MY 5 FAVOURITE ALBUMS EVER (SO FAR)

So, this isn't gonna be an accurate list, I'm not considering this very hard. This is simply what I feel to be my favourite ever albums at this point in time. Literally, this minute. Like, now. And I'm not saying these necessarily contain the best music ever - I just happen to love these albums in their entirety, as a complete body of work. What's more, this is not some rundown. Fuck am I choosing 1 favourite. Choices are absolutely not my speciality.

DAFT PUNK - DISCOVERY (2001)
An obvious choice that very very few people could dispute. An album adored beyond the EDM world, it broke ground for dance music like nothing before it, and defined Daft Punk. It was no surprise that Random Access Memories couldn't top this - it went on to influence pop music, dance music, even Kanye West. That's pretty impressive. Oh yeah, and the actual music is superb - pop perfection that still sounds fresh after 12 years. And the accompanying film 'Interstellar 5555' is great too.
HIGHLIGHTS - Digital Love // Harder Better Faster Stronger // Face to Face

M83 - HURRY UP, WE'RE DREAMING (2011)
It's difficult to sum up this album in words. It's... It's like a soundtrack to the most moving, epic film ever, and then some. It jumps between synth-pop, stadium rock, and orchestral crescendos with ridiculous ease. The vocals are other-worldly, especially on the likes of 'Wait' and 'Outro'. Songs from this album have made me cry, and that just simply doesn't happen. This on headphones on a Sunday morning, or late at night - there is nothing more powerful, or emotive, or... I've run out of words to describe it.
HIGHLIGHTS - Midnight City // Wait // Outro

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS - FURTHER (2010)
The most 'recent' release by the UK duo is their most resolved in my opinion. All of their albums have had certain lulls in my opinion, but this is near flawless. 'K+B+D' may be a bit of a nothingness, but apart from that every track has it's redeeming qualities. It balances different moods well, moving from sparse to intense to upbeat with ease. To be honest, this certainly isn't my favourite ever album. That said, it's the best these guys have ever made. Really, the Chemical Brothers seem to be more about the individual songs than the albums as a whole - this is the best attempt at making a cohesive 1-hour-long experience I've heard from them.
HIGHLIGHTS - Another World // Horse Power // Swoon

NERO - WELCOME REALITY (2011)
The debut album from the dubstep icons was an extremely strong release. From reviews that I've read, people's main issue seems to be that the album is simply a bit 'heavy' with no real let-up. But I think that's part of why I love it. There's definite contrast - they flirt with electro house in 'Fugue State,' go all-out with 'Crush On You,' and show off some of their more classic dubstep sounds with 'In The Way.' It's a strong album, with tracks flowing into each other smoothly and being comfortable both at a party or in the bedroom. An excellent contemporary mainstream dance album.
HIGHLIGHTS - Doomsday // Scorpions // Reaching Out

JUSTICE - CROSS (2007)
While I may listen to it rarely, as it's perhaps not my favourite album in this sense, the general sound and vibe of the album has a colossal effect on my tastes and style. Mental electronic music with a rock edge has definitely become something of a thing for me - this album lead me in turn to the likes of the Bloody Beetroots and SebastiAn. The album has its weak points, most notably Newjack (a song that really does irritate me a bit), but that doesn't stop it from being a greatly inspirational and unique (at least at the time) collection of work. And it has one of the best album openings. Ever.
HIGHLIGHTS - Genesis // D.A.N.C.E. // Stress

R.A.C. - LET GO FT. KELE & MNDR (SIR SLY REMIX)

So the original was nothing all that special in my opinion, despite me being a lover of both RAC and Kele. But this remix... this is some deep shit. Shows the vocals off stunningly, with some great trap-y rhythms and bass.

ANNIE MAC PRESENTS 2013

Having been a big-ass fan of Annie Mac Presents 2012, I thought this would be worth sharing. The album is out in just under a month, and features renowned DJ and BBC Radio 1 host Annie Mac's typically vast array of musical tastes. Disc 1 is for the club: featuring such huge tunes as 'Jack' by Breach and Chase & Status' 'Lost & Not Found', it's sure to get feet tapping and heads bobbing. Disc 2 is much more introvert, with the likes of Tensnake, Sampha, and Cyril Hahn. Based on the minimix provided, and the ridiculously good quality of AMP 2012, I think we can predict good things from 2013's offering from one of the world's biggest female DJs. When I've got the money, Imma be all over this.

PHOENIX - TRYING TO BE COOL - REMIXES

So, over the past few months, I've come across various remixes of French indie rockers Phoenix's 'Trying To Be Cool.' The original track is a true summer record, with the layered guitars, rolling rhythms, and Thomas Mars' vocals all interplaying brilliantly. But these 4 versions take the track in various directions. All are avialable for free download, just look at the soundcloud widgets below.

GRUM:
As expected of the retro master, the song is given a club-orientated 80's refit. The track features some great synth sounds, and some strong build-ups. However, when the track 'drops' so to speak, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed. There is such huge preparation in the build-ups, but then every time, the drums and bass come in feeling a bit mediocre. Personally, I feel the drums are too sparse, and the bass notes too long - it doesn't feel either hypnotic or intense, instead somewhere between the two that leaves me a bit wanting. But y'know, this is just opinion.

BREAKBOT:
Nothing revolutionary here, but that's no criticism - this is the sort of excellent disco rework we've grown to love. All of the slap bass, syncopated guitar and synth samples are spot on, and the snappy drums compliment it all perfectly. This is by far the funkiest remix. But nothing overwhelming to me, just something fun and funky.

RAC:
So, once again André Allen Anjos has added his touch. This is much like many other RAC remixes out there, but much like Breakbot's attempt, there's nowt wrong with that. This, along with Breakbot's, is probably most true to the original's summery vibe. Smooth, easy, and SUPERBLY produced, it's been one of my songs of the summer.

A-TRAK:
Having only just reviewed his EP, this is something a little different. This moves away from the club-dance orientated sounds of the 'Tuna Melt' EP, instead using some very warm vintage chords and a rather French-inspired vibe. The bassline is thick, the drums punchy, and the staccato synth is perfect. This is the perfect dance remix, avoiding the cliché sounds of the post-Swedish House Mafia era. And in turn, I think that makes this my favourite remix. A-Trak's done it again.

A-TRAK - TUNA MELT EP

LISTEN TO THE FULL EP HERE

Again, a little behind the times... 3 quarters of a whole year. But oh well, I went on an iTunes spree and came across this.

A-Trak is a force to be reckoned with, having worked with everyone who's anyone. His remixes are outstanding, and his work with Armand Van Helden resulted in the insanely popular (and slightly irritating) 'Barbara Streisand'. This EP gives us a true sense of the broadness of his tastes. The EP's title track, produced alongside mainroom house producer Tommy Trash, centres around a well-made staccato bass line, with typical huge chord breaks complete with disco toms and pitch-bent vocal stabs. However the tune is made by one of A-Trak's signature build-ups, with intense snare rolls and filtering before returning to the same chugging bass. Following this is a collaboration with urban dance music up-and-comer Grandtheft, 'Landline', a smooth trap-influenced track that really throbs and swaggers. But its not at all menacing, like trap can inherently be. There's something quite... "Miami" about it, cruising along palm-lined boulevards and all that shizz. And it includes a crazy little sound, something like an auto-tuned Woody the Woodpecker. Third is 'Jumbo,' featuring Galantis. This track initially seems a little boring, but giving it time, it becomes quite the interesting little piece. It's reminiscent of Boys Noize, with its acid and rave undertones, but with A-Trak's typical polished production style. And closing the release is one of the best tracks - 'Disco Nap' featuring LA boys Oliver. This track is one of those collaborations that really shows the best of both parties. It features a great disco-inspired chord progression complete with soaring lead, and vocal chops that are funky as fuck. Then this is thrown together with A-Trak's chunky basses, creating that typically dancefloor-friendly sound that seems oh-so-common following Madeon's rise to fame. But whilst it might not be ultra fresh, its damn good fun.

The EP as a whole though is something quite special. Rarely in 4 tracks do you hear such a variety - its not often you can apply the words 'trap' and 'disco' to the same release. And its all as well crafted as youd expect. This stuff, on a dancefloor? It'll go off.