We’ve selected 40 of the best songs to provide a bit of a distraction from the unpredictable turmoil of this year. This compilation is the epitome of soothing support, a lit match for dance dynamite, a bold experiment, and in some ways, a replacement for crowded dance floors, stadiums, and all those places we’ll definitely return to.
What we remember this year
The sunny nu-disco of Breakbot – Be Mine Tonight (feat. Delafleur) is able to warm you up, and maybe it’s a driving boogie to dance to no matter what. Danc sticks and a fat, funky bassline, what could be better?
British indie wizard Joseph Mount
knows his way around an unconventional sound. Metronomy’s endlessly stylish, at times ingratiating and at other times electronically plateauing Up, Higher is the best example of what the band has done in a while.
Soft Kill have cut themselves off from all the plastic mainstream. Pretty Face is a Coldwave Manifesto enhanced by a noirish post-punk melancholy. It has ’90s shoegaze and personal memories and skepticism in its lyrics. A rare fusion of isolated genres.
A minimalist and hooky track from the resident of the cult label Anjunadeep with its dope beat. Lane 8 coolly mixes trance, progressive house and unique atmospheric parts. Great stuff, showing the degree of development of intelligent dance electronica.
A mellow, densy, and drifty track. ROOSEVELT revealed his music in a pop key, enlivening it with the sounds of modern synths. Smooth, catchy vocals serve as a nice complement to the unobtrusive, warm sound.
Balearic native TÂCHES has moved away from house and tropic and focused on a measured R&B rhythm. Stunningly dynamic vocals, lively arrangements and a leisurely pace throughout. Lots of melodic detail, able to bring pleasure to the aesthete listener.
The post-punky The Wants don’t hold back. Irony, euphoria and protest glide through the track. As befits punks, they mock capitalist consumer culture with one simple, repetitive guitar riff.
It’s a strange, rhythmic, wonderfully detailed track. Chromatics broadcasts a sense of special sonic finesse at the junction of seemingly incongruous electronic elements, and the complete absence of vocals. The composition is a clear sound-marker of the project’s profound idea of creativity.
And there’s a bunch of other musicians we’ve put together in a single playlist, too. Check out our compilation of the best tracks from 2020:
Full Playlist:
Whethan – Stay Forever (feat. STRFKR)
Mild Minds – WALLS (feat. Boats)
Metronomy – Up, Higher
Tensnake feat. Fiora – Automatic
WhoMadeWho – Obstacle
Chromatics – TOY
Cubicolor – Melodies
Mickey Kojak – Strange
The Wants – Container
Les Hiboux – Vai Ser Muito Bom (feat A Garota de Ipanema)
Giraffage – Workout
IS TROPICAL – Calling Out
Breakbot – Be Mine Tonight (feat. Delafleur)
Kimchii – Free Mind
WHARVES – Nothing Left to Say
Satin Jackets – I’m With It (feat. Metaxas)
Cheb Miaou & Shermar – So Far Gone
TÂCHES – Desert Rain Ft. Harry Keyworth
Lane 8 – Bear Hug
Aimes – We Are Eternal
Mat Zo feat. Olan – Problems
Oliver Tree – Let Me Down
Anoraak feat. Sarah Maison – Gang
ROOSEVELT – Sign
Dugong Jr – Ghost (Ft. Evangeline)
My Dear – Goodbye Paradise
Third Floor – High (feat. Kamaliza)
Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream (Khamsin Remix)
Life On Planets & Taylor Bense – Cuttin in Line
Soft Kill – Pretty Face
Y.O.G.A. – Your Devotion
Wild & Free – Time
Myd – Moving Men (feat. Mac DeMarco)
Beacon – Feel Something
Rhye – Black Rain
Tycho feat. Saint Sinner – Japan (Satin Jackets Remix)
On Planets – Dont Think So Hard
Miami Horror – Under the Milky Way
Aksel & Aino – Spallanzani
Yuksek – Beirut Ma Bet Mout