Today I have two remixes for you by the wonderful Starsmith, a producer out of the UK. He has an impressive musical background, having received a classical performance degree from the University of Surrey, on the saxophone (yes really). After graduation he opted for electronica—which definitely was the cooler career path—and has since risen to fame with his remixes of such popular acts as Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Mika. This guy has serious chops and is beginning to get the mainstream recognition he deserves. He co-wrote a number of songs on Ellie Goulding’s debut LP as well as a song on Kylie Minogue’s new album “Aphrodite,” which both reached #1 on the UK Charts. He’s debuting his first two singles titled ‘Give Me a Break’ and ‘Knuckleduster’ on August 29th, so keep your eyes and ears peeled, because Starsmith is one to watch.

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N.E.R.D. – Hot n’ Fun (Starsmith Remix)

First up, here’s something you don’t often see on Binary…a hip-hop song! Well, at least a remix of one. ‘Hot n’ Fun’ was released in early June by N.E.R.D., and features vocals by Nelly Furtado. Though it seems that a duo like that would make for mainstream magic, the song has yet to chart statewide. The problem is that the song is sexy, but it’s not very hot, nor very fun. It tries too hard to be sultry, and while it’s fast enough to groove to, it’s too slow to really get you sweaty. Which, as far as I’m concerned, is really what having fun is all about. But have no fear, because Starsmith got his hands on the original and completely solved all aforementioned problems by swapping funk basslines and guitars for a prog-influenced intro, and then at 1:18 a drop that will make you put down your drink and get your ass to the dance floor. Now THIS is fun. I know summer is coming to a close, but let this remix be your anthem for the next month, and I guarantee you’ll have an unforgettable time.

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Penguin Prison – The Worse It Gets (Starsmith Remix)

While not quite the summer anthem for debauchery and drunken nights that his ‘Hot n’ Fun’ is, Starsmith’s remix of Penguin Prison’s ‘The Worse It Gets’ is nonetheless excellent. The original tune was melancholic new wave electropop in which frontman Chris Glover laments over the person he’s become—who he doesn’t seem to like one bit. Once again, Starsmith puts the fun into the music, and turns it up to 11. Forget the introspective lament; instead of dwelling on the bad, Starsmith takes Chris Glover’s vocal stems and highlights the songs one optimistic phrase, “I’ve got a car that I call Jenny; I take her out when there’s too much noise in my head. She’s always there to take me anywhere,” by framing it with a rocking guitar solo and bouncing, glistening synth beats. I can’t listen to this remix without smiling. It’s campy, it’s over-the-top, it’s amazing. I too have a car (not named Jenny—but who’s keeping track?) that I take out when there’s too much noise in my head. If I take it out and turn Starsmith’s remix on, I’m going to feel like all of my problems are a million miles away.

Posted by: Mikayla