Features
The 100 best tracks of the year 2019
The tracks that defined dance music this year
In the final year of the decade in which dance music has boomed into a global phenomenon, a whole load of bangers have been released that justify the hype.
From pumping electro to throwback rave to garage-inflected UK drill to exultant house to blistering hardcore and much more, here are the tracks that have made our year.
100 Floorplan feat Carol Otis ‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’ (Aus Music)
Returning with an album after 3 years, Robert Hood and his daughter Lyric have reprised their roles as techno’s greatest duo of recent times. Originally a B-side on their !K7 single release earlier in the year, ‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’ is a sure-fire belter, featuring Carol Otis with some fantastic vocal work.
99 Hybrid Minds ‘Higher Love’ (Hybrid Music)
The creative synergy of Hybrid Minds and Charlotte Haining, seen in their earlier collab ‘Demons’, generates this feel-good d'n'b track sure to get your feet moving.
98 The Vision ft Andreya Triana ‘Heavan’ (Defected)
This funk-laden track is led with powerhouse vocals from Andreya Triana. Her expressive words mixed with the impressive beat create a simply hypnotic vibe on the dancefloor.
97 Eats Everything ‘Comatose’ (Kneaded Pains)
Having nailed it on his previous release for Kneaded Pains, Eats Everything returns with a new two-track single that parades his techno chops with ease.
96 Joy O feat Infinite and Mansur Brown ‘Burn’ (Hinge Finger)
Joy O teams up with Infinite and Mansur Brown to create this funk-filled techno tune. With otherworldly sounds and sparse vocals, this is sure to intrigue on the dancefloor.
95 u-Ziq ‘BLT’ (Further Electronix)
Although this track came out at the very end of 2018 on Furthur Electronix and doesn’t actually bear any resemblance to a savoury delight of bacon, lettuce and tomato, μ-Ziq treats us to a New Order-esque ode for the senses.
94 Off The Meds ‘Belter’ (Studio Barnhus)
This distinctive house track filled summer festivals with its original charm and vocal-laced beat.
93 Shanti Celeste ‘Want’ (Peach Discs)
This track is from, no doubt, one of the greatest dance albums of the year ‘Tangerine’ from Shanti Celeste. This track stands out as one of the greats on the LP - it’s intriguing build up into a trance instrumental is a certain rave floor-filler.
92 Hamilton Scalpel ‘Uprated Nite Zone’ (Concrete Cabin)
This is a hardcore jungle tune. Its rippling sound effects make you feel like you’re dancing deep in the woods with other passionate ravers.
91 Local Artist ‘Touch Tone’ (Mood Hut)
This quirky house tune’s robotic voice repeating the words “touch tone” over a repetitive bassline with a few space-like noises thrown in gives off major Kraftwerk vibes. It’s an enjoyable track from the Canadian artist’s latest EP.
90 LOFT ‘That Hyde Trakk’ (Tri Angle)
From the EP ‘and departt from mono games’, this track blends industrial sounds with ambient intervals, taking you on a journey between a trashy house party and a freshly-cut field.
89 Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani & Green Velvet ‘Space Date’ (Pleasurekraft remix) (Drumcode)
This three-way collaboration with Swedish producer Adam Beyer offers an out of this world atmosphere in ‘Space Date’, creating a must-hear deep house jam that's taken to the next level by Pleasurekraft.
88 DJ Tennis ‘Gordon’ (Running Back)
Italian producer DJ Tennis has enjoyed a burst of success this year with his 'Gordon Starck' EP on Gerd Janson’s Running Back label. The first track from the release, however, is undoubtedly the standout, with an in-your-face attitude and crisp production.
87 Charlie XCX & Christine And The Queens ‘Gone’ (Asylum)
This track is taken from the era-defining popstar Charli XCX’s latest album ‘Charli’. Produced by PC Music’s A.G. Cook, the track showcases Charli’s further exploration into a new kind of pop which is certainly becoming contagious between other artists and fans.
86 DJ Kemit feat Carl McIntosh ‘Digital Love' (Kai Alcé remix) (Sound Signature)
A gorgeous, deep house remix of DJ Kemit’s soulful, RnB original. This track will certainly keep the summer vibes going through the colder months.
85 Urbandawn ‘Come Together’ (Hospital)
This track proves that you’d be mistaken if you thought a drum 'n' bass beat would never work with a Beatles song - it’s a totally unexpected combination, but a truly awesome one.
84 Call Super & Parris ‘Chiseler’s Rush’ (Canufeelthesunonyrback)
A fantastic collaborative EP released this year that holds two perfected tracks. ‘Chiseler’s Rush’ is an inspiring techno hit with oscillating, effervescent sounds.
83 Bryan Chapman ‘Hunza’ (Monotony)
Chapman released his glorious EP ‘Sila’ this year on his own record label. The release includes this stunning track ‘Hunza’. The record producer is renowned for his monotone and hypnotic loops, and this tune is no exception.
82 Panthera Krause ‘Birthday Club’ (Riotvan)
From Krause’s full length 2019 release is this feel-good house track. Its funky bassline competes with a repetitive, high-pitched tune making it a certified earworm.
81 Headie One & Dave ‘18HUNNA' (Four Tet remix) (Relentless Records)
This was a big hype for fans at the beginning of 2019. The Four Tet remix accentuates the emotion in this major rap track.
