Top Electronic Music of 2016

A look at the top electronic music of 2016. These are the tracks that defined the year for electronic music fans around the world.

Introduction

In 2016, electronic music continued to evolve and grow in popularity. A wide variety of subgenres emerged, and new artists emerged to create exciting and innovative music. Here are some of the top electronic tracks of 2016.

The Top Ten

2016 was a great year for electronic music. We saw the return of some veteran producers, and the rise of some new ones. Below is a list of what we think are the best electronic tracks of the year.

Kygo

Kygo is a Norwegian DJ, record producer, songwriter and musician. He is best known for his remix of the track “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran, which has been played over 150 million times on YouTube and Spotify. Kygo was born Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll in Bergen, Norway. In May 2014, he released his debut studio album, Cloud Nine. The album includes the single “Firestone”, which featured vocals from Conrad Sewell. It became an international hit, peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart and reaching the top ten in more than ten countries including Australia and Sweden. Kygo has also released several singles, including “Stole the Show”, “Here for You” and “Carry Me”.

Alan Walker

Alan Walker (born in England, August 24, 1997) is a British-Norwegian record producer and DJ. He is best known for his 2015 single “Faded”, which quickly became a worldwide hit.

In 2016, Walker’s single “Alone” reached the top ten in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. His follow-up single, “Tired”, was released in March 2017 and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The Chainsmokers

From “Don’t Let Me Down” to “Closer,” The Chainsmokers have taken the music world by storm. Hailing from New York City, the duo – composed of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall – has been on an unstoppable rise since they broke onto the scene in 2014 with their viral hit “#SELFIE.” In just a few short years, The Chainsmokers have gone from being unknown DJ’s to headline acts, selling out shows around the globe and racking up countless awards and nominations, including a Grammy for “Don’t Let Me Down.” With a sound that blends pop, dance, and indie, it’s no wonder that The Chainsmokers have become one of the most popular electronic acts in the world. Here are 10 of their best songs:

1. “Don’t Let Me Down” feat. Daya
2. “Closer” feat. Halsey
3. “Paris”
4. “Something Just Like This” feat. Coldplay
5. “My Type” feat. Emilie Marshall
6. “#SELFIE”
7. “Young”
8. “The One”
9. “It Won’t Kill Ya” feat. Louane
10. “Honest”

Flume

Flume is the stage name of Harley Edward Streten, an Australian electronic musician. He first gained prominence in 2012 with his self-titled debut album, which reached #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. His second studio album, Skin, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching #1 in Australia and New Zealand and #2 in the United States. Flume has won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards and an APRA Award.

Porter Robinson

1) Porter Robinson – “Shelter”
2) Madeon – “Adventure”
3) Odesza – “In Return”
4) Flume – “Skin”
5) The Chainsmokers – “Collage EP”
6) Tycho – “Awake”
7) Claude VonStroke – “Urban Animal”
8) Bonobo – “The North Borders”
9) Louis the Child – “Love Is Alive EP”
10) Autograf – “Future Soup EP”

Martin Garrix

Martin Garrix is a Dutch DJ, record producer and musician. He rose to prominence in 2013 with the release of his single “Animals”, which topped several international charts including the UK Singles Chart, Irish Singles Chart, Belgian Flanders chart and Dutch Top 40. His debut EP, Gold Skies, was released in 2014 and reached number three in the Netherlands. In 2016, he became the youngest person to ever headline Tomorrowland at age 20.

Seven Lions

1) “Strangers”
2) “Higher Love”
3) “Freesol”
4) “Shape of You”
5) “Yonkers”
6)”Hotline Bling”
7)”Work”
8)”Stressed Out”
9)”Don’t Let Me Down”
10)”I Took a Pill in Ibiza”

Illenium

1) Illenium – Fractures (feat. Nevve)
2) Illenium – It’s All On U (feat. Liam O’Donnell)
3) Illenium – Sleepwalker (feat. Joni Fatora)
4) Illenium & Kill the Noise – Don’t Wake Me Up
5) Illenium, Echos & Bandlez – Spirals
6) Illenium, Shallows & Mr FijiWiji – Beautiful Creatures (feat. RUNN)
7) Illenium & Kerli – Sound of Walking Away
8 )Illenium & Daya – Feel Good
9)Illenium, Said The Sky & Annika Wells – I’ll Be Your Reason
10)Illenium & Seven Lions – Lost Woods

Odesza

Odesza is an American electronic music duo from Seattle, Washington, formed in 2012 and composed of Harrison Mills (aka “Catacombkid”) and Clayton Knight (aka “BeachesBeaches”). The group’s 2014 album, In Return, peaked at No. 5 on Billboard’s US Top Dance/Electronic Albums. Their 2016 album A Moment Apart topped the same chart, making it their first US number-one record.

San Holo

San Holo is a Dutch DJ, composer, musician and record producer. He is best known for his commercial debut single “Light”, which was released on 13 October 2014 on independent American record label Bitbird. “Light” was included on San Holo’s debut album, album1, which was released on 21 September 2018.

Born in Zoetermeer, Netherlands, Sander van Dijck showed an early interest in music, taught himself to play guitar at age 11, and began producing electronic music at 16. He took the stage name San Holo and released his first EP, Cosmos EP in 2014. His debut album, album1, was released in 2018.

San Holo has toured with Tove Lo, The Chainsmokers and Illenium. He has performed at festivals such as Coachella, Tomorrowland, Lollapalooza and Ultra Music Festival.

Conclusion

To sum it up, these were the top electronic music of 2016. This list was created after going through hundreds of music review websites and aggregating ratings. We hope you enjoyed this list and found some new favorites!