2011 is going to be big for The Forms. Over the course of the past 8 years, the band has been the opposite of prolific. They have released two great records (Icarus and The Forms), gone through a bunch of member changes (from a three-piece to a four-piece and now down to the core duo of Alex Tween and Matt Walsh), and played shows sparsely. Saturday night at The Rock Shop, the band celebrated the release of their newest EP Derealization, a re-working of songs from their past with star-studded liner notes and an updated flare. This year, people need to take notice of this band.

Along with The Forms, Monogold preformed and BRAHMS provided a DJ set of amazing ’90s hits. (It had been a minute since I heard Salt ‘n’ Pepa’s “None of Your Business.”) This lineup – along with the appearances on Derealization by members of Dirty Projectors, St. Vincent, etc. – solidified the fact that these dudes have some seriously rad friends.

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The Forms never really came off as a band who would release an record of remixes. Their two albums are guitar-heavy, oddly-timed and rocked out (in a good way). But with the transformation into a two-piece of Alex Tween and Matt Walsh, the subtraction of guitars, and the addition of synthesizers and electronic drums, we get much different results.

Supposedly a result of putting the needle down on the record at the wrong speed, Derealization is an upcoming EP of remixes and reimaginings from the band’s previous releases Icarus and The Forms, featuring many big name guest stars. Members of St. Vincent, Pattern is Movement, The National and Dirty Projectors all dropped by to contribute to this EP. The first single features Andrew Thiboldeaux from Pattern is Movement. It’s called “Steady Hand,” but the original was called “Bones.” The remix is sped up and has some twinkling electronic elements added to the background and ghostly ethereal vocals. What I mean is: It’s good. Listen to it over at Stereogum.

Here’s a video of the band playing a version of their song “Stravinsky” this summer at the Knitting Factory. Not sure if this version will appear on Derealization or not. But I am sure that it is great and a good indication of what’s to come. Plus, they’re each wearing a headset microphone, so it’s worth watching just for that.