Look, I know we don’t know each other too well. And maybe this is a little forward, but I made you something. It’s a mixtape. Can you dig it?
Now I’ve been wanting to do this for a while. I love to share music but I think the last time I made a playlist for someone was in the 7th grade. And don’t even get me started on all the mixtapes I’ve promised and never delivered (sorry Catherine).
Well, no more. Starting from today, I’m going to start posting mixtapes here on a frequent basis. They’ll feature my favorite songs of the moment, songs that I think you’ll dig too.
This first mixtape features 11 songs that became the soundtrack to my life here in Medellín, Colombia. Let me know what you think. And if you like it, make me a mixtape back.
From Medellín with Love
Download the entire mixtape here.
(Right click and “Save link as…” to download individual songs)
1. Anthem – God of Joy (Dionysus)
Now this song is how you get a morning started. I already loved the original Bag Raiders track but Anthem brings this energetic vibe that gives the song a whole new spin. And yes, he really did drop an Entourage reference and yes, I liked it.
2. Fortune Family – Take Me Away
I’ve never been a huge fan of the chipmunk-style sped-up samples (thanks Kanye), but as soon as the beat drops on this, I’m nodding my head too hard to even care.
Sick vocals, they’ve got presence to spare and I’m feeling the lyrics too (“I’m not Drake man / I’m not telling you to thank me / In fact I’d rather you didn’t know who I am and pull a Banksy”).
3. Yasmin – Finish Line
Okay, okay, this is totally a chick breakup anthem. But I can’t stop hitting play. Can’t a dude enjoy his pop music guilt-free? Sheesh.
I really do dig the beat though, especially that simple, understated, “Finish Line” sample. The song would have a complete different feel without those two words in that digitized monotone.
Wiz has been blowing up the blogosphere lately and I’m usually more drawn to his downbeat, melancholy stuff. But this time he gets his mainstream on and drops dumbed down lyrics like “party all day, party all night” – and guess what? The track is fun as hell. Just enjoy it.
Continuing on with the chill Sunday vibe is Benny Benassi’s new single Cinema. I’ll forever associate this song with walking through the streets of Medellin on it’s picture-perfect sunny days (not the crazy raining ones).
Bonus: Check out the Skrillex Remix, it goes hard.
6. Laidback Luke & Steve Aoki ft. Lil Jon – Turbulence
I’ve been waiting for this song to drop for days and now it’s officially out. Laidback Luke first played this at EDC 2010, which was my first rave and pretty much my introduction to all things electro.
Every time I hear this track, I’ll picture Lil Jon screaming, “Higher!” as fireworks and 50 foot flames shoot into the sky. That is, if I’m not too busy dancing my ass off. This one’s a banger.
7. Mike Posner – Rolling In The Deep (Adele Cover)
Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” is already the most covered song of 2011 and this version might be my favorite. Mike Posner does his raspy thing and gives the song a sick electro edge.
I love it when that wobbling bass drops in the chorus. It expresses the mournfulness of the original song perfectly. Some nice chopping of Adele’s vocals too.
Bonus: Don’t miss John Legend’s all-acapella cover of this song. Man, that voice could do a cover of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and I’d be all over it.
You had to see it coming. I’m in Colombia. Of course I’m gonna have a reggaeton song on here. This is one of the only Colombian songs that I know the lyrics to – and you best believe that I belt them out as loud as I can every time it comes on in the disco.
He’s pretty much saying in the chorus, “If I don’t answer my phone, she gets upset. She imagines me doing things with another girl. Woman, I don’t want to fight anymore.” There, now you can sing it too.
9. The Friendly Giant – Forever (Drake vs. Jack Johnson)
This mashup shows you how powerful the backing track of a song is. Remember the original “Forever”? That was one angry ass song. Now peep this remix. Same vocals, but now Jack Johnson on the track. What a difference.
It’s amazing how different this song sounds. Drake’s chorus vocals sound like they were always meant to be sung on a beach, accompanied by acoustic guitars. So sick. I could listen to this mashup forever (damn, I swear that pun was completely accidental).
10. Luis Enrique – Yo No Sé Mañana (Salsa Version)
I’m taking private salsa lessons, one hour a day, five days a week. And every single time I leave my dance studio, I have this damn song stuck in my head. But what am I complaining about? I love it.
Listen to this song a few more times and I guarantee you’ll be singing, “Yo no sé mañana” (“I don’t know tomorrow”) right along with me.
11. The Five One – Closing Time
How do you close out your first mixtape? You go for the obvious choice: a hip-hop reworking of one of the best goodbye songs ever, Semisonic’s “Closing Time”. I have such nostalgic love for the original track that The Five One could’ve just slept through their verses and I still would’ve loved this. But thankfully they didn’t, cause they’re actually really damn good.
Loving the acoustic-hip hop flavor and they come nice with it on the verses. Can’t believe he said, “You look like Topanga before she got fat” but c’mon, you know we were all thinking that while watching Boy Meets World. And props to the outro, having kids singing the chorus and speaking gibberish is the perfect way to end that track.
Hope you guys dug my first mixtape, more to come soon. If you like it, share one of your own favorite tracks in the comments. If you want a more personalized mixtape (okay Catherine, chill!), hit me up and I’ll see what I can do.
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“Yo no sé mañanaaaaaa, yo no sé mañanaaaaaaa!” Damn, writing this post got me into such a music mood. I’m heading out tonight to test out my new salsa moves at Eslabon (a crazy salsa venue in Medellín, Tuesday nights are crazy there cause they bring in a live band), but now I’m kinda tempted to stay in and make some music with an amigo.
Always way, way too much to do. And never enough time. One day I’ll figure out the secret to doing everything without giving up anything. But right now I’m gonna go get a huge plate of grilled chicken, beans, rice, soup, salad, plantains, and fresh juice for 6,000 pesos – that’s only about $3 USD. Not bad, eh?
