Polls

What's up everybody? Recently, Luke and I have been wondering what people actually think of our blog. We've discussed possible changes but we want the changes to reflect what you, the followers, would like to see altered. If you could give us 15 seconds of your time and fill out the poll on the right sidebar with your opinion, we'd appreciate it.

If you haven't listened to it already, Omar LinX and Zeds Dead partnered up to create an album of freaken awesome music. What really caught my ear in these songs are Omar's relaxed lyrics that still seem to have so much fire behind them. My favorites are The One and Coffee Break, but to each his own. Enjoy

Zeds Dead & Omar LinX

Dubstep comes in many forms, and this form is definitely one of my favorites. The S creates a beauty of a track with calm synths that drop suddenly. Although clearly dubstep, this track borders on the catagory of many electronic songs these days. Note: Wynter Gordon makes any track sexy.
Ladi Dadi - Steve Aoki ft. Wynter Gordon (The S remix)




The Dean's List brings the heat on this free track, Hollywood. I always enjoy their laid back lyrics and smooth sampled beats. Get this track while they still are giving out free downloads!
Hollywood - The Dean's List ft. Dani Ummel



Vava Voom. I have no idea what that means but that really doesn't matter considering two of my favorite artists from very separate genres combined to make a pretty sick combination of Bass Music/Dubstep and Hip Hop. Check out Lupe Fiasco and Bassnectar's hopefully first of many team ups.
Vava Voom - Bassnectar ft. Lupe Fiasco
Vava Voom [ft. Lupe Fiasco] (They don't allow direct linking so check out the track on Bassnectar's Soundcloud)




A couple of posts ago, Luke featured No Pets Allowed for their song Dead Siberian Romance. Well they did it again creating a completely original sounding mashup of many songs you will recognize including Adventure Club Dubstep and The Cataracs. Sweet.
Do I See The World - No Pets Allowed


- Jacob

Absence+Concert Season

Hello all,


Do you all even remember me? Well, I wasn't gone for too long, just a week, but a week without showing you today's fantastic music seems like an eternity. A hectic week of school left no time for truly appreciating what new music was out there, but I've come into plenty of free time this weekend.
Concert season is beginning, with SXSW wrapping up a week ago and more and more venues opening themselves up to crowds all across the country. Winter is over my friends, it's time to come out and listen to the music.


First song comes from a new artist I happily discovered today, Kinnie The Explorer. Located somewhere between dream and psychedelic rock, and with it I'm in heaven. The sound is like a toned down version of Tame Impala with slowed down instrumentals and softer vocals, but of the same strain.
Empyrean - Kinnie The Explorer



Another Dead Prez remix of their song "Hip Hop"? Before you cringe, keep reading. Jimi Needles mashes this mashup favorite with "Total Recall" by Flosstradamus, and actually brings a new interpretation to the song. The two songs match up much better than they do with many other mashups of "Hip Hop", so give it a listen.
Total Hip Hop Recall - Jimi Needles



This masterpiece was sent to us via SoundCloud from Edmonton-based producer AceJack. This 18 year old has some serious, and I mean serious talent. The only way I can describe this is that it's an electronic journey, taking you through genres and beats with ease and then seamlessly floating into the next style. He writes the genre as "Epic Dirty Electro Dance House" and I don't disagree with that categorization. Get going on your journey.
EPIC? - AceJack



Man, 3LAU is awesome. He always brings a bit more on each of his songs, and never sounds stale. He labels this song simply as "Sex", and again, I thought that was a very fitting self-evaluation. This song has blown up, with over 16,000 downloads on SoundCloud alone. Kap Slap's star has faded a bit, with his last few songs being real duds in my opinion. We'll have to see if 3LAU can continue to fill the college-dancefloor-filling-producer-DJ void that seems to have cropped up.
Action - 3LAU



I just love hearing great rap songs like this. No, not hip-hop, but rap. Piece of Mind just relies on the strength of his vocals and rhymes, not falling back on house or electronic backgrounds to cover for any weaknesses. The sound is like '90s rap, just a human voice and a simple bassline. This song is just meant for riding around in a car, summer night, windows down, head bobbing. Enjoy it.
Rap Phenomenon - Piece of Mind





Savor the tunes, and savor the weather.


-Luke

Top of Google Search!

Yeah, that's right. Go ahead and open up a new tab, work your way over to google search and type in "Musings and Mashups". What you see before you is that this up and coming blog has made it to the top of google search when someone types in our name. All of those phonies below are second rate to (in my opinion) the best music blog out there.

Onto some great Thursday tunes.



The featured song for today is a remix of a semi-popular track "What Happens in Vegas" by DJ Chuckie. What really stood out to me in this song is the relaxing guitar used in the long buildup and the unconventional style of dubstep. TYR turns this song into one of the most original sounding dubstep songs I have ever heard with the random breaks in between the synths. Enjoy
What Happens in Vegas - Chuckie (TYR Remix)




The next track is a mashup I made myself while fooling around with some songs in my Recently Added playlist. I combined Flo Rida's lyrics in Turn Around with Drive Hard, which Luke recently featured in a post. I had fun making this song so relax and take a listen.
Turn Around + Drive Hard - DaBearJew Mashup




This next track is by a DJ you all know and love, Tiesto. It seems like everything this guy puts his name on is an absolute electronic masterpiece. I love how all of his songs sound so unique which is rare to come by in today's music world. Got me thinking about summer....
Chasing Summers - Tiesto




The last song has blown up.... I mean it has completely conquered the blogosphere in a matter of days. If you haven't already heard this new track from the Swedish House Mafia, you need to give it a listen.
Greyhound - Swedish House Mafia



I apologize for all the electronic music this post, I'll bring more variety next time around.

- Jacob

Lazy Sunday Music

Sundays are awesome, especially in the second semester. A whole day stretched out in front of you where you can relax any way you can conceive. Here at Musings and Mashups, we only rest once we give our readers a dose of today's best music, from all genres. In that spirit, you'll find today's post especially diverse.




Finally, we are saved. The Two Friends have released another mashup. Each and every time they seem to ressurect songs that most people thought were very dead and very buried. And this release is no different, taking Fountain of Wayne's classic song "Stacy's Mom" and turning it into a dancefloor maniac.
Stacy's Mode - The Two Friends





Is there anyone who doesn't like Calvin Harris? And who can get enough "Feel So Close To You"? This remix comes sent to us from DJ Robert Pennington and usually I'm wary when it comes to DJ produced tracks. They tend to feel rushed and ill-put together. But he nails it on this one. Awesome pick of lyrics and expert clip to use from "Feel So Close To You". Enough blabbing for now, take a listen.
Feels Like a Domino - DJ Robert Pennington





Been awhile since I heard an indie-rock song as good as this one by The Kickdrums. Heavy line and big brass coming in during transitions. A little dreamy in parts, which never hurts. Then, out of nowhere, smooth and relaxed rap and an added a snare. Sundays are for listening to some different types of tracks, so try this one on for size.
Thieves in The Choir - The Kickdrums (feat. Casey Veggies)





British Invasion part deux?? You might think so by listening to this beautful Beatles cover by Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Awesome vocals, gentle guitar, there's simply nothing not to like. Very well done covers are one of life's little joys.
Ticket To Ride (The Beatles Cover) - Bejamin Francis Leftwich





Geez, I just can't get enough St. Lucia. He released a self-titled EP about a week ago, and you can see the growth in this talented producer. He's branched out into unchartered territory, using original lyrics and unique beats and sounds. Been listening to this one quite a bit. You will too.
Closer Than This - St. Lucia





It's frustrating and awesome when you can't categorize a song. There's just no genre you can confidently put to this next song, and while frustrating at first, I then realize that it's awesome because it's something I haven't heard before. This remix by EarthMoonEarth fits neatly into that niche.
Easy - Dragonette (EarthMoonEarth Remix)





Finals song comes from a section of the new music world that we haven't featured much here, it's folk-rock. I do enjoy Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and Mumford and Sons to some extent, but it seems we haven't been able to feature any new bands like them. Well that ends now. Heartless Bastards have a similar sound and just an awesome, head bobbing vibe to them. Dig it, and check out their new EP, Arrows, on SoundCloud.
Parted Ways - Heartless Bastards





Lots of music today, and couldn't even fit it all in. Stay tuned.


Until Next Time,


-Luke

Spring

Ahhh Spring is approaching, what a wonderful time of year. A time when you can finally leave your house and enjoy the outdoors. But don't forget about Musings and Mashups cause we will stil be bringing you the best music on the regular.

I've been waiting and waiting for the one and only Flux Pavilion to drop another track and boy did he come through this time. This isn't the first time Flux has remixed a track by the artist Example; he also remixed Midnight Run which I recommend you check out here. This song packs a big punch with familiar deep bass we've come to expect from Flux Pavilion.
Daydreamer - Example (Flux Pavilion Remix)




As Luke mentioned in a previous post, the word "Crunchy" is used in electronic and dubstep music but it is really hard to define and I don't even know if I can call this crunchy. It's like when.... Or how..... Or..... Well give this remix a listen and describe it how you want because I can't put this delicious sound into words.
Vandalism - Porter Robinson ft. Amba Shepherd (Lazy Rich Remix)




A couple of days ago a producer named David Austin sent us this track on Soundcloud and as soon as I started listening to it I knew I had to feature it in my next post. Combining Madeon's sweet electronic sounds with Labrinth's chill lyrics. One of the most relaxed mashups I have ever heard plus David offers a free download on the Soundcloud below.
Madeon vs. Labrinth - Icarus' Last Dance (David Austin Mashup)




Awwww this post is almost over but I'll send you off with a bang. I've always been a big fan of Calvin Harris and his original electronic feel. On this song he brings the heat with a simple but catchy background combined with Ne-Yo's smooth words. Sounds mainstream but I'm digging it and you will too.
Let's Go - Calvin Harris ft. Ne-Yo



- Jacob

Amped Up

Didn't expect to write this post today but am amped up and just got to let out these musical energies I seem to have. Just got back from seeing Project X which was one of the most fun and entertaining films I've seen in awhile. Now before you say anything about the quality of movies I must watch, you must know that if you are not in the exact target audience of this film (suburban, young, male), you could hate it and walk out. Second reason I'm amped is because of all this awesome, awesome music we've been finding here at M&M. Best thing about finding this great music is being able to play it over and over, something I've been doing with each and every one of these songs.




First up is a song that I have played probably 25 times since first hearing. Electronic masterpiece here, something to get you going for a great night out. But beware. Listening to this addicting track may program your brain to want to listen to this for days on end.
Drive Hard - PrototypeRaptor





To tell the whole truth, this song wasn't my favorite when I first heard it. But like a dog at your feet when you are eating chips, it just wouldn't go away. I kept coming back for more listens. Adds a much better background to the original Tyga song and makes this into something I really enjoy listening to.
Polish City - The Hood Internet





Basic Physics, finally, at long last, has released another single, and it's well worth the wait. In classic BP style, this song combines incredibly diverse songs into a fully integrated style that will get your blood bumping. Great buildups and releases, a sure song to add to your playlist if you plan on hosting any shin-digs.
The Encore - Basic Physics





Next song is for all you househeads out there who can't get enough bass. Dreamy and ambient in the beginning before building up to a huge drop that will leave you speechless and literally begging on your floor for more. Don't go too crazy with this one. Or do.
Roll the Dice - Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman





Last song is a very, very interesting mashup that shows the true, authentic skill of its producer, No Pets Allowed. Besides having a sweet name, this guy can mash. Period. Awesome beat and some real catchy lyrics (who would think of using Fall Out Boy). Take a listen and then take some more.
Dead Siberian Romance - No Pets Allowed





Enjoy Yourselves. And give us a like on our facebook page.


-Luke

Fake Genres

There are so many different genres out there now in the music world that it's starting to get confusing. I was looking through a few of my favorite blogs and noticed a tag on a electronic song labeled "psychotrancestep". Call me a skeptic but I'd like someone to prove to me that it's a real subgenre of electronic music. Until then I'll just bring you the music I've been listening for the past couple days.

So a while ago I heard this track produced by Alesso and was impressed. This guy only produces hits and this one "Calling" is one of his most popular. But then as if the song wasn't good enough, they added vocals that completely change the song and I can't stop listening. I know you won't be able to stop either. 

Calling (Lose My Mind) - Alesso & Sebastian Ingrosso 

The next song for today is one of the most relaxing house tracks I think I have ever heard. Tom Fall and company do a perfect job sampling bits of voice to give this track its off beat appeal. Definitely worth a listen.
Ordinary World - Tom Fall & Heikki ft. Ben Andreas

Classsssssic Chiddy Bang. If you are a fan of Chiddy Bang, they bring their top game for this song. It's one of my favorites off his new album Breakfast especially with its relaxing chorus. If you like what you hear go support Chiddy on Itunes.
Talking To Myself - Chiddy Bang




Last but certainly not least I found this dubstep song on youtube of all places but don't let that discourage you from listening. This is exactly the type of dubstep I can handle, no random noises, just sweet sexy synths. Show the play button some love.
In Hell - High Rankin ft. Tigerlight



- Jacob