New Order - Tutti Frutti (Hot Chip remix)

Hot Chip spin one of New Order's latest tunes into a web of truth and club-banging. Lying somewhere between Pet Shop Boys and Giorgio Moroder, Tutti Frutti is an extra fun dance track with expansive synths and intricately laced drum samples. Like a sticky, dry-ice cloud enveloping the dance-floor, Hot Chip have deconstructed the track and rebuilt it stronger, and heavier. Like an extended Depeche Mode cut or the danciest breakdown off Kid A, this remix carries on with a hypnotic pulse, not unfamiliar to Disco, and Darkwave, but what else should we expected? It IS Hot Chip. Dude. Get into the groove:

Holy Ghost! - Okay

So much about Holy Ghost! does not work at all. They're vintage synth purists, choosing to revel in antiquated electronics over a more contemporary drum and bass sound; and while yes, many artists are living in the past these days, Holy Ghost! are fairly unique in their hifi aping of a Depeche Mode/New Order/Ministry tonality. On top of this, Alex Frankel is a criminally middle of the road vocalist, often veering out of pitch and out his element. Lyrically Frankel is equally simplistic and straight forward. Yet, despite all their disparities, I find myself fully encamped in the Holy Ghost! camp-grounds. Why? why? WHY???? Its easy to hate on a band like Holy Ghost, they sorta look like blow-holes (lets be real), but their music is dope. Okay is another outstanding single that utilises sounds from the heyday of synthetic pop to a masterful degree. The hooks here are plentiful! And the juicy, metallic, orchestra stabs are sooooooo Depeche Mode circa Some Great Reward. Earworm commin atcha:

Japan - Ghosts

One of the most aptly titled creep-pop songs of the last 40 years, Ghosts demonstrated a complete metamorphosis for Japan from Avant Garde Glam stars to nuanced New Romantics. Ghosts was released in 82',two years before Depeche Mode, put out similar sounding and slow building Blasphemous Rumours. Relying on virtually zero rhythm section, the song unwinds around a series of unconventional synth patches and David Sylvian's esoteric, baritone vocal delivery. Despite its bizarre melodies, this single proved by a top 10 hit, one of only 2 that the band ever had. Bellow is a terrific 'live' performance of the track where Sylvian seems to glow with a ghostly hue, as the haunting tune floats out into the ether. DIG IT::::

OMD - So In Love

The vastly underrated and mostly only known for their Breakfast Club song, Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark are about to release a new album this month. So it seems only fair that we all take a look back at one of their classic clips! Sadly, OMD never gained the sort of fame reached by similar acts like Depeche Mode, or New Order, yet their sound was often just as accessible if not more. "So In Love," comes from their album Crush. Released in 85' it was not as strong a record as earlier releases like Architecture & Morality or Dazzle Ships, yet this song is undeniably a banger. Let your ears set sail on a beautiful ocean of love and synthesizers!

Depeche Mode- Peace [Justus Köhncke Extended Disco Club Vocal Remix]

I found this remix from Depeche Mode's remix contest for "Peace" off of their new album Sounds of the Universe, their twelfth studio record, that came out this past April. This remix by Justus Köhncke, German House/Disco DJ, places signature DM vox over disco beats and bouncing 80s synths. The video somehow works nicely following the nomadic adventures of one military vagabond. PEEP it.

Peace

Depeche Mode's first single, "Wrong," off their latest LP was just boring and shitty. There was a lot of repetition and annoying melodrama, laid on heavy by David Gahan. This song kinda spoiled it for me and I gave up on their new material, but when I saw they had this new song and video I still had to check it. "Peace," is typical Depeche Mode, dark-mysterious-choral-electronic. Yet, I like this tune far more than "Wrong." There's something about the haunting Gregorian chant-like hook that gets lodged in your cranium. Also the new video is fairly intriguing, featuring a military hottie, who's had it rough. The clip ain't all tits and ammo, instead there's a weird ambiguity to the narration and imagery that compliments the song pretty well. Anywho, check it:

(Still nostalgic for this Depeche Mode though):