Hi everybody and welcome back to the Shuffle Button. For your listening pleasure, we bring you new songs, old songs, and new songs that sound like old songs. Let’s get it on.
LK – (I Wanna) Make Luv 2 U
Nostalgic tunes will be sprinkled throughout the list this week and it starts right here. “(I Wanna) Make Luv 2 U” sounds like it could have been made 40 years ago. The disco guitar, the fun and upbeat vocal, all scream 70’s funk. The fact that it’s subject is so straightforward just adds to its charm.
LK’s concerned with one thing, getting it on. The whole mood is very summery and light. Throw in a few members of Anchorman and you’ve got yourself a modern version of “Afternoon Delight”. It’s just a frisky little tune about having a very specific kind of fun.
Benny Page feat. Eva Lazarus – Front Left
We’re sticking with the summer vibe, and Benny Page’s new offering is responsible for kicking up the pace. Page is well known for his ragga jungle sound, but in “Front Left” he shows his range by highlighting the funky side of drum and bass.
The Caribbean feeling is in full force as the horns blare and Eva Lazarus’s vocals transport the listener to a sunny locale. It might be tough to salsa at 180 beats per minute, but if there was ever a soundtrack for it, “Front Left” would be the first song on it.
Halsey feat. Stefflon Don – Alone (Calvin Harris Remix)
The nostalgia for “Alone” isn’t in the song itself. Instead, it’s for the fact that Calvin Harris is producing bangers again!
Before he was the deejay for the stars and dated Taylor Swift, Calvin Harris produced dance music jams. His talent was usually displayed in house tunes that showed off his ear for infectious melodies. This remix of “Alone” isn’t as melodic as his tracks of old. Instead, he’s turned to a more aggressive and in your face style and it sounds great.
He uses the piano and horns present in the original song but takes “Alone” in a whole new direction. The drop features a fresh, undulating bass-line that surprises the listener. But the novelty of the new sound doesn’t wear off. From the first drop to the last one, the whole thing just works.
Way back when, Calvin Harris was known for producing songs that got people onto the dance-floor. This track is more about making those that are already there jump.
DJ Absolute Sh*t – A Night In Shelleys Laserdome
Now back onto the nostalgia for music’s sake tip. DJ Absolute Sh*t (Manchester based producer Il Bosco) opens up a twenty year old time capsule with “A Night At Shelleys Laserdome”.
Il Bosco comes correct with a combination of break beats, acid elements, and moody undertones that hearken back to 90’s warehouse raves. The pairing of old school hip-hop and R&B vocals just drive that sound home.
ZHU & Tame Impala – My Life
Following the downturn in tempo, we’re bringing it home with ZHU and Tame Impala’s new collaboration. They may seem like an odd couple at first glance, but the artists’ sounds complement each other perfectly. Tame Impala’s vocals and instrumentation sync up with ZHU’s downtempo and melancholy beat seamlessly.
It’s the kind of song that you listen to on the way home from a concert or after a big night out. The light and melodic vibe embody the perfect mood for your after-party.
CHOOOOON of the Week
Pendulum – The Island – Pt. 1 (Dawn)
It’s hard to talk about modern drum and bass without mentioning Pendulum. Even though the Western Australian band disbanded seven years ago, their legacy lives on in their influence of the genre.
The electric rock band that helped to popularize live instrumentation in drum and bass burst onto the scene in 2005 with Hold Your Colour. Their mix of jump up and rock blended into an incredibly popular sound that spread all over the world. Throughout their career their sound oscillated back and forth between the two influences, sometimes favoring electronic productions, sometimes favoring live instruments.
Their third studio album, Immersion, was eagerly awaited and went straight to the top of the UK charts upon release. “The Island – Pt. 1” was only the third most popular single off the album. However, it’s a track that shows just how flexible the group was. It’s not what most people would call a run of the mill drum and bass record and shows that the genre has many sounds. It’s also a great example of Rob Swire’s powerful voice and the group’s musical talent.
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