Conclusion of the list started Monday:
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 Spotify
here.
#25: London Elektricity - Final View From The Rooftops (ft. Cydnei B.)
I still remember the first time I ever heard
London Elektricity. A friend showed me "
All Hell Is Breaking Loose" and I lost my mind. While it took a touch longer for this track to send me into such a tizzy, I was indeed left in awe. Of course it's incredibly crafted, showing off Tony Colman's exceptional aptitude, but more than that it's immersive, building an uber cool and ridiculously detailed world around you. Its magic is like the scene in
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince when Dumbledore rebuilds Slughorn's house.
#24: Peggy Gou - Han Pan
Another year, another incredible couple of tracks from
Peggy Gou. While it seems most prefer "
Starry Night," once again I'm drawn to the b-side. Really either could make the cut but there's just something about "
Han Pan" that tickles my fancy a touch more. The driving quality of its groove, the propulsiveness of its percussion and the gorgeous, almost regal, quality of its overall mixture is truly magical. It's got Gou's genius written all over it, and I for one can't wait for next year's batch of brilliance.
#23: Polaris - Kessel Run
My favourite DnB track of the year, this one is utterly wondrous. Its atmosphere is euphoric, dazzling through its diverse and long list of instruments. It roars and purrs, sprints and spins, floats and flails. It has and does it all. Sax solo? It's got that. Disco strings? That too. Its brilliance is simply unavoidable, uplifting and energizing each listener five minutes at a time.
#22: Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now
Easily my favourite pop track of the year. You know it's good when it gets remixes from the likes of
Purple Disco Machine,
Dom Dolla and others, yet none come remotely close to the captivating and seamless quality of the original. I had a fight with a friend on NYE when he said there must be a ghost producer (he mentioned Calvin Harris), but whether it's Ian Kirkpatrick alone or not it's one of the best productions of the year. There's endless details and it flows ridiculously well, oh and how about that bass line? My god.
#21: Daphni - Sizzling (ft. Paradise)
Dan Snaith is back in a big way. We've got a couple new
Caribou tracks already and there's an album right around the corner. However his Daphni output has been the winner. Growing out of a DJ tool, this one is an instant sensation. Its energy is ridiculous, just like its catchiness. Pressing play is like setting the dance-floor on fire causing each dancer to stomp out the flames in glorious unison. A wicked original from Paradise, Snaith has added the perfect electronic touch and wound up with an unstoppable weapon.
#20: Citizen Kain - Indigo
Speaking of weapons, here's the first of two from
Tale Of Us' Afterlife Voyage Mix to make this closing section. An obvious and epic banger, everything about this track screams power. The drums and bass absolutely hammer away, while even the brighter, top end percussive bits deliver a crisp metallic crack. The synths are ridiculously sick, made even better by the banging bottom end. The build is beyond big and with it the drop must be even bigger, and
Citizen Kain has certainly delivered. It'll leave your head spinning, jaw agape, while you pick up your teeth with a broken arm. Techno doesn't get much better than this.
