Best Electronic Dance Music of the 2000s
Contents
Looking for the best EDM of the 2000s? Look no further than this list of the top tunes that defined the genre!
Introduction
When it comes to electronic dance music, the 2000s was a defining decade. With the rise of genres like house and techno, the 2000s saw a new wave of electronic music that would go on to dominate the global dance music scene. From dancefloor anthems to underground club hits, these are the best electronic dance tracks of the 2000s.
The Best of the Best
Daft Punk
Daft Punk is a French electronic music duo formed in 1993 by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter. The duo achieved significant popularity in the late 1990s as part of the French house movement and had continuous success in the years following, combining elements of house music with funk, techno, disco, rock and synth-pop influences. They are also known for their visual stylization and disguises associated with their music. The pair met in 1987 while attending secondary school in Paris. They quickly became good friends and later recorded demo tracks together, forming Daft Punk in 1993.
The duo signed with Virgin Records and released their debut album Homework in 1997 to critical acclaim; the album sold 150,000 copies in France and peaked at number three on the UK Dance Chart. Daft Punk’s next album Discovery (2001) was an even greater success; driven by the club singles “One More Time”, “Aerodynamic”, “Digital Love”, and “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”. It also features vocal performances by Romanthony, Todd Edwards, and DJ Falcon who were all credited as co-writers of the album. Discovery was nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. In March 2005, Daft Punk released their third album Human After All to mixed reviews; however, its singles “Robot Rock” and “Technologic” achieved considerable success in Australia and United Kingdom.
The Chemical Brothers
The Chemical Brothers are an English electronic music duo composed of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, originating in Manchester in 1989. Along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, and other acts, they were pioneers of the big beat genre.
The Chemical Brothers achieved mainstream success with their 1995 album Exit Planet Dust, which went to Number One on the UK Albums Chart and spawned the singles “Leave Home” and “Setting Sun”, which were both Number One on the UK Singles Chart. In 1998, they released another album featuring the driver from their “Block Rockin’ Beats” music video, Dig Your Own Hole and won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording for their single “Block Rockin’ Beats”.
In 2003 they released Push The Button which entered the UK Albums Chart at number one. This was followed by We Are The Night in 2007 which also debuted at number one in the UK and produced the worldwide hit “Do It Again”. In 2010 they released Further. In May 2015, it was announced that The Chemical Brothers would headline Glastonbury Festival for their first time as a band on Sunday 28 June 2015.
Justice
Justice is a French electronic music duo consisting of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay. The duo is considered to be a part of the cross-over from the French house scene to the electroclash scene. They are known for their remixes of songs by Simon and Garfunkel, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Franz Ferdinand, and others. They have also produced tracks for numerous other artists.
The Rest of the Best
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem is an American rock band formed in 2002 by producer James Murphy, co-founder of DFA Records. The band began by playing a mix of punk rock and disco at underground parties in New York City, and they released their self-titled debut album in 2005 to critical acclaim. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album, and the single “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House” was nominated for Best Dance Recording.
The band’s second album, Sound of Silver, was released in 2007 and won the Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album. The single “All My Friends” was also nominated for Best Dance Recording. In 2010, LCD Soundsystem released their third album, This Is Happening, to critical acclaim. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, and the single “I Can Change” was nominated for Best Dance Recording.
LCD Soundsystem has toured extensively throughout their career, playing shows all over the world. They have headlined festivals such as Coachella, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, and Outside Lands. In 2016, they announced their retirement with a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden.
Soulwax
Formally known as 2 Many DJs, the Belgian brothers David and Stephen Dewaele of Soulwax are oftentimes cited as the originators of the mashup craze that hit dance music in the early 2000s. Combining elements of new wave, synth-pop, and techno with hints of hip-hop, rock, and disco, tracks like “Radio Soulwax” and “Much Against Everyone’s Advice” became club anthems overnight. Despite their prominence in the world of mashups, the Dewaele brothers are first and foremost a band, and have released several albums of original material under the Soulwax name.
Hot Chip
Hot Chip is an English indie electronic band formed in London in 2000. The band currently consists of Alexis Taylor, Joe Goddard, Owen Clarke, Al Doyle, Felix Martin and Sarah Jones. They have released six studio albums: Coming on Strong (2004), The Warning (2006), Made in the Dark (2008), One Life Stand (2010), In Our Heads (2012) and Why Make Sense?
Hot Chip’s sound has been described as a mix of “nu-disco, post-punk revival, punk house and electroclash”. Their hit singles include “Over and Over” in 2006, “Ready for the Floor” in 2008,, “I Feel Better” and “One Life Stand” in 2010, “Flutes” in 2012 and “Huarache Lights” in 2015.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best electronic dance music of the 2000s was a time of great experimentation and innovation. A wide range of styles and genres emerged, and artists were willing to push boundaries in order to create something new and exciting. The result was a decade of incredible music that is still being enjoyed today.
