2011 saw a huge number of changes and advancements to the world of electronic dance music. The unmatched Electric Daisy Carnival packed up its bags and moved from Los Angeles out to the Las Vegas desert, Skrillex and Deadmau5 unleashed some of the most awe inspiring live stages ever seen, Avicii climbed the ranks to no. 6 in the DJ mag polls, we receieved artist albums from the likes of David Guetta, Nero, and Above & Beyond, trance god/legend Armin van Buuren's world famous radio show reached its 500th episode matched by an enormous trance show in Den Bosch, and last but not least electro-pop became the America's favorite brand of music, with crossover hits like David Guetta's "Without You," the Rihanna/Calvin Harris monster "We Found Love," and the Afrojack/Pitbull collaboration "Give Me Everything" all finding a home at the number 1 spot on the billboard charts. As far as I'm concerned, EDM's journey from Europe back to its home in the states (techno and house were invented in Detroit and Chicago after all), was officially completed in the year 2011.
Below I've listed my 10 favorite tracks of 2011. I hoped to include some of the festival and club monsters that you could not possibly go out without hearing, while also including some of the great songs that got lost in the shuffle. Enjoy.
10.
Above & Beyond ft. Richard Bedford - Thing Called Love (2011 Club Mix)
I was a little bummed to see Above and Beyond throw this song on their sophomore artist album Group Therapy earlier this year considering that it already received an official release as a single a while back, but I was more than okay with it once I heard this updated club mix released with the single. The boys of A&B gave this modern classic the trance 2.0 facelift with incredible results. The strong dynamic changes and squeaky clean production on this track made it a powerhouse.
9.
Calvin Harris - Feels So Close (Nero Remix)
Far and away Nero's most face-melting remix to date, Nero took Calvin Harris' electro/rock/house beauty and slapped it with a speed ball to the dome.
8.
Deadmau5 - Raise Your Weapon (Madeon Remix)
2011 saw the rise of french wunderkind Madeon, who's funky disco electro house remixes found their way into college dorm rooms everywhere. Expect big big big things out of this man in the coming months.
7.
Andain - Promises (Myon & Shane 54 Summer of Love Mix)
2011 also saw the return of trance legends Gabriel & Dresden, associated with this track in that Gabriel is one half of Andain. Myon & Shane 54 smoothed out this song into a lush trancer that could be heard playing out at festivals all summer long.
6.
The M Machine - Promise Me A Rose Garden
I cannot say enough about how flat out cool this song is. No drum intro, no real build to speak of, saucy female vocal line, and one of the nastiest bass lines you'll ever hear. I really hope to see big things out of these guys in the future.
5.
Moby - Lie Down In Darkness (Arno Cost Remix)
I could not stop listening to this song this year. The tastiness of the piano line is irresistable, and the vocal line floating over it brings chills to my spine everytime I hear it. I still have yet to hear this song live, which is a shame, it could have gotten a lot more attention on the trance circuit.
4.
Mat Zo - Superman
There's not much I can say about Mat Zo that hasn't already been said. He's an absolute prodigy, and this year he really managed to create a unique sound for himself while also gaining some sweet DJ chops (check out his set from Trance Around the World 400 if you haven't already, you will not be disappointed).
3.
Kaskade - Eyes
Though much argument has ensued between my friends and I over this topic, I strongly believe this is bar-none Kaskade's best production to date. With a dash of the new direction of progressive house music (think Avicii and Alesso) and a spoonful of his classic sound, he's created one epic song.
2.
Ferry Corsten - Punk (Arty's Rock-N-Rolla Remix)
I have never seen a dance floor turn into a raving mad-house faster than when this song comes on at a show. As soon as the first ominous bass chortle echoes out through the speakers there's no turning back, everyone's shit is about to be lost.
1.
Spencer & Hill ft. Lil Jon - Less Go! (Porter Robinson Remix)
I picked this track as my number one for a few reasons. First of all, it tears speakers to tiny pieces. It is a bass monster. Its also incredibly innovative, blending and crafting new styles and methods that electro-house tracks have never seen. Also, I think Porter Robinson deserves a nod as producer of the year, churning out not only this mondo track but tons more like it. He is an animal.
Things to look out for in 2012:
The death of agro dubstep
Sassafrass
Avicii and Alesso imitators galore
EDC 2012
Artists to watch:
Porter Robinson
Madeon
Nicky Romero
Alesso
Mat Zo
Dillon Francis
Zedd
Hope you're all having a happy 2012 so far, I know I am. Keep spreading the Fuck Yeah Humans word and we'll keep hitting you guys with new tracks.
-Thieves
