This year has been fantastic for electronic music.
As always, we like having a collection of the albums, EPs and singles that got stuck in our ears year-long (how original).
The good news is that whatever you find and hear here is guaranteed quality.
So here it begins... The best of electronic music in 2024.
Top 5 Albums
5. Sorza - Pillars
Sorza fills a very specific void in my heart. There’s a lot of amazing songs in this album.
While some may be too “out there” in terms of sound it still delivers a gorgeous experience.
Favorite song: I’m Here.
4. Tchami and Malaa - Veni Vidi Vici
Even though it came out at the beginning of the year this album still stands tall and strong.
This album is the only evidence you need that the only good export out of France is music.
Favorite song: Giving me life
3. Lonown and Akiaura - Destruction age
Stealing this one from Hyperoxia. This album is a collection of heaters one after the other.
The dark theme perfectly matches the current mood of the year while delivering heaters for 40 minutes straight.
Highly recommended if you want something new.
Favorite song: if you care.
2. AgonyOST - Variations of Hell
This one came out right before our trip to Japan and it couldn't have been better timing.
AgonyOST has something magical. The ambiance of each song is unmatched and they make for a perfect reflective and night drive experience.
It's the perfect blend of house and garage.
Favorite song:
Void Enamour.
Before I reveal the album of the year let’s do some honorable mentions:
Running from reality and Too Many Questions aren't enough to carry this album. While those two songs are in my top favorites of the year, everything else was... okay.
Once again, 3 songs (Is this love. Until There’s Nothing Left. Succession) are not enough to carry the whole album
A gorgeous house album but contrasted to these masterpieces it falls just a bit short.
Alright. Let’s get into the big dog winner…
1. No Mana - I Contain Flashing Images
Already wrote too much about this one. Read the review here.
Alright let’s continue on to the next category yes?
Top 5 EPs
5. Tutara Peak, By Yourself, Boy.
Admittedly an odd selection since it’s step’s stepping on the fine line between "electronic" and "indie."
It's still an amazing experience. It’s something you can show other people without getting a weird look.
Favorite song: Sports.
4. The Caracal Project - Self reflections:
The Caracal Project is doing some amazing stuff.
Not big into the whole rockstep genre but his fantastic mixture of vocals with choppy beats is addictive.
Favorite song: I hope I don’t break your knees
3. Plenka - Self Reflections
Plenka my beloved.
This is one of his most experimental albums and includes many rock-like songs which are amazing.
If you’ve never heard plenka before, you’re missing out. The amount of gorgeous sounds and melodies inside this album is superb.
Favorite Song: В Темноте
2. I Hate Models - Forever Melancholia.
I already wrote about this. Check it out here.
Of course, we gotta do some honorable mentions…
There’s some really breakthrough stuff in here. It was the second contender for 5th place, but alas… Riddim makes it go down. Still a fantastic listen.
It genuinely hurts to put such a gorgeous album as honorable mention. If only it came out later than January it would have made it. This is a gorgeous EP. Don’t miss it.
I don’t know how this man outputs 4 good EPS in a year. All of them are PEAK liquid dnb. If you haven't heard of archangel please change that today
1. Feed Me - Feed Me’s Vintage Rally Championship
I am Feed Me's top guy. Everything this British Creature puts out is nothing but quality.
Good vibes, good melodies, fantastic sound. You don't need more than that to have a good time and Feed Me delivers on it all.
Favorite song: Giant Creatures
Alright let’s move
Top 5 Singles
5. Sysdemes- 62
Sysdemes is a master of gorgeous sound design paired with top-notch melodies. Ever since Dragon’s Gamble, he’s been a must-watch, and his output quality must be investigated.
4. Headhunterz - Live Forever
“Maybe I’m going to live forever…
Maybe this is just one last dream…”
When this song came out I legit had it on repeat for HOURS. This is one of the most unique songs I’ve heard all year and even though it’s hardstyle there’s a lot of magic in here.
3. Zeds Dead, Flux Pavilion - Waves
I'm a sucker for good melodic dubstep and this did more than deliver. Another one that got stuck rent free for HOURS. Phenomenal. I’m not big into lyrics but deathbyromy did a phenomenal job.
2. Nikko - Can't get enough
I can't get enough of this song and you won't either. The new gen is here and it's full of fun songs that you simply can't get enough of.
Nikko is someone who WILL make it big thanks to his amazing energy.
1. ME
JUST KIDDING. It’s…
IMANU - Celeste
It's just too fuckin peak to not talk about. IMANU is always coming out with breakthrough songs that will forever live rent free in my head. If you want the face of the new gen who will conquer in the next couple of year. IMANU is the one you’re looking for.
BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE
Now, since Hz gave his top picks for the year, I’ll be doing the same! However, I think I’ll do it a bit differently this time. This time, I’ll just include my top picks, with runner-ups for each category. Without further ado…
On to, my top picks of 2024…
Album of the Year
This was, months in the making. Once the album released, I just KNEW that it would be my Album of the Year. I am, happy to say, that it has remained true. It’s dark, and it’s different. It’s out there; not something you’ve yet heard before. But I promise you, you wont be disappointed.
My Album of the Year award goes to…
Destruction Age by LONOWN & akiaura
Where every song is a heater, back to back to back. There truly is something here for everyone. Whether you enjoy your slow witch, or heavy hitting bass, to even your vocal heavy songs, both LONOWN & akiaura have truly created something special here. I look forward to seeing where the continued partnership goes for the fans.
Favorite song: XVI
Honorable mentions:
Inside our Crumbling Castle by Eagle Eyed Tiger - Favorite Song: Nerve Damage
Antarctica by iwilldiehere & Dvrklxght - Favorite Song: Heaven’s Gate
Love Theory by Dylan Dylan - Favorite Song: Sorry
Amaranthine by beansclub - Favorite Song: Ireul
EP of the Year
Now, for EP of the year, this one wasn’t as conclusive as Album of the Year. However, after much deliberation, I was able to narrow it down to an EP that truly invoked some core memories.
My EP of the Year goes to…
Cassette Memories Vol. 2: Balearic Sound by Yerbownik
Man.
Just, WOW.
Yerbownik/Yerbby, you REALLY Ado know how to capture that y2k era of trance. It’s the era I remember so fondly, when limewire was a thing. When my dad used to burn a plethora of trance mixes on to cds.
This EP just EXUDES that energy. Whenever there is a new release, I’ll send it over to my dad and he too enjoys it. Whenever I bring up the memories, he too can picture it. It also does remind him of a somewhat bygone era.
Please keep this energy alive.
Favorite Song: Dunes Sound
Honorable Mentions:
Cassette Memories Vol. 3: Digital Crowd by Yerbby - Favorite Song: CITY LIGHTS
Picking Flowers by Lake Hills - Favorite Song: Picking Flowers
Gloomtek by ANGEL CANNON - Favorite Song: Aether
Single of the Year
Well, much like Album of the Year, this category’s winner was conclusive…
That was, until I found this one single recently. You know, the one I said that wouldn’t win?
Well, it’s not winning. I’m sticking to that.
However, this years winner is ANOTHER song that I had on repeat, day after day, minute after minute. Not a minute would go by where I was NOT listening to this song.
It’s a phenomenal mix of phonk and y2k era trance that JUST WORKS. And the trance chords are, everything I’ve ever wanted in a trance track.
My Single of the Year goes to…
Calling by THIRST & nuphory
What can I say besides wow.
What nuphory has been doing with hypertrance, and that constant push to capture that y2k era aesthetic. Constantly pumping out of the most beautiful old school trance tracks is incredible.
There is not a single sound in this single that I dislike. Everything is balanced masterfully and it provides the listener with a high energy, groovy track. This is a beautiful blend of genres, and will certainly become one of my favorite songs of all time.
Honorable Mentions:
midnight district by airshade & limedisx.
Clear Blue Water by TDJ
Falling Against You by Sysdemes
Soul by limedisx. & Baeldorf
Compilation of the Year
Before I get to the BIG TICKET ARTIST, THE HIGH PROFILE SHOT CALLER…
I think it’s important to give love to compilations. The many compilations that host smaller, lesser known artists. The many compilations even hosting an artists FIRST ever release. These labels compile the BEST OF THE BEST from their findings (something I hope we here can do as well, soon) and give us an incredible compilation filled with pure, platinum. Not gold, but platinum. (We’ll see if Hz has followed me with this category.)
My Compilation of the Year goes to…
Monolyth: Chapter Two by Monolyth
I was, pleasantly surprised when I found Monolyth’s first compilation by accident, and found some incredible artists just HIDING away.
Based in Edinburgh, Monolyth has capture some of the most unique talent from around the globe, and this great gift has given us such a unique listening experience.
If you didn’t know about Monolyth before, well now you do.
And you BETTER keep tabs on this collective, or you’ll be missing out on some incredible stuff.
Favorite Song: Yew by Coben
Honorable Mentions:
Alter/Ego Volume III by Alter/Ego - Favorite Song: Stratos by Falldren
Scene III Inugami by BAKU RECORDS - Favorite Song: Neverending Spaces by Vulp
Va006 by PARA//E/ - Favorite Song: Zeitgefühl by Sima
Artist of the Year
Now, this years winner has consistently pumped out some of the most, incredible songs I have ever heard. They all take me down a path of nostalgia, and I think they will continue to do so. This artist has seen their music showcased before, and will honestly continue to see it showcased. In fact, they’ve even been showcased on this very article.
My pick for Artist of the Year is…
Yerbby/Yerbownik
My god. Yerbby, you have created some greatest songs within the past two years.
Starting with wave, and eventually transitioning to trance music, it has been a glorious change to witness.
Thank you for creating music with real passion and nostalgia weaved within.
I don’t care when, or how. But some way some how, I will see you live one day.
Again, thank you for creating some of the best trance music I have heard within recent years. I look forward to hearing what magic you create in 2025.
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