Compilation, House | Top 50 Dance Tracks Of 2013: 20-11
Posted by Middy on January 13, 2010
20. Audien – Wayfarer
Released in January, “Wayfarer” stayed in the Beatport trance top 100 until December. Beatport sales are not always the best indication of a song’s success, but in this case, it can be used to prove just how successful this song was having been used in the sets of Knife Party, Hardwell, Armin van Buuren, Cosmic Gate and so many more for the majority of the year.
19. Just Blaze vs Baauer ft. Jay Z – Higher
Baauer got famous, because the internet, for the spazed out version of the Harlem Shake, but while that was happening, he was making this heater with hip hop producer mainstay Just Blaze, with a few contributing lyrics from a guy who is used to being in the spotlight, Jay Z.
18. Diplo & GTA – Boy Oh Boy
Generally artists save their best releases for big label tracks, but here Diplo & GTA, perhaps unwittingly, delivered what was their most popular track of the year. It is simplistic, but outstanding, taking Missy Elliot’s lyrics from “Lose Control” and meshing them in perfectly. This vine embodies the attitude in this song.
17. Armin van Buuren ft. Trevor Guthrie This Is What It Feels Like (Original + Remixes)
Armin’s crossover single, “This Is It What it Feels Like” became not only a hit with dance music fans (though he took flak from the traditional trancers), but also saw major radio play across the US and the world. The track seemed to only become more popular as the year wore on. The W&W remix brought this track to the festival stage.
16. Mark Knight – Your Love
Quietly, Mark Knight went about his business leading one of the finest dance music labels in the world, Toolroom Knights and had himself a smashing year production-wise. “Your Love” brings together an intoxicating groove with an addictive vocal that as it says “I just can’t get you out of my head”. Nobody has been able to get “Your Love” out of their heads either.
15. W&W & Ummet Ozcan – The Code
You cannot underestimate the impact W&W have had on 2013. The imitators have come from everywhere and their sound has become another overdone aspect of festival house. Ummet Ozcan has followed in their footsteps, moving from trance to a electro-trance sound that has become more and more popular lately, culminating in “Revolution”. “The Code” was the track that really exploded from them this year, taking over WMC and lasted all the way until NYE.
14. TJR – Whats Up Suckaz
Another sub genre getting love, Melbourne Bounce has gone global with its ambassadors Will Sparks and its bald American friend, TJR. “What’s Up Suckaz” brings the bounce to DJ sets all across the world in a way that is palatable to all fans.
13. Sander van Doorn & Mark Knight vs Underworld – Ten
“Your Love” was an individual triumph for Mark Knight, but he found a way to top that with his collab alongside Sander van Doorn and Underworld. Underworld’s floats across the upbeat house grooves and melodies that show the strength of each dynamic producer.
12. Pryda – Power Drive
For what has been another incredible year for the melodic master, “Power Drive” brought out a tougher side of him that we normally see with Cirez D. Power Drive thumps like a 350 foot drive from a sex addicted Tiger Woods and has the grace of Michelle Kwan. Pryda does it best, and he proves that once again.
11. Nicky Romero & Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano ft Fast Eddie – S.O.T.U.
One of the tracks that has appealed to all crowds this year, S.O.T.U. has been played by DJs of all genres on all stages. With an impossibly punchy kick, the simple yet potent track shows the power when percussion is used right. Nicky Romero has taken a wide variety of styles this year from “Symphonica” to “Still The Same Man” to this, but “S.O.T.U.” has to be his crowning achievement this year.
Compilation, House | Top 50 Dance Tracks Of 2013: 30-21
Posted by Middy on January 8, 2010
30. Axwell – Center Of The Universe (Original + Remode)
With the breakup of SHM in March, it gave Axwell the chance to finally finish up some of those unreleased tunes that have been burning through his hard drive over the past couple years. The first to get finished up, much to the delight dance music fans everywhere was “Center Of The Universe”, the super melodic tune that is textbook Axwell and we love him so much.
29. DJ Snake ft. Alesia – Bird Machine
Target commercial or not, “Bird Machine” was one of the trap anthems of the year. These three Frenchmen conjured something special when they released “Bird Machine” back in February, putting the world on notice that this would be the year for DJ Snake, and Alesia should be on your radar pronto.
28. Mat Zo – Lucid Dreams
Just when you thought Mat Zo couldn’t get any better, he goes and releases his debut artist album “Damage Control”, displaying the vision, creativity and skill that he has as a producer. As big as “Easy” was, it was released as a single in 2012, so that disqualifies. The whole album is an incredible body of work, but the timeless quality of “Lucid Dreams” that was backed up by massive DJ support lands this at 29 on our list.
27. Kaskade – Atmosphere
The title track from his recently released 9th artist album, Kaskade did something on this track he had never done before: sing. The grammy nominated tune has propelled Kaskade to new heights, even at this point of his career.
26. Hot Natured ft. Anabel Englund – Reverse Skydiving (Original + Shadow Child Remix)
Hot Natured set the mood, but it was Anabel Englund’s crooning vocal that sets this tune apart from so many others. Shadow Child then came in and added his own soothing touch to create a remix that was as big, if not bigger than the original.
25. Dusky – Careless
Just when the Beatport top 10 chart was being dominated by the likes of Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Hardwell and Tiësto, Dusky came storming through to take the top spot. The British duo have been a mainstay on Anjunadeep for some time now, but with “Careless” they were thrust into the dance music spotlight.
24. Dannic – Clobber
The Revealed Records man had a breakout year and “Clobber” was how he kicked it all off. The bouncy horn style became infectious, as it was another sound synonymous with progressive house in 2013.
23. Knife Party – LRAD
Knife Party have been quiet on the production from this year besides their 4 track “Haunted House” EP released in May, but they make each tune count. Though other tracks like “Power Glove” really saw the full force of Knife Party’s style, it was “LRAD” that became the biggest, as one of the most skilled festival tracks made this year.
22. DVBBS & Borgeous – Tsunami
The second REALLY big festival track after “Animals” this year, “Tsunami” exploded the careers of DVBBS and Borgeous. It has been a staple of sets since August, receiving the “ID” treatment from Spinnin’. The unsung hero on this track is The Cataracs who was involved in the production.
21. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike – Wakanda – 2013 has been the year of the watered down hardstyle kick and unnecessary sub bass. “Wakanda” ushered in that trend in 2013, as the DV & LM tune became a quick favorite to start the year.
Compilation, House | Top 50 Dance Tracks Of 2013: 40-31
Posted by Middy on January 8, 2010
40. Pryda – Layers
Hit play. If the bass line from this tune isn’t stuck in your head yet, it will be by the time you finish reading this description. Pryda has had some huge tunes released this year and “Layers” is one of them, as he proves once again his ability to create the funkiest bass lines and best melodies. It is always a good time Pryda.
39. Disclosure ft. Eliza Doolittle – You & Me (Flume Remix)
2012 was big for Flume, but 2013 was where things really started to explode globally for the Aussie bass sensation. The Aussie bass / trap sound is becoming one of the hottest new trends right now and Flume is leading that charge. His remix of “You & Me” maybe made Disclosure even better, and that is something many have tried and failed to do.
38. Joris Voorn – Ringo
One of the most beautiful tracks released this year, Joris Voorn’s hypnotic single “Ringo” is both soothing and danceable. It your DJs favorite track and one of ours.
37. Green Velvet – Bigger Than Prince (Hot Since 82 Remix)
This dance floor stomper has all the elements you want from a house tune. It has the prominent 4 on the floor beat, adeptly added percussive elements and vocal, but the ominous synths set this apart as Hot Since 82 continues to show he one of the brightest names in house music.
36. Above & Beyond – Walter White
Above & Beyond are an album group, so it should be no surprise that they were less productive with releases, while taking Group Therapy worldwide and launching their new acoustic sound. “Walter White” however showed a darker, more aggressive side, much like its namesake that has been a highlight of their sets and our playlists.
35. Mark Knight & Funkagenda – Man With The Red Face (Hardwell Remix)
Hardwell’s triumphant year ended with him being named the most popular DJ in the world, but it was paved with huge festival sets and a relentless release calendar with Revealed Recordings that put his “Hardwell Music” at the top. Along the way he has several releases, including this triumphant return to Toolroom Records, bringing out the famous sax from “Man With The Red Face” and making the tune even bigger and better.
34. Madeon – Technicolor
The wunderkind decided to delve into the pop world this year with singles for Ellie Goulding and Lady Gaga, and was incredibly busy touring, but had time for one incredible production released over the summer, “Technicolor”. It has the complex sound you want from Madeon and saw support from a whole host of big name DJs.
33. Gesaffelstein – Pursuit
From releasing an album, to getting support and shoutouts from names all over the hip hop community like Diddy and producing for Kanye on “Yeezus”, the understatedly swagged out Frenchman had a huge year. Taken from his album “Aleph”, “Pursuit” embodies the full-bodied, dark techno beats Gesaffelstein is loved for.
32. Clockwork ft. Wynter Gordon – Surge
One of those songs that seemed to sneak into sets all across dance music, Wynter Gordon’s vocals have become some of the most catchy dance vocals around. Combined with the bouncy electro that Clockwork puts together, we have been feeling this one all year long.
31. DJ Snake ft. Lil Jon – Turn Down For What
Few songs took over the internet like this one did to end the year, “Harlem Shake” and “Fox”, non withstanding. Just scanning through your twitter feed, you are guaranteed to see some mention of turning down (likely to increase the closer you get to the weekend). DJ Snake has been making some serious tunes lately, and “Turn Down For What” is just that.