Compiled by Kasia Hastings
Since his days imagining touring the world like Duran Duran (yes the 80s New Romantics) René ‘Noir’ Kristensen has produced global hits, founded his own record label and kept dance floors moving pretty much everywhere.
His hit "Around" put him on the ELLE radar back in 2011 and the DJ can now be credited with launching the careers of acts like Hot Since 82 and Finnebassen. With a clear aptitude for talent spotting, who better than Noir to share what’s on his private party playlist?
"Every year, when winter closes in, I start loving those moody and melancholic vocal tracks – and this year is no exception. I love dipping into my record collection to re-discover older tunes that I feel have a timeless signature."
Noir & Hrrsn - My Fault
"My Fault", featuring brilliant vocal-work by HRRSN, has been connecting really well with crowds around the world and I really like the contrast between the emotional vocals and the relentless groove this song has.
Thomas Schumacher Feat. Caitlin - I Won't Run
Thomas Schumacher is one of my all-time favourite techno/electronica producers and he has also become a very good friend of mine. "I Won’t Run" has been my biggest club weapon in 2014, everybody goes crazy when you play this one, especially because of the teasing club mix intro, so the club version is worth checking out too.
HVOB - Window (Gui Boratto Remix)
I am a big fan of Hvob, I've seen them live in Berlin and just really like what they do. Their new single "Window" is another masterpiece. If you don’t know Hvob you should check their back catalogue. This is my favourite version.
Mark Jackus & Marcus Sur Feat. Golden Parazyth - In The Night (Timo Maas Remix)
Sometimes, when people do collaborations across borders – via the wonderful internet – magic happens. This is one of those fine situations, the original mix is already an amazing piece of music but what Timo Maas did for this song just took it to another place for me. It reminds me a little of his remix for Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence", really well executed and perfect for any time of the day and night.
Chasing Kurt - From The Inside (Henrik Schwarz Remix)
For me this is one of the most overlooked tracks of 2014. It's another example of a producer taking an already great song to another level, it might be Henrik Schwarz’s best remix to date. I love everything about this beautiful remix and I've been playing it for the whole of 2014 – timeless.
David Bowie - Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix by James Murphy)
I am a big David Bowie fan so with his newly released "Nothing Has Changed" greatest hits I just returned my attention to this remix from 2013 by James Murphy. This is the Best of Bowie in every sense. James Murphy did a brilliant throwback to the classic "Ashes To Ashes". Listen to the remix and you will notice something two minutes into the song, very clever.
Danism ft Arnold Jarvis - Reciprocated Love
I feel honoured to have released this beautiful song on Noir Music. The strings, the vocals and that bass line are just heavenly to me. When DJs FCL played this at Amsterdam Dance Event in October 2014, it was one of the highlights of my ADE experience this year – tears of joy.
Kwabs - Walk (Sasha Extended Remix)
This is pure bliss for me in the clubs, it’s a more minimal track and only includes a short vocal-loop. It's not like the other "songs" I've mentioned but the melodies and funky groove on this record make it irresistible for club plays. Every time I drop this record I get goose bumps and can’t stop dancing around in the DJ booth. People always run to the booth to ask what the hell it is.
Moderat - Bad Kingdom (DJ Koze Remix)
This might be my favourite club record of the year. DJ Koze took all the best from the original and made it a proper electronica club record. This remix is another great example of how you cut the perfect arrangement to make a song work in the clubs. I couldn’t find a proper link for this remix, but here's 1.10 of it – you owe it to yourself to check out the entire version.
Noir will be headlining Defected In The House at Ministry of Sound on New Year’s Eve 2014.
