087 - PAMPA012

Die Voegel kicks things off on this pair of remixes from DJ Koze's own Pampa Records released at the tail of last year, with label founder's sought-after Mathew Herbert rework on the flip.

"My Orphaned Son" begins with an organic instrumental arrangement of soft horns, flutes and bells that melt away with the introduction of unhinged piano chords and warped vocals after the halfway mark. The track broods reservedly - dark blood pulsing through as opposed to drowning it - yet just when both mood and tension are at a peak the music is cut, more frustrating than tantalising. Despite drawing to a close too soon however, the rich sound palette and groove-ridden arrangement of this remix are near-faultless.

But Die Voegel's contribution to this 12" of remixes was always going to be eclipsed by Koze's much anticipated behemoth, no matter how pristene. In short: "It's Only" embodies haunting and mesmerising perfection. It's downtrodden not defeated, subtle and smooth; warmly triumphant at the drop but tragic in the vocals. Each sound complements the next effortlessly and necessarily, as though the slightest change would spoil this harmonic composition.

By the time the track draws to a close there's an air of finality that extends beyond the music's conclusion. Compared to Die Voegel's My Orphaned Son, where its abrupt end leaves a bitter taste behind, "It's Only" steals a piece of you with each play, tricking the listener into coming back for more.

Ultimately it's refreshing to hear that for a man with an unpredictable strike rate when it comes to his productions - capable of the masterful [Mariposa] and the questionable [Deine Reime Sind Schweine] - Koze's done it again.

Dntel - My Orphaned Son (Die Voegel remix)
Matthew Herbert - It's Only (DJ Koze remix)


Grab your digital copy of the Dntel / Herbert - Remix E.P. here.

012 - DJ Koze

Some songs are attached indelibly to memories - rather, some memories are attached to songs. Although certain music is reminiscent of certain eras, instances wherein music-memory is strongest occur in moments of having heard particular songs for the first time. These memories seem seared into my oft forgetful brain.

I know I will simply never forget the first time I heard this song. That music can have such an effect proves its power. There's a whirring noise (introduced circa 2:35) that sounds as though it's caused by a wind tunnel, or the back window of a car being open whilst driving at night: the way it creeps out of the shadows to centre-stage is so smoothly executed: seamlessly, the other sounds - once predominant -  fade into insignificance, culminating in the listener's attention solely being focused on the whirr (3:44), lasting almost two minutes. There's a police siren (3:04), noteworthy for its singular use. Many of the sounds of the first half aren't present in the second. Note the rhythm of the hi-hat, introduced in the last minute of the song. Combined, the track exudes an inexplicability, resulting in something decidedly greater than the sum of its parts. It actually sounds sorrowful and sombre, but not defeated; melancholic, yet serene and calm.

This is hands down one of the best tracks I know - from any genre.

DJ Koze - Mariposa

003 - Caribou (Swim Remixes)

Swim got remixed.  Although not all efforts prove satisfactory (James Holden's particularly), there are a couple of artists who have really made the most of the opportunity, achieving that fine balance between original material and novel interpretation. Noteworthy about the first two tracks below is the treatment of the vocal lines - in the original versions, neither has a prominence such as they do in the remixes. Lastly, there's just enough of Sun in the third to make it a successful remix as well as a good tune.

Caribou - Jamelia (DJ Koze Remix)

Caribou - Kali (Fuck Buttons Remix)

Caribou - Sun (Altrice's 'Only What You Gave Me' Remix)