The Best Music of 2014: Techno
Contents
A look at the best techno music of 2014. Featuring tracks by some of the top artists in the genre, this list has something for everyone.
Introduction
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that originated in the Detroit area in the 1980s. The first techno tracks were produced by artists such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, who were influenced by the work of Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, and Yellow Magic Orchestra. In the 1990s, techno became popular in Europe as well as in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Today, techno is one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music.
The Best Techno Songs of 2014
Techno had a great year in 2014, with a lot of new and innovative tracks being released. It was a tough task to narrow it down, but here are our picks for the best techno songs of 2014.
“Awakenings” by Paul Kalkbrenner
Awakenings is the tenth studio album by German electronic musician Paul Kalkbrenner, released on 1 August 2014.
The album peaked at number two on the German Albums Chart, making it Kalkbrenner’s most commercially successful album to date.
“Time” by Maceo Plex
“Time” is a song by electronic music producer Maceo Plex. The song was released as a single on March 4, 2014, on Maceo’s Ellum label. “Time” is a slow-burning techno track that features a simple, hypnotic melody and Maceo’s signature ethereal sound. The song was one of the most popular techno tracks of 2014, and it remains a favorite among techno fans today.
“Fever” by The Black Madonna
“Fever” by The Black Madonna is one of the best techno songs of 2014. With its catchy melody and hard-hitting beats, “Fever” is a perfect example of what techno should be. The Black Madonna is a Chicago-based DJ and producer, and “Fever” is just one of her many great tracks.
“Let’s Go” by Richie Hawtin
Richie Hawtin is a Canadian DJ, producer, and composer. He is best known for his work in the techno genre. “Let’s Go” is a song from his album, From Here to There. The song was released as a single in 2014.
“Percolator” by Jamie xx
“Percolator” is a song by English record producer Jamie xx, featuring the vocals of Romy Madley Croft. It was released as a digital download on 18 April 2011 in the United Kingdom, as part of his debut solo EP We’re New Here. The song samples “Coffee (In My Cup)” by R&B singer Regulatory Authority. Upon its release, “Percolator” garnered positive reviews from critics.
The song peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart and number four on the UK Dance Chart. An accompanying music video was uploaded to YouTube on 14 June 2011, directed by Romain Gavras. It features footage of people dancing in various locations in London, set to the song’s accompaniment.
The Best Techno Albums of 2014
Techno had a great year in 2014, with a number of artists releasing fantastic albums. This list will countdown the best techno albums of 2014, from 10 to 1.
“Fever” by The Black Madonna
The Black Madonna’s debut album, Fever, is a deep and spiritual work of techno. The Chicago-based producer weaves together classic house, acid, and garage elements with modern production techniques to create an album that is both old-school and innovative. The result is an infectious collection of tracks that will make you dance all night long.
“Time” by Maceo Plex
“Time” is the third album by Maceo Plex, aka techno producer Eric Estornel. It was released on his own Ellum Audio label on November 17, 2014.
The album features ten tracks of dark, driving techno. It was inspired by Estornel’s experience DJing in nightclubs, and features the artist’s vocals on several tracks.
“Time” received positive reviews from critics. AllMusic’s Paul Simpson praised its “driving energy and sense of fun,” while Resident Advisor’s Todd L. Burns called it a “great album.”
“Awakenings” by Paul Kalkbrenner
Paul Kalkbrenner’s “Awakenings” is one of the best techno albums of 2014. The album is a mix of new and old tracks, and features some of Kalkbrenner’s best work to date. The tracks are all incredibly well produced, and the album as a whole is extremely danceable. If you’re a fan of techno, “Awakenings” is a must-listen.
Conclusion
With such a wide variety of music to choose from this year, it was hard to decide on just one genre to focus on. But after much deliberation, we decided that techno was the best music of 2014. Techno is a genre that is constantly evolving, and this year we saw some amazing new artists and tracks emerge. We can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for us!
