4) Porter Robinson – Flicker (Mat Zo Remix)
Porter’s Worlds is now considered a classic, and to be featured on the highly anticipated Worlds Remixed is no small honor.
Mat Zo spins his “Flicker” remix effortlessly here, letting all of Porter’s emotive melodies shine through as a dreamy funk jam. The ethereal breakbeat is an absolute heartthrob, chilled even further by a playful guitar and introspective string background. But then it’s right back to a merciless storm of bursting sound design to reaffirm the vocals, loosely translated as “I’m just trying to find what is important.”
At nearly five minutes long, we’re left wondering just how many ideas Zo had to hold back for the track.
5) SNBRN – Raindrops (Prince Fox Remix)
SNBRN’s “Raindrops” was everywhere this summer, and with damned good reason. However, with over five million streams on Soundcloud alone, Prince Fox stole the show with his future bass interpretation, morphing it into a crisply pressed anthem.
The dream induced rendition wears on with a juicy breakdown, preceded by lofty bubbles and emotive piano. Moments of breakbeat, gorgeous chord progressions, and vibrant percussion elements tie it all together. Even if you’re not into the future scene, the arrangement here is top notch.
6) Jack Ü – Where Are Ü Now (Ember Island Cover)
Embodying the softer sounds of 2015, Ember Island swarmed the scene with an inspired cover of “Where Are Ü Now.” Taking note from the softened productions of Imogen Heap, the Swedish trio turned Jack Ü’s collaboration of the year into a magnificent downtempo track, reminding us all of the beauty in abstract ambience.
Infusing an idyllic blend of synth pads, thoughtful percussion, and idyllic vocals, the brilliance here is undeniable, and the spacial extravagance intoxicating.
