Unlike my previous lists (2017 and 2016 respectively), you'll see that I did my best to refrain from repeating artists, attempting to focus on one unique release. That said, the thread of disco/funk continues from last year, as once again it dominated my consumption. But once again you'll notice I touch on a variety of genres, while sticking to the brand of this blog, which is indeed a reflection of my personal preferences and ideals. While last year I noticed a relatively low amount of 'club' music, certainly in comparison to the amount of time I spent in clubs, that trend has seemingly reversed (on both counts). There's a lot of pop music but unlike last year, you won't find anything like London Grammar occupying the 8th spot. Everything is at least electronic adjacent, and like Bump In The Hump, I've in essence split EDM into electronic and dance, allowing for a slightly wider birth.
Finally, I will once again say that this is by no means an exhaustive list; there are without a doubt exceptional tunes that somehow failed to make the cut. However, onward and, in this case, downward, from tracks 100 to 76 we go. Find the Soundcloud playlist here and at the bottom of the page.
#100: Uppermost - Starslide
It was a big year for Uppermost with two full length albums, of which Given By Nature was my favourite. More than a couple tracks could've taken this spot with "Dreams" being a near toss up. But this one earned the opening slot in this list with its sensational swells and shiny space grooves. If I were ever to play a set on the moon or in a spaceship, this would certainly be in the playlist.
#99: Fil Jackson & Eytan Tobin - Off Da Weed
Footwork really broke through into my listening habits this year, in large part thanks to Fil & Eytan's "Molly" collaborator Hesk. That said I was most enamoured with this one not just because of its hilarious use of Stephen A. Smith but the dank production that keeps this 3 minute flourish fresh.
#98: Jack Beats - Keep On
(As featured on EFYE) I'll always be a sucker for this kind of classic Jack Beats sound. Just listening to this intro I can see their acid dripping heart logo pulsating in the back of my eyelids. Don't get me wrong, this is no game changer, but rather a reminder of the duo's unwavering production abilities. Clean and cutting to the core, it is incredibly infectious and ever so easy to groove to.
#97: Opiuo - Ginger Lizard
This kind of glitch hop, or funkadelic bass as Opiuo puts it, was one of my favourite subgenres this year. Of course the funky bass lines are brilliant and supremely satisfying, but the additional horns and spanking snares leave me speechless. Simply put, this is one of the coolest tracks of the year, and I'd be remiss if I didn't share such a sensation one more time.
#96: Bensley - Do It Again (ft. Armanni Reign)
One of only a trio of DnB tracks to make the list. While seemingly every track with vocals has people chiming in the comments asking for an instrumental, this needs Armanni and is better because of how well he plays to the beat (or the beat plays to him). I absolutely love the directional guidance of the bass, and am awestruck at the plethora of percussion put to use. So as far as DnB goes, it has everything necessary to be a hit.
#95: Boys Noize - S&H Disco
Always on his own tilt, Boys Noize can blow your doors off with little to no warning. From the aptly titled Strictly Raw Vol. 2, this monster of a cut is all kinds of awesome through the first two and half minutes, before becoming a mind-blowing behemoth. It's this kind of twist that reminds me of his work with Erol Alkan, and makes this track one of my favourite weapons of the year.
#94: X&G ft. josh pan - Gravity (Far & Few Remix)
(As featured on EFYE) It's gotten to the point where this kind of killer, gritty, metallic midtempo has become one of the most common sightings in any given Soundcloud feed. That said, this take separates itself from the pack with rarefied crispness and heft. Yes, it's part shock and awe, but don't let that distract from the meticulous craftsmanship and soul snatching quality of this cut.
#93: Hunter Siegel - Fading (ft. Melanie?)
Apart from his "Easy Go" remix, this may be my favourite Hunter Siegel production. It roars with the quality of the THX's Deep Note when it needs to and can purr like your household cat when that's whats called for. It is groovy and the drums are sensational as always. That said, my favourite bit comes in Hunter's sensational vocal chops. Give the track one more listen and pay close attention to the way Melanie?'s voice bops all around, up and down with more range than Axl Rose. Hell ya!
There aren't many more trustworthy names than High Contrast when it comes to DnB, and this may be one of the best examples of that fact. DnB detractors might write-off the whole genre as unhinged, ADD music, but this sublime slice of nostalgia is proof that it can be exceptionally beautiful at the same time. And really, how can you not be moved by the seamless reconstruction of this Brian Wilson classic?
#91: Silva - Escape
(As featured on EFYE) Absolutely sick. A punch both to the gut and face. All the unreal samples and effects aside, this kills with the drops alone. Add back in all those other elements and you've got a prison riot with shivs and smoke-bombs flying in every which direction. While this may strike you as pure chaos, the mayhem itself is but a clever distraction, as you sneak away, escaping unharmed.
#90: Gorgon City - Hear That (ft. D Double E)
Ok, so this is cool right off the bat. Maybe not cool but creepy or haunting instead, but just wow. So, anyway there's that. The way Gorgon City then surround and play with that unreal sound is truly brilliant, providing a phenomenal canvas for D Double E to work on. You can take it to the bank that this one is equal parts bling and banger, with club thumping bass and perfect polish in its top line.
#89: Marie Davidson - Work It
Top notch thumper that perfectly encompasses Working Class Woman, not just lyrically in its ethos but also its dynamic delivery. It appears like a funky, punchy production line, continually adding elements, essentially upgrading its output as it goes along. Seemingly simple yet brilliantly packaged, it is one of the smarter, most effective productions of the year.
Silky salacious stuff from the power coupling. Breakbot always brings the most beautiful, nostalgic feels with his combination of synths and guitars. No need to do any dancing of your own, the gigantic grooves will do all the work, leaving you free to clap your hands and sing along with Ruckazoid. As far as easily enjoyable songs go, this is one of the best of the year.
#87: Sinjin Hawke - They Can't Love You (Swing Ting & Trigga Remix)
First Opus was my pick as last year's best album and with the list of names appearing on this remix package it should be no surprise that at least one gets the nod for this list. Swing Ting & Trigga have blessed the already brilliant backing track with even more edge. The way Trigga's vocals bounce and glide atop the remixed bed is a thing of beauty. An awe-inspiring performance on all levels.
#86: Tennyson - Face The Night
I imagine it was already in the back of my head, but I just saw a comment petitioning Tennyson to score the new Lion King and I'm all for it. Certainly cinematic in its delivery, the children's choir, animal noises and all kinds of percussion paint such a beautiful picture. You can almost see Pride Rock rising out of the horizon with all the animals dancing in unison, celebrating their new king. Luke and Tess are truly special, and while we've known that for quite some time, this is 2018's best reminder.
#85: Dustin Nantais - Crash & Burn
So many of the tracks in this list left an indelible mark on me after just one listen and this one is no exception. Certainly the build and overall delivery of this track is quality, but nothing compares to the bars before the drops. There's just something about the design of those strings that is just so satisfying. And perhaps its just a coincidence but being released on The Purr Music is perfect, as you'll turn into a cat once everything comes together. Absolutely purr-fect.
Someone get a mop, the guitar in this always leaves me in a puddle, and like Jurassic Park, it's full of ripples as the bass sends out sublime vibrations. Glamorous and gorgeous yet not excessive in any way, shape or form, rather it appears effortless. One of the more poppy, easily accessible tracks in this list and most certainly, one of the most fun. An absolute joy.
A bit of an odd one for me. Can a track be both restrained and entirely unhinged? In this case I'll say yes, as Machinedrum has crafted an equally wild yet meticulously crafted pop track. Its combination of styles is stunning and supremely satisfying, even if the level of "Hype Up" isn't even an 8. Is it a club banger or is it just really nice headphone music? Think about that as you listen on repeat.
#82: NTEIBINT & Stella - I Do
Seems I'm more of a b-side guy, and with seemingly most on the side of "A State Nearby," I cannot get enough of "I Do." As hypnotizing as any track in this countdown, the grooves and arpeggios gobble you up in this "futuristic disco dub." The perfect lose yourself to dance track that never really blows you away but most certainly carves out a corner of your mind. Like a marriage vow, it's with you for life.
#81: Danny L Harle - Blue Angel (ft. Clairo)
(As featured on EFYE) As stunning as ever, Danny L Harle's productions always shimmer with the best of them and he couldn't have possibly nailed the lyrical content any better. Delicate and magical, both his musical bed and Clairo's vocals invoke the image falling snow. Watching the accompanying music video shows off the strength of simplicity and power of concision. Pure pop prowess.
#80: DJ Seinfeld - Sakura
The delivery of this dark number is beyond brilliant. Not your standard Seinfeld fare but certainly reflectively of his quality. It is the subtleties that make this such a magnificent monster. Sure the sounds are all expertly crafted, but it's about the tweaks and twists in the darkened delivery that make this such a stunner. Just as the track gets distorted as it moves along, so does it get melted into your mind.
#79: Lindstrom ft. Ronika - Didn't Know Better (Remix)
I believe when I first came across this it was already a month or two old, however I can confirm that it took less than 10 seconds to fall in love with this disco mix. The slaps, the boogie keys, the buoyant bass and then Ronika's voice send you soaring into disco boogie heaven. There is no way you can listen to this with a straight face or without tapping your toes; it's that infectious.
#78: Karim Sahraoui - Born Again
Holy heavenly lead line Batman! I'll be honest, pressing play on this as I write I wasn't convinced I linked the track properly, then that lead line came in and all was right in the world again. Now that we're more than 2 minutes in I'm again stunned (as I was upon first listen) at not just how life giving that lead line is, but how well Sahraoui has pitted it around the classic techno build. Resplendent rejuvenation.
#77: Charlotte Gainsbourg - Sylvia Says (A-Trak Remix)
Is there anything A-Trak can't do? Always a threat for set or mixtape of the year, this funky disco bloghaus blend is further proof that he's no slouch on the production end either. Something about it always screams royalty, which I guess is weird, but certainly cool; just imagine seeing a bunch of uptight aristocrats getting down and dirty to this...
#76: Midas Hutch - Nite Ryder
Not even a b-side but a Japan bonus track, there's just something about the way Hutch has blended the drums, bass guitar and strings that, as I often say, makes me melt. There's some striking similarities to EP partner "I'll Go There," but this instrumental is just so sublime that I need nothing else. Gorgeous and groovy, the whole thing is buttery smooth, but my favourite flavour comes in the syncopated fills, culminating in a kick drum to the soul. Oh, The Feels.
Continue to 75-51 here.
Note: #'s 95, 92, 64, 60, 54, 51, 48, 46, 38, 36, 27, 20 are not on Soundcloud.