The 15 Best Remixes of The Weeknd

We're not sure if it was the Drake co-sign or the actual strength of the music, but when The Weeknd debuted back in late 2010, his buzz seemed to set

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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We're not sure if it was the Drake co-sign or the actual strength of the music, but when The Weeknd debuted back in late 2010, his buzz seemed to set the Internet ablaze. He had a late-night, druggy take on life and love that seemed to strike a chord with those who either live that life or fantasize about living that life. And with anything that involves that scene of late-night hype and Internet buzz, the electronic music scene is soon to follow. Many producers have taken their time with The Weeknd's work, putting it through a number of different paces. Today, let's take a look at the 15 best remixes of The Weeknd's material.

The Weeknd - "Rolling Stone (No Big Deal Remix)"

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The Weeknd has an interesting vocal style, playing with tight melodies over space-y beats, but hearing No Big Deal put him on a pedestal with this "dublectro" beat, you get a sense that Weeknd could've made a career out of lightweight UK garage crooning.

The Weeknd - "Wicked Games (ColeCo Remix)"

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"Wicked Games" is one of the more biting bits from The Weeknd's catalog, and the driving thump that ColeCo gave it works well in an understated, emotional vein. It picks up into a fuzzy electro number rather quickly, giving you an anthem to drive from your ex-lover's crib to.

The Weeknd - “Rolling Stone (Truth Remix)”

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A lowkey dubstep rework that we figure Hatcha would get a kick out of. The Weeknd's airy vox gets transported to a slow, intense riddim from New Zealand duo Truth, with the sly guitar strumming and vibes weaving an undeniable quilt.

The Weeknd - "The Morning (Dolor Remix)"

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If we had an idea of what The Weeknd producing moody electronic music would sound like, Dolor's rework of "The Morning" is halfway there. Deep, depressed bass and loads of echoes swimming around sharp synths, all in a dub-wrapped cookie. For those days you're just staring out of your window, sulking at a rain-soaked morn.

The Weeknd - "Wicked Games (SPL Bootleg)"

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We're surprised more dubstep reworks like this didn't emerge early on in The Weeknd's ascent. Or maybe they did, but weren't this massive. SPL puts the certified dubstep wobble on this, but it works, swinging between Weeknd's sung vocals and SPL's special edits on the same vox. With so much aggression in the lyrics, you need that guttural bass to underpin the sentiments.

The Weeknd - “The Morning (Atlantic Connection Remix)”

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Atlantic Connection is always good for a solid remix, and his unofficial take on "The Morning" is brighter than much of The Weeknd's catalog, but that's good. Sometimes, you need that fuzzy bass to reinforce a good morning, especially when you've got haters. Turn this up, get fresh for the day, and laugh at all of them.

The Weeknd - "The Zone (Chi Duly Remix)"

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In crafting Balloons of Haus as a remix project of EDM for those who don't like EDM, Chi Duly definitely gave us some intriguing reworks of Weeknd material to wrap our heads around. His take on "The Zone" stands out for it's intoxicating thump and edits of The Weeknd's vocals, although he treated them as another piece of the puzzle and not the stand-out bit of the track, further encasing us in this "zone."

The Weeknd - “Outside (Sango Remix)”

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Remixes like this prove hw intense Sango's work is. Flipping The Weeknd's vocals into this hypnotic loop, this one has those marching drums that take things to another zone. If you love this, grab Sango's More Balloons remix project... then figure out how you can work it like a pro.

The Weeknd - “High For This (Flufftronix Remix)”

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One half of the Luvstep collective, Flufftronix is a perfect producer to add a dubstep twist to The Weeknd's "High For This." He brings out the chiptune and really gets sick with it, drenching all kinds of electronic bliss all over The Weeknd's original.

The Weeknd - "Wicked Games (Hannah Wants & Chris Lorenzo Remix)"

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The English jackin and house & bass scene is a burgeoning one that we've covered bits and pieces of over the last few months. We're in love with the wobbly basslines, funky grooves and pop power that these tracks often have and this remix of "Wicked Games" really is no different.

The Weeknd -“House Of Balloons (Party Supplies Remix)”

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This feels like the most fun ever had at a party for The Weeknd, a guy who never seems to sing about having fun, ever. Pure festival material, but for the kind of festival that caters to everyone but the usual raver massive. Throwback intensity stitched in wonderfully-executed sample work.

The Weeknd - “The Zone (Heartbreak Remix)”

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Some early morning juke reworks of The Weeknd? Sure, why not. We barely get any Weeknd vocals in here, but Heartbreak turned this one into one of the more danceable remixes of Weeknd material, which is an awesome feat to the say the least. To be fair, this is taken from David's batch of Weeknd remixes, which can't be denied or ignored.

The Weeknd - “The Party & The After Party (Kastle Remix)”

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Kastle's always good for a forward-thinking future bass romp, and the way he spiced up "The Party & The After Party" is a treat to behold. One of those sounds that'll sound great at the party and, you guessed it, with the lights low at the after party.

The Weeknd - "House Of Balloons (Nadastrom Moombahton Edit)"

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Bringing some truly sexy vibes to The Weeknd's late-night raunch is necessary, but isn't always executed properly. Makes sense that Nadastrom, major parts of the moombahton movement, would provide the proper amount of funk for their edit. The drums aren't too intense, which is key to the upbeat sense they work in this one. Great way to throw your style in without being overbearing.

The Weeknd - “What You Need (DJ Fracture’s Unofficial Wreck Your Weekend Remix)”

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There's still no one who has made as insane of a remix of The Weeknd's work as Fracture did with this jungle-ish takeon "What You Need," pairing the calm melody with a bombastic use of edited amens. Showing how well a proper drum edit can work with something that's so serene, Fracture took his love for breakbeats and captured something emotional and moving without destroying the original.

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