The Top 10 Electronic Music Albums of All Time
Contents
A countdown of the top 10 electronic music albums of all time, as decided by popular vote. These are the albums that shaped the genre and continue to inspire today’s artists.
Introduction
There are a ton of different ways to classify music, but for the purposes of this list, we’re focusing on electronic music albums. This can include anything from dance and EDM to techno and dubstep. We’ve also decided to only include studio albums, so no compilations or live albums.
With all that in mind, here are our picks for the top 10 electronic music albums of all time:
1. Apollo by Jean Michel Jarre
2. A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
3. The Berlin School by Tangerine Dream
4. Achtung Baby by U2
5. An Ending (Ascent) by Brian Eno
6. The Moral Crossing by Robert Fripp & Brian Eno
7. Low by David Bowie
8. Autobahn by Kraftwerk
9. Computer World by Kraftwerk
10. The private presses by Warp Records
Daft Punk- Homework
Daft Punk’s debut album Homework was released in 1997 to critical acclaim. The album featured the singles “Da Funk” and “Around the World” which were both huge hits. Daft Punk’s unique blend of house, techno, and French electronica helped them to stand out from the pack and cement their place as one of the most important electronic music acts of all time.
The Chemical Brothers- Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers’ Dig Your Own Hole is often cited as one of the best electronic music albums of all time. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching #1 on the UK charts and spawning the hit singles “Block Rockin’ Beats” and “Setting Sun”. Dig Your Own Hole is an energetic and innovative mix of rock, hip-hop, and electronica that paved the way for many subsequent electronic music artists.
The Prodigy- The Fat of the Land
This is one album that helped to change the face of not just electronic music, but music in general upon its release in 1997. It took the chemically enhanced attitude and sound of the rave culture and helped to infuse it into the mainstream zeitgeist. It’s an album that is unapologetically anthemic and in-your-face, with blistering tracks like “Breathe” and “Smack My Bitch Up” that are as catchy as they are aggressive. The Prodigy would go on to have a massive impact on dance music in the years that followed, but The Fat of the Land remains their defining moment.
Fatboy Slim- You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
In 1998, Fatboy Slim released his second studio album, “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby.” The album was a massive success, reaching #1 on the UK charts and going on to be certified 6x platinum.
“You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby” is widely considered to be one of the best electronic music albums of all time. It features some of Fatboy Slim’s most iconic tracks, including “Praise You,” “The Rockafeller Skank,” and “Gangster Trippin’.”
The Crystal Method- Vegas
The Crystal Method’s debut album Vegas was nothing short of a game-changer when it was released in 1997. The duo of Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan crafts a unique brand of big beat that is dark, gritty, and full of attitude. It’s an album that is at once danceable and challenging, full of both catchy hooks and complex production. Vegas cemented The Crystal Method’s place as one of the most innovative and exciting electronic music acts around, and it remains one of the best albums in the genre to this day.
The Orb- Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld
The Orb’s debut album, “Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld,” was released in 1991 to widespread critical acclaim. The album is a masterful blend of ambient, dub and techno music, and it remains one of the most influential electronic albums of all time.
Leftfield- Leftism
This album was released in 1995 and is often credited with helping to shape the sound of electronic music for years to come. Leftfield is a perfect example of an album that is greater than the sum of its parts. The tracks are all excellent, but they come together to create an experience that is truly unforgettable.
Underworld- Dubnobasswithmyheadman
Underworld’s debut album is one of the most important and influential electronic albums of all time. Mixing elements of acid house, techno, and ambient, Dubnobasswithmyheadman is a genre-defining work that laid the foundation for Underworld’s post-Trainspotting success. The album is a beautiful and moving journey through the inner workings of the human mind, and its impact is still felt today.
Aphex Twin- Richard D. James Album
Richard D. James, better known by his stage name Aphex Twin, is a British electronic musician and founder of the record label Rephlektor Records. His fourth album, Richard D. James Album, was released in 1996 to critical acclaim and is often considered one of the best electronic albums of all time. The album features a wide range of styles, from ambient to IDM to acid techno, and is credited with helping to popularize the latter two genres.
