Who would have thought an obscure Scandinavian retro-electro disco-funk synth-pop record would have turned into one of the most popular tunes of the year? Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, The Similou are Joel Eriksson and Erik Niklasson, a coupla crazy kids who share a love for keytars, catchy melodies and 1985.

The limited success of their first release, the dreamy soundscape of Supernova Sky, led the lads to do what many people do after a hard day – they hit their local. After consuming numerous ice cold öl’s they realised a change in tactics was in order, wisely deciding to seize upon the electronic music world’s current fascination with the eighties. The result was All This Love, a perfect blend of bright pastel synth riffs, reverbed drums, plinky keys and enchanting falsetto vocals. All This Love saw The Similou become the darlings of dancefloors across the world, embraced by DJ’s and clubbers alike almost overnight.

After many months of clubland thrashing, commercial radio has belatedly discovered that the track holds mass market appeal. Now every man and his dog are raving about “that rainbow song”, “Rainbow Stalin” or “doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo”. Luckily, there’s a slew of mixes out there to keep the grinning proles at bay. The latest to appear are from two talented Aussie outfits: Tonite Only’s F**k Tomorrow Remix and The Usual Suspects Get Funktafied Remix.

Ex-pat’s Simon Lewicki (Groove Terminator) and Sam Littlemore (of Pnau fame) are Tonight Only, a production duo that have been enjoying major Australian chart success. Their smash hit Danger (The Bomb) has been destroying Australian dancefloors since February this year and their remixes for Sneaky Sound System and TV Rock have also gone down a treat. This latest effort follows suit, fronting up as a massive slice of chunky electro house that’s being flogged across the world. Slammin’ and with elements of crisply modernised new-wave, the mix features their trademark aggressive synths, a futuristic melody, a snappy break that harks back to Commodore times and of course that familiar pumping beat.

Notorious Melbourne-based musical collective The Usual Suspects have taken a different approach, remixing All This Love into a tune more suited to the switched on house set. The Suspect talents of Wei Shen, Maarcos, Lionel and Atridge have produced a lush cocktail of booty-shaking funk. An unmistakable groove, solid helping of airy synths, tightly programmed drums and a sun-kissed melody have ensured this is definitely a mix with a long shelf life.

Quality Australian remix action.