When I covered The Avalanches’ album Wildflower in 2016, Because I’m Me was something that stood out among the 21 tracks as a catchy and upbeat piece of music, and it’s one of the tracks that I still keep in my playlists today. The main vocal hook and rap interludes complement each other well, and the melodies are rarely anything less than bright and uplifting. In truth, I would have liked to have more songs as charming as this one, but for a moment it looked like I was going to get the next best thing when an EP of Because I’m Me remixes was released in February. Unfortunately, the Because I’m Me remixes have been unavailable on most services here in the UK, and this is why I haven’t had a chance to listen to them until quite recently.
The EP of Because I’m Me remixes has a promising start
The EP of Because I’m Me remixes consists of five tracks – four remixes of Because I’m Me (by Bondax, Dâm-Funk, Black Milk and Moor Mother) and a Zero Percent remix of The Noisy Eater. Some of these run with the moods and melodies of the original, whilst others apply the vocals to much more interesting backing tracks. For instance, the opening remix by Bondax has a gentle and laid-back twist to the familiar melodies and tempos but still stays true to the spirit of the song. Rather than feeling like a lazy imitation, it provides a catchy and enjoyable complement to the original tune, and is a great way to open the EP. This is then followed by the Dâm-Funk Re-Freak remix, possibly my favourite of the Because I’m Me remixes. Instead of going for the cheery melodic vibe, this remix feels like it offers more of a slick hip-hop variation – lazy rhythms and low bass tones are joined by a neat melodic hook, and the rap verses of the track are perfectly fitting.
The EP of Because I’m Me remixes has variety
Following this, the Black Milk remix is another example of a remix with a more soothing backing track, with a smooth vocal chorus joined by a steady backbeat. It’s more of a departure from the feel of the original than Bondax’s remix, but both are successful in creating a uniquely chilled atmosphere. At this point in the EP of Because I’m Me remixes, everything has sounded nice and accessible and “safe”… however, the final remix of the song is perhaps the biggest departure of the four. The Moor Mother remix of Because I’m Me plays with slices of samples from different parts of the track, mashes and distorts things, plays things out of order and introduces uniquely bizarre effects. It’s definitely the most daring of the BIM remixes, and although it might be a bit of a shock to those who want more of the same easy-going vibes, I think that it adds to the variety of the EP.
The final track is the Noisy Eater remix by Zero Percent. I liked the raps and melody of the original track, but this remix has more of a focus on dance-y rhythms, moody beeps and even the occasional bit of beatboxing for good measure. Again, it’s very different to the original but enjoyable in its own way. As a whole, I think that the EP of Because I’m Me remixes has a little something for everybody; I personally don’t know if I’ll have the original and the Bondax remix in my library since they both go for a similar mood, but I can easily see myself adding the Dâm-Funk or Black Milk tune in a playlist somewhere. Anyway, if you liked the original track you should definitely seek out the remix EP – you might not enjoy the whole thing but there’s likely to be something in there for you.