Of Norway & Linnea Dale - Heart & Soul (Beatservice Records)

In 2019, Linnea Dale and Of Norway released Pets, an album collecting the pair’s beguiling collaborative tracks. Now Beatservice is releasing two sets of EPs featuring cool remixes of songs from this album. “Heart & Soul” — the cosmic cover of the Joy Division classic — is the topic of this second EP. In addition to the original mix, this set includes a revamp from Manchester's talented Lovebreak, as well as two reworks from Norway's ambient mastermind Mind Over MIDI.

A guitar-strewn, downtempo ballad across barren vastness, “Heart & Soul” makes for a slow-burning invitation to withdraw oneself from the binary frenzy of our tech-weary world. Both warm and cold at heart and seeking depth amidst an oceanic width of superficiality, Of Norway and Dale bring a lost harmony to life. Linnea Dale's vocals cast a spell of tranquility upon the sore souls, and Of Norway cloak it in the most delicate, bespoke bower.

Lovebreak's Trance Mixx does exactly what's written on it, morphing the original's faded vibe into a concert of elated beauty and teleporting the listener to a positive-minded 90s-like atmosphere. The Manchester-based producer succeeds superbly in giving that crucial upswing that makes a real difference, whilst preserving the track's unique character.

What is the distance between a remix and a reshape? Mind Over MIDI answers that question with the gameness for which he's known. MoM’s remix remains true to the matrix's essential spirit, extrapolating elements and reconfiguring the ballad into something of an even more incandescent ride. Meanwhile, his reshape steers closer to the all-engulfing calm and introspective force of his own compositions, rendering Of Norway and Dale's attributes in all their ambivalence and complexity.

Kid Loco (Flor) – “This is huge. Love the Original and the Mind Over Midi Remix.”
Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s) – “This is amazing, I think I love this. OG version for me.”
Sonic Union (Lowbit Records) – “The original is lovely. Amazing vocals. I’m also digging the Lovebreak Remix.”
Joe Silva (Purespace) – “Digging the catchy original and the beautiful Mind Over Midi Rework. Great sound overall.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “This is a great release, thanks for sending.”
Eric Shans (3Bridge Records) – “Nice one! I’m digging this a lot.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z, Nuremburg) – “The Lovebreak Trance Remix is my favorite on this one.”
Riz Rollins (KEXP) – “This is lovely, thanks.”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “The ambient rework by Mind Over Midi is incredible. Seriously atmospheric. Good for the soul.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Always a tricky one covering a Joy Division classic, but personally I think this is a lovely version. Superb.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Bandcamp, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Tom Appl - Family (Karmaloft Music)

Karmaloft artist Tom Appl has been openly experimenting with sonic styles and textures. He works primarily in the realms of deep and tech-house, but incorporates elements from a more mainstream production world. Also releasing under the pseudonym Fruitroom, Tom has a series of well-regarded singles and remixes for the Karmaloft Music label and has been DJ’ing actively since the early ’90s. This penchant for sonic detail is evident in Tom’s latest single, the soaring and inspirational “Family”. Released on Karmaloft Music, “Family” explores multiple movements in its nine minute running time, beginning with a deep groove that steadily builds into layers of synthesized bliss. Bright arpeggiations and dramatic pads quote earlier electronic music precedents, masterfully placed into a swirling and euphoric modern production. The sparse rhythmic and percussion track rolls at a perfect pace, firmly backing the abundant melodies. Tom also supplies a Short Cut version that edits a few minutes from the original, offering a more direct but just as hypnotic ride.

Poenitsch & Jakopic (Disco Art Recordings) – “Beautifully crafted old school vibes from Maestro Appl. Poenitsch & Jakopic will play it!”
Chris Fortier - (Fade / Mindwarp) – “Sounds good.”
Enne (Electunes) – “Massive Track, full support!”
Hightower (Jelewa.de) – “Full Support.”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Beautiful!”
D.J. MacIntyre - “Pretty Track! Good progression.”
Ryan Middleton (FreshNewTracks blog) – “Very spacey.”
Larry Tee (Carnage Music) – “Love it!”
DJ Aldrin (One With Music) – “Nice Vibe!”
xyddhartha (Digital Gathering radio show) – “Melodic & sweet.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Juno Download, DJ Tunes, And Spotify.