The Remix

The remix has come a long way.

A remix used to mean the track just got doubled in length or a thumping club beat was added, preferably both. In 1982 both Soft Cell and The Human League released an entire album ful of remixes. After that remixes become more popular but only since a couple of years have remixes gotten more creative and are seen as something that could be as cool as (or even cooler than) the original. Now an artist's worth is also judged by the remixes they make and the remix artists they choose for their tracks. Bands like Depeche Mode show they're still 'hip to it' by choosing artists like Tiga, M83, Jacques Lu Cont, Goldfrapp, Richard X and Boys Noize to remix their tracks. And who knows where The Klaxons (remember them?) would be if it hadn't been for the Soulwax, Kavinsky, To My Boy and especially the Van She remix?

Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus (Boys Noize Remix) (mp3)

The Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow (Soulwax Remix) (mp3)

2006 and 2007 were important years for remixes; acts such as Justice, Digitalism, Boys Noize and Simian Mobile Disco gained a following based almost solely on their remix work before releasing an album.
Several indie bands released remix albums; Architecture in Helsinki, Stars, Xiu Xiu, My Brightest Diamond, and At The Close of Every Day for example.
Soulwax released an album with remixes they did for other artists and started playing them live (!).

Architecture in Helsinki - Do The Whirlwind (Metronomy Remix) (mp3)

Don't be too afraid, it's quite lovely: Xiu Xiu - Hello From Eau Claire (Gold Chains Remix) (mp3)

2008 will bring a new album by Metronomy and two new ‘remix acts’ will release albums that are highly anticipated. Some remixers have original takes on a song, some remixers even improve it but the two remix acts I’m talking about consistently impress the hell out of me with their remixes.

Van She improved The Klaxons ‘Gravity's Rainbow’ by about 300%, had something new to say about Tiga’s ‘I’m Gonna Want You’ and clubbed Feist’s ‘1 2 3 4’ to the next level. Their EP featured ‘Kelly’, one of the most cathy popsongs of 2006. They’ll release their as of yet untitled debut in 2008.

The Teenagers did a kick-ass Lo FI-Fnk remix for 'City' (try to sit still to this one!), cut up Au Revoir Simone’s ‘Fallen Snow’ and added some bass to Simian Mobile Disco’s ‘The Beat’. Their current single 'Starlett Johansson' is a sure-fire hit and will most likely be featured on their debut album that’ll be released in 2008.

Feist - 1 2 3 4 (Van She Technologic Remix) (mp3)

This one's for you Wiegertje: Muscles – One Inch Badge Pin (Van She Tech City Gym Remix) (mp3)

Van She - Kelly (mp3)

One of my favorite remixes ever: Lo Fi-Fnk - City (The Teenagers Remix) (mp3)

The Teenagers - Starlett Johansson (mp3)