Monday, March 17, 2014

Operate

This song is just flat out sexy, surprisingly that's the case for both the original and remixed versions. The song is Operate by ASTR and I can't get enough of it, particularly the drum remixed version of it. Operate is off ASTR's 2014 EP release entitled Varsity, which in itself is damn impressive collection of six songs, with Operate being the brilliant standout.

The first thing that catches you about the original version is the expansive sound and the barely there scratchy vocals. The drums are right out of the late eighties, and the song is very synth heavy, so much so that it lead me to believe this tune would have been amazing in a Miami Vice episode. That doesn't take away from the sexiness of it though, the melody and bass line rocks and the vocals float along over them nicely. The remix is another beast entirely. Immediately you hear the difference, the song is slowed down so much that the lead vocals sound like they are coming from a man, and the drums are stronger. It sounds like the Art of Noise got their hands on this song and flipped it, making it steamier.

If you like Operate then I suggest Blue Hawaii and We Fall Down, two tunes that are worthy of the time it takes to listen to them. I hope you enjoy this song in both it's incarnations as much as I do (I'm posting the original and remix cause I like ya). Oh, and if you didn't know by now, this is a big boy speaker song :) Enjoy!










Friday, March 14, 2014

We Might Be Dead by Tomorrow

I caught this poignant song in a video the other day and thought it was amazingly profound. It captures perfectly the live, love, and laugh credo so starkly. In her own way Soko is telling us that no one is promised tomorrow so live right now, today! Waiting to do it later is not written in stone and is in no way assured. I love this song.

From her 2012 debut album I Thought I Was An Alien, We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow is a lilting song, sung in a breathless way which makes it somewhat creepy, and in all ways brilliant. It's just Stephanie Sokolinski floating over instruments that are barely there themselves. The violin and guitar compliment her voice exquisitely and the drums are in and out which is a nice touch.

If you like this song then I highly recommend checking out For Marlon and First Love Never Die off the same album. You're welcome :) Enjoy!