SAMPLED is a recurring column that examines the skeletal production of a contemporary Rap/R&B/Hip-Hop or Pop song. From what song did the loop, sample, or chopped up vocal providing the backbone for a new interpretation originate? SAMPLED looks at the original song with some historical context, and then presents the contemporary production that utilizes a sample from the original. For better or worse, this is the process by which a huge portion of contemporary pop music is assembled.

This week, the sample in question is by Italo disco revivalists Desire, taken from their 2009 song “Under Your Spell,” which was recently feature don the Drive soundtrack.

A project geographically split between Orgeon and Montreal, Desire is made up of two members of Chromatics (who are labelmates on New Jersey imprint Italians Do It Better, conincidentally) and vocalist Megan Louise. Their 2009 album II is multilingual synthpop, with bleak analog layers and sultry vocals. The album was well received in 2009, but a recent push from the Drive exposure has bred a renewed enthusiasm for the trio’s only record. “Under Your Spell” is an emotional and atmospheric pop anthem, complete with a oddly placed spoken word verse.

“Under Your Spell” was sampled by Kid Cudi and Dot Da Genius via their alternative rock collaboration WZRD, specifically on the first single “Teleport 2 Me, Jamie.”

The understated chords from “Under Your Spell” must have resonated with Cudi and Dot, because they lifted the entire progression to form the basis of “Teleport 2 Me, Jamie.” Kid Cudi’s “Day N Nite” Producer Dot Da Genius slowed the tempo of the progression and dropped the key by a step or two, giving it a more morose, drone-y treatment. It’s almost like the two were listening to the 7″ single on 33 rpm, getting super baked in Cudi’s room, just really vibing on it, you know? The pair also lifted the riff melody that appears later in “Under Your Spell” for their intro. The sampling is so heavy on this number that Cudi decided to give Desire a “featuring” credit on the song title itself. Credit where credit’s due, right?

Some view sampling as a symptom of a lack of creativity, and that’s exactly why it is a polarizing topic in terms of contemporary pop music. Critics liken it to Hollywood’s nasty habit of repurposing old franchises and old ideas, updating and remaking anything that was once profitable. On the flip side, many argue that sampling is an art form not to be discredited. On a weekly-ish basis, SAMPLED aims to take it on a case-by-case basis, and examine the dividing practice of using samples in the creation of music.