Dancing Astronaut - EDM, trap, techno, deep house, dubstep
Dancing Astronaut's 50 Biggest Tracks of 2014
From the year’s most contagious jingle such as “Let me take a…” and “Turn down for…” to the new dance-pop breed of Radio EDM, all the way to finesse instrumentals and the resurgent sound of deep house. 2014 was a milestone year for electronic dance music in the sense of its standout tracks bringing something new and different compared to years past.
We’ve already acknowledged artists as individuals through our #BIG100 retrospect, and now we turn towards the sounds that constructed the concluding calendar. Reflecting the composition of dance music’s year through the music, Dancing Astronaut is proud to present our 50 Biggest Tracks of 2014.
50. Cash Cash - Surrender (Original Mix)
Following up their smash hit “Take Me Home,” and the unexpected John Rzeznik collaboration “Lightning,” Cash Cash return to form for their latest original output. Dubbed “Surrender,” the trio took to Instagram to toss up a quick preview of their upcoming release and the results are exactly what we’ve come to expect from the New Jersey-based talents. Fans will enjoy the familiar Cash Cash electro-pop sound design, pairing high energy electro house with deftly constructed melodies and gorgeous pad work.
49. Hudson Mohawke - Chimes (Original Mix)
Throughout the period of trap domination from the powerful and temporarily defunct TNGHT, one track stood far above the rest. For many that had the opportunity to see Lunice and Hudson Mohawke grace the stage together, “Chimes” served as either the opening track of the performance, or the set’s climactic bass-filled section. Finally, the 808-slinging Scot has released the thumping project, complete with its accompanied EP.
48. Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman vs. Steve Angello - Payback (Original Mix)
No track from the Size Record’s hefty backlog of unreleased music could bring its uniquely aggressive persona to culmination like “Payback,” where Steve Angello joined Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman to do just that. Angello takes the lead with the emerging stars from his wing for a collaboration that embodies the mean, gritty, and emotionally provocative styles of its camp. Sitting on “Payback” since last summer, and welcoming widespread approval with each and any of its live testings, Steve, Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman reach the pinnacle of the label’s brewing take-no-prisoners approach to electronic music and open the floodgates for the remaining records in the Size queue that’s had the imprint’s fans near and far biting nails upon debuts.
47. Above & Beyond - Blue Sky Action (Original Mix)
Besides hosting a welcome return from Alex Vargas on vocal duties, “Blue Sky Action” is a reaffirming follow-up to its original predecessor. Above & Beyond’s defining factor remains expertly tested yet increasingly welcome – that of a balance of big room energy and preserved trance fundamentals. The result is a polished and uplifting number that both celebrates and spearheads a spike in universal poignancy for the industry as a whole, not to mention their festival primed sound. Dance music may reflect as larger-than-life at times, but with sights still set on pushing the boundaries rather than resting on their laurels, “Blue Sky Action” is yet another reason Above & Beyond has played soundtrack to some truly definitive moments on the industry’s burgeoning live circuit.
46. Odesza - Say My Name (Original Mix)
It may have been a year since ODESZA‘s last long play and six months since they unveiled the debut track from their forthcoming one, but as the new album’s release date draws near its singles pick up speed. Revealed as the third tune off of In Return is “Say My Name,” a glittering slice of beat-backed electronica made all the more irresistible by the crystal clear voice of newcomer Zyra. While her lyrics lure listeners in, the track’s drum beats double, dip and counter the expansive synth work and charismatic chords that the Seattle pair sprinkle throughout.
45. RL Grime & What So Not - Tell Me (Original Mix)
RL Grime‘s Void tour, named appropriately after the album that took the urban scene by storm, ripped through the United States with ferocity. Heavy bass and simplistic lights accompany a soundtrack of robust tunes drawing a wide audience to his shows. During a performance at the Ogden Theatre, upon ending his set with most notable trap anthem of the year, “Tell Me,” a collaboration with Australian geniuses What So Not, an unfamiliar sample drop and reorganization of the track’s climax caught even the most diehard followers by surprise.
44. The Magician - Sunlight (ft. Years & Years)
Coming off some of the most well-received remixes of the season, The Magician strikes powerfully with an original production. Entitled “Sunlight,” the extended cut boasts the grooves of its namesake, delivering a rhythm apt for rays while coming full circle with vocals tailored by rising UK band Years & Years. Enlightening, uplifting house, “Sunlight” has The Magician at the top of his game and sharing the shining wealth with perfect timing this past summer.
43. Caribou - Can’t Do Without You (Extended Mix)
Canadian composer Dan Sniath, known in the electronic world as Caribou, has released an extended version of his new song, “Can’t Do Without You.” The groovy tune is the first release off his upcoming album Our Love, which fans have been patiently awaiting since Swim came out in 2010. The DJ friendly, extended version of Dan’s smooth hit will drop as a limited edition vinyl on his own label JIAOLONG. In his triumphant return to the forefront of the mellow house movement, Caribou went on to follow “Can’t Do Without You” with one of the year’s finest LPs.
42. Ten Walls - Walking With Elephants
The elusive Ten Walls dished out some of the most versatile tracks of 2013. He’s rebounded in 2014 with a composition ubiquitously heard throughout BPM in Mexico, “Walking With Elephants,” released on newly minted label Boso. Reminiscent of the title tracks on Ten Wall’s previous EPs, the production mixes the orchestra formation of “Gotham” with the urgency of “Requiem.” The tuba-driven motif leaps and bounds across a soundscape of electronic-string instruments transcending the listener into a world of lumbering giants straight out of a Salvador Dali painting.
41. Tchami - Untrue
Tchami has been turning countless heads of late with his compelling approach to house music. Blending elements of future garage with deep house, Tchami has crafted a signature style that is both underground-pleasing and relatable enough to land him on Spinnin’ Records. The Parisian’s “Untrue,” utilizes transposed vocals with some sharp sound design for a cumulatively upbeat effect despite the track’s slower tempo. Perhaps most engrossing about the song, however, is Tchami’s ability to build a thick atmosphere by way of big reverb and delays.
40. Foster The People - Best Friends (Wave Racer Remix)
If it’s not broken, why try to fix it? Refusing to abandon his signature sparkling trap style, Wave Racer connects the bass and indie genres with Foster The People’s “Best Friend.” Vocal samples glisten throughout the production as standout indications of the up-and-comer’s skill. As summer arrives, the beautiful synth engineering typical of the Australian scene matches the scenery well; Wave Racer’s music paints a vivid mural of the brightest times with sound alone.
39. GotSome - Bassline (Amtrac Remix)
While GotSome‘s recent original mix, “Bassline,” was released to much praise on Defected Records, Amtrac‘s brilliant retro-fitted remix has given the track a breath of new life. Beginning with vocals in the forefront, it isn’t long before the Super Music Group star steals the show with deep percussion and a rave-inspired synth that slices through an anthemic bass backbone. Deeper elements added by the American native give the remix further dance floor viability when they give way to the happier and funk-inspired closing of the track. With productions as electrifying as this one, it is no surprise that Amtrac has become this year’s most in-demand remixer.
38. Henry Krinkle - Stay (Justin Martin Remix)
One of the most highly-anticipated releases following Justin Martin‘s debut of the remix at this year’s Coachella, the Dirtybird artist’s rework of Henry Krinkle adds a new spin on a timeless garage piece. Released as a standalone remix effort, the Justin Martin rework of “Stay” invites the atypical element of a punching bass line to the peaceful, melodic grooves of Henry’s original. Without forsaking the breathy ethereal atmosphere created from samples of Alicia Keys’ “Unthinkable,” the San Francisco-based producer brings new life to the nearly two year old track.
37. Avicii - You Make Me (Diplo & Ookay Remix)
Originally teased by Diplo, an amped up version up Avicii’s “You Make Me” came released in full form. Coming from the talented production hands of Diplo in tandem with Ookay, the collaborative rendition spices up the original True effort both with an ample kick to spice up the melodic backbone and an explicit trap drop that gives it space to breathe in a live atmosphere.
36. Deadmau5 - Seeya (ft. Colleen D'Agostino)
Not even the slightest controversy can dance around the fact While (1<2) is a voyage of an electronic album. “It’s a bit of a departure,” Joel explains about “Seeya,” moments before teasing his second song of his upcoming 25-track double LP release to come. For those familiar with the Mau5′s previous discography, a ‘departure’ it is indeed as “Seeya” blossoms with an atypical melodic touch in the form of Colleen D’Agostino’s vocal lifts. Still, the last track from his forthcoming two-disc release remains heavy with beloved signature Deadmau5 touches — this time, with additional glitch pops and a heavier dive into the groovy, funky end of the spectrum. With “Avaritia” being absolutely brilliant, the bassline of “Seeya” could be recognized in the year’s top 3.
35. DJ Snake & Dillon Francis - Get Low (Original Mix)
Doing away with the conventional polishing you may find on Mad Decent releases, Dillon Francis and DJ Snake use “Get Low” to display an electrifyingly disparate 100bpm Arabian-moomba-trap-electro drop. Ditching the DJ Hansel and DJ Rich As Fu*k monikers for a short time, Dillon Francis returns to his moombahton roots while DJ Snake brings a big room splash that makes the daunting bass hits so appealing. A calming, relatively speaking, bridge is injected into the mid-section of the track before the producers push the synth back to a more electro festival-stab format. While the two musicians have had overwhelmingly successful solo years, as a team the crowd-pleasing bass lovers execute their collaboration in a fantastic manner.
34. Sander van Doorn, Martin Garrix, DVBBS - Gold Skies (Original Mix)
This three headed monster has been circulating for some time, being smacked on the map and catapulted into popularity upon Miami Music Week and Ultra weekend. Martin Garrix, DVBBS, and Sander Van Doown collide as some of dance music’s hottest artists premiere their long-awaiting collaboration “Gold Skies.” The Spinnin Records release weighs heavily from its veteran contributor Sander Van Doorn with the rising youngsters Garrix and DVBBS adding to the anthemic production, bolstered by vocals from Aleesia.
33. Deorro ft. Dycy - Don't Hold Me Back (Five Hours)
Putting a vocal over a revered club track more than often equates to a kiss of death like leap from the credible to the commercial. It was no surprise then that the announcement of a vocal rendition of Deorro’s “Five Hours” would have at least a few people nervous that the punchy electro offering was about to be desecrated for the sake of an extended shelf-life for ICONS. Thankfully, the North American breakout’s recent social media faux pas have been overshadowed by a consistent ability to craft quality singles for a convoluted market. At the back end of the summer, “Don’t Hold Me Back” proves no exception.
32. Steve Aoki, Chris Lake & Tujamo ft. Kid Ink - Delirious (Boneless)
Steve Aoki teamed up with Chris Lake and Tujamo last year to deliver “Boneless,” a universally approved instrumental. When time to turn out his newest studio album, Aoki enlisted rapper Kid Ink to reimagine his work as a pop record. Suited with hip-hop verses and more viable for airplay, the renamed “Delirious” quickly found its way through pop culture, appearing in marketing campaigns for Radio Shack and Bud Light.
31. David Guetta - Lovers On The Sun (feat. Sam Martin)
Succeeding releases of “Shot Me Down,” “Bad,” and “Blast Off,” David Guetta put the cap on his pre-album production spree with a jazzed up single. With the aforementioned Sklyar Grey, Showtek, and Kaz James collaborations already established, Guetta saves his best work for last before getting into Listen’s lead “Dangerous.” Tailored for radio success, “Lovers On The Sun” follows the country-electronica blueprint with an old-western feeling curated on all facets from production to the vocals of Sam Martin.
30. TJR & Vinai - Bounce Generation (Original Mix)
With support from a huge list of dance music’s biggest stars, TJR and VINAI‘s “Bounce Generation” has accumulated an impressive pre-release resume. Employing a catchy vocal sample that’s quickly become a normality in big room dance music, the collaboration forgoes any melodic undertones in favour of a striking assault. The partnership wastes no time establishing itself and setting a raucous tone, as a vocal quickly ushers in a high-pitched and poignant synth which dominates the track.
29. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike & Martin Garrix - Tremor (Original Mix)
Martin Garrix joins Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike to make for a three-headed monster that united and surfaced live in Miami, now primed with the anthem to this year’s Sensation. The veteran duo and the groundbreaking teen collaborate in timely fashion (just ahead of countless festival appearances), releasing “Tremor” on home grounds of Spinnin’ Records. The track sports the sort of highs, lows, climaxes and crashes that faithful fans have come to expect from each artist, as the brainstorm manifests a tested and proven main stage muscle as flexed at Ultra by Afrojack, Diplo, and more.
28. Skrillex ft. Kill The Noise - Recess (Original + Milo & Otis Remix)
As Skrillex 2014 full length project proceeds, the album artfully eradicates the confines of genre with a blatant disregard for convention, overflowing with label-defiant collaborations. The album’s title track, “Recess,” reflects this notion as hip-hop’s favorite hype-man Fatman Scoop and fellow bass music veteran Kill The Noise lend helping hands on the big-room gem. Bumping at 100 bpm, the track offers high-pitched, feel-good vocal samples along with Scoop’s distinguished “bass drop” command, breaking the song into a roof-raising thumper. Milo & Otis proceeded to take things to another level.
27. Ariana Grande - Break Free (ft. Zedd)
It may not be something for more focused listeners, dance trained ears, or seekers of musical x-factors, but Zedd’s newest collaboration is sweeping the pop landscape; and after being thrown into heavy radio rotation quite instantly, is starting to catch on as a contagious song that’s seeming to have been treated as more of a cake walk than a decline in quality from the high-profiled producer.
26. Gorgon City - Go All Night (ft. Jennifer Hudson)
From their new album Sirens, “Go All Night” is easily Gorgon City’s biggest collaboration to date, finding them alongside Grammy Award winning singer Jennifer Hudson. The song boasts some classic house vibes, and as usual, the production behind it is top notch. Hudson provides a stellar vocal performance, falling in line quite naturally alongside Gorgon City’s piano chords and bassline.
25. David Guetta - Dangerous (ft. Sam Martin)
David Guetta’s lead single “Dangerous” featuring Sam Martin is lead by two impressive fronts. The first being its wide ranging use of instrumentation; from piano, to strings, to orchestral effects. The second being the strings segment itself, where he takes a page of out Nile Rodgers’ book to find a funky bassline. “Dangerous” is (as Guetta says) nothing like we’ve heard from his in the past — or, at the least, in many years.
24. The Weeknd - Often (Kygo Remix)
The Weeknd’s R&B flexibility once twisted and turned into electronica when partnering with Kavinsky for “Odd Look” and with Diplo for “Elastic Heart,” and the crooner extends that trajectory in opening a wide lane with “Often.” Unveiled last month and already being tried by the hands of dance producers, Kygo steps up to execute best. With a mastered use of soothing sounds, tropical house, and ethereal energy, Kygo tailors his insignia around The Weeknd’s songmanship and proves the intersection to be a match made in SoundCloud heaven. While his rendition of “Often” had been offered for free, it soon became the record that made Kygo, well, Kygo.
23. Jack Ü - Take U There (ft. Kiesza)
Anything that Skrillex or Diplo touches turns to gold. Pair the two together, and even gold begins to look cheap. Jack Ü dominated this year, spearheading the takeover with their standout single alongside Kiesza, “Take Ü There. A high-energy lyric-laced trap cut heavy on the bass, the track made its live US debut with an appearance from the “Hideaway” singer herself, who brought some serious moves along with her pipes.
22. Porter Robinson - Lionhearted (Original Mix)
Porter Robinson’s Worlds project approached the tail-end of the summer and became an instant favorite in the electronic music world. Its third single in succession of “Sea of Voices” and “Sad Machine,” putting Porter’s project on the map of mainstream attenion. Debuted by Danny Howard to instant acclaim, “Lionhearted” offers more uplifting tones than its predecessors, although remaining in theme with Robinson’s debut album persona.
21. Klingande - Jubel (Original + Tube & Berger Remix)
Klingande‘s “Jubel” has already had quite the run: #1 on Hype Machine, more than 35 million YouTube views, and over 1.5 million SoundCloud plays. Not bad. But also apparently not enough. “Jubel” could’ve been in your top 10 this year, while also occupying your parents top 10 — it was that versatile. Klingande’s hit went on to be remixed by Tube & Berger just when listeners craved new tempo most. While the original is a warm and fuzzy summer song, the Tube & Berger remix is deep, dark, captivating nu disco.
20. Duke Dumont - I Got U (MK Remix)
As the official remixes of Duke Dumont‘s “I Got U” rolled out, Marc Kinchen‘s took on the track for a well-groomed finished product. Aligned with the likes of Tensnake, Bondax, Jax Jones and High Contrast, MK’s deep, sultry leanings complement Duke Dumont’s more tropical, upbeat style. In stripping the song of its steel drums and replacing them with grooving piano, pulsating percussive undertones and immaculate house cuts, MK’s latest is simply another successful effort to add to his overflowing discography of remixes.
19. The Chainsmokers - Selfie (Original + Botnek Remix)
“#Selfie” took on a life of its own. It had presence at The Oscars, dominated Miami Music Week, and became a household verb — whether or not in reference to The Chainsmokers. But the original pop smash wasn’t the most impressive chapter of the record’s story. It was Botnek’s remix, a version supported by The Chainsmokers spoofing themselves, their song and the mayhem that followed both everywhere in 2014. Speaking with Billboard, The Chainsmokers said to have “predicted that eventually it would become one of the most annoying songs ever,” and soon the lyrics that have been heard around the world this year had been swapped for jingles such as “but first, shut the f*ck up” and “let me take another, f*ck no.”
18. Tiësto - Red Lights (Original Mix)
Since being premiered by Pete Tong, Tiësto‘s “Red Lights” has garnered stateside radio support and was served as the lead single off A Town Called Paradise. The hit comes tailored for a broad audience, interpolating a structure with pop elements and contributing flare with electro dynamics. “Red Lights” followed suit of last year’s biggest records such as “This Is What It Feels Like” or “The Spark,” putting the vocals ahead of the stage appeal, but exceeding such records in widespread popularity.
17. Calvin Harris - Blame (ft. John Newman)
The reigning highest-paid DJ in the world for a second straight year, Calvin Harris has been busy at work undertaking his fourth studio album scheduled to release this fall. Debuting his year with the poppy seasonal smash “Summer,” followed by the exotic big-room energy of “C.U.B.A.,” the accomplished dance-pop icon continued to strike with “Blame.” John Newman’s vocal hook accompanied by a vibrant acoustic guitar progression that captures a warm, pop vibe with which Harris has excelled throughout his career.
16. Alesso - Heroes (ft. Tove Lo)
Some of the finest moments of Alesso’s recorded career to date have been those in which the young Swede has balanced killer toplines with strong composition and tectonic energy. Even without the latter on show, Lindblad’s crossover legacy remains on course. “Heroes” very much echoes the stadiumesque turn his own live presence has taking, giving a far more tempered and pop-driven spin on his stylings as much cut to the quality we have come to expect from his original productions as ever. With no signs of laurels being rested upon and one of the most advanced balances of commercial and coherent club fundamentals on display in the modern market, these are the razor sharp productions that remind you just Alesso has the entire musical spectrum swooning towards his uprising.
15. Kiesza - Hideaway
Deep house going mainstream was already a “thing.” But it was the likes of Oliver Heldens and Tchami that the dance world had pinpointed as those who’d be commercializing such sounds again. But, In the blink of an eye, it was a previously unknown singer named Kiesza who capitalized on the trend. The rising style was suddenly sweeping airwaves as “Hideaway” made its rounds, delivering deep house to ears of those who’d never be exposed to the Heldens and Tchamis of the world.
14. Cazzette - Sleepless (Original Mix)
Cazzette have nearly trademarked a signature sound from their earliest production days through their three-part Eject album. That quirky, electro-dub, Cazzette sound is being put on hold for the Swedish duo’s newest single. “Sleepless” is a surprising effort from the AtNight militants, with their previously-usual antics ditched for an all new sound, one that hits a few notches deeper. Finding a perfect balance somewhere between a commercially-inclined deep house sound and vocals (both looped and sampled) reminiscent of something out of Daft Punk’s playbook, “Sleepless” is an instant favorite among listeners old and new, along with the modern dance audience.
13. Lorde - Tennis Courts (Flume Remix)
Tropical bass master Flume released his newest remix at the tail end of April, sending the internet into a frenzy. Focusing on quality remixes for top-tier artists, the talented producer has switched gears from Disclosure, to now Lorde. Flume spins “Tennis Court” into a mirage of deep set bass, low-lying glitch hop and that signature grit we love him for. Flume continues to bend genre-lines and create a unique sound that is so pure yet so downright dirty — a sound finally seeing the critical reception deserved following the viral Lorde remix .
12. Oliver Heldens ft. Becky Hill - Gecko (Overdrive)
Oliver Heldens struck something special with “Gecko,” finding that intersection between the growing deep house preference while maintaining melody enough to keep a more general audience listening. Now, “Gecko” is breaking another barrier – giving exposure to its genre while soaring in popularity and charting internationally through June. Although previously unlikely (and untested), the timing couldn’t have been better. Another midas touch came from Becky Hill, who laces the entire track with a timeless vocal, one appropriate for traditional house but transcendent through pop culture.
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