Rihanna - Diamonds (Ultrademon Remix)

Ok let's just get it out of the way. This was probably one of the most

remixed songs of recent memory. Approaching another remix with

a degree of cynicism at this point would not be unjustified. But this 

is something else, an instance of an artist drawing a song into his

world and transforming it.

Over a wobbly jungle beat, Ultrademon re-arranges Rihanna's vocals into 

new melodies while frantically pitch shifting them over 

a stream of cascading whimsical chimes.

Ultrademon is currently working on a debut album 'Seapunk' -
named after the genre he is associated with.
And if this remix is any indication, 

we should be in for a mind-braising treat.

Polica (feat. Justin Vernon) - Tiff

Polica gained a lot of supporters with their smoldering broken hearted

debut 'Give Up The Ghost.' It married live instrumentation 

(two drummers!) with Channy Leaneagh's husky Auto-Tuned vocals. 

One of the best uses of Auto Tune recently, ironic for some with 

a voice as rich as hers. Well, no surprise to find Justin Vernon 

in the saddle. Like two Auto-Tune birds.

Over a lumbering bluesy bassline and cinematic drones, 

Chan returns with a bite, stepping away from being a sad sack,

purring like a strutting badass, woman in the red dress in 

a noirish tale.

You are the hero but she's in charge....

Stars - Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It (Com Truise Remix)

Com Truise seems to be making a point that he's a mean synth

pugilist. Though it has been a while since he has dropped 

a project per se, he has been actively indulging fans with his

choice remixes.

Here he touches up Stars' riotous stomper 'Hold On When You

Get Love and Let Go When You Give It', turning it into a

crystalline piece of circuiting melting 80s pop.

Jai Paul - Jai Paul (Album Stream)

While it was Drake that first drew my attention to Jai Paul with

his 'BTSTU' sampling 'Dreams Money Can Buy', the man's work 

speaks for itself. Finally after years of single-track-release dick teases,

we have a complete body of work to be moist over.

Whether this is his official album is unclear since XL Recordings

- his label - has not acknowledged this collection of songs. What is 

is clear is this guy is some kind of modern day blunted alternate
universe version of Prince. And don't let 'blunted' fool you into thinking that
he does not possess the most sublime of production touches.

Au contraire, mon cheri.

The Dream - IV Play

The Dream wears his R.Kelly influence loud and proud on this one. That is
R. Kelly, before he became your favorite thugged out nursery rhyme spewing
perv uncle. More like old school something for the jeeps R&B R.Kelly.
Well it's about time someone gave us some shit that sounds like this.

This thing reeks of the 90s. The bassline is reminiscent of the West Coast
G-Funk Dr. Dre and tha Dogg Pound popularized. When the bridge soars just
before the hook, you're half expecting Dru Hill to pop out and
sing back up for him.

Another genius element of the song is its structure. After the verse, the
bridge soars building up the tension and anticipation, layering his voice
on itself till a drum fill cuts through it and it falls back into the calm and
composure of the chorus.
A great inversion of the traditional expectations of song structure.

When the guitar solo rears its head (in a nod to Prince),
it's time you started reaching for that cigarette.

While the Dream has no time for foreplay, you might want to make
time for his upcoming album 'IV Play' (this being the second single)
out May 28th via Def Jam.

Ghostpoet - Meltdown (Squarepusher Remix)

British singer/producer Ghostpoet has made a steady home in melancholia
ever since his 2011 debut. For his upcoming sophomore album
'Some Say I So I Say Light' out May 6th via Brownswood Recordings,
he definitely has not changed his address. And with this massive remix
by electronic whiz Squarepusher, there is no need.

Squarepusher replaces the original's off-kilter drums, piano and strings with
a soothing contemplative rhodes melody, buzzing bass, drum n bass percussion
and sparkly synths. Vocalist  Woodpecker Wooliams nails the hook with
her spectral delivery.

All in all Squarepusher's take is way more epic and ominous.
And good for it.