(artwork by Mr. Scribbles)

Myself and the other writers of this blog had the idea to start up a new project in early April.  What has come of our effort has been unbelievably rewarding. I’d like to thank all of the artists who keep sending us music, all of our readers, and the writers personally. Keep doing you.

Below are the lists of our favorite aspects of music for the year of 2009. This year was an incredibly good year for all genres, especially the ones we regularly feature on this page. Electronic music is exploding in all directions right in front of us, and we are lucky to be in such an exciting time for it. Next year we will try to feature a wider array of artists, everything from folk to rock to hip-hop along with the usual styles we post. Be sure to bookmark this page, you will not be disappointed :).

Again, I cannot thank our readers enough for coming back to this page. Please add your own two cents to this whole “favorites” thing in the comments section, we would love to hear everyone’s opinion. Without further ado…

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If you’ve heard snippets from his upcoming album (Outside the Box), you’ll know Skream is employing some great uptempo vibes in his most recent productions. Seeing play in pretty much all the DJ sets and radio shows, they’ve got a vibe that is becoming weaved more and more into Skream’s collage of styles. Above is one of my favorites from the bunch, a simple remix of Zomby that uses vocals and piano stabs quite effectively. He himself says it’s a bit cheesy, but from everyone I’ve heard from, it crushes the raves.

Right before Thanksgiving break should be a good one @ school, but I am very jealous of those checking out Rinse + FWD + Matter and Hyperdub nights respectively this weekend. I don’t even want to write the list of names that are on those bills, but trust me for those who have tickets, you’re in for one hell of a weekend. More at the pipedown blog about why Hyperdub is the most important night of the year. As a bonus for friday, Rinse have offered up a gritty Skream track for those like me who won’t be overseas. Check out that page here. Would like some reader feedback as well, tell us how it goes.

I’m compiling a playlist of essential dubstep songs for a friend currently, and would like to hear what tunes people think NEED to be on this playlist. Below are a few I’ve chosen, but I need some reader’s help rounding out this list. Please put your additions in the comment section. As always, show Skream, Loefah, and Martyn some support and buy their music.

Skream – Midnight Request Line (128)

Loefah – Mud (128)

Martyn – Vancouver (128)

This one is for you Boris Linnebank

What could I possibly say about Skream that you haven’t heard already?  He’s a disgustingly talented producer.  Never disappoints.  I mean any producer who can put out three masterpieces (Hold the Line remix, In For the Kill remix, and Night by Night remix), literally masterpieces, in less than a year has something serious going on.  Young master Linnebank demands more Skream, so here you go, these are his latest gems I’ve been digging that haven’t been grossly over blogged.  I’m looking at you Night by Night.  Some are old, some on the newer side.  This post isn’t about new Skream, but bringing some more of his arsenal of tracks to the light of day.  Enjoy.

Skream – Fick (Props to Brookah for identifying this one over the summer.  Gotta a video of Magnetic Man dropping this track at 5 days off that I wanna throw up here, too epic).

Skream – Wiggley (sorry reduced quality)

Digital Mystikz – Ancient Memories (Skream Remix)

Oh yes, I am indeed grinning, as that was a bit of a scare with the whole server thing.  But now we are back, and (possibly) better than ever! So enjoy some tunes here- quite a gaggle.  I know, some might be a little on the stale side, but we’ve been down, and I’ma post what I wanna post, aiiight?  First we have a remix of Chromeo’s tune “Night By Night” by one of my all time favorites, German electro-funk-pop master Siriusmo.  He takes pretty much the opposite route from the minor vibes of Skream, and favors a happy, retro vibe.  I love how he does that, combining the old-school synth-pop style with his own fresh new sound.

Chromeo – Night by Night (Siriusmo Remix)

After that comes some solid new hip hop, and I feel like not many people have heard of this guy, so I figured it was worth the post.  Tom Hardy, to me at least, sounds like what Asher Roth could have been if he weren’t a pubescent jerk-off.  Hardy is a white rapper, and he plays into that element, but not too much that it becomes a gimmick.  Furthermore solidifying my faith in him is the list of features on the mixtape (Murs, Mikkey Halsted, Harlem’s Cash), and the fact that it’s produced entirely by 9th Wonder (regrettably teaming up with Don Cannon).  So enjoy the beats, because Tom Hardy is fun music, and grab his mixtape “Curse Of The Green Faceded” (Yep, it’s spelled that way) on his myspace.  Here are my favorites off  the tape:

Tom Hardy – I’m Grinnin

Tom Hardy – I’m The Ooh Child Feat. Murs

Tom Hardy – We Rap Gr8 Feat. Mikkey Halsted & Harlem’s Cash

Then comes a bit of dubstep love from L.A. Boxers, creators of that wonderful Yeah Yeah Yeahs‘ remix we had a while back, this time a dubstep original that thumps with the best of ‘em.

L.A. Boxers – Bass Warfare

Finally, a truly grimy submission from dubsteppers Zeds Dead, with a remix of Sublime that comes pretty much straight out of left field in terms of interpreting the original. Show them some love up on the ‘Space.

Sublime – Doin’ Time (Zeds Dead Summer Grime Remix)

Mr. Scribbles was lucky enough to have seen Skream last weekend with Edline and he told me about Skream’s new remix of Chromeo’s newest single ‘Night by Night’. Noting that he was actually shaken by the bass, I had to hear the track. Luckily it just dropped and god damn, it really is as strong as he said it was. Skream does it once again. Do yourself a favor and listen to this on real speakers, headphones of any kind will not do the trick.

P.S. If you dig Chromeo and good music in general, Chromeo, Boys Noize, Crystal Castles, and some local artists are playing in Chicago on Halloween eve. Check out tickets here.

Chromeo – Night by Night (Skream Remix)

This weekend’s dubstep festivities worked me.  My body is ready to implode.  But there are a few tracks I heard that I would murder to get my hands on- Skream’s remix of Chromeo, an unknown dubstep remix of “On A Boat” and others- and this was one of them, dropped by Zeno.  I love the Cool Kids, reppin’ Chicago, fly gear and good times, and combining their vibes with dubstep is a surefire hit.  The Widdler’s remix kicks it to a whole other level- if anyone has the 320 of this, please please share the love!

The Cool Kids – Black Mags (The Widdler Remix)

UPDATE:  Orpheus seems to have a knack for finding tunes- he found the On A Boat remix (in delicious 320!), which it turns out was done by Zeno himself.  Thanks Orpheus! Bless!

The Lonely Island – I’m On A Boat (Zeno Remix)

Corona blue enjoyed slightly less success than its Pepsi counterpart.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Caspa’s more melodic stuff (e.g. his remixes of “I Remember” and “Moments In Love”), and his newest remix of blogosphere darlings Miike Snow is no exception.  Doubling my excitement over this are the upcoming shows I’ll be attending this weekend with good sir EDLine- Skream Friday, Caspa Saturday.  Two of the reigning champions of dubstep in one weekend.  I’m not sure my stomach will survive the bass.  Anyway, enjoy the choon.

Miike Snow – Black And Blue (Caspa Remix)

Right, found these Skream track rips from Rusko’s essential mix and naturally became very excited.  Bad quality as they are definitely rips, but so huge all the same.  This inspired me to post an additional rip.  And for good measure a sweet track that will be released in proper 320 soon.  Here are the Skream tracks first.

Skream – Wonky (192 rip)

Skream – Meta-Lick (192 rip)

This next one is a huge track I’ve been lookin’ for since I heard his essential mix.  Rusko has an arsenal of tracks, and I’m begging for this one to get released proper.  Check it out

Rusko – Do U Wanna Have a Party? (192 rip)

And here is a sick tune from the one and only Cookie Monsta.

Cookie Monsta – Optimus Prime (192)

And now some proper quality excellence.  The first is a fresh submission from Tek-One, who has made some explosive songs of late.  The second is some more 16bit filth.  Not as abrasive as Chainsaw Caligraphy, but this’ll getcha.

Tek-One – Hate You (320)

Skism – The Blank (16Bit Remix) (320)

Funnily enough, these artists all reside in the UK.  Cool beans, enjoy.