When electronic music is good, you can dance to the same song several times on repeat. When electronic music is great, it will blow your mind. 2015 was a great year for the swiftly evolving genre. This list began as a 4 hour playlist of my favorites featured on Weekend Energy and through a mighty effort, I narrowed it down to the top 10 albums of the year, with some honorable mentions at the end.
Galantis - Pharmacy
Nearly every single produced by this Swedish duo was a masterpiece leading up to their highly anticipated album release "Pharmacy." Galantis is somewhat of a supergroup: a member of Miike Snow and Style of Eye (both talented producers in their own right). Several songs from this album have been featured on Weekend Energy, including the opener "Forever Tonight," "In My Head," "Dancin' to the Sound of a Broken Heart" and their most famous hit, "Runaway (U & I)." This is an album with enough pop, oomph and diversity that I'd use to introduce friends to the genre.
Marian Hill - Sway
This is 21st century jazz. Marian Hill is a duo that knocked me off my feet when this album came out in early 2015. I have since featured nearly every song on this incredible release. There's a lush, boozy swagger to her music that doesn't even care if you listen and yet you simply can't resist. It's electronic music pared back to it's simplest form: a hot beat and beautiful vocals. If you only listen to one song, check out "Got It." But clear your schedule, because you'll want to hear the rest.
Say Lou Lou - Lucid Dreaming
French pop re-ignited the electronic genre in 2006-2008. These Swedish/Australian sisters are the perfect complement to the entire movement, capturing a radio-friendly essence with synth beats so syrupy it'll be forever in your carpet. Their songs are hazy and catchy, from the popular "Julian" to "Glitter" to my favorite "Nothing but a Heartbeat." The weakest track is "Games for Girls" with Norwegian techno legend Lindstrom, okay, he's a legend and the song is a lot of fun.
Tritonal - Tritonia Chapter 002
Tritonia Chapter 001 was my favorite album in 2014. I didn't think it'd be possible to surpass this epic sound, but American trance producers Tritonal have managed to outdo themselves. It's essentially more of the same: immensely uplifting soulful sounds paired with hefty beats and radiant vocals. A remix of their strongest song from 2014 "Electric Glow" kicks off the album, building upon itself with "Follow." "Winterborn," and "Anchor" before spinning off into some hardstyle with "Playing with Fire" and "Satellite." Sample this one when you've had a bad day.
Nessi - Rolling with the Punches
Nessi is a German singer I just became completely enamored with earlier this year upon the release of this album and this isn't because we were apparently the first radio station in America that featured her music. Title track "Rolling with the Punches" is a knock-out; this song will amp you up. It's followed by the self-assured yet vulnerable pop song "Brush You Off." The opener "And I Fall" is am ambling little number followed by more tender moments found in "Not the One." Nessi is destined for more fame and accolades in the years to come.
Madeon - Adventure
When French producer Madeon made his debut in 2010, he was 16. If you looked up wunderkind in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of Mozart and then right under that is Madeon. It seems with "Adventure" that he's finally achieved the level of fame that he deserves. These songs are soundscapes of the highest caliber, from "You're On" to "Pay No Mind" with Passion Pit, to elysian like levels in "Imperium," this is a great collection of fine works by an artist truly in his element. This is a tour of his workshop. It may be the best, the best may yet to come.
Autre Ne Veut - Age of Transparency
I think music is a torrid attempt at describing what it means to live and to be alive. Age of Transparency might be the best, most torrid attempt all year, and answers may be found hidden within the layers of orchestral instrumentation, haggard and complex vocal arrangements and wind-sweeping electronic beats. Listen to "World War Pt. 2," and then "On And On (Reprise)" and then "Panic Room" and finally "Get Out."
Disclosure - Caracal
This British brotherly duo certainly knows how to partner with big hitters like The Weeknd, Sam Smith and Lorde. Not to mention, some of my favorites like Gregory Porter and Lion Babe. They're one of those artists who genuinely deserves every inch of fame they achieve. Their deep garage house sound is immensely alluring, from "Omen" featuring Sam Smith to my favorite "Hourglass" featuring Lion Babe and in deeper cuts like "Echoes." It's another great album for introducing someone to the genre, one of the best house albums of the year, and one that will keep you warm in the winter of 2016.
Grimes - Art Angels
Grimes is another one of those artists that deserves the fame she garners. NPR listeners ranked this one of their favorite albums of 2015. It's bouncy and awkward, with off-kilter vocals that draw you in, especially the songs "California" and "Kill V. Maim." My favorite "Flesh Without Blood" was featured on Weekend Energy the same week it was on Left of the Dial.
Above & Beyond - We Are All We Need
This is my pick for album of the year. There's a reason this British trio played Madison Square Garden earlier this year. This long-lasting trance group has overseen the evolution of the genre over the past 15 years and this album truly showcases the dynamic sound, breathtaking vocals, quality lyrics and level of advanced orchestration achievable, creating something not "of the moment" - as dance music tends to focus on - but everlasting. "We're All We Need" is easily the best song of 2015 - thanks largely to the mesmerizing vocals of Zoe Johnston, who lends her beautiful voice to five tracks - check out "Peace of Mind." Male vocalist Alex Vargas soars in tracks like "All Over the World" and "Sink the Lighthouse." I can't wait to see how they further influence the genre, through their label Anjunabeats, taking above current ability, next year and beyond.
Honorable Mentions:
- MNEK - Small Talk
- MordFustang - 9999 in 1
- The Chemical Brothers - Born in the Echoes
- Giorgio Moroder - Deja Vu
- New Order - Plastic
Listen to Weekend Energy Saturday nights from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on WKMS.
