EDM Albums You Need in Your Collection
Here are 8 EDM albums you need in your collection, from classic trance to modern dubstep.
What is EDM?
EDM is an acronym for electronic dance music. It is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. EDM is generally produced for playback by DJs who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix, by segueing from one recording to another.
Though EDM is considered a form of electronic music, it stands in contrast to previous generations of electronic music such as house and techno. House and techno are rooted in DJ and club culture, where the “disc jockey” or DJ is considered the “auteur” of the music. In contrast, with EDM, the roles of composer and performer are often merged (or forgotten entirely), as evidenced by the prominence of live “EDM performers” at festivals.
Though house and techno are still popular genres within the EDM umbrella today, new subgenres such as dubstep, trance and hardstyle have arisen to fill clubs with their own specific sounds in recent years.
The Best EDM Albums of All Time
If you love EDM music, then you need to have these albums in your collection. These are the best EDM albums of all time, and they will definitely get you in the mood to dance. From classic dancefloor anthems to more recent hits, these albums have it all.
Daft Punk – Homework
Few albums have had as much of an impact on electronic music as Daft Punk’s Homework. The French duo’s 1997 debut changed the game not only for where dance music could go sonically, but also for how it could be presented. The album’s cover art, a highly stylized drawing of two robots in Paris, immediately set it apart from anything else that was out at the time and helped make Daft Punk into the global stars they are today.
Homework is full of timeless tracks that still sound fresh today, from the instantly recognizable “Da Funk” to the Infectious “Around the World.” It’s an essential album for any fan of electronic music, and it remains one of the best examples of what can be accomplished when two talented producers are firing on all cylinders.
The Prodigy – The Fat of the Land
The Prodigy’s third album, The Fat of the Land, was released in 1997 to massive commercial and critical success. It peaked at Number One in nine countries, including the UK and US, and went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide.
Featuring the singles ‘Smack My Bitch Up’, ‘Breathe’ and ‘Firestarter’, The Fat of the Land saw The Prodigy experimenting with a more industrial sound, while still retaining the anthemic feel of their earlier work. It remains one of the most influential albums in dance music, and is essential listening for any fan of the genre.
The Chemical Brothers – Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers’ second album is a perfect example of what can be achieved when two musical minds come together and bounce ideas off each other. Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons were already on their way to becoming one of the biggest electronic acts in the world, but 1997’s ‘Dig Your Own Hole’ took things to another level altogether.
Fusing elements of techno, house, hip-hop and more, the album is a tour de force of big beats and even bigger hooks, with huge singles like ‘Block Rockin’ Beats’, ‘Setting Sun’ and ‘Elektrobank’ ensuring that it has remained a dancefloor staple for more than 20 years.
Fatboy Slim – Better Living Through Chemistry
Better Living Through Chemistry is the debut studio album by English electronic music duo Fatboy Slim. It was released on 20 June 1996 by Astralwerks in the United States and on 21 October 1996 by Skint Records in the United Kingdom. The album originally received mixed reviews from critics but went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 1998 Grammy Awards.
Fatboy Slim consists of Norman Cook and is known for his eclectic mix of genres including funk, hip hop, techno, and acid house. Better Living Through Chemistry features a mix of these genres, as well as samples of 1970s and 1980s pop songs. The album’s title comes from the 1950sduo David McCallum Sr. and Steve Dunne’s instructional record Better Living Through Modern Jazz, which Cook found while working at a record store.
The album peaked at number ten on the UK Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 1999. In the United States, it peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2000. The album has sold one million copies worldwide.
The Crystal Method – Vegas
Vegas is the debut album by American electronic music duo The Crystal Method, released on August 26, 1997 by Korn’s Elemental Records. The album’s success brought worldwide attention to the EDM scene, and Vegas is often credited as being one of the cornerstones of the big beat genre.
The Best New EDM Albums
Disclosure – Settle
When it comes to Disclosure, there is a lot to like. The U.K. house music duo has been making waves in the music world since they released their first album, Settle, in 2013. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it cemented Disclosure’s place as one of the leading forces in electronic dance music.
Settle is an impressive debut album that showcases Disclosure’s skill at crafting catchy and danceable tunes. The album features several guest vocalists, including AlunaGeorge and Sam Smith, who both turn in great performances. Disclosure’s production work is top-notch throughout the album, and the result is an addictively fun collection of songs that will keep you coming back for more.
If you’re a fan of electronic dance music, then Disclosure’s Settle is an album you need in your collection.
Calvin Harris – 18 Months
Calvin Harris is one of the most successful DJs and producers in the world, and his album 18 Months is a perfect example of why. The album features a who’s who of dance music, with collaborations from Rihanna, Ellie Goulding, Ne-Yo, and more. The result is a collection of catchy, danceable tracks that are perfect for any party or workout.
Avicii – True
Avicii’s debut album, True, was released in 2013 to much fanfare. The Swedish EDM star had already garnered a large following with his singles “Le7els” and “Wake Me Up,” and the album lived up to the hype. It debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 and featured a number of other hits, including “Hey Brother” and “Addicted to You.” True is a perfect example of Avicii’s unique style of EDM, blending elements of country, folk, and pop into his trademark sound.
Swedish House Mafia – Until Now
Swedish House Mafia’s debut album is a thrilling ride from start to finish. The trio – Axwell, Ingrosso, and Angello – have crafted a perfect dance album full of huge anthems and club bangers. “Greyhound” and “Don’t You Worry Child” are the standouts, but every track on Until Now is strong. If you’re a fan of dance music, this is an album you need in your collection.
Skrillex – Bangarang
Skrillex’s debut album, Bangarang, is one of the hottest EDM albums out right now. Featuring hits like “Bangarang” and “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”, this album is a must-have for any EDM fan.
