Leave it up to me to notice that my top 10 list was actually a top 11 after I finished the write up. Either way, these are my favorite electronic music originals from the past year. Make sure you keep an eye out for the rest of our yearly round ups: best albums, best remixes and best mixes. What tracks do you think I missed? Comment on this post on facebook and let me know!
11. “Fantasy” – Breakbot
Few can create modern-funk like Breakbot. His productions sound authentically retro, which many strive for but few achieve. This feel combined with Rackaziod’s Micheal like voice made “Fantasy” an easy choice for this year’s top list. (Not to mention the video kicks ass)
10. “Take My Hand” – Treasure Fingers
I think it’s pretty obvious to our readers that we are first and foremost a disco blog. And what would a top 10 (update: I mean 11) list be without this guy? Treasure Fingers basically introduced me to the genre that I currently am obsessed with, and his track “Take My Hand” is a perfect example of why.
9. “Trouble” – Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
With UK inspired club music on the rise, look for this guy to lead the charge along side others like Jamie XX and James Blake. Painfully honest about not taking things too seriously, this dinosaur suit/headdress wearing producer is the future of house.
8. “Ungirthed” – PURITY RING
A solid chill-wave collection is a necessity for any electronic music lover. It’s relaxed pace provides a deeper meaning then just making people dance by making people think. “Ungirthed” is a sketchy yet breezy synth pop track featuring innocent vocals from Megan James. In my perfect mix, this song would close.
7. “Take Me Higher” – Rogerseventytwo
Ok, I may be cheating abit with this one because Rogerseventytwo actually released this track a couple years ago. But “You Take Me Higher” was basically the little train that could of house music in ’11 (with the help of a ATrak/Fools Gold re-release). This track is a celebration of why nu-disco is so irresistible, because it’s just plain fun.
6. Embody – SebastiAn
SebastiAn’s slap bass funk is the signature of something truly unique. It’s refreshing to witness them borrow the hard hitting characteristics of rock and roll, while staying true to their dance music roots. Their first single from the new album ”Embody” was released via a killer music video, so make sure you check it out.
5. You Can Dance – Chilly Gonzales
One track had us moving like no other this year. With the combination of dancing piano, hand claps and catchy lyrics, Chilly made dance a contagious epidemic in ’11. I’m telling you, when it comes to dance music, there are a few tracks that are as catchy as this one. Update: We are still looking for the electro piano universe.
4. Far Nearer – Jamie XX
You’d be a fool if you didn’t consider this man for producer of the year. Whether he’s part of the xx or his solo career, the degree of artistic ingenuity in his productions is scary. “Far Nearer” was Jamie’s first released solo single, and the wait due to sample clearance issues was well worth it. the combination of his steel drums and spacey synths created one of my most memorable tracks of 2011.
3. Gabriel (Feat Valentina) – Joe Goddard
Joe Goddard might have been the busiest man in music this year. Between Hot Chip, 2 Bears and his solo releases/remixes, the man must have successfully discovered the secret of cloning. His track “Gabriel” is hypnotic in the sense that it will slip you into a toe tapping and head bobbing haze. Turn the bass up and your thought processes down low for this hauntingly chilled house track.
2. Foreign Language – Flight Facilities
Who would have guessed that Flight Facilities’ follow up to “Crave You” would be an even bigger success? I love this song. Everything about it. The band explained the single as a “look back on the last year of adventures and experiences, swoons us with its smooth walking bass lines, classic house strings, loads of guitar noodling, anthemic vocals and summer bounce“. Summer bounce, couldn’t have put it any better myself.
1. Midnight City – M83
M83′s rise to the mainstream in 2011 was something I could have never predicted. I mean, they’ve been around since 2005 with 3 already released (stellar) albums. So what was it that launched “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” into the stratosphere? “Midnight City” is the answer. It’s obvious the single contains the inherent “thing” that creates the immediate need to share it. Who knew that M83 could be THIS big? Crazy.
