Bearbaby’s Top Ten of 2k8
a couple in love // found from flickr
2k8 seems to be getting a lot of shit on the internet as of late. Granted it wasn’t the epic year where the progression of electronic music seemed to gush out of the watershed, but I think it’s getting too bad of a rep. For the most part parties stayed stagnantly similar and bangers withered into indie dance influenced fidget tracks with heavy bass, yet there was a strong undercurrent of amazing disco house that was largely left unnoticed. It seems that the fixation with flash in the pan is getting dull quickly and the transition towards experimental electronic or heart-filled house influenced music is slowly creeping into the more popular consciousness.
This year, in some ways, is the subtle build up to the great change next year might be. The movement towards setting scenery and themes to music such as Valerie’s emphasis on the dreamscapes of an increasing technological future have created new trends that help artists to express themselves in a broader way. Loose Shus’ emphasis on seventies nostalgia with an exploitation flick flare has shown that using images of the past can be creatively exciting and new, altering the way we look at the past and the present.
But mostly, I poured my heart out this year finding the most exciting music I possibly could and I feel like it paid off for my dance crusades. This year was pretty fucking amazing for me and all of the artists who gave their music to be posted on DW I’m eternally grateful to! I am so excited about the future and how the internet has helped us all to connect and expand our possibilities. At the end of the day, or year, all that matters is that you loved what you did. Viva la 2009.
And, of course, there’s always HRO to remind us that the most alt thing you can do in 2k8 is to be totally self aware and authentic… And wear post-ironic non functional glasses. Cheers to 2k8. With that, here’s the top ten in no particular order!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MP3: DVAS – Ambient Room (SymbolOne Remix)
Seriously what would the year have been without SymbolOne? Epic releases have sprung from this production whiz throughout the year but the remix of ambient room melted my heart into my shoes. The pulsating bass behind the weaving filters thrusts you into a worm hole of bright light. There’s a particular warmth to this track that leaves me wide eyed.
SYMBOLONE MYSPACE
DVAS MYSPACE
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MP3: Reflex – Night Jam A
Falling backwards into a sinking couch with a coffee mug of champagne after your feet ache from dancing at your favorite discotheque all night seems to be the overwhelming feeling I get when I listen to Night Jam A. A deep smile while nesting on your friends shoulder and feeling hopeful for the future with the people you love. The simplistic depth of the synth melody pulls you in tightly like being buried in the tall grass of a summer day. One of my favorite finds of 2008!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MP3: Tenderlions – In Addition
These industrious SF inhabitants produced one of the most booming disco tracks of the year. The thrust of the strings combined with the blasted particles of synth composes one of the most creative and catchy hooks I’ve ever heard. I’m a straight up sucker for strings, so the minute I heard this song I felt like my electronic fantasies had been fulfilled. The best part? They’re bad ass live.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MP3: SymbolOne – Love Juice (Loose Shus Remix)
So this one didn’t make it onto the pink vinyl EP, but so fucking what? It’s probably the most lush and driving remix I’ve heard of any track in a long time. Loose Shus is a genius when it comes to creating a completely new, yet seventies disco influenced sound. The emotional rush of dancing on lit up disco dance floors spills out of everything he touches. The strings hit at just the right moments, euphoria right into your arteries.
LOOSE SHUS MYSPACE
SYMBOLONE MYSPACE
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
When I was thirteen years old I used to completely live through Jamiroquai. Their music was so heavily influenced by house and disco, something I didn’t realize at the time, but it had such an amazing other worldly depth that transported me out of my boring living room instantly. When I heard “Don’t Cry” I felt that same excitement… simply because the track is one of the most string heavy house tracks of the year that succeeds in taking you through a poignant roller coaster of emotions.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MP3: The Outrunners – These Girls Are Dressed To Kill (Russ Chimes Remix)
Hands down no other song accomplished capturing the romantic angst of eighties self-awakening flicks more than this one. This track holds within it visual layers that stimulate so much imagination and emotion, it’s difficult to not feel something deeply when listening to it. I couldn’t even burn myself out on it because every time I listened to it I found something new to fantasize about. The way the break down spirals down almost like a perfect high school prom slow dance then builds back up into a rush of blood head trip makes it an electronic classic. From Risky Bizniz (RIP) to Valerie, Russ Chimes has expressed an undeniable talent through out the last couple of years.
RUSS CHIMES MYSPACE
THE OUTRUNNERS MYSPACE
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Justin Faust arrived on the blog radar with overwhelming enthusiasm this year for good reasons. His inventive use of melody and charisma made “Revenge” one of the most charming tracks of 2008. Every bit as poppy as the best Depeche Mode track, but with an upbeat italo flare that melded together perfectly to create an uplifting synth gem. “Revenge” has re-invented the italo obsession with luminescent synths in the most enjoyable way.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MP3: Christov – Estella’s Invitation
Christov came out of nowhere with his blast of kinetic yacht-disco. The song evokes a vision of meteor showers cascading onto packed dance floors. Christov seemed to gracefully pull from the laid back happiness of Dr. Hook and the funky bass of mid nineties house when making “Estella’s Invitation.” The heavy remix done by Hemingway also helped to build 2008 into a launch pad for reinvented feel-good disco.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MP3: Faux Pas – Chasing Waterfalls
This song erupts with cute eccentricity! At every turn this song bubbles with perky synth riffs worthy of inciting impromptu dance parties on long drives. I just feel like doing some sort of hula hoop dance with my arms every time I hear this track. This track immediately became a favorite because of its undeniable catchiness yet total defiance of a category.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MP3: Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars
Ohhhhhhhhhh. Jesusssss. There was not one better electronic song with vocals this year than Shooting Stars. Everyone I showed it to clung to it like the last bottle of water post-apocalypse. The way the melody rolls in with the confessional lyrics about an anonymous crush breaks me in half every time I hear it. The transitions throughout the song make me feel like a ball of exposed nerves, yet crushingly happy. These aussies were one of the most prolific duos of 2008, producing the epic Fun Punch EP, and hopefully will continue their reign into the new year.
HONORABLE MENTIONS THAT MADE ME MELT (love, love love);
Whitest Boy Alive – Golden Cage (Fred Falke Remix), Damn Arms – Destination Pt. 1, Miami Horror – Make You Mine, Fakebeat – LA Gear, Jaunt – Lipstick, Freak You – From Nowhere (Worship Remix), Electric Youth – Faces.
Be sure to check out INTERSTELLAR, Johnatron&I’s ode to crushes and eighties dances.
xoxo bonus… best video xoxo
this is amazing. thank you bear! THANK. YOU!
bear yous is always welcome
Yep, you’re pretty much awesome.
hey man, awesome post, but you got the wrong matt hughes, here’s his myspace http://www.myspace.com/matthughesdaftmafia
oh no shit! ! thanks.. ill toats switch that. haha :->
Shooting Stars just made my life
aw thanks for the mention
this post just gave me like 4-5 tunes i’m really gonna like :}
[...] Valerie blog definitely have that SuperFrenchTouch, and we have featured their artists many many many many times here on DiscoWorkout Dot Com. And now they’ve gone and made our week by releasing [...]
[...] fave Loose Shus joins forces with fellow Valerie-ite, the SuperFantastische (and similarly DW-beloved) Keenhouse on [...]