Exclusive Song Premiere: ‘I Stand Alone,’ Theophilus London (Gigamesh Remix)

GIGAMESH. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH JOHNSON

It’s been nearly a month and a half since Gigamesh treated us to his Sunlight remix of Theophilus London’s anthem “I Stand Alone,” and today we’re giving you an exclusive preview of the brand-new “Moonlight” incarnation. The remix—which is, ironically, much sunnier than the Minneapolis DJ’s previous effort—is a synth-soaked affair that ratchets up the intensity of the original by bringing London’s echoing chorus to the front and center. The result is a track that’s instantly danceable, but also strikingly familiar. To be fair, it’s not difficult to hear how the song would fit right alongside the Pointer Sisters’ “Jump (For My Love)” on an early-’80s complication disc.

But if this latest remix sounds like an exercise in Reagan-era nostalgia, it’s Brooklyn-raised London’s genre-bending approach to songwriting that keeps things from drying up. The rapper has cited amongst his influences Prince, Kraeftwork, the Smiths, and filmmaker Gaspar Noé (from whose film I Stand Alone the song takes its name), and that patchwork of inspirations come through in what is clearly anything but a typical rap song.

GIGAMESH’S SELF-TITLED DEBUT EP IS OUT OCTOBER 18 (OUR LABEL INTERNATIONAL), AND THE EXTENDED VERSION OF THE SINGLE “WHEN YOU’RE DANCING” (FEAT. INDUCE) IS OUT NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON BEATPORT. FOR MORE ON GIGAMESH, VISIT HIS WEBSITE.