Making waves across the electronic universe right now are the trademark funky synth sounds of Chromeo’s latest jam, ‘Don’t Turn The Lights On.’ Since the original track is rightfully being lauded as a major heater in today’s electrofunk scene, Chromeo hardly needs another editorial on this one. Much more intoxicating to those of us who feel the burn of dance floor mania is the remix of ‘Don’t Turn The Lights On’ brought on out of nowhere by none other than a new Swedish wonder DJ named Monkey Method. Simón Garcés Ramström, who just recently settled on that name, has served up a faster, richer evolution to Chromeo’s hit that manages to breathe new life into a song that most are only still getting to know. Chromeo’s upcoming LP “Business Casual” isn’t releasing for another five weeks and yet here we have an inspired young electronic artist putting in his two cents before Chromeo’s waves have even made ripples.
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Chromeo – Don’t Turn The Lights On (Monkey Method Remix)
This new and promising Swede offers up an auditory experiment of changing tempos, octaves, styles and moods to blend several levels of greatness into one stellar remix. In every manner of speaking, his attempt proves successful. At times an honest club jam, at others a soulful beat-driven one, Monkey Method’s remix takes you through a gauntlet of twists with impressive zeal. What starts off as a bit livelier and more energetic evolves beyond your wildest imagination. The song sticks with a sincerity that your ears can’t block out, more so than the original does. Chromeo should send Simon a thank you card. Monkey Method toys with the source giving it so many angles and dimensions, by the time it reaches its end you’ll feel pressed to play it again just to see what you may have missed.
As if a great remix isn’t good enough, the finale is sure to make you smile with its subtle but notable homage, as it fades away. After it finished playing through the first time, I found myself thinking more about a certain other artist than I did of Chromeo. I was kind of speechless about that and how I had just experienced such a clever transformation from yet another new Scandinavian DJ who clearly gets what is happening in electronic music right now. Monkey Method’s unique take on ‘Don’t Turn The Lights On’ has all the contaminating types of synth sounds that keep you up at night. You’ll appreciate his ability to balance both his dedication to honoring the original track as well as flavoring the remix with the essence of something great that will put a grin on your face.
From the very beginning Monkey Method injects his remix with a spicy kick that commands your attention. As the songs zips along you might realize you were strapped tightly along for a ride, whether you were ready or not. It’s like a night in the thick of the club heat. You get your drinks in. You get your game on. You try to let the fires of passion and music burn inside you while you’re there. Maybe that’s all the light you need. Maybe tonight’s the night your eyes lock with “the one.” Maybe you let it take hold of you. You draw in the magic of it all and let your body surrender to the beat. Your eyes finally adjust to the darkness and thanks to Monkey Method, the only lights that are going to be coming on are the ones necessary to illuminate the dance floor.
If for some wild reason this remix isn’t enough for you, perhaps the outer space piano odyssey of funkdom offered up by the new Aeroplane remix can fill the void instead.
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Chromeo – Don’t Turn The Lights On (Aeroplane Remix)
Posted by: Paul
