Electronic House Music 2015: The Best of the Year
We’ve rounded up our favorite tracks of the year in this electronic house music 2015 playlist. From deep and soulful to funky and groovy, these are the tunes that got us moving on the dance floor.
Introduction
As we reflect on the past year in electronic house music, there are a few standout tracks that really made an impact. These are the tunes that got us moving on the dance floor, and that we couldn’t get out of our heads. From deep house to techno, these are the best electronic house tracks of 2015.
Best Tracks of 2015
The past year in electronic dance music was all about taking risks. From the mind-bending production of Jamie xx’s In Colour to the synth-pop sheen of Carly Rae Jepsen’s Kiss, artists across the genre pushed boundaries and challenged expectations. And 2015 was also a banner year for underground sounds, with lo-fi house, techno, and bass music all making a big splash. Here are our picks for the best electronic tracks of the year.
Jamie xx – “Loud Places” ft. Romy
“Loud Places” is a song by English record producer and disc jockey Jamie xx, featuring vocals from English singer and member of The xx Romy Madley Croft. It was released on 29 June 2015 by Young Turks. The song was written by Jamie Smith, Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, and produced by Jamie xx. Musically, “Loud Places” is an electronic and house song with influences of Detroit techno. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its production as well as Madley Croft’s vocals.
The Weeknd – “Earned It”
The Weeknd – “Earned It” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd for the soundtrack to the film Fifty Shades of Grey. The song was released on December 23, 2014 as the lead single from the soundtrack. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming The Weeknd’s first top five single.
The Weeknd – “Earned It” is a haunting, sensual R&B track that is both understated and erotic. The production is minimal, with throbbing bass and skittering hi-hats creating a hypnotic bed for The Weeknd’s ethereal falsetto. The lyrics are suitably steamy, with lines like “Girl you’re perfect / You’re always worth it / And you deserve it / The way you work it” making it clear that this is a song about seduction and pleasure. “$erve it up hot, girl / I’m ’bout to make you mine / Gonna give you everything,” he sings on the chorus.
The Weeknd – “Earned It” is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a sexy, slow-burning R&B track to set the mood. Whether you’re getting ready for a night out or preparing for some private time with your significant other, this tune is sure to get you in the mood.
Disclosure – “Omen” ft. Sam Smith
Disclosure’s huge hit “Omen” featuring Sam Smith is one of the best tracks of 2015. It’s a deep house song with Disclosure’s signature UK garage sound, and features vocals from the talented Sam Smith. The song was released as a single in June of 2015 and quickly shot to the top of the charts, becoming one of the biggest hits of the summer. “Omen” is a perfect example of Disclosure’s ability to create catchy, danceable tunes that are also smart and well-produced.
Tame Impala – “Let It Happen”
Tame Impala’s “Let It Happen” is one of the best tracks of 2015. The Australian band’s psych-rock influences are on full display in this eight-minute epic, which features a thumping bassline, swirling synths, and Kevin Parker’s infectious vocals. It’s a perfect example of Tame Impala’s ability to create catchy, danceable tunes that are also complex and layered.
Grimes – “Kill V. Maim”
If you’re unfamiliar with Grimes, she’s an enigmatic figure in the music industry who produces her own music, designs her own album art, and has a devoted following among those who appreciate her unique take on pop music. “Kill V. Maim” is a stand-out track from her most recent album, Art Angels. The album is full of energy and this song is no exception. It’s a perfect blend of pop hooks and interesting production choices that make it one of the best tracks of the year.
Best Albums of 2015
This was a great year for electronic house music. We saw a lot of new artists come onto the scene and some old favorites return with new albums. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the best albums of 2015.
Jamie xx – In Colour
On his first solo album, the xx producer mixes blissful house with shades of U.K. garage and grime to vitalizing effect. “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)” featuring Young Thug and Popcaan is an elated anthem for better days to come, while “Hold Tight” finds London MCs Kode9 and D Double E trading verses over a bass-heavy groove.
The Weeknd – Beauty Behind the Madness
The Weeknd’s second album, “Beauty Behind the Madness” is a masterpiece. It is a perfect blend of R&B, pop, and electronic music. The beats are catchy and the lyrics are moving. It is one of the best albums of 2015.
Disclosure – Caracal
Caracal is the second studio album by British electronic music duo Disclosure. It was released on 25 September 2015 by Island Records and PMR Records. The album features guest appearances from Lorde, Sam Smith, Miguel, Gregory Porter, Neil Amin-Smith of Clean Bandit, Kwabs, Lion Babe and Nao.
Disclosure began working on Caracal in early 2014 following the release of their debut album, Settle (2013). Recording took place at their studio in London throughout 2014 and 2015. The album’s title refers to a nocturnal wild cat native to Africa and Asia. Upon release, Caracal received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics.
Tame Impala – Currents
2015 was an incredible year for music, and electronic house music was no exception. Tame Impala’s ‘Currents’ was one of the best albums of the year, and it’s no surprise that it made our list.
This album is a perfect blend of danceable beats and relaxing melodies, and it’s sure to get your feet moving. ‘Currents’ is an instant classic, and we can’t wait to see what Tame Impala has in store for us in the future.
Grimes – Art Angels
Grimes – Art Angels was released on November 6, 2015, by 4AD. The album was written, produced, and performed entirely by Claire Boucher (Grimes). It was her first album in four years, following Visions (2012). A departure from the minimalist style of her previous work, Art Angels is a pop record with greater emphasis on songwriting and instrumentation.
The album’s lead single “Flesh without Blood” / “Life in the Vivid Dream” was released on October 26, 2015. The second single “Kill V. Maim” was released on November 10, 2015. “SCREAM” featuring Taiwanese rapper Aristophanes was released as the third single on January 22, 2016. The fourth single “Realiti”, originally a demo recorded during the sessions for Boucher’s unsuccessful major label debut album with Geffen Records in 2013, was officially released as a standalone single on March 28, 2016.
Art Angels received widespread acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 88 based on 32 reviews. In his review for Consequence of Sound, Benainous called Art Angels “a record that refused any notion of waiting.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, electronic house music had a great year in 2015. There were many different sub-genres that emerged and the music continued to evolve. We can only hope that 2016 is just as good!
