Fluxblog #281: Britpop / Yuppie Playlists | Buscabella • Bumper • Crystal Murray
Two new playlists this week!
WHAT WAS BRITPOP? 1993-1997
A survey of the Britpop era featuring all the big favorites along with the also-rans and some artists on the periphery. [Spotify | Apple]
MUSIC FROM THE YUPPIE'S LAIR: 1986-1992
Sophisticated rock, early VH1 pop, and adult contemporary - the aggressively tasteful and upscale aesthetics of the upwardly mobile. [Spotify | Apple]
You can find all my recent playlists for both Spotify and Apple here. If you're enjoying this, please consider donating some money via Ko-Fi.
September 8th, 2020
Don’t Get It Wrong
Buscabella “NTE” (Jonti Remix)
When it comes to remixes I always prefer the ones that modify the arrangements of a song to those that barely resemble the source material. Jonti’s “NTE” remix is in the former category – he retains the essential vocal hook and groove of Buscabella’s track and replaces the more drowsy feel of the original with a brighter, more “tropical” atmosphere. The song retains its identity but gains a new utility as something better geared to a dancefloor than a chill-out room. Either version of the song has a very stoned vibe but I particularly like the way the bass line fits into Jonti’s mix like this warm center bringing up the temperature of everything that comes close to it.
Buy it from Boomkat.
September 9th, 2020
When The Noise Dies Down
Bumper “Red Brick”
Bumper’s first EP sounds like it’s specifically based on late ’80s sophisti-pop along the lines of Swing Out Sister and that music’s aesthetic cousin Japanese city pop, but the music is written and performed without any trace of irony. At other points in time this sort of thing could be expected to be played with a wink even by true believers, but Michelle Zauner and Ryan Galloway do this with a degree of sincerity that makes a song like “Red Brick” feel authentic and pure. Everything in the song sounds bright and joyful, and even as Zauner confronts dark feelings in the lyrics it’s not a subversive move – her point of view is entirely optimistic that difficult times can be overcome in a very “the only way out is through” way.
Buy it from Bandcamp.
September 10th, 2020
White Wine With A View
Crystal Murray “Princess” (Yuksek Remix)
The original mix of “Princess” is very good but the arrangement feels a bit hesitant, starting off as more of an R&B number before sliding into dance music territory. This mix by Yuksek eliminates the slow build and genre ambiguity by making it a house pop song from the start and I think the song feels much more natural in this form, it sounds like it’s the shape it was always meant to be. I suspect the cleverness of the original mix comes from shying away from what a crowd pleasing ’90s-style dance number it is – it’s certainly a little more generic this way, but it’s also far more effective in conveying both a mood and a physical response. And ultimately this sort of music is built on its utility. With both versions being options I’m not sure why anyone wouldn’t choose the more joyful one that really moves.
Buy it from Amazon.