The 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. Find Soundcloud playlist
here and Spotify
here.
When I first saw that
Kölsch had remixed
London Grammar, this was what I was expecting. Instead, I saw a tight four-minute affair, that while good enough to make a list like this, felt entirely underwhelming. Glorious and gargantuan, this is the perfect track to take us into our final tier. It showcases both Hannah Reid's vocals and the original instrumental beautifully while extrapolating on their excellence. As with so much of
London Grammar's catalogue, it is best when given time and space to breathe. It's stunning in its simple beauty, standing resolute against the abyss. A tempered touch from
Kölsch, this is a masterpiece and yet another example of the power of the extended mix.
While not technically an
Afterlife release, I first encountered this epic in a mix of theirs. It's got everything I want from a track like this: big dramatic movement, spellbinding synths, killer sound design and a riveting vocal to tie it all together. The massive movement throughout this seven-minute affair is all too enthralling.
Innellea immediately grabs you by the hand and pulls you into his underwater inferno, brandishing you with his scalding sorcery and abysmal black art. It is another one of those epics whose infectiousness leaves you powerless to its unearthly energy and uncanny charm. Just tell me you don't get swept away by those synths...
While there are still house tracks left in this countdown, this is without question one of the greatest iterations of the foundational genre. It reminds listeners of the two producers' legendary statuses, especially as every element in it tickles the senses. The piano, the strings, the diverse drums, the vocals, the bevy of effects; they all combine in crazy infectious fashion, each sparkling and gold-plated. It really is a diamond-clad delivery that hits on every single note. It's no game-changer, it's just a gloriously good time, especially as we're wowed by the barking vocal chops.
