monsieur adi

Monsieur Adi has made a name for himself over the last several months by remixing  up-and-coming interweb darlings like Frankmusik and Ellie Goulding. In a short period of time the french producer/musician/composer has established a signature sound that is uniquely his own. Adi takes his wonderful little gems of inspiration and recasts them as orchestral pop re-imagined on a grand scale. Gorgeous, sometimes heartbreaking stuff. To make amphitheater-scale soundscapes seem effortless is a true talent. Check out two of his best below.

Place For Us (Monsieur Adi Remix) by bangnmash

Obsessions (Monsieur Adi Remix) by bangnmash

neon gold records

This dedicated post has been a long overdue, particularly as I bite on so many of their acts. Neon Gold Records is a music-blog-cum-record company that quite simply is SPOT FUCKING ON in the vast majority of the projects they get behind. They’ve been influencing my music tastes even before I knew they existed. Over the past two years, they’ve helped break artists such as Passion Pit, Ellie Goulding, Marina and the Diamonds, Yes Giantess, Penguin Prison…the list goes on and on. They only publish short-run EPs (like 250-500 short run) which many of the artists are able to parlay into a major label launch. They still keep their music blog up and you should definitely check it out if you wanna be keepin’ tabs on the best and brightest folks on the horizon.

Here are a few of my most recent faves from the Neon Gold blog. The Marina track is just stunning. It sounds like a sad Sunday morning. The Ellie track isn’t from their blog, but it might just be my fave track off of ‘Lights’ even more so than ‘Starry Eyed’. It manages to be beautiful and haunting and danceable all at the same time. The Knocks…well that one reminds me of shotgunning beers in the yard. Woots!

Marina and the Diamonds – I am not a robot (Clock Opera Remix) by bangnmash

03-ellie goulding-this love (will be your downfall) by bangnmash

Knocks blackout by bangnmash

marina and the diamonds – ‘hollywood’

Marina Diamandis, aka Marina and the Diamonds, is blowing up big in 2010. She’s doing something different with her sound and songwriting and getting some very well-deserved attention as a result. The only comparison that comes to mind for her songs is ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Very free-form, constantly changing shape and telling a story. Lots of DRAMA.

Marina is actually a solo artist. Diamonds is obvs a play on her last name, but also refers to her fans. “I am Marina. You are the diamonds.” Love that.

Her latest single is the wonderful ‘Hollywood’. I don’t think the perfect mix for this song has been achieved yet, at least not on the level that Starsmith reached with ‘I am Not a Robot’. Monarchy Gliese comes pretty damn close though! Check out the original and remix below. She’s giving me fits with lines like ‘OH MY GOD you look just like Shakira, no no, you’re Catherine Zeta – actually my name’s Marina’ and ‘American Queen is the American dream’.

Marina and the Diamonds – Hollywood

Marina and the Diamonds – Hollywoord (Monarchy Gliese remix)

Buy Marina on iTunes

starsmith

Starsmith has been making some truly amazing music over the last several months, working with many emerging and very talented artists. He’s worked closely with the likes of Ellie Goulding, Lisa Mitchell, Lady Gaga, and Marina and the Diamonds, just to mention a few. His unique spin on tracks always creates something that feels epic. Shimmery, beautiful works of art. Despite his heavy production influence, the artists’ vocals always remain center stage. Sample some of his wonderful work below. Not to be missed!

Private – My Secret Lover (Starsmith Remix)

Marina & The Diamonds – I am Not a Robot (Starsmith 24 Carat Remix)

Lady Gaga – Bad Romance (Starsmith Remix)