You will know Urchins from being the UK's representatives for Palmsout, since then they have put on the power game on and just dropped their official release ‘Tickets.’ It has received continuous plays on Radio 1 and was busted out at this year’s Global Gathering by Utah Saints. We also included one of the tracks off the EP on our September chart. And as the release was this week the kind Urchins have given us a Kid Kaio remix off their first EP. Though I think the fact they have been announced as support to Groove Armada on their next UK tour might have got them in the giving mood?

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Urchins & Spoek - Tickets (Kid Kaio 'Is High' Remix) [M]
Urchins & Spoek - Tickets (Kid Kaio 'Is High' Remix) [Y]

Grab the official release of the Tickets EP at Beatport, Juno, and iTunes.

Although 2010 hasn’t got me buzzing I’m still walking round with a smile. We have previously talked about both Screendeath and Monarchy who consistently send you into chill mode and allow you to forget about the days problems. Monarchy, still relatively new but gathering massive support are a London duo keeping everything close to their chest, allowing the music do the talking…though at times I want to give them a handshake for the music they are churning out. Ryan Thompson (Screendeath) has taken the track apart and fitted it with a new rhythm, easing the Monarchy sounds and voices onto you. Once again making everything approachable.

If we take Claude VonStroke's soundtrack to an arcadia i.e. "Aundy", tie a rope around the song and haul it through the streets of Bristol via Manchester, we get this mercurial remix of Delphic by the constantly impressing Julio Bashmore. It mourns, it harrows and, in a way, it mirrors the suffering of a wounded animal. Ironically to our joy. But it's a mystery as to why the remix has gone down such a dark route, especially since "Halcyon" is a dulcet word that can describe something sweet and care-free, although perhaps Julio Bashmore wants to show us that we can find beauty in pain. Or that we can in fact just dance ourselves silly to amazingly good music all night long. Yes, let's go with that reason, because it's Thursday and we deserve a pre-weekend drink. Well earned? Yes? Let's do it.

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Delphic - Halcyon (Julio Bashmore Remix) [M]
Delphic - Halycon (Julio Bashmore Remix) [Y]

Yea so, there's this guy called Julio Bashmore right, and he released some songs on Dirtybird called "Um Bongo's Revenge/World Peace"- but guess what? Justin Bieber just found me on Chatroulette to say it's amazing. Wooah.

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This feel blue feel good song is like looking into a kaleidoscope and your emotions twirl in shades of blue, with your heart inside out. The pair up of Primary 1 and Swedish singer Nina Persson, take you to a tune of longing for those simpler times, just like Marc Jacob's collection resonated in last week's New York Fashion show. Yet, at the same time its upbeat personality makes you feel it's okay, it's just the blues.

“You have to have your heart broken. That’s the reality of life and if you are protected from this sadness, then how can you grow? How can you recognize real happiness when you see it?"- Marion Cotillard. But, Marion, you broke our hearts when you accepted the role in 'Public Enemies'. And we were left kind of disappointed with 'Nine'. Although, after what you say, can we smile even more when we see you for the first time in 'Un long dimanche de fiançailles'? Yes, yes, I 'd like to think so.

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Kitkaliitto - Snowman [M]
Kitkaliitto - Snowman [Y]

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Kitkaliitto - Black Lights [M]
Kitkalittto - Black Lights [Y]

Since the heavens have opened up (again) we're off snowboarding today, so keeping in theme, here's a delightful track by Kitkaliitto about Wellington the snowman. They're a Finnish trio who create experimental techno music and, after 1:40mins, we hear something that sounds like Four Tet and Pantha du Prince lost in a snowstorm. Thoroughly beautiful.

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This month we've got a very special guest doing our charts, not just for February, but also as a recommendation of acts to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the year. Alex Egan, one half of Skulljuice, one whole of Astronomer, and possibly a few other aliases that will soon come to light, shows us a selection of five records that highlight some of the current genre-blurring taking place within electronic music. It could be argued that this also reflects in his own sound with diverse mixes for Late of the Pier, The XX and Clouded Vision, which just proves one of the many reasons why we're hyped to hear Alex is busy in the studio again. In March, we can expect two brand new releases for Jori Hulkkonen (Turbo Records) and Glasser (Young Turks) in addition to some Silver Columns, Au Revoir Simone and Lo-Fi-Fnk remixes to come later in the year. Excitement!

Alex Egan's Guest Chart for 2010:

01. Roll The Dice - Roll The Dice (Digitalis)
This album basically came out of nowhere and blew me away. Really beautiful stuff, allegedy recorded over 2 years ago but finally pressed up with amazing artwork this year. Essential.

02. Pilooski - AAA (Rvng Intl.)
Yet another brilliant Pilooski edit. I've had the vocals stuck in my head since the first time I heard it. Cool etching on the B-side too. Shame it's the last Rvng Of The Nrds 12", loved the series.

03. Locussolus - Gunship/Little Boots (International Feel)
The legend that is Harvey is behind this 12". Both tracks are incredible! How often do you get a record with both sides being so different but so good?

04. Logo - La Vie Moderne (Kitsune)
Logo are definitely ones to watch this year. They've only made a handful of tracks and remixes so far, but they're all great. Big sounding but with a strangeness to them I love. Their debut 12" La Vie Moderne is out soon on Kitsune. Check out Wxyz, Junocide and Loto in the meantime.

05. DyE - Cristal D'Acier EP (Tigersushi)
Another great EP from DyE. The title track is quite unusual, kind of glacial vocodered space-disco. Great stuff! I thought his first EP, Imperator, was weirdly overlooked last year, which is a shame. It was really forward thinking and experimental, so seek that out too if you can.

What isn't going on at the city that never sleeps? Fashion week, parties, and after parties. As you all know Ed Banger Records just turned 7, here is some of the fun that happened at the after party in New York. The whole crew did not disappoint with the likes of SoMe, SebastiAn & Feadz playing. On that note of bliss, happy year of the tiger everyone! Be sure to check out our other mini videos too!

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Close your eyes. It's no longer February, nor are we wanting to stop for the promise of Spring, but rather we're choosing to share an ice cream on a sunny July afternoon. It's too hot so the scoops begin to run down your fingers and it attracts the wasps who come as an army of gatecrashers- therefore you run. And run and run and run and run. Till you come to the beach where the sea breeze flings your hair across your eyes that it's nearly impossible to see. You compose yourself by sitting down on a step, watching the waves, whilst someone special is watching you watching the waves. There's time for a quick smile before the one, two, three and you run again. And run and run and run and run. But it's different this time because you want to be caught. Slowing down doesn't have to feel like holding back, it can be an opportunity to revel in the moment. This is what Samuel Cooper and Brady Keehn bring with their band, Sunglasses, and their two songs below make us insanely excited for the summer. Gosh I want a beach party already.

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Sunglasses - Referee [M]
Sunglasses - Referee [Y]

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Sunglasses - Whiplash [M]
Sunglasses - Whiplash [Y]

Ohh and before I go I should wish you all a happy Valentines Day. We choo choo choose you all xx.

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Everybody having a good 2010? Breaking bad habits, challenging yourself, forgiving the past and conquering this decade? Hope so! Here is a fresh off the bakery worthy track remix of M.A.N.D.Y vs Booka Shade's "Donut" song, glazed to cheeky perfection by Boy 8-Bit. Yum! Keep your eyes open, as he might be visiting a city near you.

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M.A.N.D.Y Vs. Booka Shade - Donut (Boy 8-Bit Remix) [M]
M.A.N.D.Y Vs. Booka Shade - Donut (Boy 8-Bit Remix) [Y]

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Contrary to popular belief, Aidy's girlfriend is NOT a computer but in fact a slutty toaster from Eastgate. She warms his bagels in the morning, he leaves her standby on at night- it makes total sense. Though it has to be pointed out that the computer was just a rumour and in no way connected to the recent Vanessa Perroncel saga that's currently littering all the headlines. And, at this moment in time, I can confirm that Aidy is due to become a father of a baby toastette. Okay some of these facts may have been exaggerated for blogging effect but I can ensure you Darkstar are still working hard in the studio on that illusive album for Hyperdub. P.S. I also heard that Jay's aunt is a 16-Bit Sega Megadrive. You heard it here first.

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Darkstar - Automating [M]
Darkstar - Automating [Y]

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Darkstar - Aidy's Girlfriend Is A Computer (Kyle Hall Mix) [M]
Darkstar - Aidy's Girlfriend Is A Computer (Kyle Hall Mix) [Y]

Darkstar gave this new track away on Twitter whilst 'AGIAC' was, without a doubt, amongst the best highlights of last year's electronic scene, which also gets the remix treatment from Detroit's Kyle Hall. Shit, I saw this kid with Floating Points turn the crowd into lovesick cabbages dayum.

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“I must learn to love the fool in me. The one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries” - Theodore Isaac Rubin.

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Glasser - Learn (John Talabot Remix) [M]
Glasser - Learn (John Talabot Remix) [Y]

A remix from last year, now given away for free by the on form Barcelona-based producer John Talabot. Big ups True Panther for this.

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