The Best Electronic Music Songs of 2016
A look at the best electronic music songs of 2016. This list includes a variety of electronic sub-genres including house, techno, dubstep, and more.
Best Electronic Songs of 2016
The best electronic music of 2016 was a blend of genres, styles, and sounds that managed to captivate audiences worldwide. This year’s best electronic songs ranged from the pulsing adrenaline rush of trance to the meditative and dreamy soundscapes of ambient. Whether it was the anthemic hooks of progressive house or the aggressive basslines of dubstep, there was something for everyone in 2016.
Calvin Harris- This Is What You Came For
This Is What You Came For is a song by Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris, featuring English singer Rihanna. It was released on 29 April 2016 as the fourth single from Harris’ fourth studio album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 (2017). The song was written by Harris and Rihanna, with production handled by the former. It debuted in the top ten of several countries including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom, while reaching the top of the US Billboard Hot 100—marking Rihanna’s twenty-ninth and Harris’ eighth overall number-one single on that chart—and the UK Singles Chart. An accompanying music video was directed by Emil Nava and premiered on June 26, 2016.
The Chainsmokers- Closer
The Chainsmokers are an American DJ and production duo consisting of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall. Their biggest hit to date has been “Closer”, featuring vocals from Halsey, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, giving them their first number-one single there. The song was also number one in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.
Major Lazer- Light It Up
“Light It Up” is a song recorded by Jamaican group Major Lazer. It was released on October 30, 2015, through Mad Decent and because Music as the lead single from Major Lazer’s third studio album, Peace Is the Mission. The song peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Major Lazer’s most successful single in the United States to date.
Alan Walker- Faded
Alan Walker- Faded is one of the best electronic songs of 2016. It was released on December 3, 2015, and has since been viewed on YouTube more than 1.6 billion times. The song is also available on Spotify, and has been played more than 190 million times.
Sia- Cheap Thrills
“Cheap Thrills” is a song recorded by Australian singer and songwriter Sia for her seventh studio album, This Is Acting (2016). The song was written by Greg Kurstin, Sia Furler and Christopher Braide, and produced by Kurstin. It was released to digital retailers on 29 January 2016 as the lead single from the album and was serviced to contemporary hit radio stations in the United States on 1 February 2016. A disco and tropical house track with influences of soul and synth-pop, its composition follows a standard chord progression. The song has resonant strings, plunky piano chords, gospel flavors and a “thumping” bass. Lyrically, “Cheap Thrills” is an anthem about feeling good on a night out no matter how much money one has to spend.
Sia Furler first met Greg Kurstin when she asked him to produce her sixth studio album We Are Born (2010), which he did. In 2015, Furler provided vocals for Kurstin’s work with Beck for the title track of his album Morning Phase (2014), which earned them both the Grammy Award for Album of the Year at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards held that February. Later that year, Furler invited Kurstin to collaborate with her on This Is Acting; they wrote “Cheap Thrills” in two days.
Best Remixes of 2016
The best remixes of 2016 took the original songs and made them even better. They kept the elements that made the original great, but added their own spin to it. This made for some awesome listening. Here are the best remixes of 2016.
The Chainsmokers- Closer (feat. Halsey)
Calvin Harris- This Is What You Came For (feat. Rihanna)
This Is What You Came For is a song by Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris, featuring vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on 29 April 2016 as the fourth single from Harris’s fourth studio album, Motion (2014). The song peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became Harris’s eleventh top 10 single in the US. Internationally, the song also topped the charts in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. A music video directed by Emil Nava was released on 6 June 2016.
Alan Walker- Faded (feat. Noonie Bao)
Alan Walker is a Norwegian record producer and DJ. He rose to fame with his single “Faded”, which was released in 2015. The song quickly went viral, reaching the top of the charts in several countries.
“Faded” features vocals from Noonie Bao, a Swedish singer and songwriter. The song is a remix of Walker’s previous track “Force”.
The original version of “Faded” was released in December 2015, but the remix featuring Noonie Bao was not released until 2016. The remix was an instant hit, quickly surpassing the original in popularity.
The remix has been praised for its catchy melody and powerful vocal performance from Noonie Bao. It has been hailed as one of the best electronic music songs of 2016.
Sia- Cheap Thrills (feat. Sean Paul)
This was undeniably one of the most played songs of 2016. It was inescapable. It was on the radio, in commercials, in clubs, and on every party playlist. It hit #1 in over 30 countries and is still going strong. The original version is good, but the remixes took it to another level.
Major Lazer- Light It Up (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG)
If you love electronic music, then you’re probably always on the lookout for new songs to add to your playlist. And what better way to find new music than to listen to the best remixes of popular songs?
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best remixes of 2016. These are the songs that have taken the original track and added their own special touch, whether it’s a harder-hitting bassline or a more mellow vibe.
So without further ado, here are the best remixes of 2016:
1. Major Lazer- Light It Up (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG) [Remix]
2. The Chainsmokers- Don’t Let Me Down (feat. Daya) [Illenium Remix]
3. Calvin Harris- This Is What You Came For (feat. Rihanna) [R3hab Remix]
4. Alan Walker- Faded (Tiësto’s Deep House Remix)
5. Zara Larsson- Ain’t My Fault [R3hab Remix]
6. Justin Timberlake- Can’t Stop The Feeling! (Until The Fever Breaks Remix)
7. Sia- Cheap Thrills (feat. Sean Paul) [Le Youth Remix]
8. Twenty One Pilots- Heathens (DISTO Remix)
9.’ve Got That Boom Boom'(feat..Iggy Azalea)[Nacho Vidal Remix]
Best Electronic Albums of 2016
Electronic music has come a long way since the early days of synthesizers and drum machines. Today, there are countless subgenres of electronic music, each with its own distinct sound and style. With so much great music to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best electronic music songs of 2016. Whether you’re a fan of EDM, techno, house, or any other style of electronic music, you’re sure to find something you like on this list.
The Chainsmokers- Collage
The Chainsmokers’ debut album features the sentimental “Closer,” which topped the Hot 100, and the divisive (but undeniably catchy) “All We Know.” It’s a mostly solid set of radio-friendly electro-pop — “Inside Out” and “Setting Fires” are also standouts — though it lacks the creativity and quirkiness of some of its best contemporaries.
Calvin Harris- Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1
Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 is the fifth studio album by Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris. It was released on 30 June 2017 by Columbia Records. The album features guest vocals from a range of artists, including Frank Ocean, Migos, Khalid, Future, Young Thug, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Big Sean, John Legend, Travis Scott, Kehlani, Lil Yachty, Jessie Reyez and PARTYNEXTDOOR.
The album’s first single, “Slide”, featuring Ocean and Migos was released on 18 February 2017. The second single “Heatstroke”, featuring Williams, Perry and Young Thug was released on 26 April 2017. The third single “Feels”, featuring Williams, Perry and Big Sean was released on 16 June 2017.
Critical reception for Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 has been positive. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from publications, the album received an average score of 77 based on 18 reviews, indicating “generally favorable reviews”.
Joe Rivers of London in Stereo awarded the album a perfect score saying: “Calvin Harris has not only managed to make the funk bounce again but has taken it to new heights.” Jo-Ann Greene of AllMusic also gave the album a perfect score writing: “With Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 Calvin Harris has reconfigured contemporary pop in his own image: glossy sheen giving way to bouncy beats underpinned by R&B melodies and nakedly sentimental lyrics.”
Major Lazer- Music Is the Weapon
Major Lazer’s third album, “Music Is the Weapon,” is a high-energy, electro-dancehall record that will have you thinking tropical summers and send you on a nostalgic trip to the ’90s. Diplo teams up with Jillionaire and Walshy Fire to create an irresistible party album with reggae, hip-hop, and R&B vibes. The result is an eclectic mix of music that is guaranteed to get you moving. This is one of the best electronic albums of 2016.
Alan Walker- Different World
Different World is the debut studio album by Norwegian record producer and DJ Alan Walker. It was released on 14 December 2018 through MER Recordings, Sony Music and Ultra Music. The album includes the singles “All Falls Down”, “Darkside”, “Different World” and “Alone”.
Sia- This Is Acting
This Is Acting is the seventh studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Sia. It was released on 29 January 2016 by Inertia Records and Monkey Puzzle Records. The album features songs written by Sia for other recording artists, including Rihanna, Katy Perry, Shakira and Florence Welch. It peaked at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipments exceeding 70,000 copies.
