Spotlight: The 14 biggest remixes of 2014

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Whilst creating an original masterpiece of music is no easy feat, one of the strongest elements of the industry’s art comes when an artist or producer takes their hand at remixing existing pieces of work. Not without their merits, some remixes can even help to break emerging artists (Tove Lo / Hippie Sabotage, anyone?).

Here we take a look at the 14 biggest remixes that have captivated us over the past twelve-months, both in terms of originality alongside sheer creativity, that above all encapsulates what the initial song may have been focused on, whilst also appealing to further audiences.

 

Go straight to the remix, or hit the page numbers to go through them all:

[nextpage title=”Krept & Konan – ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ (remix ft Chip, Wretch 32, French Montana, Chinx Drungz & Fekky”]

Krept & Konan’s commercial debut Don’t Waste My Time fast-became one of 2014’s biggest UK anthems, spurring the year to be dubbed as The Year of Grime; bringing Chip, Fekky, French Montana, Chinx Drugz and Wretch 32 onboard for the remix earlier in the year only helped to solidify the strength of the scene as an entirety, whilst Montana’s appearance proved to show how solid grime was to appeal to the bigger US acts.

[nextpage title=”London Grammar – ‘Hey Now’ (Tensnake remix)”]

London Grammar have enjoyed a spellbinding year; aside from the sultry, oft-anthemic tones to their debut record If You Wait, the trio proved that their lo-fi sound could also cross over to the world of electronica. Tensnake proved this with his subtle, yet upbeat remix of Hey Now, the album’s opener.

[nextpage title=”Indiana – ‘Solo Dancing’ (Joe Goddard remix)”]

Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard struck a chord earlier this year with this brilliant slice of electro pop, remixing Indiana’s debut Solo Dancing. Frequently appearing on playlists across Radio 1 and 1Xtra, alongside being a firm favourite over here at Stagedoor FM, Joe Goddard’s edit had the ‘wow-factor’ from first play, and even as we write this almost ten months on, there’s still something about this remix that cuts through most other attempts out there.

[nextpage title=”Kelis – ‘Runnin’ (Machinedrum remix)”]

Kelis’ ‘comeback’ album FOOD criminally didn’t receive the chart success it so deserved – the star reinvigorated herself into a soul diva with such a modern feel, that we still claim that give it a few years, and it’ll be known as a classic record. It took Machinedrum, however, to really push Kelis into the more electronic-led arena – his remix of Runnin kicks off almost from the word-go, with such an hypnotic beat you may well never want it to end.

[nextpage title=”Tove Lo – ‘Habits (Stay High)’ (Hippie Sabotage remix)”]

Hippie Sabotage’s chilling woozy remix of Tove Lo’s Habits (Stay High) helped the Swedish pop singer/songwriter gain worldwide fame, no-less thanks to the fact the edit was unlike anything that had been heard before. It was a slow burner when it came to breaking through (we must thank Radio 1’s Phil Taggart and Alice Levine for championing this one), but once it broke cover, it hardly showed signs of letting go. Needless to say, Hippie Sabotage created a timeless classic with this one. The video (at time of writing) has had over 103m views so far, so many would presumably agree with the fact it’s so bloomin awesome!

[nextpage title=”Kenzie May – ‘Skeleton Key’ (Sophie Lloyd Balearic rework)”]

As pleasing as it was wonderful, DJ Sophie Lloyd’s ‘Balearic’ rework of Kenzie May’s Skeleton Key really became one of 2014’s hidden gems (we’ve also included it as one of our greatest songs of the year too – that list is coming soon though). It’s fairly simple in its creation, yet the subtlety helps it shine massively – definitely one of those hazy summer remixes that’ll whisk you elsewhere (the Balearics, perhaps?).

[nextpage title=”Gorgon City – ‘Here For You’ (Bearcubs remix)”]

Bearcubs took things to a completely different direction with his remix of Gorgon City & Laura Welsh’s Here For You earlier in the year. Doing away with the pop-house vibes of the original, Bearcubs made the track woozier and more intimate and was timed perfectly for the scorching weather experience in the UK at the time.

[nextpage title=”Zed Bias ft Scrufizzer & Stylo G – ‘SHIZAM’ (My Nu Leng remix)”]

We’ve always been big advocates of My Nu Leng over here at Stagedoor FM, and it made absolute sense to include a remix in this list. Their take of Zed Bias’ Shizam, a collaboration with Scrufizzer and Stylo G, was a fairly deep-bass affair, building up from a subtle intro to an explosive mid-section, and whilst it may not have had the playlist-entries that it should have had, My Nu Leng have created something so special that this is likely to be remembered by bass fans for a long, long time.

[nextpage title=”TCTS – ‘Games’ (Doc Daneeka remix)”]

Doc Daneeka paid a heavy homage to piano house (with a bass-twist) with this storming remix of TCTS’ Games back in late-summer. Ensuring K.Stewart’s sublime vocals remained in the forefront (albeit some smart manipulation), Daneeka went on a rampage with this edit – a smart execution that no-doubt retained the impact of the original.

[nextpage title=”Lion Babe – ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ (Snakehips remix)”]

Whilst the original may already be around two years old, Snakehips took advantage of the emergence of Lion Babe’s latest cut Jump Hi, for a solid remix of Treat Me Like Fire. Filled with Snakehips’ signature summer R&b grooves, the fresh edit of Treat Me Like Fire was as laid back as it was future-facing. It’s a free download too. so cop it below:

[nextpage title=”Ryn Weaver – ‘Octohate’ (Cashmere Cat remix)”]

Ryn Weaver’s Octohate became some-what of a ‘secret anthem’ earlier this summer, however Cashmere Cat’s spellbinding remix brought it to the forefront of the masses when it dropped surprisingly back in November. It’s dark, it’s full of some wonderful electro synths and loops, and it’s so f**ked up you probably won’t stop playing it for a good few days. Such incredible stuff, and massively-impactful on first listen!

[nextpage title=”Sigma ft Paloma Faith – ‘Changing’ (Stylo G VIP remix)”]

Coinciding with this year’s Notting Hill Carnival came Stylo G’s VIP remix of Sigma and Paloma Faith’s impressive Changing, and it was simply modern-day dancehall at its finest. Reigning back Sigma’s anthemic original, Stylo G created a masterpiece with his edit, and one that’s likely to receive playback during carnival-season for many a year to come. Powerful, crazy stuff!

[nextpage title=”Josef Salvat – ‘Open Season’ (The Chainsmokers remix)”]

Whilst Selfie may have been their biggest piece of original material to-date, NYC duo The Chainsmokers had previously been known for their huge EDM remixes of classic pop tracks; with Josef Salvat’s Open Season however, The Chainsmokers’ Alex and Drew strip things back slightly, signalling a more lo-fi/electronica approach – it’s probably closer to Kygo than Calvin Harris, but works wonderfully. It’s a free download too so be quick!

[nextpage title=”Lorde – ‘Tennis Court’ (Flume remix)”]

Flume created an instant-classic with his incredible edit of Lorde’s Tennis Court. Building up to his signature style of agressively-chilled electronica, Flume shows experience far more mature than his young years with this one – think future-garage mixed with some powerful pulsating house. Oooooft!