Posted by Scott Willats

Dunno about you, but this weekend feels like Christmas to me. The dance music season is in full swing, and Canada is playing host to the best parties in the world! Can you feel it?

This is our weekend. There’s Bassmentality — sorry a Super Bassmentality happening in Ottawa, along with the Escapade fest. As for Toronto … well, you may have heard about a little something called the Digital Dreams festival. Homie! Iz going down. I said, can you feel it?

In this spirit of celebration, I’ve put together an extra-special “Sweets” — not so difficult, when you consider that this has been one of the better weeks of 2012 in terms of new music. Special praise for The Knocks, Zeds Dead and, of course, Dillon Francis. CAN YOU FEEL IT?

THE SWEETS

I love Ryan Enzed. If ever there was producer who deserved to be famous worldwide — as in right this minute — it’s this guy.

Ryan Enzed – Mission Accepted: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Dropped it yesterday, dropping it again today, might even drop it tomorrow. Zeds Dead are making next-level music. Canada. Does. It. Better.

Colin Munroe feat. Pusha T – The Fight Of My Life (Zeds Dead Remix): LISTEN TO THE PREVIEW HERE

Dillon Francis tweeted, while making this track, that it was creepy and awesome at the same time. Been waiting a while for a fresh Dillon track with quality — and man, is it good to have him back!

Steve Aoki – Control Freak feat. Blaqstarr & Kay (Dillon Francis Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

The Fool’s Gold Clubhouse mixtape dropped this week, with nine quality tracks. Highlights go to the Donovans and our homie Meech.

Donovans – House Of God: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Meech – Somethin: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Don’t know much about Elliott Porter … but I know this is massive!

Elliott Hamilton Porter – Flamingo

Don’t know who I’m more excited to see this weekend: Afrojack or R3hab! Anybody for a joint set?

Afrojack & Shermanology – Cant Stop Me Now (R3hab & Dyro Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

French excellence.

Madeon – Finale (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

A shout-out to Provoke for throwing this li’l ditty on their SoundCloud.

Gabe Gallucci & Jed Harper – Falcon (Kim Fai Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Mister Bashmore, you so special …

Julio Bashmore – Troglodytes: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Only a preview, but that’s not gonna stop me posting this soon-to-be-colossal hit.

Kaskade feat. Neon Trees – Lessons in Love (Fareoh Remix): LISTEN TO THE PREVIEW HERE

Montreal madness!

Adventure Club feat. Kai – Need Your Heart: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Feel-good track of the week and my personal fave!

Santigold – The Keepers (The Knocks Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

VISUAL SWEET

 Follow Scott Willats (SAWStruck) on Twitter

Posted by Scott Willats

First week of January, and it feels like mid-July the way our favourite DJs keep rolling out these tunez

The word “DJ” is sort of an understatement nowadays. When you try to explain to a Baby Boomer that you’re paying 40 dollars to see a DJ, they give a look of disgust and pity at the thought of wasting so much money to see someone do something anyone can do. Little do they know that these DJ’s are creating some of the world’s most innovative sounds with “those computer thingys.” I’m not saying there’s no one from the older generation who gets it, but I’m surprised at how little respect is shown to these artists. OK, Brodinski and Gesaffelstein aren’t the Beatles — but I wouldn’t argue if you compared them to Simon & Garfunkel. Outrageous or spot on?

If 2011 has gone down around these parts at the year The Sheepdogs graced the cover of Rolling Stone, 2012 could be the year when these next few artists become household names. Maybe they won’t reach your parents’ database — and that’s fine. But put an asterisk beside these names in your cerebral memory card.

The Boomers … well, let’s just say it all sounds like this to them…..

Zedd is back with a brand new cut. Not quite hitting the highs of “Stars Come Out,” but big nonetheless. It’s one of those tracks that takes you on a roller coaster, never really letting you settle on one sound: the mark of an innovative producer.

Zedd – Slam The Door (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

The secret of Sound Remedy is killing me yet keeping me on my toes. The perfect marketing scheme for all you young producers out there: keep your identity and productions ideas as quiet as you can for as long as you can, until you create the biggest buzz imaginable. I have a brand new cut from him today, and it’s an absolute beast made for boat rides, winter club floors or just playing on your shuffle at work. Bump it loud!

Sound Remedy – Reach For The Stars: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Came across this track on the blogs, just minding my own business. I love unknown producers. FareOh and Archie V. aren’t exactly big names where I’m from, but that doesn’t mean these two aren’t beasts behind the boards. This track has a certain Swedish DJ feel, but they make it their own by implementing some good drops. Unfortunately, the name of the song gives it a limited shelf life — but hey, we still got 359 days left to jam to this track. And it’s free! POW!

Fareoh & Archie V. – 2012 (Twenty Twelve) – Instrumental Mix: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Every party needs a couple of tracks like these. Originally made for the movie Drive, this one makes you feel sexy even without leather and red lipstick — although, ladies, those would accompany the track elegantly.

Oliver – Dirty Talk: LISTEN TO IT HERE

As you know, sometimes I can be a bit biased. Just a tad, but all in a good cause. Basically, anytime I hear anything new from Kris Menace, I support it. Usually that’s a no-brainer. When I first checked this song, I thought the original sounded a mile better. But the more I keep playing it, the more I like it.

Oliver – Dirty Talk – (Black Van Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Our boy ZHU is still at it and still making bangers. Week 16 of his song-a-week project delivers an absolute beast named “Serene.” I can’t wait until he’s finished with this year, looks at everything he’s done, and starts reworking some of these tracks. This song is H.a.m. by itself, absolutely loving it, but it could go in so many directions and I’d love to see him explore them all. Until then, this will definitely suffice. Banger!

ZHU – Serene (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE 

Dubstep time! Skrillex is everywhere right now, and the release of Bangarang will keep him in the spotlight. I got no beef with that. But it’s Aylen’s remix of the Ellie Goulding-inspired “Summit” that has my speakers wobbling the neighbours downstairs. Worth a listen — check it out.

Skrillex – Summit (feat. Ellie Goulding) (Aylen Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

So we got the house anthems, the crazy innovative sound of Zedd, some dubstep, and the synthetic bliss of Oliver. What are we missing? Oh yeah: French electro! I swear, Brodinski is in his zone like The Miami Heat right now. Dude is remixing some fire. This time he takes Gesaffelstein‘s “Viol” and sets it on fire. This track was already one of the biggest of the last year, and Brodinski makes it fresh for 2012. I cannot stress how amazing the Jan. 21 Toronto concert at The Hoxton is gonna be — go to Embrace Presents and get your tickets now!

Gesaffelstein – Viol (Brodinski Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Visual Sweets …

Got a brand new video from Basto here, and I like it. Not often that you see videos for remixes, but this one seems well worth it.

An older video — but sick!

Buraka Som Sistema are coming to Canada very soon. If they’re in your area, trust me: you’ll want to … Stay up All Night!

Follow Scott Willats (SAWStruck) on Twitter