Why Do You Think This Will Never Work?

Au Revoir Simone “Back In Time” – Even moreso than on their first mp3 release, Au Revoir Simone sound like Stereolab reimagined as a bunch of lovesick teenage girls who keep elaborate watercolor sketchbook diaries and live in an eternal autumn. “Back In Time” begins with icy, aloof harmonies and keyboard chords which seem like the audio equivalent of overcast skies, but the beat picks up in the final third as a single voice takes the lead and the lyrical sentiment shifts from indecision and insecurity to plain-spoken forthrightness. (Click here to visit the Au Revoir Simone website.)

Carl Douglas “Kung Fu Fighting (The Strike Boys remix)” – It seems absurd enough that a German record label would put together a compilation of nothing but new remixes of Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting,” but it’s even more strange and surprising that most of the mixes are pretty great. The majority of the remixers (a line-up which includes Seeed, Kid Loco, Rob Smith from Smith & Mighty, Noiseshaper, Adrian Sherwood, and Pole) rework the song in some permutation of electronic reggae or dub while still keeping the basic vocals and musical hooks intact, as though to remind the listener that the source material is in fact quite good when taken out a kitschy context. This Strike Boys remix veers a bit closer to straight dance music than other songs on the compilation, but has a lovely bounce to it that I find very appealing. (Click here to buy it from Echo Beach.)

Elsewhere: Catchdubs has the brand new Destiny’s Child single, which is pretty hot. Tikun Olam is a top notch mp3 blog focusing on folk music. Tuwa, whom many of you might know as a regular in the Fluxblog comments box, has also started an eclectic mp3 blog called Tuwa’s Shanty.