Track of the Weekend #141: Years & Years - “Ties”

The grass in the fields is brittle. The sunshine pours down daily. It’s been a dry summer here in northern France, and the city of light has been the city of heat. Few acts right now are hotter than the temperatures here, but one that’s unquestionably on fire is Years & Years, an English electro-R&B group that has been steadily infiltrating the airwaves. The trio’s latest single, “Ties” capitalizes on their now-famous style: a seductive voice, expertly-constructed melodies, and some of the catchiest lyrics this side of Disney. No wonder “Ties” was the hottest track on Whyd this week. And their album “Communion” is rapidly on pace to become one of the biggest of 2015. 

Track of the Weekend #140: Collarbones - “Turning” (Flume Remix)

Summer is in full swing and offices are already a little less crowded as people head off to the world’s destinations. This week, the Whyd community turned its ears towards the land down under, where Whyd favorite Flume just released a remix of a different Australian duo: Collarbones. “Turning” is resonant and powerful. The voice is reminiscent of Years & Years. The melody attracts and captivates. But then Flume adds depth. He boosts the original track deep into house territory, all of it climaxing into a heady blast of turn-it-up electronica. 

Thanks to Louis de Sentenac for getting it to us!  

Track of the Weekend #139: Kendrick Lamar - “Alright”

Is “AlrightKendrick Lamar’s most political song? It does fit perfectly well into America’s modern narrative of black vs. police. One thing is for sure, it’s another visceral experience whose music video is a visual masterpiece featuring Kendrick flying through the streets and rapping atop streetlights before getting shot by a white cop. It’s the latest in his string of hits off of “To Pimp A Butterfly” confirming what we thought all along: 2015 is the year of Kendrick Lamar. 

Thanks to Dans Ton Casque for getting this one to us! 

Techno Playlist of Reference

Sometimes the middle of the week can drag. Hump days are like speedbumps, slowing you down and pulling the weekend further out of reach. Sometimes the only thing you can do is find some hype music and turn the volume up. Shake away that stagnancy, drive forward my friend. 

We’ve got just the playlist for you this week, Techno curated by our friends Process London, who know a thing or two about the genre. Let’s get the story behind the curation: 

When did you start listening to Techno?

I start listening to Techno about 5 or 6 years ago.

Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Techno started speaking to you?

Every time! When I listen to a track for me is like the artist is talking to me, trying to tell me a story.

It works even better on a big sound system!

What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?

It helps me to focus so I listen to it a lot at work when I need to get things done quickly; As well as when I get back home after a long day and I need to relax with a beer or a glass of wine. Techno goes really well with wine!

If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?

There are a lot! but I would go for one that I have added in February: Utkast - &&&&

Listen to the Process Techno Playlist with 700+ tracks here. 

Track of the Weekend #136: Lauryn Hill - “Doo Wop” (Poldoore Remix)

It’s been nearly 20 years since Lauryn Hill released her smash hit “Doo Wop” that catapulted her into superstardom. The question then goes: how do you remix such a powerful song? How do you respect the track and its fans, yet creatively bring it into the 21st century? Leave it to none other than our man Poldoore, who has been tearing it up recently. Modern and electronic, Poldoore’s remix provides a layer of funk while staying true to the original soul of the track. The trumpet at the end is the icing on the cake. No wonder it’s been at the top of the hot tracks all week! 

Put this track on when you’re getting ready to go out tonight, and you’ll be assured to pop it off right. 

Track of the Weekend #134: Flume - “Some Minds”

After a few weeks of hiatus, the Track of the Weekend is back just in time for the end of May. And you know who else is back? Our favorite Australian producer Flume, a man who is no stranger to the Track of the Weekend. His latest single “Some Minds” is a haunting orchestral voyage led by Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt on vocals that takes a while to build into Flume’s classic electro riffs. But when it tops off, there is nothing to do but hit repeat. 

We’re already salivating for Flume’s new album! Thanks to Wark for getting it to our ears. 

Americana & Bluegrass Playlist of Reference

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Another year, another summer, with the lazy summer night where stars fall into dreams and the world seems like it will never end. For sitting around the campfire, strumming a guitar, bellowing calls and returns, there is nothing better than Bluegrass and the impeccable genre of Americana. This week’s playlist of reference is curated by our man Tom B. Let’s get the story behind the curation: 

When did you start listening to Bluegrass/Americana? 

I started to listen to Bluegrass in the mid to late 60’s when I first heard Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, the music made me feel good and put me in a great place.

Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Bluegrass/Americana started speaking to you? 

I bought the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s album “Will the Circle be Unbroken” which is a collaboration of country and bluegrass players, it opened my eyes to how good these players are and how great these old songs are. I think it might have been my first exposure to Vassar Clements, Mother Maybelle Carter and many of the other great musicians and singers on this album. It is my favorite album even though I don’t listen to it as much as I used to I think it is always a special time when I do. The song “Keep on the Sunny Side” will always cheer me up if i’m down and a very moving song for me.

What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself? 

I add a lot of the newer songs and groups to it before we go to a string music festival “Harvest Music Festival” at Mulberry Mountain, Ozark, AR. I will line up my favorite artist so I can become more familiar with their music. I like to listen to many different genres but if we are going to see someone live I like to listen to that genre before I go.

If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite? 

“Keep On The Sunny Side” with Mother Maybelle Carter

Track of the Weekend #132: Yael Naim - “Coward” (Rone Remix)

One of the biggest success stories our of France recently has been Rone, the young producer signed to InFiné music. His music has been praised by the greats, and he sports a unique European personality. Most importantly, he has a knack for taking songs and transcending them to a new level of reality. This is precisely what he did with his remix of Yael Naim’s “Coward.” Originally a typical Parisian-style ballad, with its a cappella, church-like choir, and a few piano notes here and there, Rone brings “Coward” into an era so modern, it’s basically the future. Punctuated, powerful, and prescient, it’s no surprise that this track was the most popular on Whyd this week! 

This time it’s Greenroom who we need to thank for getting it to us. Thank you guys!

Aquilo Answers Your Questions [Interview]

Hello Aquilo! Who does what in your duo?

We write and produce the music together at our flat in Manchester. We both play a bit of guitar and piano, but Tom primarily sings lead vocals.

How did you start playing music together? Did you have a clear vision of the sound that you wanted or is a compromise between your two different styles?

I found a song that Ben did online, he lived across the road and we decided to try and write something together.

I don’t think we had a clear vision, it came from a lot of experimentation and combination of our individual music tastes.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? Are there contemporary artists that you look up to?

We suppose we’re inspired by people like Mount Kimbie, The Weeknd, Bonobo, Fleet Foxes, Fink, Washed Out, Steely Dan and maybe even D’Angelo.

Can you tell us about your new EP? What can we expect?

This EP feels bigger than the other 2 EPs. The old EPs sort of shows our mellow side and this EP (although still holding emotion and thoughtfulness) feels as though it has more bursts of Energy. We almost see it as a stepping stone to our album.


You will be playing at Melt in Germany, are you doing any other festivals this summer, maybe in France?

We’re dead excited for Melt Festival. We’ve never been to Berlin before so it should be a good one. We’re playing a few festivals this summer but unfortunately for now we don’t have any dates booked in France (yet!) although will do very soon. 

Track of the Weekend #131: RATATAT - “Cream on Chrome”

Another week in the books, and another weekend on the horizon. The minutes of the clock tick slowly towards evening. With each tock the excitement builds. Layer upon layer, until the excitement explodes into the freedom of the weekend. Summing up this feeling of building is the experimental rock duo from Brooklyn: RATATAT, back on the world scene with “Cream on Chrome.” 

For the fans of RATATAT who have known them since the days of “Loud Pipes,” you wont be disappointed with “Cream on Chrome” which carries the signature electric guitar, funky bass beat, and mathematical construction that enables RATATAT to weave stories and narratives through music with no lyrics. And that’s why it’s #1 on Whyd this week.

Thanks to Maxime M for getting his, like, 25th track of the weekend!