AlunaGeorge: “You Know You Like It” (DJ Snake Remix) [Island Records]
You may have heard of AlunaGeorge from their collaboration with Disclosure on “White Noise,” but there’s much more to this English duo than a single with another impressive dance pair. They’ve gone from most-blogged artist in the UK in 2012 to BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe’s album of the week in mere months. They’ll be bringing their brand of sensual, boogie-friendly electropop across the Atlantic when they hit American soil in five weeks to promote their album “Body Music,” out on July 30. In the meantime, Parisian producer and Mad Decent/Diplo buddy DJ Snake has given their single “You Know You Like It” a snare-laden, finger-clicking makeover. Snake adds minimal melodic elements and just the right amount of percussion riffs to complement Aluna’s gentle, sultry vocal. We’re excited for the album, but for the time being this free download from DJ Snake is more than satisfying. Time to body roll. – Jacob & Tshepo in New York City
Riton feat. Sage the Gemini: “Gas Pedal”
The track that caused one Soundcloud commenter to exclaim, “I need a bath!” is indeed filthy. “Slow down / Grab the wall / Wiggle like you’re tryin’ to make your ass fall off,” commands Sage—hopefully to a willing partner. Brit producer Riton’s beats are a little Moombahton, a little New Orleans bounce (in content as well as sound; bounce’s ultimate biter Diplo loves telling chicks what to do with their butts), but at a grind-friendly BPM, and with an unexpected electro-fied breakdown. We see this being big on the strip club circuit. And we’re OK with that. -Kerri & Lauren in Belgium
Croquet Club: “Cardigan” [Anjunabeats]
The opening track on “Anjunadeep 05,” Croquet Club’s “Cardigan,” sets the tone for yet another brilliantly produced Anjunabeats compilation. Anjunabeats seems to do everything right — from album artwork to new artist selection, the label continues to innovate while staying true to their sound and brand. Anjunadeep 05 is full of deep bass grooves, ethereal vocals and emotional melodies. Mixed by label head James Grant and progressive trance legend Jody Wisternoff, the compilation contains a mix of tracks ranging from ambient to progressive, but blended together cohesively including standouts by Dusky, Tom Middleton, Andrew Bayer & James Grant, Solarity and more. The melodic chords on Croquet Club’s “Cardigan” just might take you right to the beach at sunset on a warm summer day like it does for me. -Eric in Kansas City
KSoul & Muteoscillator: “Soul Hell” [Dekmantel]
It’s probably pretty hectic in the Dekmantel offices these days. The Amsterdam-based events company and record label is gearing up for its self-titled three-day festival next month, which features an enormous lineup and a limited number of tickets. On top of that, next week Dekmantel will unleash a fresh 12″ from Italian house producers KSoul & MuteOscillator, the ‘Soul Hell’ EP. The title track unfurls hazy vibes over the course of 7 minutes. Free jazz piano noodling and frizzy chords waft up from a sparse landscape of dry hi-hats. If this is hell, who needs heaven? -Elissa in Berlin
Disclosure: “F For You” (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs remix) [Universal]
The risk of remixing a tune as solid as Disclosure’s “F For You” is that a new version is either redundant or destructive. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs avoids both pitfalls with his excellent revision of the vocal house original. TEED adds some space in the beats, some effects to the vocals, and an ethereal mid-track break. There’s even a lovely starlight countermelody in the final minute. Best of all, the original can withstand the darkness this remix lays on top of it, bringing the young nü-house stars from a bedroom dance party to the center of an afterhours club, courtesy of a Dinosaur. -Zel in Tokyo