Paul Weller remixed
During his mid-’90s renaissance, Portishead remixed Weller’s Wild Wood. Now with a new album on the way, it should be no surprise that producer Leo Zero was asked to remix No Tears To Cry into a bright and breezy modern Northern Soul song. Beautiful.
http://bit.ly/wellerleo

MGMT – Flash Delirium
From their forthcoming album Congratulations, this new MGMT song features a flute solo, mystic lyrics and delves deeper into the psychedelic recesses of their musical canon. Kids it ain’t.
http://www.whoismgmt.com

Gorillaz’ bonus track
Taken from the Japanese version of Plastic Beach, Pirate’s Progress is an extended version of the orchestral intro which goes into Bernard Herrman territory. That Albarn guy sure is talented.
http://bit.ly/gbonus

Bon Iver goes back to school
The bearded troubadour recently rejoined his first high school band – the Eau Claire Memorial Jazz Band, in order to raise funds for their annual trip to New York. The resulting concert of Bon Iver and Duke Ellington songs has now been released on iTunes. Listen to a song via I Guess I’m Floating.
http://short.ie/boniverband

Lonelady
Warp Records will release Lonelady’s debut album Nerve Up in February. Inspired by post-punk angular riffs, 80s pop and sounding like a combination of late ’80s/early ’90s female singers (Alanis Morrisette, Tori Amos, PJ Harvey), LoneLady is an intriguing proposition. Get the single for free.
http://lonelady.co.uk/

Remixes of 2009
Before the year was up, I selected my 35 favourite remixes of the year taking in reworks from Aeroplane, Joker, Classixx, The Horrors, Crookers, Rustie, Skream, Air France and Fake Blood. Listen to them on Nialler9.com.
http://short.ie/remixes09