The Best EDM Songs of 2024

Discover and listen to our top 100 electronic tracks of 2024.

Editor's Note: EDM.com proudly publishes four installments of annual year-end coverage: Industry Leaders, Performances & DJ Sets, Music Producers and Songs.

2024 was a year that saw the global artist community push the boundaries of electronic music like never before, flooding the scene with more releases than anyone could keep up with.

It would be unfair to its diverse range of creators to publish a one-size-fits-all list, so EDM.com annually breaks down the year's best music by honing in on 10 key sub-genres and spotlighting 10 essential tracks in each. From underground bangers to festival anthems, these songs defined the dancefloor in 2024.

Check out a playlist of the year's best electronic music below, followed by a breakdown of each release.

House

Sebastian Ingrosso — Flood

One of the best songs to release in the illustrious career of Sebastian Ingrosso, "Flood" sweeps listeners into propulsive currents of dark house music and leaves them breathless in the aftermath.

A masterclass in tension and release, the track's undeniable highlight is its break, a moment of eerie calm punctuated by the haunting lyric, "Only for the flood to rip through you." It's here where the Swedish House Mafia luminary's production truly shines, with writhing arpeggios that warp as the tension ratchets up through a claustrophobic build. But just when you think your lungs might burst, the drop hits, a euphoric release valve unleashing waves of pent-up energy.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Jackmaster — Don't You Want My Lovin'

The electronic music community came together to honor Jackmaster after the virtuosic DJ and producer passed away in October. Before this tragedy, he shared a rare release, "Don't You Want My Lovin'," an instant house classic. The aching track calls upon the sounds of Jomanda's 1989 hit "Don't You Want My Love," interpolating its soulful vocals through an intricate, flowing beat that fans won't soon forget.

^{Words by Nick Yopko.}

Carlita — Time

Back in April, Carlita stirred the souls of her fans with "Time," a stunning house track akin to a lucid dream on the verge of unraveling. Its minimalist lyrics—raw and searching—float like echoes in an empty room as her production pulses with restrained urgency. Channeling her love of Turkish psychedelic rock, it's a sonic swim through quiet desperation where the concept of time is both an ache and a release. 

The song had been a fan-favorite after appearing in Carlita's Tomorrowland 2023 set before she dropped it as a single ahead of her debut album, Sentimental, which released under the venerable Ninja Tune banner in November.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Dom Dolla — girl$

A conversation with a friend about her ill-fated adventures in today's dating scene inspired Dom Dolla to produce what ultimately became one of 2024's most popular dance releases: "girl$." Pulsing with the electric angst of those shared experiences, it was inescapable from the moment it dropped, quickly becoming the defining house track of the summer.

Speaking directly to femmes everywhere ("Girls don’t need nobody"), the fiery house anthem struck a perfect balance between irresistible groove and lyrical charisma, delivering a rallying cry to gather your crew and hit the dancefloor. "girl$" not only solidified Dolla's position as one of the genre's most dynamic hitmakers, but also proved that his ability to capture a moment and bottle it into an instant classic is no fluke.

^{Words by Rachel Freeman and Cameron Sunkel.}

Adam Port, Stryv & Orso — Move (feat. Malachiii)

Keinemusik had an enormous influence on the house music scene in 2024—just walk into any show and you'll spot someone wearing the signature hat, silk scarf and glasses donned by its members. The collective's biggest release was "Move," a track that catapulted the Afro-house genre on a global scale with its infectious groove and irresistibly smooth vocals. It was the most-played track of Tomorrowland's final 2024 weekend

“Move” is one of those rare sun-kissed anthems that not only puts a smile on your face but lights a fire on the dancefloor. Spearheaded by Keinemusik’s Adam Port,, the track evokes this kind of unbridled energy by blending afro-beats with melodic house. Malachiii’s impassioned vocals are the icing on the cake, soaring above a soundscape of simple yet striking elements—gentle keys, sustained bass and rhythmic percussion.

^{Words by Saad Masood, Brooke Bierman and Jarett Lopez.}

Honorable Mentions:
PAWSA — PICK UP THE PHONE (feat. Nate Dogg)
deadmau5 — Strobe (Layton Giordani Remix)
VNSSA, Walker & Royce — I Don't Remember
DJ Susan & Rich DietZ — Everything Off (Ante Up)
Kaleena Zanders & Tchami — DADDY KEEPS CALLING

Dubstep

Moody Good — Bite Your Lip pt. 2

There exists no music producer quite like Moody Good, the London-born bass beatsmith whose distaste for genre boundaries knows no bounds. Five years after releasing the fan-favorite "Bite Your Lip," he returned to Zeds Dead's Deadbeats for a sequel, a beast reborn—hungrier and nastier than ever. With its razor-sharp sound design, hip-hop swagger and snarling dubstep wobbles, it's a filthy evolution of the original where each drop feels like it's daring you to keep up, blurring the line between head-nodder and full-body banger.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Distinct Motive — Mellow Man

Unavoidable even months before its release, Distinct Motive's "Mellow Man" went from sleeper hit to bona fide festival favorite throughout 2024. The track is minimal by design, but it has enough punch to send your speakers through the wall. With a huge smile and infectious onstage energy, Distinct Motive channeled his authenticity through an arrangement with goofy samples and filthy, face-scrunching bass. "Mellow Man" received support from dubstep icons like Zeds Dead and Caspa, the latter of whom released an official remix.

^{Words by Nick Yopko.}

Skrillex, Hamdi, TAICHU & OFFAIAH — Push

No song ignited dancefloors in 2024 quite like "Push," a track that evolved into a global hit before it even reached streaming platforms. With intoxicating vocals by TAICHU and signature production from ascendent superstar Hamdi, the track's hype bubbled over after Skrillex dropped it in his historic Coachella headlining set alongside Fred again.. and Four Tet. Beyond its immediate impact, however, "Push" helped propel 140 dubstep as it surged from the underground and into the mainstream gaze, like when it featured in Apple's iPhone 16 Pro commercial.

^{Words by Rachel Freeman and Brooke Bierman.}

Charli xcx — Von dutch remix with skream and benga

America was sadly robbed of seeing two of dubstep's most important artists take the stage in 2024, as visa issues kept Benga away from Coachella and his planned tour. Fortunately, he and Skream got to work in the studio for their contribution to the year's biggest album campaign: Charli xcx's Brat.

Embracing her club roots, she called upon the deeply influential production duo for a remix of the Grammy-nominated "Von dutch." Skream and Benga weaponized Charli's vocals and interpolated them in a gargantuan dubstep drop that you can feel drip out of your headphones. Explosive yet intricate, the production could have only been conceived by artists who were there from the beginning, treating dyed-in-the-wool dubstep fans to another hit—and pop listeners a lesson they'll never forget.

^{Words by Nick Yopko.}

Subtronics & LEVEL UP — Power (feat. Grabbitz)

In a collaboration that goes beyond the studio, spouses Subtronics and LEVEL UP teamed up to deliver one of the year's most popular dubstep bangers, "Power." Blending the former's intricate sound design with the latter's potent bass, the track more than lives up to its name as its high-octane drops bass and ear-tickling trills stomp through a haunting vocal performance from Grabbitz.

^{Words by Madison Berg and Andrea Nguyen.}

Honorable Mentions:
Levity — Front to Back
Alison Wonderland & Subtronics — No One Does It Like
Zingara — The Stars Are Calling Me (feat. Jessica Chertock)
Seven Lions, Trivecta & Wooli — Light In The Dark (feat. JIM)
Tape B & Mersiv — Trippy Land (feat. Juicy J)

Drum & Bass

Chase & Status, Stormzy — BACKBONE

If 2024 had a backbone, Chase & Status undoubtedly broke it. One of only two singles released by the storied duo this year, "BACKBONE" was an influential driver of drum & bass' global boom, particularly in America, where it helped shift the dynamic of electronic music consumption. Featuring Stormzy's commanding presence alongside frenetic drums and screeching basslines, the track quickly emerged as a festival mainstay and the year's defining drum & bass anthem.

^{Words by Mikala Lugen and Rachel Freeman.}

NERO — The Unknown

NERO's track "The Unknown" introduced us to the dystopian universe of the iconic band's long-awaited third album, the final installment of a trilogy. When their signature drum & bass finally erupts, it's like watching the Matrix's code mutate through 2024—vintage NERO weaponized for today's ravers. The cinematic banger serves as both a homecoming and a harbinger, a cyberpunkian prayer howled into an abyss that howls right back.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Skellytn — Darkside (feat. Crystalline)

Furiously rising through LA's rave underground, Skellytn lured us into her psychoactive drum & bass sound through the March release of "Darkside." Dark and unhinged, her production feels like being chased through a cyberpunk version of The Purge where every drop feels like a corner turned too late.

Equal parts seductive and menacing, Crystalline's vocal performance chills spines with threats you can't outrun ("I'll make your pain feel alive"). Skellytn follows suit with a filthy beat awash in neuro-bass, delivering a banger for anyone who knows their demons are faster than they are.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Sub Focus — Wildfire

Sub Focus' "Wildfire" is a blazing testament to the unfiltered energy and creativity that defined drum & bass in 2024. Released during a year when the genre rose to new heights—making significant inroads from its European roots to a growing stateside audience—the track captures the essence of a wild, untamed love story.

The song's driving rhythms and euphoric melodies beam with the intensity of being the fire in someone else's heart, channeling the thrill of something that burns brightly but remains impossible to resist. A stalwart of drum and bass, Sub Focus has consistently pushed the drum & bass genre forward, and his work in 2024 reinforced him at the forefront of its expanding cultural presence.

^{Words by Cameron Sunkel.}

Kabin Crew & Lisdoonvarna Crew — The Spark

How could a group of Irish children possibly go this hard? Giving Kidz Bop a run for its money, "The Spark" is an objectively good time, even if you ignore its adorable charm. Shocking the drum & bass community back in May, Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew showed they're capable of making bangers from a young age—and it certainly won't be the last time.

^{Words by Shakiel Mahjouri.}

Honorable Mentions:
Anaïs — Never Seen Never Heard (feat. Scrufizzer)
Nia Archives — Crowded Roomz
Lens, Diagnostix & Jman — Dubplate SZN
Alix Perez — Elastic Soul
DNMO & Wolfy Lights — Bombalaya (Blooom Remix)

Trap/Bass

ISOxo, Knock2 & RL Grime — SMACK TALK

DJing side by side at Ultra Miami, RL Grime and Knock2 shocked the crowd by bringing out ISOxo to debut their first-ever collaboration, "SMACK TALK." The song quickly took the trap world by storm, bridging the genre's generational gap through an innovative banger with tinctures of rawstyle and a "rude boy" vocal throwback. "SMACK TALK" remains a staple of each producers' festival sets, igniting crowds with its thunderous drops and genre-bending brilliance.

^{Words by Andrea Nguyen.}

Saka & Of The Trees — Ghoul

Saka and EDM.com Class of 2024 breakout Of The Trees stunned with their summer release of "Ghoul," which drags trap music through the darkest corners of nature. The duo produced a minimalist arrangement with maximalist energy, its distorted bass stabs piercing the mix like icy winds rolling through empty exoskeletons on a forest floor. Nature's own horror show threads between their production through the brilliant use of biomusic like crickets and distant wails, turning that floor into a dance of the damned.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

INZO — Young Majestic

INZO briefly departed from his cerebral sound in 2024 to produce what he called "possibly the wubbiest" track he'd ever produced. Ingeniously interpolating a fluid hip-hop vocal, "Young Majestic" is a woozy, glitched-out odyssey that pulses with guttural bass and a ribcage-rattling low end. It became one of the year's most popular bass tracks amongst fans and DJs alike, garnering support from LSDREAM, Of The Trees, Louis The Child and countless others.

^{Words by Mikala Lugen.}

Nitepunk — Steps On You (Peep My Style)

"Steps on You (Peep My Style)" is a bold statement that solidifies Nitepunk's place at the bleeding-edge of bass music. As his first release of 2024 and a follow-up to his groundbreaking debut album Human, the track brims with the raw intensity of an artist determined to outdo himself. Blending trap and dubstep with tinctures of garage rock, its grungy influences and churning, distorted production create an unrelenting storm. Punchy vocals cut through the chaos while Nitepunk's wild synth work and soaring melodies reflect his ability to turn the genre on its head.

The track feels like a reflection of everything he learned during a year his career hit meteoric new heights. Having stunned the industry in 2023 with his creative range, navigating seamlessly between drum & bass, trap and other subgenres, "Steps on You (Peep My Style)" proves that Nitepunk's hunger hasn't waned. Instead, it's sharpened.

^{Words by Cameron Sunkel.}

LSZEE — NIGHTHAWK

Standout moments are crucial to any great body of work or live performance. LSZEE's "NIGHTHAWK" is exactly that. The third track from CloZee and LSDREAM's self-titled debut album is a psychedelic blend of hypnotic vocal chants and stunningly creative sound design, and one that fans won't soon forget.

^{Words by Shakiel Mahjouri.}

Honorable Mentions:
Eastghost — Burning Doghouse
Zingara & Elephant Heart — Welcome Home
WINK & nikko — LOOKIN FOR U
VCTRE & OkayJake - Rise
KDrew — Hysteria

Techno

Boys Noize, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross — Pre Signal [MIXED]

When Nine Inch Nails approached Boys Noize to rework their score for the Zendaya-led Challengers, it felt like a collaboration written in the stars. The influential electronic music producer distilled the film's tempestuous romance into a techno track that churns with industrial menace and raw sensuality. Metallic clashes and distorted rave synths snake through a vintage Boys Noize soundscape, beautifully conjuring the tension of director Luca Guadagnino's twisted love triangle.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Loofy — Last Night (Anyma & Layton Giordani Remix)

Anyma and Layton Giordani's remix of "Last Night" is a masterstroke of modern techno, merging the former's signature rhythmic intensity with the latter's rising creative prowess. Together, they crafted a remix that feels both cinematic and visceral, a reminder of techno's power to evoke emotion while commanding movement.

Breathing new life into Loofy's release on Nervous Records, the track dominated dancefloors in 2024 and became the year's defining techno anthem. Haunting vocals weave through the mix with a ghostly touch, pairing effortlessly with the dark, mechanical thrum of its heavy-handed pluck synths. The result is an atmospheric yet propulsive soundscape, minimal in its production yet maximal in its ability to captivate and ignite a crowd. No matter where the track is played, as soon as its distinctive line, "If I told you once, I told you twice" hits, the energy explodes.

^{Words by Cameron Sunkel and Rachel Freeman.}

Mind Against & Sideral — Colossal

A tense, spine-chilling melodic techno odyssey, "Colossal" is true to its name. Ominous pads and slithering synths welcome listeners into the arrangement's haunting atmosphere before giving way to thick, viscous bass and jagged synth stabs. There's a reason Tale Of Us had armed "Colossal" as their go-to opener this year—it's sure to ignite any crowd.

^{Words by Saad Masood.}

Floating Points — Key103

"Key103" is one of those tracks that completely envelops you from the moment you press play. Floating Points has a knack for melodies that unfurl and expand, seemingly giving listeners the ability to temporarily experience synesthesia.

That inimitable production is on full display in "Key103," which released alongside a magical visualizer featuring liquified colors swirling amidst the song's driving bassline. It was created by Tokyo-based artist Akiko Nakayama, a frequent collaborator of Floating Points who is revered for her "alive paintings."

^{Words by Nick Yopko.}

Lilly Palmer — New Generation

Lilly Palmer's New Generation EP was emblematic of an artist fully aligning with their creative potential. Following her landmark record deal with Armada Music and Kontor, the groundbreaking three-track project further established her as one of today's leading producers of techno music.

With its thumping bassline and gritty vocals, the EP's titular track found Palmer embodying her self-described "gangsta techno" style and turning any venue into an underground warehouse rave. Blending old-school techno influences with a sleek, modern edge, "New Generation" bottles the essence of the genre's evolution while paying homage to the progenitors of its past.

^{Words by Mikala Lugen and Andrea Nguyen.}

Honorable Mentions:
Brutalismus 3000 — badthiings (rip avicii)
Nicole Moudaber — Reasons to Love You (Space 92 Remix)
Mha Iri — Take My Love
Nico Moreno & Warface — 2 Be High
Sara Landry & Shlømo — Play With Me

UK Garage

Oppidan — MR. SANDMAN

Vintage barbershop meets underground rave in Oppidan's "MR. SANDMAN," wherein the Bristol-based breakout reimagined The Chordettes' ageless 1954 hit of the same name. The iconic female quartet once swayed in perfect doo-wop synchronization, but Oppidan took their pearls and smashed them on a warehouse floor with her filthy UK garage rework. The track emerged as a festival hit last summer before its official release in January 2024 via the venerable fabric Records.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Sammy Virji & Interplanetary Criminal — Damager

London-born beatsmith Sammy Virji become a staple of the global electronic music scene in 2024, leading a wave of young, hungry producers bringing UK garage into its bright stateside future. His show-stopping collaboration with Interplanetary Criminal, "Damager," is a shining example of his creative firepower. Sampling Apathy's turn-of-the-century hip-hop track "Just Begun," the pair of breakout UK producers delivered one of the year's biggest club records.

^{Words by Brooke Bierman.}

Champion & Bushbaby — We Multiply (feat. Killa P)

UK garage is riding the high of a breakout season stateside thanks to an all-star lineup. Champion, who is perhaps known for "Talk To Me"—his collaboration with Skrillex, Four Tet and Naisha—is among the first-string players. The bass-fueled swagger he contributes to that track dons a pair of brass knuckles in "We Multiply," a braggadocious banger with Bushbaby and Killa P that'll have the shyest introvert puffing out their chest.

^{Words by Shakiel Mahjouri.}

Sensu — Faded Hearts

Back in September, Swiss DJ and producer Sensu dropped her stunning Pieces EP, a song-cycle of emotive bangers that redefined dancefloors as hubs for shared experiences. "Faded Hearts" is a gleaming standout, a track that pulses with a wounded intimacy and invites you to wade through its emotional wreckage.

Layers of Sensu's textured production bloom and crackle underneath dynamic breakbeats and soulful vocal sampling. She didn't just produce here—she built a world, and it's one you might never want to leave, even if it hurts to stay.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

MPH — North LDN (feat. Subten)

If there was one thing that MPH mastered this year, it was the art of storytelling through his music. Triumphantly returning to Night Bass with his massive 15-track album Refraction, the virtuosic producer bulldozed genre boundaries with shapeshifting finesse through UK garage, jungle, deep house and 140 dubstep.

One of its undeniable standouts is "North LDN," a collaboration with Tottenham-based MC Subten that delivers a gritty, bass-driven homage to the North London underground. It all came full circle when MPH threw down a high-profile DJ set in the city earlier this month, performing alongside Notion and 33 Below at Drumsheds for UKF's biggest London show yet.

^{Words by Mikala Lugen.}

Honorable Mentions:
Lu.Re — Take Me Up
Joy Anonymous & Sammy Virji — JOY (By My Side)
KING BOOO! — Tunes Since '89
msft - Bonker.s
bullet tooth — YOUR LOVE

Dance-Pop

Petit Biscuit — Cruel Heart

Emotional demolition is the name of the game in Petit Biscuit's "Cruel Heart," a stunning track he co-wrote with Madeon and released back in June. Biscuit's tortured vocals quaver with ache, cutting through his radiant production like a blade wrapped in velvet. One of the year's best dance records, it's electronic music for beautiful disasters, where pain becomes pleasure and self-destruction feels like liberation. 

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Zedd — Lucky (feat. Remi Wolf)

Despite "Lucky" clocking in at just two minutes, Zedd and Remi Wolf managed to permeate each second with the sort of effervescent energy and infectious lyricism that distinguishes a dance-pop classic. Appearing on Zedd's long-awaited Telos album, the dazzling track is a microcosm of his long-standing dedication to his production craft.

^{Words by Madison Berg.}

Porter Robinson — Cheerleader

If we've learned anything about Porter Robinson over the years, it's that running the emotional gauntlet of his music is unavoidable. His albums are few and far between, but when they do come, we all willingly plunge into his bitcrushed universe of unfiltered nostalgia. That's exactly what happened when he released "Cheerleader," the lead single from his third album, in which he belts tortured lyrics atop a fizzy synthpunk beat and delivers an unforgettable song that earned its place among his best.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Charli xcx — 365

Brat summer, lime green, 365 party girl—you know the drill by now. Charli xcx formed a Brat army in 2024, unapologetically leading the charge for dance-pop with an edge only she could bring. Her groundbreaking sixth album took the world by storm and became an iconoclastic bastion of club culture.

Most listeners are familiar with the album's opener, "360," but its closer deserves equal attention with its infectiously brazen vocals. "365," a club-focused reimagination, is a wonderful callback that not only captures the entire album's DIY spirit, but also sends the message that the release of the dancefloor is accessible to all.

^{Words by Brooke Bierman and Shakiel Mahjouri.}

The Chainsmokers — Tennis Court

The Chainsmokers' "Tennis Court" is a wistful nod to the duo's meteoric mid-2010s breakthrough while charting new ground in today's dance-pop landscape. Both nostalgic and forward-thinking, the track appeared on their No Hard Feelings EP, their first since 2016’s Collage, which gave us timeless hits like "Closer" and "Don’t Let Me Down."

While the EP was innovative in its approach, "Tennis Court" provided a standout moment of familiarity, reminding fans why The Chainsmokers remain masters of crafting unforgettable dance-pop anthems in the first place. With sweeping melodic synth textures and vocoder-inflected vocal one-shots, the track found the duo rekindling the magic of their earlier sound while embracing fresh, dynamic elements. With the sort of melodic grandeur only they can conjure, the production strikes an emotional chord that's likely to echo with both longtime fans and newer listeners alike.

^{Words by Cameron Sunkel.}

Honorable Mentions:
Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding — Free
Kiesza — I Go Dance
Oliver Heldens, David Guetta & FAST BOY — Chills (Feel My Love)
Tiësto & Alana Springsteen — Hot Honey
Afrojack, Pitbull & Ne-Yo — 2 The Moon

Future Bass/Wave

Xavi — Round Again

Xavi landed on Hex Cougar's Alter/Ego label this summer with "Round Again," a glitched-out breakup anthem for the neural network age. Beautiful and brutal in equal measure, it's a masterclass in contrast where euphoric Wave beats provide an ironic backdrop to bitter pills of truth about time wasted and trust betrayed.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Trivecta — Leave The Light On (feat. sød ven)

Inspired by the organic energy of nature, “Leave the Light On” masterfully blends sød ven’s heartfelt vocals with Trivecta’s signature, folk-infused bass sound. This emotive electronic ballad, enriched by Trivecta's seasoned production palette and diverse musical influences, is a soul-stirring masterstroke that promises to leave a lasting impression.

^{Words by Andrea Nguyen.}

ROSSY & Pauline Herr — HOLY

ROSSY and Pauline Herr's "HOLY" is proof of the magic conjured by best friends when they make music together. Layered over ethereal yet bruising production, the gnawing question, "Do you think of me?" eerily floats through the void of the track's dynamic future bass drops. The song's genius lies in how the duo captures the paradox of feeling completely alone while surrounded by endless ways to connect—a uniquely modern emptiness we've all felt at one time or another.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

barnacle boi — Roku City

barnacle boi’s signature, emotive style continues to set him apart from the rest, and "Roku City" only served to reinforce his standing as a defining producer of Wave music. With its textured, cinematic production, the track captures the evolution of the genre in 2024 and proves that barnacle boi isn't just riding the wave—he's leading it.

^{Words by Rachel Freeman.}

Elephante — Don't Turn Back (feat. Linney)

Elephante recently returned with his third album COPE, and with it came a bevy of anthemic dance records, but none more potent than "Don't Turn Back." Driven by a stentorian vocal performance by Linney, the track palpitates with a kind of kaleidoscopic urgency. Her lyrics hit with pangs of raw vulnerability as the Asian-American beatsmith unfurls a beat bubbling with iridescent future bass production, a sonic rollercoaster where heartache and hope tangle in a dizzying loop.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Honorable Mentions:
limedisx. & Baeldorf — Spirit
ONHELL & Mad Zach — Floating On Louds
Silcrow — Come Alive (feat. Sobachiy Lie)
Hex Cougar & VARI — Ultra
Kaivon — You Make Me Feel

Trance

Andrew Bayer & Oliver Smith — Be Kind Rewind

The versatility of trance music never ceases to amaze us. One minute you can be soaring through the skies with euphoric melodies and uplifting vocals, and then suddenly you're back on solid ground, jumping up and down as heavy bass and lingering synths infiltrate your body.

One such track managed to do both in 2024, all while advancing the sounds of progressive trance by way of an unexpected partnership. Anjunabeats mainstays Andrew Bayer and Oliver Smith released their first collaborative EP, Be Kind Rewind, which saw the longtime friends embrace their love of the UK bass scene and blend it with their forward-thinking soundscapes.

Harkening back to the era of big room house circa 2010s, the project's titular track offers a euphoric journey by way of two hands-in-the-air drops, culminating in a progressive banger that stands out as a testament to the thrill that trance can bring.

^{Words by Ulises Vargas.}

Susana - Hope For The Hopeless

Vocal trance icon Susana returned in September with "Hope For The Hopeless," a propulsive anthem of hope, heartbreak and healing distilled into four transcendent minutes. Navigating the icy silence of a love slipping away, her lyricism is an unfiltered snapshot of vulnerability, pairing perfectly with a driving trance beat that feels like running toward something you can't quite reach. The tension is palpable and there’s a cinematic pull to the melody, a relentless forward motion that mirrors the fragile hope anchoring the hopeless.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Felix — Don't You Want Me (KI/KI Remix)

What was a 1992 dance classic by Felix mutated into an electrifying trance rendition, courtesy of Dutch breakout KI/KI. She breathed new life into the timeless track but remained true to its unmistakeable, synth-driven melody. The remix, a fixture in her standout performances at Glastonbury, Sónar Barcelona and Kappa FuturFestival, quickly become a fan-favorite festival anthem. With its blistering tempo, dreamlike textures and seamless fusion of nostalgic charm and futuristic rave energy, it's a hypnotic journey that left us wanting more.

^{Words by Andrea Nguyen.}

Above & Beyond — Heart of Stone (feat. Richard Bedford)

The ageless Above & Beyond reunited with Richard Bedford, the voice behind a pair of their most prized tracks, "Sun & Moon" and "Thing Called Love," for this late-summer masterstroke. The trio's vintage trance synths chisel away at "Heart of Stone," flowing into the cracks of our own hardened exteriors and reminding us that we're never truly trapped behind walls of our own making. A return to form for Above & Beyond, the track had emerged as a fan-favorite after appearing in their sets at EDC Las Vegas and London's iconic Printworks.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Aaron Hibell — morning light

At a time when much of dance music leaned into darker, rhythmically minimal territories, Aaron Hibell’s "morning light" broke through like a sunrise after a long night, bringing vibrancy and warmth back to the forefront. With a sound reminiscent of trance’s euphoric roots yet inventive in its execution, the track offers a luminous spectrum of arpeggiated melodies, driving four-to-the-floor rhythms and soaring vocals that long for connection. The lyrics carry a yearning intimacy that perfectly complements his radiant production, creating a moment that feels deeply personal yet universally stirring.

He weaves a masterful crescendo in the build, letting the vocal rise on a wave of tension before releasing into an invigorating catharsis. Wrapping up a breakout year for Hibell, "morning light" showcases trance's enduring brilliance and his potential to shape its future.

^{Words by Cameron Sunkel.}

Honorable Mentions:
Billy Gillies & Betsy — Fair
Gryffin & Armin van Buuren — What Took You So Long
ATB — Future City
Gareth Emery & LSR/CITY — KILLSHOT
Giuseppe Ottaviani & LEA KEY — In The Silence

Synthwave

Fury Weekend — Don't Change the Rhythm

From Belarus comes Fury Weekend, an electrifying synthwave artist who leaves a trail of neon in his wake. His beginning-of-summer anthem, “Don’t Change the Rhythm” calls upon all the sounds of rock-infused retrowave that’s created this incredible niche.

You know a synthwave song is hitting when you close your eyes and feel like you're Ryan Gosling. Robotic vocals, starry keys and a driving beat make you feel like you’re speeding down a highway that feels like it’s from the 1980s vision of the future. While Fury Weekend is no small fry in this realm, don’t be surprised when you hear your uninitiated friends listening next year.

^{Words by Nick Yopko.}

NERO - Nowhere to Hide

A standout from NERO's long-awaited third album, "Nowhere to Hide" encapsulates the legendary group's profound ability to tell stories through electronic music. On the production side, the band's Dan Stephens and Joseph Ray channel synthwave through the lens of survival instinct, crafting a cinematic yet urgent beat that feels like you're running from shadows while reaching for stars that died long ago. Meanwhile, NERO's frontwoman Alana Watson brilliantly compliments their retrofuturistic sound with vocals dripping in desperation, pulling the yarn of a dystopian romance for the end times.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Kasablanca & Lane 8 — Remission

Kasablanca and Lane 8’s "Remission" aptly captures the essence of triumph and transformation. Debuted by Kasablanca at Ultra Music Festival amidst an unforgettable performance, the booming track suddenly became a rallying cry of resilience as band member Micky battled cancer with courage and determination. Each soaring chord seemed to carry the weight of his journey.

Weeks later, news of Micky’s remission imbued the song with even greater meaning, making it a celebration of victory and renewal. The title, once a hopeful aspiration, became a reality. With its impeccable production and heartfelt narrative, "Remission" stands as a shining example of how dance music music can encapsulate life’s most profound moments, leaving an indelible mark on both the genre and its listeners.

^{Words by Cameron Sunkel.}

Lucy In Disguise & Rogue VHS — Skybeam

Synthwave is a beautiful form of escapism. its retro sci-fi elements eliciting fond memories or posing questions too big to answer. The expansive soundscape of "Skybeam" is a marvelous example of that—it’s a song for daydreamers. It might have you pondering or reflecting. Whatever journey it takes you on, trust Rogue VHS and Lucy In Disguise to guide you safely.

^{Words by Shakiel Mahjouri.}

Waveshaper & Oscillian — BIOS

The sounds of computer programming are usually just clicks of the keyboard and jarring error message popups. That was until Waveshaper and Oscillian began writing to the motherboard on “BIOS.” Robot voices teach us what makes their PCs hum while the Swedish duo lay down mechanized mayhem.

The track is arranged in such a precise way, it feels as if it was handled by a sorting algorithm. The final result is an unforgettable synthwave tune with a surprisingly intense, guitar-filled bass drop that will leave you wondering if being a software engineer is less boring than it seems.

^{Words by Nick Yopko.}

Honorable Mentions:
NINA & Ricky Wilde — Living in Sin (Brigitte Bardini Remix)
VIQ — ghost
The Midnight — Chariot
7DD9 — Sleep Paralysis
Lucy In Disguise — Digital Campfire