The Best Electronic Dance Music of 2015
Contents
A look at the best electronic dance music of 2015. From festivals tonew releases, these are the tracks that got us moving this year.
Best Overall Tracks
It was a banner year for electronic dance music, with new sub-genres and styles constantly emerging. From the return of classic house to the rise of future bass, there was something for everyone on the dance floor in 2015. These are our picks for the best tracks of the year.
Madeon – “You’re On”
Madeon’s adventure continues on “You’re On,” the first single from his much-anticipated sophomore album, Adventure. The French producer crafts an infectiously upbeat track that’s sure to get your blood pumping and feet moving. “You’re On” is packed with Madeon’s signature sound—a mix of 8-bit nostalgia, pop sensibilities, and dancefloor-ready production. The result is an irresistible anthem that will have you dancing all night long.
Odesza – “Say My Name”
This was one of the first tracks I heard from ODESZA’s new album In Return, and it quickly became one of my favorites. I love the ethereal, dreamy feel of the track, and the female vocals by Zyra are absolutely beautiful. The production on this track is top-notch, and it’s just an all-around great song.
Porter Robinson – “Divinity”
Porter Robinson’s vocal styles have been all over the place in 2015. From a capella to Auto-Tune to classic synthpop, he’s done it all. On “Divinity,” he slows things down and unleashes an emotional side that he’s been keeping locked away. It’s a gorgeous ballad with a massive drop that will pull on your heartstrings while getting your feet moving.
Best Remixes
It’s that time of the year again where we look back at the best music of the year. In 2015, there were some amazing remixes of popular songs that got everyone dancing. These are the best of the best.
Seven Lions – “Don’t Leave”
“Don’t Leave” is a song by American record producer Seven Lions. It was released on January 13, 2015 as a single from his studio album, The Great Divide. The song peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
The Glitch Mob – “Skullclub”
The Glitch Mob’s “Skullclub” is a throbbing, dubstep-influenced banger that’s perfect for getting a party started. The track starts with a simple, four-on-the-floor beat, but quickly builds into a frenzy of glitchy sound effects and pulsing bass. The result is a dance floor anthem that will have you moving all night long.
Zeds Dead – “Collapse 2.0”
One of the best remixes of 2015 comes from Canadian electronic duo Zeds Dead. Their remix of “Collapse” by American singer-songwriter K Flay is a masterclass in how to take a great song and make it even better.
Zeds Dead start by stripping away the original’s catchy hooks and verses, leaving only the soaring chorus. They then build the track up slowly, layering in their signature dubstep sound until it reaches a crescendo. The result is a pulsating, adrenaline-pumping anthem that will get you moving on the dancefloor.
Best Debut Albums
In a year where long-awaited comebacks and new releases from dance music’s biggest names ruled the radio and festival circuits, a few fresh faces made 2015 their own with debut albums that pushed the boundaries of the genre. Here are our picks for the best debut albums of 2015.
Alison Wonderland – “Run”
Alison Wonderland’s “Run” was one of the best debut albums of 2015. It showcased her talents as a DJ and producer, and established her as a force to be reckoned with in the electronic dance music scene. The album was a critical and commercial success, and remains one of the most beloved EDM albums of the past decade.
Flume – “Skin”
Launching his musical career in 2012 with a self-titled debut album, Flume quickly became a force to be reckoned with in the world of electronic dance music (EDM). “Skin,” his 2016 release, is a masterful display of Flume’s talent, and has cemented his place as one of the genre’s most innovative artists.
Fusing elements of house, hip-hop, trap, and pop, “Skin” is an exciting and complete listen from start to finish. Highlights include the anthemic “Never Be Like You” (featuring Kai), the groovy “Say It” (featuring Tove Lo), and the atmospheric “Smoke & Retribution” (featuring Vince Staples & Kučka).
But it’s not just the standout tracks that make “Skin” such a great album – it’s the overall cohesion and consistent quality of the production that makes it truly special. Flume has managed to create an accessible and exciting album that will please both long-time fans and newcomers to his music.
Louis the Child – “Love Is Alive”
Love Is Alive is the debut album by American electronic music duo Louis the Child, released on April 28, 2017 by Interscope Records. The album features 11 tracks and was supported by the singles “It’s Strange” and “Fire”.
Reviews for Love Is Alive were positive. AllMusic’s Neil Z. Yeung praised the album, writing that “Their debut full-length is a stellar collection of smart, stunning dance-pop anthems built for the big stage.” Chris DeVille of Stereogum also gave the album a positive review, calling it “one of the year’s most pleasant surprises”.
Track listing:
All tracks are written by Freddy Kennett and Robby Hauldren.
# “It’s Strange” (featuring K.Flay) – 3:41
# “Fire” (featuring Evalyn Paisley) – 3:14
# “Weekend” (featuring Icona Pop) – 2:54
# “Reverie” (featuring Murda Beatz) – 3:19
# “Oh Wonder” – 3:32
# “Free” (featuring Drew Love) – 2:57
# “Right to it” (featuring Ashe) – 3:03
# “Better Not” (featuring Wafia) – 2:54
# “Last to Leave” (featuring Caroline Ailin) – 3:37
#
See You Again
Best Live Performances
In a year of so much great electronic dance music, these were the 10 best live performances we saw in 2015.
Skrillex at Red Rocks
Skrillex is one of the most popular names in electronic dance music, and he proved why with an incredible performance at Red Rocks this year. Skrillex was able to get the crowd going wild with his high energy and great music.
ZHU at Coachella
This was one of the most talked about performances of the year, and for good reason. ZHU brought his unique brand of dance music to the main stage at Coachella, and absolutely killed it. His set was strong from start to finish, and he had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand the entire time. If you missed this one, you definitely missed out.
Porter Robinson at Electric Daisy Carnival
Porter Robinson is one of the most exciting and innovative producers in electronic music today, and his live show is a must-see for any fan of the genre. His set at this year’s Electric Daisy Carnival was nothing short of mind-blowing, with an expertly crafted mix of EDM, hip-hop, and pop that had the crowd dancing all night long.
Best Music Videos
In 2015, electronic dance music continued to evolve and grow. The best producers in the industry stepped up their game and delivered some amazing tracks. The music videos that accompanied these tracks were also top notch. Here are some of the best electronic dance music tracks of 2015, along with their music videos.
Odesza – “Say My Name”
Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Odesza is the electronic music duo of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight. Their song “Say My Name”, which interpolates a sample of Zyra’s vocal performance from the song “Anything Could Happen”, was released as a single on September 9, 2014, and the strength of the song propelled their sophomore album In Return to the top spot on iTunes Electronic charts and number 5 on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums. The single peaked at number 3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs. The group was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 57th Grammy Awards.
Porter Robinson – “Divinity”
Porter Robinson’s ” Divinity” is one of the best electronic dance music videos of 2015. The video was released on October 12, 2015 and was directed by Jodeb. The video stars Porter Robinson and his girlfriend, Alyssa Bereznak.
The video follows the couple as they go about their day-to-day lives, with Porter Robinson making music in his home studio and Alyssa Bereznak taking care of him. However, the mundane nature of their lives is offset by the trippy and visually stunning effects that Jodeb employs throughout the video.
The video is a love letter to electronic dance music, and it is clear that Porter Robinson and Jodeb are huge fans of the genre. The video features cameos from some of the biggest names in EDM, including Skrillex, deadmau5, and Tiesto.
“Divinity” is a beautiful and moving video that captures the essence of electronic dance music. It is a must-watch for any fan of the genre.
Zeds Dead – “Collapse 2.0”
This electronic dance music duo from Canada is one of the most popular in the world, and their music videos are some of the best around. “Collapse 2.0” is no exception, with a high-energy and visually-stunning video that perfectly compliments the song.
