Top 100 Tracks Of 2020: 100-76

Starting today through New Year's Eve (Thursday), I'll be revealing my list of the "Top 100 Tracks Of 2020." 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 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 to run through these year-end lists, while DnB and breaks appear more than ever before. Another trend continues as we see a further diminishing amount of club-type tracks included, primarily as circumstances changed consumption and led to the vast majority of my musical enjoyment coming on my many escapist bike rides. That said, the power of some of these tracks is unavoidable as they will assuredly kill when clubs come back.

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: Weiss & Harry Romero - Where Do We Go?

An early summer earworm. Makes masterful use of the sample from Alan Parsons Project "Games People Play." Not overly inventive or banging, but rather slick, smooth and altogether enjoyable. The first of many house tracks in this list that captured my heart this year, even if only for a moment.

#99: HAIM - I Know Alone

While it's been half a decade since I spent day after day with HAIM and Days Are Gone, the sisters and their work with Ariel Rechtshaid and Rostam Batmanglij remain close to my heart. A toss-up as both this and "Now I'm In It" are perfect for 2020, I landed on this garage joint thanks to its catchy, crisp and crackling production and overall atmosphere.

#98: MERCER - Lemonade

Fabulous French filter disco house. Almost too slick. Undeniably good and groovy. The kind of track that has you tapping your toes uncontrollably and later leaves you humming its magnificent melody.

#97: Nikki Nair - 3XL

An acid-induced fever dream. Propelled by Nair's potent percussion and scintillating synths. Like so many of the tracks in this year's list, "3XL" is all about the journey. There's no skipping ahead to a dope drop or sick section, rather one has to ride out this rolling wave of resplendence.

#96: SBK. - One Man

Perhaps the most ominous and irksome track in this list. Spine-tingling strings, all kinds of ingenious percussive hits and of course the equally screwface and shiver-inducing sub-bass. Truly diabolic dubstep.

#95: Soda State - Midnight

Among the year's most fun and funky productions. I know nothing about Soda State, nor had I ever heard them before this, however their inclusion in Magic Tape 98 made for an incredible introduction. An awesome mix of pop sensibilities alongside retro dance resplendence.

#94: SOSA - The Sax

A track so infectious that I can turn a blind eye to its misleading moniker. The trumpet (not sax) top-line is awesome, as are its babbling vocal bits, but it is the way those two elements play with the rollicking percussion that makes this track one of the year's best house offerings. Like many on this list, I expect this would have ranked much higher were clubbing possible in 2020.

Enlightened Listening for October 16

Happy Friday everyone! We've got a fabulous set of new releases for this week's Enlightened Listening. It features two full-length projects we've been building towards in the lush L.A. LP from Tensnake and CRi's captivating Anjunadeep offering Juvenile. There's also a number of personal favourites (TSHA, Eli Escobar, LeBaron James and Kardano), headlined by the triumphant return of Stephen Walking (who goes disco). Another unlikely disco turn comes from Matroda, while that genre gets another dose of new Duck Sauce. Other big names include Four Tet, BRONSON, No Mana and Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas, who are gearing up for a new album which is set to drop on November 20th. Finally, we get fierce in the final two releases as Somna & LTN turn up the heat before Barbosa's overwrought techno in EMERCIVE debut (ra). Find each of the releases linked below the playlist and have a great weekend!

Tensnake - L.A.

CloudNone & Direct - Told U

A Grape Dope - Rainbo Locals (Four Tet Remix)

TSHA - Change (ft. Gabrielle Aplin)

Eli Escobar - What You Said

CRi - Juvenile

Stephen Walking - You Gave A Lot And Now You Want It Back And Then Some

Pirra - Limousine Lies (Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas Remix)

LeBaron James - On My Mind

Matroda - Rescue Me

Duck Sauce - Mesmerize

Kardano - Forever

BRONSON - BRONSON Remixes N°.1

No Mana - Secret, Secret Level

Somna & LTN - Heatwave

Barbosa - (ra)

Enlightened Listening for August 14

The weeks continue to fly by and the mountains of new music continue to grow. This week's edition of Enlightened Listening features a pair of triumphant returns, several sensational singles, numerous killer collabs, another inspired slice from Hudson Mohawke and Sable Valley's massive debut compilation.

Kiesza's Crave marks the diva's first album since her traumatic 2017 car accident, and it's clear that she's come back stronger than ever. After going without an original in 2019, Marie Davidson is back to her old tricks with the sensational "Renegade Breakdown." Following the brilliant Brassica Crystal Sea EP last month, Feel My Bicep's followup Field Day delivers the kind of quality we've come to expect from the London label. More trustworthy labels follow as Ben Böhmer delivers another exceptional cut to Anjunadeep, and Lane 8 joins Yotto and his label Odd One Out.

Once again teaming up with Voicians, No Mana's "The Same Way" delivers electro ecstasy. Two dope, deep collabs follow that with "Love You Feel" and "Love Die" as the playlist heads into house. Upping the summer feels, Ibranovski's "Surfboard" and Goddexx's "Ask Me What I Need" are sure to make you move, while remixes from Plastic Plates and Youngr follow up with fabulous funky versions of "So Afraid" and "Discopolis 2.0," respectively.

Despite clamouring for more of Tiga and Hudson Mohawke's hardcore romance, the latter delivers the next best thing in his remix of twst, a track we first heard in their mix for Annie Mac. Another highly awaited release follows that as we get the final three quarters of Murlo's Primed For Primal. We're in full screw-face territory now as QUIX and Juelz link up for calamitous collab "Chicane." Finally it's fire on fire on fire with Sable Valley Summer Vol. 1 which is jam packed with weapons from RL Grime, Cozway, Holly, Jon Casey and more. Enjoy it all via playlist below and find individual releases at the bottom.

Kiesza - Crave

Marie Davidson & L'Œil Nu - Renegade Breakdown

DeFeKT & Extrawelt - Field Day

Ben Böhmer - Zeit & Raum

Yotto & Lane 8 - Buggy

No Mana - The Same Way (ft. Voicians)

Tom Budin & HI MOTIVE - Love You Feel

Good Times Ahead, Dave Nada & Tittsworth - Love Die (ft. KLA)

Ibranovski - Surfboard

Goddexx - Ask Me What I Need

Amtrac ft. Alex Metric - So Afraid (Plastic Plates Remix)

Lifelike & Kris Menace - Discopolis 2.0 (Youngr Funkopolis Bootleg)

twst - Are You Listening (Hudson Mohawke Remix)

Murlo - Primed For Primal

QUIX & Juelz - Chicane

Various Artists - Sable Valley Summer Vol. 1

Enlightened Listening for February 14

After last week's 14 track edition of Enlightened Listening we're back to big business here with 16 releases and nearly 50 tracks. This week features the long anticipated release of Tame Impala's The Slow Rush, the second ever offering from No Neon and tons of incredible techno. Enjoy via playlist after the break, find each release linked individually linked at the bottom and read brief descriptions next.

Opening this epic 4 hour 21 minute journey is of course Tame Impala and his increasingly electronic album The Slow Rush. A perfect place to start if I do say so myself. Murtagh follows the psychedelic LP with a couple moving cuts before No Mana transports us his sensational Secret Level. Diverse in its delivery, there's a lot to like in this album as its power grows progressively stronger. The robust roll-out continues as Mathame make massive waves with For Every Forever on Afterlife. Staying supremely strong, we're then treated to two new Marc Romboy multitudes (something I'd been craving and searching for as recently as yesterday).

This year has already offered up some ridiculously awesome tunes and the basis of this next EP is yet another. Market Memories' "Rain Dance" is beyond brilliant and both ABSOLUTE. and Doppel deliver dope remixes. Like I said last month I'm already excited about this year's best of list and you better believe one of these three versions will make this cut. It is that cool.

Turning more epic in their arc and delivery (as if that were possible), the next two releases are masterclasses in movement as No Neon welcomes Craig Williams & Pantheon and Glenn Morrison taps Petar Dundov for a resplendent remix of his already divine "Tangerine Dream." Yotto and Colyn then take us on two equally alluring journeys through Joris Voorn's Four. Moonwalk then have me hyperventilating with "Salem," my favourite of the awesome 3 track Alba EP.

After the dark burn of "Phoenix," Luttrell and Dusky bring the playlist back into the light with "Some Other Time" and Life Signs Vol. 2, respectively. The fun and funkiness of the latter then lead into an absolutely brilliant and slick Botnek production "Take Me Higher." The acid get-down of that leads very nicely into a jaw-dropping version of all-time classic "Sweet Dreams" courtesy Average Gypsy.

Finally, the playlist closes with yet another incredible Peggy Gou production, "Jigoo" with Maurice Fulton, only to be followed by an utterly euphoric take on Myd's "Superdiscoteca" from nit.


Tame Impala - The Slow Rush

Murtagh - Windswept / Close To You

No Mana - Secret Level

Mathame - For Every Forever

Marc Romboy - Speicher 114

Market Memories - Rain Dance

Craig Williams & Pantheon - Division

Glenn Morrison - Tangerine Dream

Joris Voorn - Four Remixes Pt. 1

Moonwalk - Alba

Luttrell - Some Other Time

Dusky - Life Signs Vol. 2

Botnek - Take Me Higher

Average Gypsy - Sweet Dreams (ft. Silver)

Maurice Fulton & Peggy Gou - Jigoo

Myd - Superdiscoteca (nit Remix)

Enlightened Listening for January 17

It's only our third Friday of the year and already we're getting some big releases both building towards and culminating in awesome albums. This week's Enlightened Listening includes the release of two albums we've been looking forward to for a while, Mura Masa's sophomore full-length and Holy Fuck's first in four years. Following the 20 tracks from the aforementioned LPs, the closing third features a handful of hard hitting stuff as well as a brilliant slice from No Mana on mau5trap.

A turn from his divine self-titled debut, Mura Masa's R.Y.C prominently features the guitar and a tighter, angst-driven theme. It's not exactly for everyone, at least as far as his previous productions go, but it's not without musical merit or catchy cuts (see tracks with Clairo, slowthai, Georgia and Ellie Rowsell). Turning more electronic, Holy Fuck's Deleter can boast the same cohesiveness as Mura Masa, and almost as much guitar. It's full of groovy, cool cuts and is an incredible mixture of electronic and organic elements.

A sublime single from No Mana follows the albums and leads us into an electronic escape. Botnek follow up their epic and incredibly powerful "On Planet Z" with an equally dark and deep, rattling cut. Next up are a pair of killer remixes of the legendary DJ Zinc, where Neon Steve delivers a dope get-down and Le Duke a brilliant bass-line. Speaking of brilliant bass-lines that what we get next with the first taste of forthcoming Mad Zoo compilation This Is MAD TOO. Also high in energy, we get a taste of acid from Text Chunk and Hood Joplin as they gear up for their LP Bank Account which is set to drop on the 31st. Oft known for his acid, Djedotronic returns to Boysnoize Records with a scary three-track EP. Finally, we get another unreal single from Apashe ahead of his forthcoming album. Enjoy!

Mura Masa - R.Y.C

Holy Fuck - Deleter

No Mana - Strangers (ft. Jantine)

Botnek - Wassup

DJ Zinc - Super Sharp Shooter (Neon Steve Remix) / Let's Get Together (Le Duke Remix)

Mat Zo - Blessed Be Thy Name

Text Chunk & Hood Joplin - Concrete

Djedjotronic - Boish

Apashe - Uebok (Gotta Run) [ft. Instsamka]

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Paradise In The Park

While we seem to have turned to corner into club season, the weather seems to be saying there's still time for one more outdoor extravaganza. Enter Paradise In The Park. Woodbine Park plays host to Jamie Jones, Four Tet, Art Department, Ali Black and Jonathan Rosa, who all hit the decks for one final Sunday Funday. In case you missed it, I've got a pair of tickets to give away, but you'll have to tune into Bump In The Hump and follow me on Twitter @OggieJames to win. I will however give you one hint, and it's in the playlist of tracks from artists playing the park, below. It's built around three tracks you'll hear in tonight's episode, along with a trio of my favourites from each artist. Tune in and enjoy!
Also on tonight's episode of Bump In The Hump, we look ahead to shows from No Mana, Said The Sky, and Downlink. Then of course there's the usual hearty helping of house, a disco diversion, a deluge of dubstep, the trap takeover and more. Finally we close the episode with a clip of my conversation with Kryojen, this week's guest on My Mixtape. Catch it all live from 7-9 PM EDT on Radio Humber, or after the fact, cataloged on Mixcloud, here.

No Mana - 5UP

No Mana has absolutely burst onto the scene. In just over a year, he's dropped no less than 15 tracks, most of which you can find as free downloads on his Soundcloud, but he's also released tracks on mau5trap and Armada. His latest freebie 5UP is a brilliant slice of progressive power. The tracks "Banhammer," and "What's Your WiFi" could easily have been taken right out of one of deadmau5' early albums Random Album Title or For Lack Of A Better Name. It's no wonder the mau5 has taken a liking to No Mana. There's some serious production value with just the right amount of booming bass to shock the system. The magic lies in the sneakily subtle building of tension that reaches a surprising climax, culminating in the combination of all of the driving loops and bleeping computer sounds. The computer error tone in "What's Your WiFi," gives the feeling of something going terribly wrong, but the only thing wrong is that there just isn't enough WiFi for everyone. The breaks between 'drops' is pure technological beauty; technology is cold and lifeless but No Mana has found a way to breathe life into these evil machines. That evil darkness hits its peak in "Banhammer" when the brooding ominous bass covers everything in an unholy cloud of gloom. There's no doubt in my mind that these tracks will work wonders when played out live for a crowd or merely for you and your cat in your basement. Be sure to pick up these brilliant free downloads, and check out the masterful library of tracks No Mana has compiled.
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