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Live Review: LISTEN: Bloc Party 'Octopus' (RAC Remix)

7 August 2012 | 12:00 pm | Hannah Galvin

You've all heard the tasty new Bloc Party single 'Octopus' from their fourth upcoming album Four, right? Now check out the Stellar RAC Remix

So you've all heard BLOC PARTY's tasty new single 'Octopus' from their fourth upcoming album Four, right? You know that the announcement of Four and the release of 'Octopus' is what broke their two year hiatus, yes?

Well good, both you and REMIX ARTIST COLLECTIVE (RAC) are in the know. Now that this information has been thrown into the music world, RAC decided to hype Bloc Party's comeback even more so by remixing their first single.

It's not the first time the RAC boys have mixed a Bloc Party tune. They've taken on 'Hunting For Witches,' the intro to 'Helicopter' and lead singer KELE's 'Everything You Wanted.' In fact, RAC have done a fair bit for many different artists and bands over the years.

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Not only do they remix, they also record, produce and engineer for artists and labels, as well as write and record tunes for film, television, advertising and the game industry. Aside all of this, two of them manage the time to DJ.

They've described their work as, “creating new incarnations of songs that stem from the original structure, but expand on their genre and musical arrangement.” It's not about producing remixes so that they'll make it into a night club's hit list as this is actually something they avoid. It's about taking a song and incorporating their own style. This is evident in their 'Octopus' mix.

Replacing some instruments with their signature elements consisting of a concoction of hip hop, electronic drums and analog synthesisers, this rendition of 'Octopus' has become more of a dance tune. Although it opens with simple percussion, you immediately have the impulse to start moving. As the track progresses the layers accumulate, introducing you to an array of cheery instruments. The personality of the composition tends to change during the life span of the song.

It's consistently energetic, however the verses feel mysterious until you reach the playful chorus. This is slightly different to how we know 'Octopus' as the original sends off a somewhat serious vibe. This is due to how the fast-paced guitar and drums are conveyed as they stimulate a message of warning as if to signify a chase or a dangerous quest. The track whirls up with anticipating synths and subtle drums that sound as though they could be stuck of loop forever until suddenly everything is completely swallowed up by a few dominate hits of a snare drum.

According to the German festival in Ferropolis, the RAC remix has been deemed the official Melt! Festival song of 2012. Having said this, it's obviously a track that should be considered appearing in your playlist for next Summer!

If you havent' seen it yet, check out the official video for 'Octopus' HERE

Words by Hannah Galvin