals / Jazz
French producer FKJ's playful, sophisticated electronic production, combined with the butterfly-inducing vocals of June Marieezy, is just pure bliss.
14. "MY TYPE" by SAINT WKND x SAINT MOTEL
Genre: House / Electronic / Pop
SAINT WKND's bright, feel-good house remix of indie pop band SAINT MOTEL's "My Type" made the soundtrack of my summer. As SAINT WKND adds gorgeous crescendoing buildups and lively arpeggio riffs to the original, it's hard not to imagine yourself riding the waves or simply in paradise while listening to this one.
13. "Sea of Voices (Galimatias Remix)" by Porter Robinson
Genre: Electronic / Smooth / Funk
Porter Robinson is typically known for his video game-like sound and influences from Japanese culture. But in this remix, Danish producer Galimatias beautifully transforms Porter's ambient, cinematic "Sea of Voices" into a more romantic, yet equally funky track that really captures the clarity of singer Breanne Düren's vocals.
12. "TTU (Too Turnt Up) (feat. Waka Flocka) [TroyBoi Remix]" by Flosstradamus
Genre: Trap / Club / Hip-Hop
While I do love the original of Flosstradamus' "TTU (Too Turnt Up)" featuring Waka Flocka for its in-your-face bassline, TroyBoi's remix showcases his weird (and wonderful) wonky trap style in that dirty drop that makes TroyBoi's sound incredibly unique in today's EDM production game.
11. "Juice (AObeats Remix)" by London
Genre: Tropical / Future / Trap
This catchy, hip-hop-influenced (and free!) remix of London's 2008 song "Juice Box" sets AObeats' style apart from other producers relying on overly high-pitched melodies and shining synths to create unique-sounding future bass tracks.
Runner Up:
"Weekend (Jai Wolf Remix)" by Mocki
10. "jealous (carmack remix)" by Kehlani
Genre: Smooth / Vocals / Rap
Mr. Carmack gives upcoming singer/songwriter Kehlani's otherwise bouncy track "Jealous" – featuring raps by Lexii Alijai – a dreamy, deeply seductive revamp. Carmack's gorgeous, echoey introduction instantly takes me to another world.
9. "Down For You (Djemba Djemba Remix)" by Kehlani
Genre: R&B / Pop / Electronic
I couldn't help but include another Kehlani track – but one that shows off the versatility of Djemba Djemba's typically hard-hitting trap production. As someone notes in the comments section of SoundCloud, this song really feels like "fine wine."
8. "Magnets (SG Lewis Remix)" by Disclosure & Lorde
Genre: Chill / Electronic / Ambient
Up-and-coming producer SG Lewis took Disclosure and Lorde's "Magnets" to a new level of chill. Read my Song of the Week post about it here.
7. "Heart Attack (feat. Owl Eyes) [Snakehips Remix]" by Flight Facilities
Genre: Vocals / Future / Chill Trap
I've been addicted to this smooth, R&B-infused rework of Flight Facilities and Owl Eyes' emotive and atmospheric "Heart Attack." Snakehips' heavy layering of synths and eclectic vocal samples adds the ultimate chill vibe to this irresistibly seductive track.
6. "The Dopest (Cesqeaux Remix)" by Moksi
Genre: Club / Trap / Party
With those eerie, bass-heavy buildups and breakdowns in Cesqeaux's remix of "The Dopest," it's pretty hard to find a trap remix released this year that goes harder than this one.
4. "Talk Talk (11LIT3S x Emoh Remix)" by George Maple
Genre: Vocals / Future / Bass
You can always count on Emoh Instead (aka What So Not) to create an atmosphere in his music. This collaborative remix of Australian vocalist George Maple's "Talk Talk" with 11LIT3S is filled with tense future-bass synths that create add dark, heartrending yet beautiful body to the song.
3. "Kingpin (feat. Big Sean) [Salva Remix]" by RL Grime
Genre: Electronic / Hip-Hop / Rap
Salva's remix of RL Grime and Big Sean's "Kingpin" is definitely "out there." It may take a while to get your ears accustomed to the wonky, elephant-like drop in this song, but it's oddly addicting. Regardless, that initial trap buildup never fails to draw me into this otherworldly hip-hop track.
2. "Know Yourself (Ekali Remix)" by Drake
Genre: Hip-Hop / Trap / Bass
One of my most-played tracks of the year. While this remix doesn't deviate too much from the original, Ekali adds his signature hard-hitting bass in just the right places, and makes Drake's "running through the 6 with my woes" lyric sound even more badass than it already is.
1. "Weight in Gold (Louis Futon Remix)" by Gallant
Genre: R&B / Soul / Electronic
I knew before even creating this list that I would make this song was my #1 remix (and even track!) of the year. Having Louis Futon play this song during his set at ODESZA's concert in DC was a pretty awesome experience too. (But that still had no influence on making this song on the top on this list.)
Flawlessly combining traditional elements of R&B with a more modern future bass sound, Louis Futon manages to really open up — rather than overpower — Gallant's enrapturing vocals. Futon really gives this song his golden touch by adding some vibrating synths that make this track so fresh and listenable, that it really never gets old.
Thanks so much for reading and listening. Happy almost New Year!
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