Sounds Familiar: Week 8

November 27th, 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!

Local Natives – “Who Knows Who Cares” (Wax Nostalgic Mix)

So, I love Local Natives and instantly was on-board with this remix. It went down like this:

Me: “Local Natives!” *girly squeal*

Me: *pushes play button*

Me: “JUST AS I SUSPECTED.” *bro fist pump*

Basically, it’s a great Local Natives song amped up with a beat. You can’t NOT like this if you like the original “Who Knows Who Cares.” You will also like it even if you’ve never heard of Local Natives. Trust me.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/68925448″ iframe=”true” /]

Haim – “Don’t Save Me” (Cyril Hahn Remix)

If you didn’t already know, Haim is a sisterly trio from San Bernadino, CA, and they’ve been starting to receive more attention in the indie music world (they’re supposed to open for Florence + the Machine soon, if that puts things in perspective). This remix of “Don’t Save Me” instantly caught my attention. The vocals are soulful and the beat is catchy; it’s basically the total package! And I’m feeling pretty proud to be a Californian right now.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/68183284″ iframe=”true” /]

Miike Snow – “Pretender” (Deniz Koyu Remix)

The Internet is famous for its abundance of cat pictures and, like, arsenal of Miike Snow songs. It seems he’s always lurking around cyberspace and getting remixed up the wazoo, but that’s cool with me. Snow’s vocals don’t even begin to dominate this remix, and while I prefer more vocally-charged songs, there is no doubt that this remix WILL have you dancing. Which is something we could all use after last week’s Thanksgiving feasting.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/61963994″ iframe=”true” /]

Sarah Blasko – “Hey Ya” (Outkast Cover)

I know “Hey Ya” has been covered many-a-time, but this version is the best I’ve heard. “Hey Ya” was so overplayed back in the day (excuse my while my mind fills up with scarring visions of eighth grade dances), but this cover makes me –*gasp*– actually feel like listening to it again. You heard me. Sarah Blasko’s rendition of “Hey Ya” reminds me a bit of Regina Spektor’s “Ballad of a Politician” — particularly the way in which Blasko enunciates the lyric, “Shake it like a Polaroid picture.” Her vocals are gorgeous and clear, and I’m definitely going to be looking up more of her stuff.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/51503429″ iframe=”true” /]

Bloc Party – “Signs” (Lockstok Remix)

Confession time: I’ve been obsessed with “Signs” ever since it was used on an episode of Gossip Girl (second season, back when the show was good! Well, better). It coincided with some dramatic, pivotal moment and I couldn’t understand why I’d never been too fond of Bloc Party. I hate to be that person who knows a song from its use in something, rather than from just knowing it out of sheer awesomeness, but I’m going to cut myself some slack here (follow suit, guys). You could do almost anything to this song and I’d still have this blind allegiance to it, but I do think this remix by Brisbane’s Lockstok is one of the best.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/20611087″ iframe=”true” /]

That’s it for this week! Julia is off to eat left over mashed potatoes and, well, watch Gossip Girl. DON’T JUDGE ME.