M.I.A. has been one of my favorite artists since the release of Arular, but to be honest, I was worried about her new album /\/\ /\ Y /\. The first songs we heard from it, or that were supposed to be from the album. I wasn’t too impressed. The gratuitously violent video for “Born Free” didn’t have me changing my opnion, so I wrote the album off as a flop. Then I heard the single “XXXO” which sounds sleek and sexy, but still confrontational and wholly M.I.A.
For the single release, a few remixes were commissioned, from producer/collaborator Blaqstarr and SBTRKT. The one that had me most interested is Riton’s “re-rub.” Riton takes the track to a house-ier level of club play, from the house piano stabs to the rearrangement of M.I.A.’s lyrics, it’s a great remix.
/\/\ /\ Y /\ is out July 13 on Interscope.
Two of Europe’s most interesting DJs, Riton and DJ Mehdi have combined forces to become Carte Blanche. They collaborated across the internet, and when Ed Banger head honcho Busy P heard the results, he snatched them up for release on his label this May. Check out the track below, a free download courtesy of Ed Banger.
I never really knew a whole lot about Mystery Jets. They covered Bloc Party, did a remix of Futureheads’ “Hounds of Love,” got remixed by Erol Alkan and Justice but I don’t think I ever really heard anything more of them. I’m starting to get interested because they’ve got great remixes of their songs. Are the originals as good?
♫ Mystery Jets vs. Bloc Party – The Pioneers
Trials + Tribulations 