Top 100 Tracks of 2016: 100 - 67

Starting today through Friday, I'll be revealing my list of the top 100 tracks of 2016. The following is my disclaimer, as I feel it's important to preface this list with my methodology. I thought long and hard about this list, what and who I should include, where each track should fall, and how to go about doing that. Should I include multiple tracks from one artist? Am I trying to make a point/statement with my placement of each track? How do I deal with the recency bias, and the counter-effect of that on older tracks? The reality is, this blog is mine and mine alone. It is one man's opinions and despite my claims, that these are the "top" or "best" tracks, they are more truthfully my favourite, and what I believe to be tracks/artists that deserve further praise. I did not conduct any surveys, base the ranking on plays or popularity, but rather I went with my heart.

As you'll see I did include multiple tracks from my favourite artists, as they are, at least in my mind, deserving. You'll also notice a hell of a lot of future bass tracks, as is only appropriate for 2016. I also tried to include a variety of other genres, but it will be clear what my tastes, and therefore favourite genres are. However, I certainly feel like this list ended up hosting very little "club" music, despite spending countless hour of 2016 in the clubs. That being said there are dozens of worthy tracks that I either forgot or excluded. Finally, I'll be posting a soundcloud playlist at the bottom of each post, as best I can, assuming each track is still online. So here we go with the first 34 tracks.

#100: Photay - Trophy
(As featured on EFYE) I had to choose one track from Photay's Sadie EP and as I wrote previously, "Trophy" is bold and beautiful. It's the kind of experimental track that I cannot place into a single genre, save for the catch all category of 2016, future bass. The synth work is brilliant and full of feels. And as you'll see, the progression and movement it boasts is the key to many of the tracks on this list.

#99: Cowboy Rhythmbox - Mécanique Sauvage
This techno joint takes be back to the days when the likes of Gesaffelstein, Justice and the classic Boys Noize and Erol Alkan's collabs dominated my playlists, so it's fitting that it was released on Phantasy Sound. The genius of "Mécanique Sauvage" is its raw hammering style, contrasted beautifully by subtle tweaks and progression. This would absolutely destroy a club.

#98: Terror Danjah - All I Need (ft. Dot Rotten)
I got scared for a second when I saw that this song was on soundcloud 3 years ago! However, it still qualifies for this list as it was only released in August of this year. This is one of the deeper more beautiful tracks on this list. Terror lays down a brilliant beat and Dot displays his vocal prowess in more ways that one. His flow is fire and his words will have you wiping away tears.

#97: Bob Moses - Like It Or Not (Joris Voorn Remix)
(As featured on EFYE) Of the Bob Moses remixes that could have fallen on this list, I decided to go with the Voorn version because of its truly epic nature. The journey Joris takes us on is absolutely breathtaking, it gives the feeling of flying with its soaring synths. At the same time it dives to an unknown abyss, with its dark, almost alarming, bass throbs. Buckle up for the brilliance of Joris Voorn.

#96: Solid Groove & Sinden - Din Da Da (Yolanda Be Cool Re-Jiggle)
This is another one of those tracks that take me back to the "good old days," specifically 2006/7 when the original was first released. I first heard this when RYME played it this summer, ushering in one of my most stanky, screw faces. On a proper system you'll be making the same oo's and ah's as the vocalist, thanks to the nonstop bouncy bass. This is a confirmed club killer.

#95: FrankJavCee - Pop Song (ft. Marionismagical)
(As featured on EFYE) I couldn't do this list without including this brilliant indictment of pop music, as you'll see there aren't many, if any, pop songs on this list. Not that there's anything wrong with them. And that's exactly what this song is about, how can you hate on pop music when you make an awesome pop song. Music is about enjoyment, and I thoroughly enjoy this and all tracks on this list.

bailey - Gold (Geek Boy Remix)

The UK's Al Swettenham, aka Geek Boy, has done it again. This time remixing the title track from bailey's album, Gold. Absolutely nailing the melodic future bass aesthetic, combined with his trademark bleepy 8-bit touch, Geek Boy has once again crafted an ear-catching, aurally auspicious remix. Last time we heard from him (as least on this blog), he was working his magic alongside MYLK for their cover of Sweet Female Attitude's "Flowers," and it seems his productions have only become more intoxicating. The incredible flourishes and head-snapping speed at which Geek Boy's remix moves is only part of the allure of its awesome beauty. For me the greatest part of Geek Boy's productions is his ability to so seemlessly fly between countless different instruments and sounds, all while maintaining a clear direction, and, in this case, upholding the delicate beauty of bailey's original song. Be sure to grab a copy of the free download, and enjoy its graceful elegance when and wherever you like. SUPPORT GEEK BOY: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Valentines Day: Love According To DJs

Usually one doesn't need any excuse to release new music but, when an excuse like Valentines Day comes around a massive amount of new music seems to explode forth. This year is no different, we've received the ninth installment of Hudson Mohawke's yearly Slow Jam series. two new tracks from Geek Boy & Mord Fustang, a scratch routine from Mr Switch, a re-release from mix-master, Skratch Bastid's Valentines Day Mix for The Strombo Show, and finally Esentrik's mix for Diplo & Friends.

Hudson Mohawke is well regarded as one of the best and most well rounded artists the world of music has to offer. Whether its his original productions, his productions for Kanye West or his work with Lunice as TNGHT, HudMo is a force to be reckoned with. When given the chance to pickup one of his curated sets, you'd be stupid not to jump on it. This year he plays our heartstrings with an all UK version of his now infamous Valentines Slow Jams series, also available for free download. This isn't the first Geek Boy track on Enlightenment For Your Ears (see his cover with MYLK, here), so perhaps you're already familiar with his incredibly beautiful soaring style. This version of Lily-Jo is exactly that. Swirling, it lifts you up and embraces you in its loving arms, spinning you round in in euphoric passion. Pick it up from iTunes or add it to your Spotify playlist, and feel the love. Mord Fustang's style has changed over the years, yet the overcoming warm synths have stuck with him throughout his career. Those very synths play an extremely important role in the heavenly original, "I Will Always Miss You." He seems to achieve the title's objective, injecting an overwhelming feeling of longing, leaving you feeling empty and unfulfilled.

Valentine's DJ
St Valentine's Day can be a battleground of mixed emotions - whatever your relationship status, and whether you are enamoured with the idea of a day dedicated to l'amour or not.. it can be a very divisive occasion.And I thought, what better way to sum up the mixed feelings on the subject than with a DJ scratch routine?!Tracks: James Brown - Sunny (Featurecast Remix) / Kelis - Caught Out There
Posted by Mr Switch - World DJ Champion on Friday, 13 February 2015

In less than 40 seconds, Mr Switch succeeds in encapsulating the feelings many of us are overcome with when in love. Since love isn't always this perfect euphoric feeling, it is a process, a back and forth, and perhaps Pat Benatar was right, love is a battlefield. Maybe just a candle lit one. Much like Mr Switch, Skratch Bastid excels at illustrating the interplay and movement inherent in love. His massive library gets a rinse in this twenty minute masterpiece, as Skratch shows of his story telling and mixing prowess. Good luck listening to this without getting down - highly hypnotic.
Diplo & Friends is quickly becoming one of the most consumed radio show/podcasts around. Last year it was Ryan Hemsworth and his Secret Songs hour that took our hearts hostage on Valentines day, but this year it's Esentrik who takes that role. From opening with STFU's "We All Fall Down" to Alison Wonderland's "What Do You Mean" and his own "Love You Down" the hits are endless. But that's not all the tricks up his sleeve, he also delivers classic N'Sync, and a double dose of Janet Jackson. Hot off last night's debut, be prepared to melt upon hearing Esentrik's hot hot heat.

In case that weren't enough, I highly recommend listening to Chet Porter's latest, "tbh ily," here.

Sweet Female Attitude - Flowers (MYLK & Geek Boy Cover)

MYLK and Geek Boy have resurrected Sweet Female Attitude, covering their 2000 single "Flowers." 

Generously available for free, MYLK and Geek Boy's version whirls and clicks along, generating heat with it's chiptuned, video game synths. It's vocals shine through the constant addition and alteration of elements, as though it were a perpetually evolving machine. There's no missing the stages and processes the production moves through. The program whirs to life, lights blinking and slowly coming on, until the code obscuring the vocals is solved and they are reorganized. The lyrics climb, alongside rising video game sample breaks, setting the stage for bounding, synth strides. The resounding slaps jump around full of power, tossing listeners bodies around like rag-dolls. Comfort returns with ringing bells and chimes before building into a malfunction of movement, bleeping and whirling in disarray. That chaos quickly culminates in an incredibly funky, spinning solo, completing the program's process of gaining humanity. Brightly displaying the beauty of it's new found humanity, it succeeds in bringing life to 'flowers' while planting them ever so gently, with its baited piano outro. Pick it up, free, in full WAV.


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