Soundclouds of the Underground: Remix Edition

ABOVE: DJ SLIINK

These days, music truly lives online, with an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures—some of the most new and exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute their music to fans and friends across the globe. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes deep into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough.

This week, it’s remixing that chains each of these nostalgia-inducing songs together, each track from an artist of the future sampling the past (clearly, with the most innovative outcomes in mind).

DJ Sliink: “Stop Me Now” (Missy Elliott)

Who: A 21-year-old beatmaker out of New Jersey whose sound smacks you upside the head with trap-style bass and snares galore, DJ Sliink’s talent attracts every corner of cool. Not only can he call production duo Flosstradamus collaborators (via this summer’s “Test Me”) but the producer’s twerk-tastic track “Put Cha Back In It” was a runway soundtrack for Alexander Wang’s Spring/Summer 2013 presentation.

The Song: Delving further into the trap sound that seems to have everyone’s ears perpetually perked, Sliink throws chopped-up horns over a big staccato bass, throwing in snare claps and rolls where appropriate. The result is minimal and massive, the Missy Elliott “Get Ur Freak On” sample providing perfect icing for one turned-up cake.

Current Project: Sliink is presently on tour with the aforementioned Flosstradamus, which includes a Brooklyn stop on October 5 with Mess Kid and Yamez. Tickets are available here.

Destiny’s Child: “Say My Name” (Cyril Hahn Remix)

Who: Not much is known (yet) about Cyril Hahn, a Swiss producer currently living in Vancouver, but the mystery is part of his allure—the up-and-comer distorts and reverbs mainstream R&B, blending it with ethereal synths and lax house beats to make something entirely new and undeniably sexy.

The Song: This re-work of a DC standard finds the ladies’ lovely pipes taken down a few pitches, with a sweet and strange mid-tempo rhythm as the backdrop. Respected radio host Annie Mac has already taken a shine to the song, spinning Hahn’s mix in September to a wide acclaim, and we’re sure won’t die down anytime soon.

Current Project: Hahn has a handful of Canada dates on the way, playing alongside cool contemporaries like Shlomo and Teen Witch. Check his Facebook page for more info.

Justin Timberlake: “Cry Me A River” (DrDr Cover)

Who: Donna Cursons, Joe Woods, and Chris Cambell make up this pop-dub trio, whose sound may remind listeners of Katy B and SBTRKT. But the Brighton-bred group has something all its own to offer, a collective force of soulful energy and fully-formed production.

The Song: Justin’s beloved breakup song is a hard one to tackle, but DrDr’s rendition honors the original while making itself distinct-a pitter-patter of programmed drums meshed with organic instrumentation adds a dark, earthy element to the hit, and Curson’s pitch-perfect delivery rivals that of the Timberlake himself.

Current Project: The ensemble just released their second EP, No Compromise, available now on their Soundcloud.