Busy touring USA, the boys from The Temper Trap haven’t had time to spend in the studio for a while. So here it is, their latest album; a collection of tracks from their first album that they threw willingly to the waiting hands of many eagre producers. The final result? New life has been given to our old loves! I had to keep an open mind here, I often feel that truly great music should be off limits – don’t change it if it’s already there. Sometimes remixes can leave you with the feeling that your player is skipping or the artist has a stutter; not that you are listening to a carefully crafted composition.

Having seen Temper Trap live, what I love about this group is the intensity they bring to their music. Their music is almost tribal with insistent drum beats, ethereal vocals and over the rainbow melodies. Actually, this signature style we have grown to love really lends itself to the unrealistic world of techno. With the synth gods smiling, Conditions Remixed was launched to the stratosphere. With versions ranging from R&B to house and synth, the album really is a technicolour journey. If techno isn’t your thing, you may feel somewhat scandalised by these tracks. I must say, in my opinion, the originals still far outshine the remixes, but when you stop comparing, and take a fresh look at each track as its very own musical entity, they are all quite wonderful.

"Down River" and "Science of Fear", two of my favourites in the original versions, have been beautifully remixed in this collection. Fool’s Gold has brought retro DJ/synth back in their remix of "Down River", complete with tinny keyboard notes, LP scratching and remixed vocals. It’s hardly recognisable as Temper Trap; they’ve taken key sections and reinvented the rest. "Science of Fear" takes on a new sound thanks to The Count (aka Herve)’s ‘Medusa’ Remix, with orchestral influences in the intro, dropping into a house-techno beat. In true techno form, the tracks- though repetitive and mastered to the point of artificiality; each develop and unfold in a truly dynamic nature.

It’s a truly stunning album, a collaborative effort from some of the leading producers. In a music scene where ownership is so carefully monitored, it’s refreshing to find artists working alongside, remixing and redefining each other’s work. Creativity belongs to everybody.

Due for release Nov 1st. Can you dig it?

Review Score: 8.5/10