I posted riveting electro-pop anthem “Hostage” by Aubergine MACHINE, the project of acclaimed producer Ian Carey and vocalist Shanti Ellis, a month ago — and it’s still getting regular plays from me, mainly because – as I wrote then – the duo’s sound reminds of the excellent collaborations between Röyksopp and artists like Robyn and Lykke Li, such as “The Girl and the Robot” and “Miss It So Much“, respectively. As a result, it caught my interest when I saw new remix-single from the Florida-based duo, who have teamed up with Montreal-based producer Antae for a new effort, “Hostage Riddim”. Available as a free download, the track finds Ellis’ angelic vocals – and sections of “Hostage” – behind a somewhat murky mix of intense, jungle-y percussion and throbbing synths. The final minute, which plays like a robotic anthem of sorts, is executed very well — especially in the moments where a sputtering single synth transforms into a massive, swelling conclusion. Aubergine MACHINE continue to impress in both their own tracks and collaborative remixes.
