The Best Electronic Dance Music of 2018
Check out our favorite EDM tracks of the year, featuring artists like Marshmello, Calvin Harris, and more.
The Best Electronic Dance Music of 2018
The best electronic dance music of 2018 brought us some amazing new tunes that had us dancing all night long. From club bangers to festival anthems, these tracks had us moving and grooving all year long.
Some of our favorite artists returned this year with new music that did not disappoint, while some newcomers emerged with fresh sounds that we can’t get enough of. No matter what your taste in EDM is, there was something for everyone in 2018.
Here are our picks for the best electronic dance music of 2018:
1. “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott
2. “Dancing on My Own” by Calum Scott
3. “No Tears Left to Cry” by Ariana Grande
4. “All I Wanna Do” by The Carpenters
5. “In My Feelings” by Drake
6. “Electricity” by Silk City & Dua Lipa
7. “Body” by Loud Luxury feat. brando
8. “Better Now” by Post Malone
9. “One Kiss” by Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
10. “Taki Taki” by DJ Snake feat. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B
Best EDM Songs
In this list, you’ll find the best EDM songs of 2018. These are the songs that made us dance all night long and got us through the tough times. From the club bangers to the anthems, these are the songs that defined EDM in 2018.
“Bum Bum Tam Tam” by MC Fioti
“Bum Bum Tam Tam” by MC Fioti is a Brazilian funk song that was released in 2017. The song was produced by MC Fioti and his friends, DJ Duh and MC Kekel. It became popular in Brazil after being used in a McDonald’s commercial, and later gained international attention after being featured in the American television show, Black-ish. The song has been described as a “catchy, feel-good anthem with a hypnotic beat.”
“All I Wanna Do” by Laidback Luke & Steve Aoki feat. Lil Yachty
Laidback Luke and Steve Aoki team up with Lil Yachty for this fun, upbeat track that’s perfect for any summer party. “All I Wanna Do” has a catchy hook and a beat that will keep you moving all night long.
“No Tears Left to Cry” by Ariana Grande
“No Tears Left to Cry” is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released on April 20, 2018, through Republic Records as the lead single from her upcoming album Sweetener. The song was written by Grande, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson and its producers Max Martin and Pharrell Williams. “No Tears Left to Cry” is a dance-pop and disco song with house, trap and R&B influences. Lyrically, it talks about moving on from sorrow and being grateful for what one has left.
The song received critical acclaim upon release, with many reviewers praising its production and Grande’s vocal performance. Commercially, the song debuted at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Number One on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, becoming Grande’s ninth top ten entry in the former and sixth number one in the latter. In Europe, “No Tears Left to Cry” debuted atop the UK Singles Chart—marking Grande’s second number one single in the country—and also became a top ten hit in several other countries including Australia, Canada and Scotland. The song’s accompanying music video was directed by Dave Meyers and released on May 1, 2018. It features Grande dancing in various locations throughout New York City including inside a rainbow-colored taxi cab.”
“Havana” by Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug
“Havana” is a song recorded by Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello, featuring guest vocals from American rapper Young Thug. It was released on August 3, 2017, as the lead single from her upcoming second studio album, Romance. The song was written by Cabello, Jeff Bhasker, Ali Tamposi, Brian Lee, Pharrell Williams and Young Thug, with production handled by Bhasker and Williams. A latin pop and R&B track, its instrumentation consists of Cabello’s vocals being backed by “bouncing” chords and “infectious synth-wave hooks”. Lyrically, the song is about Cabello’s Cuban heritage and features references to Havana.
The song received acclaim from music critics upon its release. Many praised its production as well as Cabello’s vocal performance. Commercially, “Havana” became one of the most successful singles of 2018 reaching number one in several countries including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom; while also reaching the top five in Belgium (Flanders), Germany, New Zealand and Sweden. In the United States it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 behind only “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran for seven non-consecutive weeks; giving Cabello her first and only number two single as a solo artist in that country to date. The song also achieved success in streaming services becoming one of the most played tracks on Spotify in 2018.
The accompanying music video for “Havana” was directed by Dave Meyers and filmed in Cuba. Upon release it received positive reviews from critics who praised its visuals which depicted Cuba’s culture and landscape.
“This Is What You Came For” by Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna
Calvin Harris’ “This Is What You Came For” featuring Rihanna was one of the biggest hits of 2016. The dancefloor-ready anthem peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Dance Club Songs chart.
Best EDM Albums
It’s hard to argue that 2018 hasn’t been one of the most plentiful years for Electronic Dance Music. We’ve seen the return of some veteran producers, as well as the rise of some new faces. In this article, we’ll be countdown the best EDM albums of 2018.
A Moment Apart by Odesza
Released in September of 2017, A Moment Apart is the third studio album by American electronic music duo Odesza. The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and received widespread critical acclaim, with many calling it the best dance album of the year.
The album features a wide variety of electronic subgenres, including dubstep, house, and drum & bass. Standout tracks include “Line of Sight”, “Late Night”, and “Across the Room”.
What Is Love? by Lost Kings
What Is Love? is the debut studio album by American electronic music duo Lost Kings, released on October 27, 2017 by Disruptor Records and Columbia Records. The album features guest appearances from pop artists Charli XCX, Tinashe, Camila Cabello, Wizardz of Oz, Ally Brooke and Normani.
The album was preceded by the release of four singles; “Phone Down”, “First Love”, “Quit You”, and “Look at Us Now”. “First Love” peaked at number one on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, becoming the duo’s first single to do so. The album received positive reviews from critics and debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
Different World by Alan Walker
Alan Walker’s Different World is the best electronic dance album of 2018. It is a perfect blend of EDM genres and has something for everyone. The album features catchy tunes, beautiful melodies, and powerful beats. It is an essential addition to any EDM fan’s collection.
These Systems Are Failing by Moby & The Void Pacific Choir
This album is intense, dark, and full of surprises. It’s aMust for any EDM fan.
A Moment Apart by Odesza
Odesza’s third album, A Moment Apart, was released on September 8, 2017, to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
Best EDM Festivals
Festivals are the perfect way to see your favorite DJs and producers all in one place. They’re also a great way to discover new music and meet new people who share your love of EDM. 2018 was a great year for EDM festivals, with huge events happening all over the world. Here are some of the best EDM festivals of 2018.
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is one of the biggest and most popular EDM festivals in the world. It takes place every year in Belgium and draws people from all over the globe. The festival features some of the biggest names in EDM, as well as up-and-coming DJs and producers. Tomorrowland is known for its massive main stage, which is often adorned with spectacular production and pyrotechnics. If you’re looking for an unforgettable EDM festival experience, Tomorrowland is definitely worth checking out.
Electric Daisy Carnival
Electric Daisy Carnival, commonly known as EDC, is one of the largest electronic dance music festivals in the world. The three-day event takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, and features a variety of electronic music genres, including house, techno, drum and bass, and trance.
EDC was founded in 1997 by Insomniac Events and has since been held annually. The festival has expanded to multiple locations around the world, including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
EDC Las Vegas is the largest and most well-known EDC festival. It began in 1997 as a one-day event with only 7,000 attendees. In 2017, EDC Las Vegas drew a record crowd of 400,000 people from all over the world.
The festival features over 200 DJs and performers spread out across 8 different stages. EDC Las Vegas also offers a variety of other attractions and activities, such as rides, art installations, and food trucks.
Ultra Music Festival
Ultra Music Festival is an annual outdoor electronic music festival that takes place during March in the city of Miami, Florida. The festival was founded in 1999 by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes and is named after the 1997 Depeche Mode album, Ultra.
The festival occurs on three consecutive days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and features multiple stages with live performances by electronic musicians, as well as DJ sets. The main stage is typically comprised of a main stage and two smaller stages (the Resistance Stage and the UMF Radio Stage), while other stages are typically hosted by a single presenter. Ultra Music Festival also features art installations, food trucks, and other vendors.
In recent years, the festival has expanded to include an Ultra Beach Music Festival in Miami Beach, as well as satellite events in various international locations such as Brazil, Chile, Ibiza, Japan, South Korea, andTurkey.
TomorrowWorld
TomorrowWorld is an electronic dance music festival that was held in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, United States, southeast of Atlanta. The festival was organized by ID&T and SFX Entertainment. TomorrowWorld was the American extension of the Belgian-based Tomorrowland music festival. In 2015, the festival’s final year, approximately 140,000 attendees were present at the three-day event.
Creamfields
Creamfields is one of the biggest and most popular Electronic Dance Music festivals in the world. The festival takes place in Daresbury, Cheshire, England, and attracts over 70,000 people each year.
Creamfields was founded in 1998 by Paul Oakenfold, Ian Paul Grant, and James Barton. The first Creamfields festival was held in Winchester, England. Since then, the festival has grown exponentially, and now features over 300 acts across 8 stages.
The 2018 Creamfields lineup includes some of the biggest names in EDM, including Calvin Harris, Tiësto,Marshmello, Alison Wonderland, and many more.