The Best Electronic Dance Music Albums of 2015

Check out our list of the best electronic dance music albums of 2015. From festival anthems to club bangers, these are the tunes that kept us dancing all year long.

Best Overall Album

In a genre as vast and ever-changing as electronic dance music, finding the best albums of any given year is no easy feat. But 2015 was a particularly strong year for EDM, with a wealth of great albums coming from both established artists and newcomers alike.

Here are our picks for the best EDM albums of 2015:

-Dance Music by Calvin Harris
-My House by Flo Rida
-In the Name of Love by Tiësto
-One More Time by Daft Punk

Best New Artist Album

In a genre that is constantly evolving, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends and sounds. But luckily, 2015 saw some amazing debut albums from new artists that are sure to shape the future of electronic dance music. Here are our picks for the best new artist albums of the year.

1. Madeon – Adventure

French electronic producer Madeon released his debut album Adventure in March of this year, and it quickly shot to the top of the dance music charts. The album is a perfect blend of club-ready bangers and beautiful ballads, and it quickly established Madeon as one of the most talented new producers in the scene.

2. ODESZA – In Return

Seattle-based duo ODESZA released their much-anticipated sophomore album In Return in September, and it did not disappoint. The album took the best elements of their previous work and expanded on them, resulting in a collection of scenic and emotive tracks that are perfect for both the dance floor and headphones.

3. Flume – Skin

Australian producer Flume followed up his self-titled debut album with Skin, a record that pushed his unique sound in even more interesting directions. Blending elements of trap, house, and ambient music, Skin is an atmospheric and emotionally powerful record that showcases Flume’s incredible production skills.

4. Alison Wonderland – Run

Alison Wonderland’s debut album Run was one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2015, and it definitely lived up to the hype. The record is a mix of club tracks, pop songs, and emotional ballads, all tied together by Alison’s powerful vocal performance. If you’re looking for an EDM album that breaks the mold, Run is definitely worth checking out.

Best Trance Album

Trance is a subgenre of electronic dance music (EDM) that evolved out of the new wave, techno and acid house scenes of the late 1980s and early 1990s. A key characteristic of trance music is its “buildup” and “release” section, where the track’s energy rises and falls before peaking again. trance tracks often contain layers of synths and drum machines that create a feeling of “hypnotic motion.”

Best Progressive House Album

The best progressive house albums of 2015 were a varied and competitive bunch, with several artists vying for the title of best in show. In the end, it was trance producer Armin van Buuren who came out on top with his sixth studio album, Intense.

Van Buuren’s album was a career-best effort, full of beautiful melodies and massive builds that had dancefloor stompers and home listeners alike hooked. But he wasn’t the only one turning heads this year – techno don Carl Cox released his first artist album in over a decade, while newcomer Tokimonsta delivered a stunning debut LP.

Here are our picks for the best progressive house albums of 2015:

-Armin van Buuren – Intense
-Carl Cox – All Roads Lead to the Rave
-Tokimonsta – Half Shadows

Best Drum & Bass Album

1. ‘Invisible’ by Ivy Lab
Ivy Lab are a trio of producers based in London, UK. Their debut album ‘Invisible’ is a collection of 12 tracks that explore the different sides of drum & bass, from the more meditative and introspective tunes like ‘Oasis’ and ‘Noisia’, to the harder and more dancefloor-friendly bangers like ‘Amber.’

2. ‘Settle’ by disclosure
Disclosure is a brotherly duo from England who have been making waves in the dance music world for the past few years. Their 2013 debut album ‘Settle’ was a huge success, reaching #1 in the UK charts and earning them a Grammy nomination. The follow-up, ‘Caracal’, was released in 2015 to similar critical and commercial acclaim.

3. ‘We Are The Weather Makers’ by Bicep
Bicep is a Belfast-based DJ and production duo consisting of Andy Ferguson and Matt McBriar. Their debut album ‘We Are The Weather Makers’ is a mix of deep house, techno, and disco that has been hugely popular with both clubgoers and critics alike.

4. ‘Emotion�� by Caribou
Caribou is the solo project of Canadian producer Dan Snaith. His 2010 album ‘Swim’ was a critical and commercial success, earning him a Polaris Music Prize and a Juno Award (among others). His latest album, ‘Our Love’, was released in 2014 to similar acclaim.

5. ‘The Age of Loneliness’ by Carl Cox
Carl Cox is a veteran DJ and producer who has been active in the dance music scene since the early 80s. His latest album, ‘The Age of Loneliness’, is a mix of techno, house, and trance that demonstrates his immense musical talent and experience.