HANDCLAPS&WHISTLES

Harvest Moon (Neil Young Cover) by Poolside

Let’s go dancing in the light
We know where the music is playing
Let’s go out and feel the night

It’s Leap day, go somewhere you haven’t been before or do something you wouldn’t do in a normal day. Nevertheless, listen to this cover, chill out and let this tune warm you up (SoCal is extra chilly these days!).

Recommended to fans of: Flight Facilities, Monarchy & Aeroplane

Discover more Poolside on tumblr & soundcloud!

R U Mine? by Arctic Monkeys

I go crazy cause here isn’t where I wanna be
And satisfaction feels like a distant memory

When Alex Turner is asking “Are you mine?” The only answer is “Yes, I am yours.” I’m really excited that Arctic Monkeys has a new material. Watch them have fun while driving, making faces and playing air-drums below.

Running (Disclosure Remix)‬ by Jessie Ware (right click; save as)

Just the right speed and mix from bass duo Disclosure to turn this Jessie Ware into a dance track. Watch/listen to the original track here.

Recommended to fans of SBTRKT, Little Dragon

Party (Beyoncé Cover) Featuring Das Racist by Chairlift (right-click; save as)

And the night belong to us
Just hold me close, don’t let me go

The song opens & ends with Kanye West & Jay-Z’s Niggas in Paris, followed by Caroline Polachek’s soothing voice which is perfect for this R&B track. It is even sweetened with a Das Rascist featurette dropping names of Gil-Scott Heron & Lenny Kravitz. What a guilty pleasure it is hearing indie acts covering pop songs! I know I’m hooked! How about you?

Listen to Chairlift’s Something on Spotify!

How Deep Is Your Love by The Rapture (right-click; save as)

All the love you’re giving me
It helps me see what’s right
All my life now you’ve given me
A chance to see your light

I heard this in the end credits of the latest episode of Skins (6x03 Alex). It’s beautiful, I didn’t pay any attention to this song before now I’m hooked.

Bad Girls by M.I.A.

LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG! BAD GIRLS DO IT WELL!

I wasn’t really impressed when I first heard Bad Girls but when I saw the video, I am convinced that there is something more to this track which was featured in M.I.A’s Vicki Leekx mixtape. The visuals did improve my impression and the chorus sticks! Lately, I’ve been reading literature from the Middle East which gave me a deeper insight on the different plights of women who are living under a strict regime. In this video, it’s refreshing to see these women dancing on top of cars in their leopard burkas and driving cars. These acts not known to a lot of people are forbidden and it’s just good to see a different view of it. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy cars driven sideways? The lyrics, “Live fast, die young. Bad girls do it well!” also reminds me so much of MGMT’s Time To Pretend which echoes the same youthful recklessness.

Watch the video below:

Hurting (Tensnake Remix) by Friendly Fires (right-click; save as)

Either way that I
Can’t keep feeling the pain of your touch
Your touch keeps on hurting

This track is filed under remixes that I prefer much like that Aeroplane Remix of Friendly Fires’ Paris. Don’t get me wrong, original songs by Friendly Fires are really good but these remixes just takes the songs up a notch. Tensnake did a wonderful thing turning this tune into a sexy jam you can dance to this Wednesday night. “I can feel in my body!”

Rolling in the Deep (Adele Cover) by Work Drugs

Turned my sorrow into treasured gold

Usually, I’m very iffy about Adele covers because they can never live up to the original. A cover can either be spectacular even transcending or it can be a total disaster. In the case of Work Drugs’ cover of one of last year’s biggest hits, it’s the former! Their re-work is amazing they took the song to another level. The stripped back the original and the only thing recognizable is the lyrics which we all know by heart. It’s a refreshing take from all the Rolling in the Deep covers out there.

Find Work Drugs here and on bandcamp!

Rack City (Remix) Featuring Wale, Fabolous, Meek Mill, Young Jeezy & T.I. Featuring by Tyga

who that on the pole?

What I love about LA is that the hip hop scene is so alive. Radio stations are populated by Drake, J.Cole and yes more Drake. Lately, I can’t get Tyga’s Rack City of my mind and the official remix came out a few days ago so that’s a nice treat this weekend.

Black Tin Box Featuring Lykke Li by Miike Snow

take me down to the hillside, show me where they used to play

Miike Snow teams up with Swedish goddess, Lykke Li for another track which will be included in Happy To You.

sol. by Mausi

I’ll be putting dreams in your eyes

What a way to kickstart my Monday with this infectious track by Mausi, a four-piece dancepop band from Newcastle. You will be up in your seats once you hear them sing, “Dance, dance, dance” which reminds me so much of the Black Kids’ I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You.

You can download sol. for free here. They’re on facebook & twitter.

Paddling Out by Miike Snow

you say isn’t it hard, paddling out

One of 2012’s most-anticipated album is Miike Snow’s Happy To You. After the immense success of their previous self-titled LP, Miike Snow is ready to release a new LP this March and if Paddling Out is a preview of the whole album then it’s on its way to being spectacular. 

With Just One Glance Featuring Scout LaRue by Nicolas Jaar

Who knew Demi Moore and Bruce Willis’ daughter, Scout LaRue can sing? She has such a sultry voice that is accompanied by Nicolas Jaar’s hypnotic beats matched with some sexy sax.

more Nicolas Jaar here.

it’s also my current jam ICI.

Kids, Set Fire To Someone That I Used To Know by The Jane Doze

A mashup featuring songs by Goyte (Somebody That I Used To Know), Adele (Set Fire To The Rain) and Sebastian Ingrosso (Kidsos).

Blue Cassette (Friendly Fires Cover) by SBTRKT

I can’t stop the tape machine
As I hear your voice it sets my heart on fire

Hot Right Now Featuring Rita Ora by DJ Fresh

you’re only gonna get it if it’s hot right now

Drum and Bass producer, DJ Fresh is accompanied by Rita Ora in this incredibly catchy track. Rita Ora is signed to Roc Nation (Jay-Z’s label). This collaboration shows a lot of promise. We should definitely be on the lookout for her.