Friday Remix: Rhythm Scholar

I love trawling soundcloud for remixes. I've learned to really appreciate a good remix, and one thing that the internet has done is allow anyone to get into the game. Oftentimes, the best mixes are not the ones released professionally. So, I thought it would be cool to periodically feature the work of these amateur djs. Sometimes it'll just be one song, and other times (like today), it'll be a few. Rhythm Scholar is the first remixer I want to feature. He's made me absolutely fall in love with Kid Rock's All Summer Long, and done wonders for Journey and INXS. This is work that pays attention to the details. It's not straight up club mixes -- more like adding funk that completely compliments the original song. Really wonderful stuff!



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Listen to more of his stuff here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Jenni Vartiainen - Junat Ja Naiset

It's funny how, even though I'm not fluent in any foreign language, I can now pick out specific languages just from listening to them so much in pop music. Finnish is definitely one of those. It's got such a beautiful, old-world sound to it that makes everything seem classier. In short: I've got no idea what Jenni is saying in this song, but it sounds important and freaking cool. Apparently, Jenni's huge in Finland, and I'm a bit embarrassed that I haven't heard of her until now. Junat Ja Naiset is pretty awesome, and it makes me really want to check out her back catalog. If you're into slightly mystical, ethereal pop music, this might just be your new jam. I'm certainly feeling the combination of those drums and strings.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy her music here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

The Fooo - Troublemaker

"She's a troublemaker"

The Fooo are taking over Sweden. I gotta say, their pre-release marketing has been absolutely astonishing. Releasing guerilla-style music videos of them performing tracks in public places has been a brilliant way to get the music out there. But it wouldn't be worth anything if the music, image and talent wasn't on point. Luckily, every song on their new EP is pop gold. Incredibly consistent. Troublemaker has received the least attention of the five tracks, but I absolutely adore it. I've always loved pop/dance music with heavy metal guitar on top. Janet Jackson had quite a few tracks like this (Black Cat, anyone?). It's just so dramatic and aggressive. If the guys can keep this up, we might have a valid successor to One Direction. (Except, they dance!)



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Ola - Maybe

"Today was as perfect as they come"

Early August has been a bit of a dry spell, but it seems like once Katy and Gaga dropped their singles, it opened the floodgates, because now I feel like I've got an entire playlist of awesome new music. Number one on that list is Ola Svensson's amazing new single, Maybe. I've always loved Ola. From Natalie to SOS to Unstoppable to I'm In Love, his string of singles is undeniably flawless. In fact, I'd go so far to say that it's one of the strongest runs in current pop music. That run continues (and maybe even hits a new peak) with the epicness that is Maybe. It's mature, somewhat experimental, and most importantly--a total anthem. If this is the new sound of his music, I am totally or it. If we're lucky to get an album as strong as this single, I might just explode as dramatically as the song's chorus.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.