The Best Electronic Music of 2011

2011 was a great year for electronic music. Here are some of the best tracks of the year.

Best Electronic Albums of 2011

It’s been an amazing year for electronic music, with a wide range of artists pushing the genre in new and exciting directions. Here are our picks for the best electronic albums of 2011.

#1: Burial – Ghost Hardware
Burial’s second album is a masterpiece of dark, haunted dubstep, with exquisite production values and a deep, emotive atmosphere. It’s a perfect album for late-night listening, and it’s sure to stand the test of time as one of the genre’s classic releases.

#2: Four Tet – There Is Love in You
Four Tet’s fifth album sees the IDM veteran venturing into more pop-influenced territory, with gorgeous results. The shimmering melodies and intricate rhythms are as beautiful as they are complex, making for an enchanting and deeply rewarding listen.

#3: James Holden – Balance 005 \& DJ Kicks
James Holden’s entry in the long-running DJ Kicks mix series is one of the best in recent memory, expertly blending deep house, techno, and IDM into a cohesive and superbly effective whole. His own album Balance 005 is also excellent, further cementing his reputation as one of electronic music’s most innovative and boundary-pushing producers.

#4: Mount Kimbie – Crooks & Lovers
Mount Kimbie’s debut album is a stunning work of post-dubstep brilliance, fusing delicate melodies with crushing bass lines to create an arresting and uniquely compelling sound. It’s an essential addition to any fan of electronic music’s collection.

#5: SBTRKT – SBTRKT
SBTRKT’s self-titled debut is one of the year’s most accomplished and well-rounded electronic albums, effortlessly blending dubstep, house, techno, R&B, and more into a coherent and thoroughly engaging whole. It’s an essential listen for any fan of contemporary electronic music.

Best Electronic Songs of 2011

2011 was a breakout year for electronic dance music. With the rise of dubstep, and the popularity of festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival and Ultra Music Festival, EDM became one of the most popular genres in music.

There were a lot of great electronic songs released in 2011, but these 10 tracks stood out above the rest.

1. “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” by Skrillex
2. “ LEVELS” by Avicii
3. “ Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People
4. “ Born This Way” by Lady Gaga
5. “ Good Time” by Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen
6. “ Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia
7. “ I Follow Rivers” by Lykke Li
8. “ We Found Love” by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
9. “ Titanium” by David Guetta ft. Sia
10. “ Lights” by Ellie Goulding

Best Electronic Music Videos of 2011

There were a lot of great electronic music videos released in 2011, but these are the 10 that we think stood out the most. Some are funny, some are sexy, and all of them are creative and impressive in their own way.

1. “First of the Year (Equinox)” by Skrillex
2. “lvl” byDanny says Ok3
3.”We Are Your Friends” by Justice vs. Simian
4. “F for You” by Disclosure ft. Mary J. Blige
5. “I Follow Rivers” by Lykke Li (The Magician Remix)
6. “Say My Name” by Porter Robinson
7.”Sunburn” by ODESZA
8.”Years of War” by Pretty Lights ft. Eligh & Lil Wayne
9.”Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen (D Dubs Remix)
10.”Supersymmetry” by The Chemical Brothers

Best Electronic Festivals of 2011

There were a lot of fantastic electronic music festivals in 2011, with incredible lineups and standout performances. Here are some of the best that took place last year:

-Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida: This massive festival boasted an eclectic lineup of over 300 electronic acts, spread across 8 different stages. Highlights included performances by Tiësto, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, and deadmau5.
– Tomorrowland in Boom, Belgium: This massive Belgian festival is one of the largest and most well-known electronic music festivals in the world. 2011 saw over 180,000 people in attendance, with performances by Avicii, Carl Cox, Above & Beyond, Fatboy Slim, and more.
– Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Nevada: This year’s Electric Daisy Carnival was the biggest one yet, with over 300,000 people in attendance. The festival featured 8 different stages and performances by some of the biggest names in dance music, including Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Skrillex, and more.
– Creamfields in Daresbury Village near Warrington (Cheshire), England: This massive UK festival featured 8 different stages and over 200 Electronic acts. Highlights included sets by Tiesto (who played a rare B2B set with Hardwell), Chase & Status (who closed the main stage), Eric Prydz (who played an 11 hour set), and more.

Best Electronic Clubs of 2011

Cielo – New York, New York

The year 2011 was an eventful one for the electronic music scene. If you didn’t get a chance to check out all the new music that came out, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here are our picks for the best electronic clubs of 2011.

If you’re looking for a club that caters to all electronic genres, Cielo is the place for you. Located in New York’s Meatpacking district, Cielo has hosted some of the biggest names in the business, including Danny Tenaglia, Sasha, and John Digweed. With a state-of-the-art sound system and a cozy yet chic atmosphere, Cielo is the perfect place to spend a night dancing your heart out.

Output – Brooklyn, New York

Output is one of the newest clubs on our list, but it’s already making a big splash in the electronic music world. Located in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, Output boasts a massive sound system that will make your hair stand on end. The club also has a spacious dance floor and excellent lighting, making it the perfect place to lose yourself in the music. Output has already hosted some of the biggest names in electronic music, including Richie Hawtin and Dubfire, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in 2012.