STS Top 100 Tracks of 2011: 21-30
Welcome back to Silverlake to Soho’s top 100 tracks of 2011, if you’re just chiming in then I suggest you check out the criteria for our selections. Looking back at the EDM boom of 2011 has been a rather long but always exciting journey, let’s hope 2012 takes us deeper! We are officially in anthem territory!
STS Top Tracks of 2011: 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90, 91-100
#30 Tom Hangs feat. Shermanology – Blessed (Avicii Edit)
Doing what he does best, Tim Bergling aka Avicii never fails in turning that frown upside down. Under the alias of Tom Hangs, Avicii showcases his typical feel-good fashion with an exuberant synth lead and airy melodies. Surprisingly enough, the drop does have a set of cohones when you throw it on some nice speakers. Released on Tiesto’s mammoth compilation Club Life Vol. One: Las Vegas and a staple in every Avicii set, “Blessed” definitely deserves the love in the top 30.
Blessed, blessed, blessed, blessed, blessed…..blessed, blessed, blessed!
Tom Hangs feat. Shermanology – Blessed (Avicii Edit) Purchase on Beatport
#29 Michael Calfan - Resurrection (Axwell’s Recut Club Version)
Not only did Axwell have a great year as Swedish House Mafia member and head honcho of his own imprint Axtone, but he also crushed it with his productions/remixes. To end 2011 with a bang, Axwell picked up Bob Sinclar’s protégé and compatriot Michael Calfan for 22nd release on Axtone. “Resurrection” starts out as a guitar-based synth that smoothens out into a charging piano lead characteristic of Frenchman Calfan. To top things off, the bass kicks in to the already catchy melody to induce an all out fist-pumping frenzy. You can definitely notice Axwell’s background detailing that contributes to the layering, it’ll sound very clear towards the end of the track. In fact, Axwell’s layering is very reminiscent of the detailing in the drop from “Leave The World Behind” 4 minutes in. Just to let you know, I wasn’t trying to search f0r such a parallel, it incidentally struck out to me when I was listening to “Leave The World Behind” on the airplane.
Michael Calfan – Resurrection (Axwell’s Recut Club Version) Purchase on Beatport
#28 Third Party – Duel (Original Mix)
Despite what is ranked ahead, I think this track exemplifies progressive at its very best. As a personal top 5 track of mine, it’s obvious that London duo Third Party went to music production school. The “Duel” was released through Angello’s Size Records in mid May and is eight minutes of flawless production. In an emotionally-driven progression fueled by piercing synths and tenacious claps, the “Duel” slowly evolves into one of the most narcotic builds of the year. Come 2:30 in, the build then lays the groundwork for a menacing drop of swirling white noise. Wait, we’re not done yet, the track is still digivolving. If you barely survived the first progression, then brace yourself for an impassioned array of synth stabs and a second drop of thunderous strikes.
After massacring the dancefloor at the Mid Chicago in his opening set for Thomas Gold, Alesso decided he wasn’t done yet. In one of the coolest moments in a live set this year, Alesso came back on stage to spin alongside of Thomas Gold for about 45 minutes to learn a thing or two from the German. The results were devastating as they dropped the “Duel” (one of Alesso’s personal favorites) and mashed it with “We Are Your Friends”. Once you check out my video I posted below, you’ll understand why I’m trying to sell you so hard on this track!
Third Party – Duel (Original Mix) Purchase on Beatport
FUEGO*** Regardless of what I saw at Swedish House Mafia’s show at Madison Square Garden, this has to be my favorite moment of the year. Thomas Gold AND Alesso dropping “Duel vs. We Are Your Friends”. If someone wants to mash this together for me and then send it over, I’d be very pleased.
#27 Michael Woods – First Aid (Original Mix)
If you’re looking for crisp club music with pulsating basslines and bigroom synths then Michael Woods is your man! “First Aid” is an unpredictable and very bipolar banger, you’ll see why. Starting with a build consisting of tranquil melodies and gratifying chord progression, the mood suddenly shifts towards a dark, jarring drop that just builds and builds to create havoc on the dancefloor. You bet your ass that after this punishing drop, people leave the dancefloor limping in search of first aid.
Michael Woods – First Aid (Original Mix) Purchase on Beatport
Here’s an incredible mash-up by Kaskade that is arguably just as hot if not hotter than the original mix:
Kaskade & Deadmau5 vs. Michael Woods – Move For First Aid
#26 Kaskade - Turn It Down feat. Rebecca & Fiona (Extended Mix)
Back when we were impatiently waiting for his full length album Fire & Ice, American superstar Kaskade dropped this feel-good smasher a month before to keep us happy. Stemming from a radiant chord progression and a sexy serenade from Rebecca & Fiona, comes an explosion of feel-good synths and hair-raising melodies to make “Turn It Down” Kaskade’s top production of 2011. The Swedish diva duo of Rebecca & Fiona is so hot that they don’t even need to sing to sound good.
Kaskade – Turn It Down feat Rebecca & Fiona (Extended Mix) Purchase on Beatport
#25 Sandro Silva & Quintino – Epic (Original Mix)
You know it was coming, it’s time to feel hot and bothered. This track is for all those creepers lurking around the dancefloor at 4 A.M. But it’s also a track used to make a statement mid-set, just like Tiesto did during his set at Electric Zoo 2011. Discovered and fostered by Laidback Luke, the young Dutch talents of Sandro Silva and Quintino have teamed to produce one the hottest and most unique tracks of 2011. Released through Tiesto’s newly launched imprint, Musical Freedom, “Epic” joins among the ranks of “Mush Mush” as a test-driven, top-tier dancefloor destroyer that features a quite literally epic breakdown and a dark catastrophic drop.
Sandro Silva & Quintino – Epic (Original Mix) Purchase on Beatport
Tiesto dropping “Epic” at Electric Zoo 2011.
#24 Fedde Le Grand & Patric La Funk – Autosave (Original Mix)
This could be your re-discovery out of the countdown. With so many hot releases from September till December fresh in my mind, I’m making sure this track deserves the recognition it received back in February when it was released. Like Fratalie always says “with Fedde’s tracks you’re always going to get quality.” He uses similar sounds as other producers but because of his advanced composition, his productions are simply better than everyone else’s, as the Beatport charts don’t lie! Released through Fedde’s very own Flamingo Recordings, “Autosave” features Fedde’s signature style of bossy basslines and club atmosphere. However, let’s not sleep on Patric La Funk like I did when this track first dropped . After listening to a few of his solo releases it made me realize how much of the track can be attributed to Patric La Funk. Compare the synth lead (~3 min) in his Zouk-released “Baltic (Original Mix)” with the heroic breakdown (~2 min) and melodies in “Autosave” — it is indeed La Funk’s doing.
Fedde Le Grand & Patric La Funk – Autosave (Original Mix) Purchase on Beatport
The two even make sure that it’s tested in the car, hilarious!
#23 Hardwell – Encoded (Original Mix)
After receiving massive support from the entire EDM community for his collaboration with Tiesto on “Zero 76″, “Encoded” proved to be Hardwell’s moment to shine and breakout as a force in bigroom progressive. Without a doubt, “Encoded” was Hardwell’s best original production of 2011, with his teaser receiving nearly 900,000 views on Youtube. From the introduction of the bouncy rhythm, to the heavy drop of Dutch punches, it’s the vibrant synth lead that embeds Hardwell’s signature sound to our memory.
Hardwell – Encoded (Original Mix) Purchase on Beatport
Step aside Sweden, you didn’t completely own 2011.
#22 Lady Gaga – Judas (Thomas Gold Remix)
If you have an anxiety disorder, then I recommend you either take your Xanax or stay away from this track. Thanks to German remixing mastermind Thomas Gold, Lady Gaga has now been championed by the likes of Dirty South, Swedish House Mafia, Afrojack, and Tiesto. Right from the start, we feel that sense of the urgency that just builds and builds to create the most suspenseful track of 2011. There’s no question that it’s Lady Gaga’s strangely coquettish yet distressing vocals that makes this mix better than the instrumental that Thomas released for free. There’s something about the agressive synth flurry in the drop and valiant breakdown that turbo charges my body with adrenaline.
Lady Gaga – Judas (Thomas Gold Remix) Purchase on iTunes
Swedish House Mafia at EDC Las Vegas 2011 dropping Thomas Gold’s remix to “Judas”!
#21 Calvin Harris – Awooga (Original Mix)
Progressive house was previously unknown territory for Scottish producer Calvin Harris. With tracks like “Flashback”, “You Used To Hold Me”, “Century”, and “I’m Not Alone”, Harris became a household name in Indie Dance music. Just like established and respected artists Tiesto and Sander Van Doorn, Calvin Harris decided to make the transition to progressive/electro house. Released through his newly launched Fly Eye Records, “Awooga” features an addicting series of sharp synths that remind me of an early 2000′s motorola ringtone and a bouncy bassline of sirens firing from all cylinders. Although “Feel So Close” and “Bounce” are great, “Awooga” is without a doubt his best track and was supported by the EDM’s elite.
As Vinny would say, “Pew pew pew, pew pew pew pew Pew!!”
Calvin Harris – Awooga (Original Mix) Purchase on Beatport
BONUS: Since I’ve been extremely busy working on this series and haven’t posted a Fuego Friday in a while, consider this your fuego!
Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl – In My Mind feat. Georgi Kay (Original Mix)
Avicii – Dancing In My Head (Avicii’s ‘Been Cursed’ Instrumental Mix)
Chuckie, Calvin Harris, Laidback Luke, Steve Aoki feat. Lil Jon – Turbulence vs. Mutfakta vs. Flashback (Thomas Gold Edit)
Felix Cartal feat. Polina – Don’t Turn On The Lights (Laidback Luke Remix)
NERVO – You’re Gonna Love Again (Extended Mix)
Steve Angello – Yeah (Original Mix)
Tommy Trash – Cascade (Original Mix)
Quintino – The One And Only (Original Mix)
Dirty South & Thomas Gold – Alive feat. Kate Elsworth (Phillip Cue Remix)
STS Top Tracks of 2011: 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90, 91-100
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