The Best Electronic Music Albums of 2014

In 2014, many great electronic music albums were released. This blog post will list some of the best albums of the year.

Introduction

It’s been another great year for electronic music, with a wide variety of fantastic albums being released in 2014. Here are our picks for the best of the best.

Daft Punk- Random Access Memories

Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories was one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2014, and it did not disappoint. The French duo’s first album in eight years is a masterfully produced electro-pop tour de force, and features some of the best guest vocalists in the business, including Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers, and Paul Williams. Random Access Memories is an instant classic, and one of the best electronic albums of 2014.

Disclosure- Settle

Disclosure’s debut album Settle was one of the most anticipated electronic albums of the year, and it did not disappoint. The UK duo’s mix of deep house, garage, and pop create a sound that is both danceable and accessible, and their use of guest vocalists Sam Smith, London Grammar, and AlunaGeorge give the album a wide appeal. Settle is an exciting debut that bodes well for Disclosure’s future.

Flume- Flume

Flume’s self-titled debut album was one of the most hyped electronic releases of 2012, and it didn’t disappoint. The Australian producer delivered a unique and sonically ambitious record that blended electronica, IDM, and hip-hop in ways that had never been done before. The album features guest appearances from some of the biggest names in rap, including Ghostface Killah, Freddie Gibbs, and Killer Mike, as well as indie darlings Chet Faker and Passion Pit. It’s an eclectic mix of styles that come together to create one of the most innovative and exciting electronic albums in recent memory.

London Grammar- If You Wait

If You Wait is the debut studio album by British trio London Grammar. It was released on 2 September 2013 by Metal & Dust Recordings and Ministry of Sound. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in February 2014. It was nominated for the 2014 Mercury Prize.

The album includes the singles “Hey Now”, “Wasting My Young Years” and “Strong”.

Nero- Welcome Reality

Nero is a British dubstep trio composed of members Daniel Stephens, Joseph Ray, and Alana Watson. Their debut album, Welcome Reality, was released in 2011 to critical acclaim. The album won Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2012 Grammy Awards, and the group has since gone on to release two more studio albums.

Nero’s music is characterized by its use of heavy basslines and drumbeats, often accompanied by melodic synth riffs andvocals. Welcome Reality contains many of the group’s signature elements, including the hit single “Promises,” which topped the UK Singles Chart in 2011. The album was praised for its experimental sound and Nero’s ability to fuse together multiple genres of electronic music.

Pretty Lights- A Color Map of the Sun

2014 was a big year for electronic music, with new sub-genres and sounds emerging and old ones becoming increasingly popular. There were a lot of great albums released this year, but one that really stood out for me was Pretty Lights’ “A Color Map of the Sun”.

“A Color Map of the Sun” is an album that is hard to describe. Pretty Lights is the stage name of Derek Vincent Smith, and on this album he takes a completely different approach to making music than he has on previous albums. Rather than simply creating tracks and then adding samples or lyrics over the top, he started by creating his own samples. He recorded hours and hours of field recordings, found sounds, and organic instruments, which he then manipulated into new sonic landscapes. These became the building blocks for the tracks on the album.

The result is an album that is sonically varied and textured, with a huge range of emotions running through it. At times it’s uplifting and joyful, at others it’s dark and brooding. There are elements of glitchy IDM, dubstep, hip hop, and even classical music throughout. It’s an album that demands to be heard in its entirety to be fully appreciated.

If you’re a fan of electronic music, or simply looking for something different to listen to, I highly recommend checking out Pretty Lights’ “A Color Map of the Sun”. It’s one of the best electronic albums I’ve heard in a long time, and I think it will be considered a classic in years to come.

Skrillex- Recess

Skrillex’s Recess was one of the most important electronic music albums of 2014. It was the album that brought Skrillex to the mainstream and made him a household name. The album is a perfect example of Skrillex’s style of dubstep, which is a mix of heavy bass and melodies.

The Knife- Shaking the Habitual

This album is one of the most experimental and unique sounding albums of 2014. The Knife is a Swedish musical duo consisting of siblings Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer, who together also run Rabid Records. This was their first album in 7 years, and it did not disappoint. With its unusual blend of techno, industrial, and tribal sounds, it’s an album that truly has something for everyone.

Zhu- The Nightday

The debut album from Zhu, “The Nightday,” is one of the best electronic music albums of 2014. The album isn’t afraid to experiment with different sounds and styles, and the result is an exciting and unique listen. From the club-ready bangers to the more mellow and introspective tracks, there’s something for everyone on “The Nightday.”