SLAG PATROL

Kylie Minogue – All The Lovers

This has gotten under my skin–I’ve been listening to it nonstop for the past three days. The lyrics are shite, but I love the mood and feeling it evokes.

Pink – So What (Bimbo Jones Radio Edit)

Bimbo Jones is at his best remixing Pink (see U and Ur Hand); this is just fantastic–it takes the cheese out of the melody and turns a light, fun song into a tight, angry anthem.

Britney Spears – Womanizer (Nick* Remix)

This remix just changes the backbeat, in a fierce, Personal Jesus sort of way. I’m still waiting for a remix that makes a fundamentally new song, but until then this works.

Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out of my Head (Greg Kurstin Remix)

Thoroughly Modern Kylie: Greg Kurstin has created the best remix of this song yet. It wouldn’t sound out of place on X; it keeps the song’s irresistible melody and makes it slicker, better.

Lindsay Lohan – Bossy (Sam998899’s In Control Edit)

Lindsay Lohan is indeed still making music; the original version of Bossy is fine, but not as good as this. Sam998899 adds a video game vibe and a pounding synth that is so 80s and so good.

Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake – 4 Minutes (Rebirth Remix)
Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake – 4 Minutes (Junkie XL Remix Edit)

What can I say? The unremixed original has grown on me and these remixes are quite good. The ‘Rebirth Anthem’ mix, by Marcos Castellon, is the most complete of the remixes I’ve heard in that it’s excellent throughout. The Junkie XL mix hits the highest highs–its reworking of the ‘If you want it’ chorus is absolutely ace–but the first two minutes and last two minutes are kind of boring. Very excited to hear this album.

Kylie Minogue – In My Arms (Sebastien Leger Remix)

This is a great, more serious, slightly sinister take on In My Arms. Big improvement on the saccharine original chorus. Sebastien Leger did a fantastic remix of Justin Timberlake’s What Goes Around last year; the quality of this mix doesn’t come as a surprise.

The Veronicas – Untouched (Listen Deep Remix)

As you’ll recall from the original, the chorus was the weakest part of the song and like the Kylie track, this remix is a big improvement (even though it takes the strings away). The beepy synth works well.

David Guetta – Baby When the Light

Pretty chilled as dance tracks go. I’m slightly skeptical of David Guetta, because he’s French, but I do like the video.

[Totally backdating this so it doesn't look like I was entirely derelicte during the month of March. because I totally meant to post. Seriously. That counts, right?]

Kylie Minogue – Do It Again

I was listening to this song again and again the day we went to Versailles–it is a bit regal in the beginning, don’t you think? Then it gets unabashedly camp and cheesy. But I love it. Sigh. The chorus is pure joy.

Craig David – Hot Stuff Vs. World Hold On

So much more than the sum of its parts. I love World Hold On, but Craig David manages to make it even better by adding a slick, urgent vocal track that fits pretty much perfectly.

Zac Efron – Bet On It (Jason Nevins Remix)

Yes, yes, this is indeed a remix of a song from High School Musical 2. I know… but if you ignore the extraordinarily corny lyrics, it’s actually a pretty good pop tune, at least of a caliber that some former X Factor winner (I’m thinking Shayne Ward) could release as a single. Thank you Jason Nevins, for making it okay to like a song from High School Musical 2. I guess.

Booty Luv – Some Kinda Rush

Good gym track.

2007 Top 20: 6-10

6. Kanye West – Stronger

Daft Punk enjoyed a great renaissance this year, with this track, a bunch of mash-ups, and an amazing live version of Around the World combined with Harder Better Faster Stronger. One of the poppiest hip hop tracks ever, Kanye’s Stronger is perhaps the best workout song that came out in 2007. I don’t think it really meshes well with the rest of Kayne’s Graduation album (which is great, btw), but it was definitely one of my favorites to run to.

7. Kylie Minogue – Sensitized

Kylie’s album X is about an 8.5 out of ten. Some great tracks and only one or two meh ones. This is my favorite track (along with Stars)–the pulsing, slinky 8-bar beat that holds the track together is great.

8. Kylie Minogue – Stars

This song feels like the happy ending of a movie you really like. To me, anyway. It just makes me happy.

9. Timbaland feat. Kerri Hilson & D.O.E (vs. Daft Punk) – Way I Are

Loved the original–especially the ‘I ain’t got no visa’ line (for obvious reasons). This mash up, by Loo & Placido, adds some needed bulk to the song.

10. Justin Timberlake – What Goes Around Comes Around (Sebastien Leger Radio Edit)

Last time I post this song! Promise! The best of all the What Goes Around remixes, I love the bouncy 8-bit beat; Sebastien Leger is now one to watch for remixes.

Kylie Minogue – White Diamond (live)

This one really grew on me–the “ahhs” in the chorus really work for it. White Diamond is from another collaboration with the Scissor Sisters (like I Believe in You and the unreleased (?) Loving You); this performance is from the Showgirl tour.

Young Love – Discotech (Chris Cox Club Remix)

Chris Cox used to do the powerful “Thunderpuss” remixes with another guy back in the late 90s and early 00s; he has a trademark sound that is tough to describe but involves a lot of repetitive beats and sweeping synth choruses. This is trademark Chris Cox, and while it takes a little while to build, the payoff is totally worth it.

Melody Club – Fever Fever (Emmon Remix)

James doesn’t like this one as much as the original, but I like this one better. I think the best remixes make you forget in your head how the song originally went, and this Emmon remix definitely does that for me. It loses the original’s carefree attitude and replaces it with something more sinister. I love the way the strings section is played up near the end.

Stefy – Back Tonight

I like this one and really want to like it more, but I feel like it’s missing something. It’s sweet but a little bit boring–it really needs to play up the drama, maybe with some Killers-type swinging synth. Still, it’s a good track, and the band is a Popjustice favorite.