The Best of Electronic Music in 2014
Contents
This was a great year for electronic music. Here are some of the best tracks of 2014.
Introduction
The best of electronic music in 2014, as voted on by RA staff.
Best Albums of 2014
2014 was a great year for music, especially for electronic music. There were so many amazing albums released this year, and it was hard to narrow it down to just a few. But we’ve done it. Here are our picks for the best albums of 2014.
Aphex Twin – Syro
Aphex Twin’s Syro is one of the most acclaimed electronic albums of 2014. It’s a return to form for the influential artist, and is packed with inventive and catchy tracks. The Guardian called it “a dazzling, richly rewarding listen”, while NME said it was “a masterpiece”.
Caribou – Our Love
Our Love is the sixth studio album by Canadian electronic music producer Caribou. It was released on October 7, 2014 by Merge Records. The album was nominated for the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
Caribou – Our Love received critical acclaim upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 86, based on 29 reviews, which indicates “universal acclaim”.
FKA Twigs – LP1
FKA Twigs’ much-anticipated debut album, LP1, is a stunning collection of left-field R&B that is alternately sensual and eerie, personal and otherworldly. The English singer, songwriter, and producer born Tahliah Barnett creates a unique blend of trip-hop, future pop, and experimental electronica that is both deeply intimate and powerfully mystical.
The album’s first single, “Two Weeks,” is a brilliant slice of minimalist R&B that demonstrates Barnett’s deft touch with both vocal performance and production. Her voice is simultaneously seductive and chilling as she sings of an all-consuming love: “I can taste your skin / I feel you breathing / You’re my religion / You’re all I need.” The production is similarly restrained, with sparse percussion and swirling synths building to a cathartic climax.
“Pendulum” is another standout track on LP1. It begins with a simple two-note piano motif that is gradually joined by eerie synths and Barnett’s otherworldly vocals. The result is a hauntingly beautiful song that feels both personal and universal.
With its combination of smart songwriting, innovative production, and mesmerizing vocal performances, FKA Twigs’ LP1 is one of the best albums of 2014.
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!
If you’re a fan of electronic music, then you need to check out Flying Lotus’ latest album, You’re Dead! This album is a masterpiece, and it’s one of the best albums of 2014.
You’re Dead! is an exploration of death, and it’s something that everyone can relate to. Flying Lotus has created an album that is both dark and light, and it’s an important work of art.
If you’re looking for something new and exciting, then you need to check out You’re Dead! It’s an essential album for any fan of electronic music.
Jamie xx – In Colour
Jamie xx’s debut album In Colour is one of the most innovative and exciting electronic albums in recent memory. The album features a wide range of sounds and styles, from the hard-hitting club track “All Under One Roof Raving” to the ethereal and atmospheric “Sleep Sound”. Jamie xx’s production is top-notch throughout, and the album features a number of guest vocalists, including Romy Madley Croft of The xx on the beautiful track “Loud Places”. If you’re a fan of electronic music, or even just good music in general, you need to check out In Colour.
Best Songs of 2014
It’s been an amazing year for electronic music. We’ve seen a surge in popularity of EDM with mainstream artists like Avicii, David Guetta, and Calvin Harris taking over the airwaves. The best songs of 2014 are a reflection of this trend with a mix of familiar faces and new talent.
Aphex Twin – “Minipops 67”
“Minipops 67” is a song by English electronic musician Aphex Twin, released on 14 October 2014 as the lead single from his sixth studio album, Syro. Upon its release, “Minipops 67” was widely praised by critics.
The song is four minutes and thirty seconds long and consists of a drum machine dance beat with occasional embellishments. The song’s title refers to the Yamaha mini pops drum machine.
Caribou – “Can’t Do Without You”
Caribou’s “Can’t Do Without You” is undoubtedly one of the best songs of 2014. The track is an unstoppable force, with a catchy melody and an irresistible beat that will keep you hooked for its entire three-minute runtime. Caribou has always been a master of creating catchy, danceable tracks, and “Can’t Do Without You” is no exception.
FKA Twigs – “Two Weeks”
FKA Twigs’ “Two Weeks” is one of the best songs of 2014. The ethereal production, featuring contributions from Clams Casino, is propelled by Twigs’ gorgeous voice and devastatingly honest lyrics. The result is a haunting, unforgettable track that feels both personal and universal.
Flying Lotus – “Never Catch Me”
Released in 2014, “Never Catch Me” is a song by Flying Lotus featuring Kendrick Lamar. The song was released as the lead single from Flying Lotus’ fifth studio album, You’re Dead!, and is one of the most popular songs from the album.
The song features a relaxed, jazzy production with keyboards and horn stabs, over which Lamar delivers his verses in a charismatic and energetic flow. The chorus sees him playfully singing the title phrase.
Critics praised the song for its innovative production and Lamar’s phenomenal verse, with many calling it one of the best songs of 2014. In fact, Pitchfork placed it at #2 on their list of the 50 best songs of 2014, while Rolling Stone included it on their list of the 100 best songs of the year.
Jamie xx – “Loud Places”
If you were lucky enough to see The xx live in 2014, then you would have witnessed one of the most special moments in music all year. At their show in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, the band debuted a brand new song called “Loud Places.” And it was absolutely stunning.
Jamie xx’s production on the track is impeccable, as he weaves in and out of different soundscapes with such ease. The way he samples Alice Smith’s vocals on the chorus is unlike anything else we’ve heard all year. It’s a truly beautiful song, and it’s easily one of the best electronic tracks of 2014.
Conclusion
It’s been an incredible year for electronic music. We’ve seen old genres revitalized, new ones emerge, and established artists push their sound in fresh directions. This list attempts to capture the best of what 2014 had to offer, highlighting both the mainstream successes and underground gems that helped make this year so special.
