Sweden’s emerging electronica act O’Spada, who seemingly came out of nowhere in June with their synth-laden track “Time,” are happy to present eleven remixes resulting from a remix competition they host for the track with their label, Despotz Records. O’Spada is a side project for Swedish songbird Julia Spada, who is joined by Samuel Lindberg on drums, Johan Ivansson on bass, Christopher on the keys and Karl Annmo on guitar.
The mix-tracks off “Time” were available for free download and fans were able to submit their best remixes for the song. This week, “Time” had it’s official release on iTunes along with two of the top 3 remixes. The winning remix is available for free at The FADER.
Rather than limiting fans to only being able to get the top 3 remixes, Despotz and O’Spada have made the remaining Top 10 favorites available and we’ve got them for you here! So, now, turn up your speakers and dig in!
Check out the video for “Time” in its original form:
An inspirational cut, Julia asserts her aggressive way of life singing, “Don’t try and tie me to the ground. / Can’t you see I’d rather be flying higher than any other other bird / as I reach for immortality,” as the band provides a slick dance track straight from the 80s. Lindberg’s beats and Christopher’s melodies musically support Julia’s assertions that she can’t slow down.
01. “Time” (Suck Shaft remix) | @ THE FADER
Suck Shaft, whose name I’m not sure I’m down with, introduces “Time” with synths that almost sound like a goose honking with Julia’s vocals building around them. It then abruptly switches into a remix that seems too safe to have won a contest; funky bass, definite disco feel. It’s a great remix, but I definitely would have gone with something more exciting.
02. “Time” (Naiv remix) | @ iTunes
Naiv focuses on pumping up the bass for that classic 80s disco with a soulful twist.
03. “Time” (Montauk remix) | @ iTunes
This light remix combines airy keys with heavy downbeats ignores any vocals for almost the first minute. It twinkles and slows down Julia’s vocals, though keeps them shining in the forefront atop the most mellow of all the remixes.
04. “Time” (Elan remix)
Elan’s remix leaves the song mostly in tact, providing harder, pulsing beats and a slight fuzzy static overlay.
05. “Time” (Andy Crough remix)
On this remix, Andy Crough kicks the song off with an airy opening, introducing Julia’s voice in broken up spurts. He eliminates the bass and drums for the first minute, speeding up Julia’s vocals over ambient keys. Rhythm comes back in a big way as the tempo is sped up, drums pounding and cymbals tinking atop dreamy keys. Not my favorite, but not bad.
06. “Time” (LA Rush remix)
A muted pulsing bass throbs beneath Julia’s scrambled vocals and fast paced keys. LA Rush’s take on “Time” is definitely destined for discotheques worldwide.
07. “Time” (Conny G remix)
Again with broken up bits of vocals, but Conny G layers them with slick and slightly funky synths.
08. “Time” (Extra Cheese remix)
A palpitating beat marks Extra Cheese’s “Time” remix.
09. “Time” (Superhumans In Real Time remix)
Definitely my favorite of the bunch. Superhumans In Real Time really deconstruct the song, add their own fresh elements, and make the song their own. A solid hip hop beat opens the cut, dotted with vocals totally unrelated to “Time,” before bits of Julia’s words break through interlaced with male vocals, answering Julia’s words. Spacey sound effects punctuate the remix throughout and the layered vocals make this a stand out.
10. “Time” (35 Bag remix)
35 Bag creates a slightly Latin feel with the music favoring of a guitar heavy yet bubbly soundscape.
Honorable Mention, a favorite of the band that came in late:
“Time” (Coco Productions & Alvaro Villalobos remix)
This sped up version incorporates wicked beats, looped vocals and a lot of fun.
O’Spada’s next single, “Ten Strikes,” will be released this Fall and their full length debut album will hit stores in February 2010.
O’Spada: website | myspace
Despotz: website
