Compilation, Featured, House | Top 50 Dance Tracks Of 2013 (Including 50-41)
Posted by Middy on January 13, 2014
Yes we know, you may be “top _____ of 2013” listed out, but bear with us as we present you our top 50 dance tracks of 2013. In the past we have done just big room / progressive, but here we attempt to take on the whole genre, from trap to progressive to deep house. A few ground rules and biases for how these tracks were selected. “Top” means biggest and best. So the most supported and played out tracks, first and foremost, but also our own bias as well to make this list not just a carbon copy of every other one you have read. All of us are based in the US / Canada, so our perception of what is played live is a largely US worldview, though we try and take a step back. The songs have to have been released in 2013. So tracks like “Easy”, “I Could Be The One”, “Alive”, “Clarity” and “Harlem Shake”, while all huge in 2013, won’t qualify for the list because they were released in 2012. Tough luck, but I think the artists will manage. Check out 50-41 after the jump and at the end find links for 40-31, 30-21, 20-11 and the best of the best, 10-1.
Progressive House | Tiësto – Red Lights
Posted by Middy on December 18, 2013
We are seeing a trend here with dance music stars. Now that the biggest and most important music market in the world has bought in to dance music, DJs want a piece of the very lucrative pop pie. This is convenient because pop music is going in the dance direction, notably since the inroads made by Guetta with his tracks in the late 2000s, but it also requires DJs to meet the pop scene half way.
Hits like “Alive”, “Clarity” and “Get Lucky” didn’t sound engineered for radio, but ended up there anyway, but recently tracks like Afrojack’s “The Spark”, Armin van Buuren’s “This Is What It Feels Like”, Ferry Corsten’s “Many Ways” and now “Red Lights” all demonstrate the move to try and appeal to much wider audience. DJs no longer want to be the anonymous guy in the corner spinning tracks, they want to be brands, superstars and with commercial, crossover appeal coming easier every day, you can expect that to become more and more the norm.
The song is incredibly catchy and destined for radio; undoubtably its original purpose. It is the first of three singles from Tiësto’s upcoming album signed to Universal set for release next year. It will be his first album since “Kaleidoscope” back in 2010, so expect something very different. You can get a sneak peak at the process behind it including his producers Matt Nash & Dave Silcox in the studio, and how tracks were chosen on the fifth episode of In The Booth.
iTunes: Tiësto – Red Lights
Events, Review | Thump Presents: Zedd, Duke Dumont & Tokimonsta @ Pier 84 6/20/13 (Review)
Posted by Middy on July 1, 2013
A lineup of Zedd, Duke Dumont and Tokimonsta on Pier 84 in New York City for free? Check. A grandiose, interactive fireworks display throughout the entire show? Check. Open bar from opening at 7pm to close at 10pm at no additional charge? Check. This was how Vice’s music platform, Thump decided to officially launch its “Up Next” section, combining a diverse lineup with state of the art production and a river of booze.
Mashups | DOSVEC – “Children Clarity”
Posted by BIGLIFE on May 7, 2013
We have all heard Zedd’s “Clarity” numerous times but DOSVEC gives it a fresh twist with Dave Darrel’s “Children, which is a Progressive House mix of the classic Robert Miles “Children”. “Children Clarity” is a seamless combination of Foxes vocals with the sweeping beats and uplifting keys that are presented by Children.
This version gives Clarity some new life and will make you forget of the original Zedd production.
Events | Ultra Music Festival 2013 — Weekend 2 Recap (Or, If I Never Hear “Clarity” Again, It Will Be Too Soon)
Posted by Spice on April 9, 2013
“You know, the mainstage doesn’t look that awesome this year. In fact, it kind of looks smaller than it did last year.”
I was sitting on a friend’s couch drinking a lukewarm Bud Light and watching Nicky Romero’s Weekend 1 set on a Macbook. We didn’t have the good speakers plugged in because someone was napping upstairs, so the sound was tinny and easy to talk over. The TV mounted to the wall was tuned to NCAA basketball with the volume off. It was early on Friday evening and I was in the process of getting over bronchitis. A bag of Doritos was making the rounds.
“Shit guys. This stage is bullshit.” I grabbed a fistful of Doritos and gestured at the computer. “Look at it. It’s just sitting there, being purple. God, the mainstage is going to effing suck this year.” My friends nodded sagely. I leaned back, satisfied that my point had hit home, and turned my attention to the basketball game.
Of all the things I’ve been wrong about in my life, this has got to be top three.
Progressive House | Cazzette – Weapon (Vicetone Remix)
Posted by Middy on February 13, 2013
Another remix and yet again Vicetone crush it with ease. Following up their “Clarity”, “Reason” and “Bulletproof” remixes that are still getting plays from various Djs and BBC Radio One, they waste no time resting on their laurels and provide us with yet another another outstanding remix. This one uses the same ideas as their “Clarity” remix with powerful guitar riffs and saws in the drop instead of their crisp big room synths. It is great to see some diversity in their sound and they weave the vocals superbly into the framework of the track. If you haven’t already, hit the download button, it should be automatic with a Vicetone track.
Free Download: Cazzette – Weapon (Vicetone Remix)
House, Videos | Zedd performs “Clarity” live on the David Letterman Show
Posted by Middy on January 4, 2013
A spot usually reserved for anyone but a Dj, Zedd made his US network television debut last night on the David Letterman show, performing “Clarity” live. Zedd displayed his talents on the piano, showing us his versatility as a musician, Foxes gives a B effort on vocals, some live great strings and most importantly Alvin Risk on backup vocals killing it in that scarf that Letterman wanted at the end. This just shows the power of having a major label (Interscope) behind you and the doors they can open for any artist.