Top 100 Tracks Of 2018: 25-1

Continuation of the list started Friday: from 100-76, which also includes my disclaimer/preamble. The middle sections can be found here: from 75-51 & 50-26. Soundcloud playlist here and at the bottom.

#25: Bicep - Opal (Four Tet Remix)
A match made in heaven and speaking of heaven, this may be its soundtrack. It is epic resounding resplendence, brilliant bleepy beauty, a sweep you off your feet soaring success. Like a journey deeper into your unconscious mind, things get both more murky and more clear at the same time. If there's any track in this list that is best suited for a spiritual awakening it is this. Turn off all your lights, lie on the floor and let Four Tet transport you to his higher plane of existence.

#24: Bunji Garlin & Busta Rhymes - Drop It
(As featured on EFYE) I can't think of any track that can quite compare to the dueling fire flows in this, except for the other time these two locked horns on "Differentology." As I said the first time I wrote about this, it's as though Bunji and Busta both go super saiyan at the same time murdering everything in sight. That said you cannot leave out 1st Klase who's production is pure perfection, doing not just the big things right, but paying attention to the little details in the bed squeak, panning and more.

#23: The Night - Set Me Free
No, this is not Nero, but I don't care, it's genuinely gorgeous, funky fun. I'm not sure I'll ever properly get over Alana Watson's voice, she is an absolute sensation, especially atop this dazzling display. The whole track flows like a fantastic voyage aboard the world's most luxurious yacht with a continuous, never ending party. It is flashing lights and flights of fancy, free of fear and devoid of despair. It doesn't get any more upbeat or outrageously uplifting than this ringing resplendence.

#22: Planningtorock - Beulah Loves Dancing
I cannot help but 1) grin ear to ear and 2) sing along to the lyrics, whenever this one comes on. It is exceedingly catchy, heavenly, heartening and brilliantly built. The way the strings play is gorgeous and groovy and the way the electronic bits slide around them is truly sensational. Add in the story elements, and their roles in Powerhouse, and you've got the best track on one of the best albums of the year.

#21: Kevin de Vries - Aratak
Apart from perhaps #7 in this list, there may be no more powerful track released this year. Seeing Monika Kruse drop it with the Eiffel Tower in the background only adds to this incredible intensity, as does the way she played with it. That Cercle set is when I really fell for it, but there's no discounting the unreal alien design and fantastical flare of the studio version. Afterlife as a whole had a fantastic year, but this big build and even more epic release makes for one of the best tracks of the year.

Joker - Marching Orders (ft. Footsie)

One month ago today Joker released the absolutely epic "Anamorphic," and he continues to lay his claim on 2018 with another brutish belter with the forthcoming killer "Marching Orders." Set for release May 18, and spun by Sir Spyro on 1xtra last week, this noxious bass number brings in Footsie to spit fire atop the ostentatious offering. At its core "Marching Orders" is a simple track that thrives through a snappy percussion groove and wicked wobbles. But like its namesake it is incredibly commanding, where each note, wub, and word has the crowd captivated. It's not hard to envision it doing damage in a dark club as the dancefloor dips and dives in perfect unison. Stream below and pre-order here.FOLLOW JOKER: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

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.