Sounds Familiar: Week 3

October 23rd, 2012

Julia McAlpine

Continuing our expansion of original content, Under The Gun Review presents its latest column, Sounds Familiar, dedicated to trawling the world and web for the latest remixes, redos, and reminiscent bits that our newest columnist Julia McAlpine finds appealing. Be prepared for some diversity in your music library. The songs may not be new, but they will be different and worth a spin.

If you have a remix or cover that you would like to see featured here, let us know! Write utgjacob@gmail.com with the subject “Sounds Familiar” and we’ll take a listen!

Carousel – “Let’s Go Home” (Sound Remedy Remix)

I love when electronic songs begin with stripped down vocals instead of those two minutes of minimalistic synthesizing that seem to last an eternity (I know, that synth start creates suspense, but it’s nice to have instant gratification now and then). Sound Remedy’s remix of “Let’s Go Home” does it right by giving Carousel’s vocals the stage and perfectly combines indie pop and EDM for a joyful, feel-good sound. It’s hard not to picture a magical forest of dancing unicorns or some equivalently fantastical vision while listening to this track, making it the perfect solution to depressing Monday mornings.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/64266062″ iframe=”true” /]

Tashaki Miyaki – “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” (Father John Misty Cover)

As I was obsessed with the original version of “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” this summer, it’s nice to mix things up with some female vocals. This cover preserves the sound of Father John Misty’s version with the electric guitar taking precedence during the chorus, but the Tashaki Miyaki version is a bit slower and features slightly slurred vocals. Add in the vocal sex-change, and this version sets itself apart from the original, providing a nice alternative to an already lovely song.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/46617052″ iframe=”true” /]

Niki & the Dove – “Mother Protect” (Goldroom Remix)

Niki & the Dove sounds a bit like an indietronica version of Tegan & Sara, making the Swedish group a prime candidate for remixes. Also, because they’re Swedish. This Goldroom Remix of “Mother Protect” is just a flat-out catchy track with an abundance of dance-invoking synthesizing. Warning: this song will inevitably get stuck in your head. You’re welcome.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/27996759″ iframe=”true” /]

Gallant – “Die Young” (Ke$ha Cover)

I didn’t think it was possible to make a Ke$ha song sound meaningful, but this R&B artist has actually transformed the shallow lyrics of “Die Young” into a pitiful cry for help by means of his Usher-esque falsetto. This slowed down, soulful version is actually worth listening to, as the seedy lyrics of the original are no longer a distraction. That’s partially due to the fact that Gallant omitted a good portion of the lyrics. Thank you, good sir.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/62959471″ iframe=”true” /]

Giselle – “Silk” (Ianborg Remix)

This remix of Giselle’s “Silk” gives the gorgeous song a beat and a touch of dubstep without distracting from the melody, Giselle’s flawless vocals, or the haunting use of string instruments. Unlike a lot of dubstep-infused tracks, this “Silk” remix retains the distinct elegance and thoughtfulness of the original. If you usually flee from the scene when a household dubstep name like “Skrillex” is uttered, give this track a shot — its manageability just might surprise you.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/48296658″ iframe=”true” /]

That’s it for this week! Julia is off to read by candlelight (and then, as expected, get distracted by the Internet again).