Fred again.. Drops USB002 Remixes
Fred again.. released *USB002 REMIXES* as part of New Music Friday's electronic highlights, alongside Flying Lotus' *BIG MAMA (EP)*. The remix package continues Fred's signature style of reworking dance tracks with his distinctive production approach. Electronic music fans are also buzzing about Fluo V - 5 Year Anniversary compilation from Kindergarten Records celebrating their NYC scene presence.
The "USB" title is a literal reference to Fred again..'s practice of handing out USB sticks with new music at secret shows, a guerrilla-style distribution that builds on his reputation for surprise and fan engagement. The *USB* project is described by the artist as an "infinite, ever-evolving album," with *USB001* having been released physically in June 2024 as a compilation of popular singles and collaborations. *USB002 REMIXES* enlists a blend of established pioneers and contemporary artists to rework the tracks. The compilation features a remix of "you're a star" by dubstep originators Skream & Benga, and another for "the floor" by HAAi, who previously collaborated with Fred again.. on the 2022 track "Lights Out." Other remixers on the project include KETTAMA, Lil Silva, Oppidan, and Hamdi, reflecting a cross-section of modern UK dance music. The rollout for the original *USB002* involved a series of ten pop-up shows in ten different cities, culminating in residencies in New York and London. The final London show at Alexandra Palace featured a surprise back-to-back DJ set with Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk, marking Bangalter's first UK DJ performance in nearly two decades. Flying Lotus' *BIG MAMA* is a 13-minute experimental EP released on his own label, Brainfeeder, which has also been home to artists like Thundercat and Kamasi Washington. Created over two months, the project is a dense, stream-of-consciousness piece made without any loops, a departure from his signature style. The EP is also accompanied by a short film directed by Flying Lotus himself, intended to be a unified audio-visual piece. The *Fluo V* compilation celebrates the fifth anniversary of Kindergarten Records, a label founded by DJ and producer Ma Sha to champion the New York City electronic music scene. The 11-track release features artists from the label's roster including Ayesha, Sobolik, Stolen Velour, and a track from Ma Sha herself.
