A-Trak Remixes Phoenix on ‘Trying to be Cool’ – Song Premiere

Phoenix’s 2009 breakthrough Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix was so packed with catchy synth-rock nuggets, the band released a remix collection of the entire album. To reimagine a song from their latest effort, Bankrupt!, prolific Canadian DJ A-Trak — who’s worked over Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West and is one half of the dance duo Duck Sauce — takes the reigns.

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While the original version of “Trying to be Cool” swirls with layered keys and mind-bending guitars, A-Trak’s interpretation goes for maximum texture, slathering Thomas Mars’ abrasive vocals over moody chords that morph from subtle to club-ready in a gradual build.

“I’ve been a fan of Phoenix since their first album, so I was really excited to take this one on,” A-Trak says of the mix. “I also love remixing a song that has a memorable vocal. I try to make a new song out of it, but theirs was already great. Hopefully people enjoy mine too.”