Top 100 Tracks Of 2019: 100-76

Starting today through Friday (with a break on New Years Day), I'll be revealing my list of the "Top 100 Tracks Of 2019." The following is my disclaimer, as I feel it important to preface this kind of list with some insight into its creation and the methodology behind it. While I spent a lot of time seriously pouring through this year of music, this is not a really a serious endeavour. No one was polled. Sales and streams are irrelevant. This is merely my fun way of sharing the tracks and artists that made my year better, in hopes they do the same for you. The rankings are not scientific or even fair, rather they are simply a reflection of how strongly I felt these tracks and how much praise I felt they deserved.

You'll notice 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. There's a lot of pop music, but the list is largely electronic and dance dominant.

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 Spotify here.

#100: Robotaki - Quasar
As so often seems to be the case I'm called most strongly to the b-side of a release. Here "Quasar" captures my attention with a truly dizzying display of musical craftsmanship. Robotaki rifles off a resplendent mix of electronic and organic instruments that reminds me of both the extraordinary quality of early future bass and the indie rock energy of Erol Alkan, specifically his "Forever Dolphin Love" remix.

#99: High Contrast - Going Up
The first in a long line of DnB tracks in this year's countdown. The consistent quality of High Contrast is on full display here with this crisp, crackling cut. It's both exceedingly beautiful and seemingly simplistic, while somehow still feeling fresh and exciting after a plenitude of plays.

#98: DROELOE - Only Be Me (Duskus Remix)
Immediately heavy on the heart, this one is actually brilliantly buoyant. The swinging nature of the drop is sure to leave you swooning while the whole thing oozes poppy positivity. While a few years ago I would've said bitbird is one of my favourite labels, I can no longer say that. However this mix seems to have found the perfect balance between their sappy saccharine ethos and sharp, catchy synths.

#97: Nelly - Air Force Ones (Klutch Remix)
While I don't often get into tracks primarily for a single sound, this remix and its rattling bass is so banging that I cannot help myself. The drops are stupid dope and the rest of the track is built with enough ear catching punctuations that it deserves recognition in a list like this. It would be a banger with the first drop alone, but a progressive second drop and its sensational use of Nelly make it a can't miss.

#96: Sub Focus - Solar System
With a name like "Solar System" you'd expect some serious magnitude and Sub Focus did not disappoint. This one hurdles along at light-speed and if you go along with it, you're apt to burn up like a supernova. A lot of electronic music has an outer-space, futuristic feel and this is most definitely one of this year's best, most banging examples.

Enlightened Listening for July 2

A busy long weekend could've eliminated this edition of Enlightened Listening, but after wading through releases a theme of garage, house and acid emerged making this 10 track playlist an easy build. We open with Adrian Lux who delivers a divine synth journey that, while opposing the nocturnal nature of Jacques Greene and Cadence Weapon's Night Service, leads beautifully into that lush soundscape. Getting back in the bright builds Bonobo bathes us in his brilliant "Linked" which, like so many of these tracks, eases into acid. Turning towards house, Deetron offers up an engrossing and equally gorgeous track that succeeds through sublime vocals, polished piano and a wicked rolling groove. Low Steppa then enlists Johan S for "Leaving" which offers up a taught tech bed, excellent for extended dance sessions. Taking an interstellar turn, Robert Babicz's sun-riser "Starchild" brings the warmth and life of solar flares to the cold hard hull of techno. Staying in perpetual motion, Honey Dijon drops off an energetic take on Jayda G's anthem, garnering extra acid as it goes. 80s energy runs rampant in PYLOT's "Fearless" which faces the finale head on like a conquering hero. Perhaps that hero should be called the "Demon Cleaner" as Cardopusher's track of the same name brings much of that same energy, sending shivers of unease down your spine. Enjoy Enlightened Listening now below.

Adrian Lux - Life On Mars

Jacques Greene x Cadence Weapon - Night Service

Bonobo - Linked

Deetron - Body Electric

Low Steppa & Johan S - Leaving

Robert Babicz - Starchild

Jayda G - Stanley's Get Down (No Parking On The DF) [Honey Dijon Remix]

PYLOT - Fearless

Cardopusher - Demon Cleaner

Enlightened Listening for April 13

Here we are again, another fantastic Friday of releases, even though it's the unlucky 13th. We've been treated to a tremendous selection with big names like Joker and Destructo; personal favourites like Robotaki and Coucheron; and those that I'd never heard Karim Sahraoui and Shmuck The Loyal. As always there's a heap of house, some fun funk, and electronic music of all kinds. This Friday also marks the release of ABSOLUTE.'s Harmony EP, but I've already written about that here. So buckle in for another edition of Enlightened Listening, enjoy the playlist, and read brief descriptions below.

DJ Seinfeld - Sakura
Despite his name, this is no joke. Absolutely massive atmosphere throughout. An incredible mixture of world influenced electronic, house and techno. Each and every track is a wicked weapon, but my favourites are "Sakura" and "Battery" for the strong sweeps and delectable drums respectively.

Chrome Sparks - Chrome Sparks
The albums coming out this year are proof that this format is not dead. The lead track "Rocket" propels you into Chrome Sparks' world, and his genius takes over from there. It has a cooly crafted future feel, with a wonderful mixture of laidback lush, bounding bass and strong storytelling.

Karim Sahraoui - Plenitude
Excuse my ignorance for not knowing Karim before, but I'm definitely on-board now. This is the kind of long-form deep house that I absolutely love: simple, subtle and strong. "Born Again" is sheer brilliance. It swings, slaps and brings a smile to my soul, especially as the piano creeps in in the second half. I would not be surprised if my infatuation with it lasts through the summer or longer.

Deetron - Choose Me (ft. Steve Spacek)
Walloping warm house, with just the right vocal breeze. Another aspirational summer tune.

Fehrplay - Malnati
Anjunabeats never disappoints, and Fehrplay's latest is fulsome fire. I'm starting to notice a trend in my selections today (and most days), I'm searching for feel good tracks. And this one is rapturous.

Joker - Anamorphic
The trend of feel good may die here, but this is one of the biggest and best tracks I've heard in a long, long time. On par with his undying classic, "Tron," this one roars to life, proving dubstep is not dead. Rather I think it'll inspire many more to take to its wobbling waves of wonderment. A truly epic creation.

Oliver ft. Sam Sparro - Last Forever (Destructo Remix)
Whereas the Lifelike version kept closer to the original, with his french house vibe, Destructo props the tempo up a touch and makes it more friendly for the North American DJ crowd. An oomph-ridden edit.

Robotaki - Science
We've heard all but two of the tracks already, and were already wowed. The intro, "Trial" welcomes us to the bubbling lab where this all takes place, with the conclusion, "Satisfied," sending us off in spectacular fashion. And perhaps that's the best way to describe this EP: fashionable, chic and swank.

Kideko - Good Thing
Get me that GIF of the woman on the floor grabbing for the bed (here). It takes less than 5 seconds for me to assume that position after pressing play. So good it hurts. Holy funky grooves Batman!

Will Clarke - Take A Seat
Did I jump the gun on both the life alert and holy Batman references? Probably should've saved them for the wobs on this one. It shouldn't be called "Take A Seat" but rather "Fall To The Floor;" that's what this freaked-out track will cause you to do. Make sure you're near a soft surface for this one.

Shmuck The Loyal - Not Alone
A new name to me, but a sound that will always be close to my heart. Electronic music for me will always be about the apocalyptic battle between humans and machines, and this one nails it.

Lemaitre - Machine (Coucheron Remix)
Whereas the above sees the machine beat out humanity, Coucheron has calmly quelled the uprising and enslaved technology. Funky flourishes and rips, as I'm taken back to seeing Lemaitre and Coucheron on the now fateful date of November 8th 2016.

Bwana Live At Fabric (AUSCAST)

On September 23rd, Toronto talent and now Berlin boy Bwana took to the hallowed Fabric decks to open up the legendary London club, ahead of both Deetron and Dusky. The extended set (just shy of three hours) allowed for an incredible breadth of beats including everything from chill club, to acid, house, techno and more. And better for us, the epic live set was recorded and has now been shared by Aus Music as the 5th installment of their AUSCAST series.

As Bwana says in the brief interview description, he was able to play out some of his personal favourites: Brian Eno, Bjork and Martyn's incredible "Bittersweet" remix of Efdemin "Acid Bells." And all of that comes in the first 30 minutes. The following two plus hours continue this grand journey through sound. He touches on Bollywood with "Apni To Jaise Taise," which is just wickedly fun, but even more so he mixes it into some super acid before returning to a more typical techno bass groove.

If there's a single connecting thread in Bwana's set it's the ease of movement through genres while continuing to come back to live, acoustic sounds. Whether it's a real bass, brass or even a whistle, Bwana never goes full electronic techno, it always feels real and human. Even at the deepest, darkest moments of his set he is always ready with the salve or counterpoint to keep you on your toes. While there's probably a dozen or more tracks you've never heard, nothing sticks out like a black sheep or sore thumb, it maintains cohesiveness throughout allowing for easy dance-ability. And yes, there's a number of unreleased Bwana bits in the mix, just in case there wasn't enough to entice you already.FOLLOW BWANA: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER