A pseudo-countdown of top picks and underrated favourites made for the love and not the pay check. Well… not the biggest pay check. 2013 was the year when house finally crept to the top of the pop charts with a new wave of artists reclaiming its throne of dramatic four-on-the-floor hits. Can't help but thank the Brits for making people realize that pop music could sound good again. That's not to say the U.K. was doing all the work this year, no-one can talk techno without mentioning Germany's gross domestic product blaring out of Europe's revered clubs like Berghain and Trouw.
The push and pull between Europe's dance giants has made the culture become increasingly commercial and increasingly weird—so this year's crate can be found in all corners of the dancefloor, pressed against sweaty warehouse walls and torturing festival barricades. And just like all of our crates in the past, it's about giving props to white-label experiments and accepting honest radio hits.
Clouds
#50. Terrorcore (Original Mix): Twin Turbo
It seems like every year UK duo, Clouds, step up to the plate with something that charts many DJ lists. From their first release on Fake Blood's label to the numerous remixes they've reworked to fit their tastes, these two stand the test of time."Terrorcore" is no exception, and along with its thundering toms that roll with no delay, it breaks our list dead-center at number 50.
stream: Clouds – Terrorcore
Danny Daze
#49. The Calm (Original Mix): Ellum Audio
Even in his solo work, Miami's Danny Daze creates a buzz with tracks like "The Calm". Released on Maceo Plex's Ellum Audio earlier in April, Daze's darker-than-usual tale about the last remaining cigarette crept along all year long. Composed of a chilling air with synths that get us a bit flustered, there's nothing calm about this one.
stream: Danny Daze – The Calm (Original Mix)
CRACKBOY
#48. Apes (Original Mix): I'm A Cliche
Crackboy's warm welcome to Crackwood surely helped us feel right at home quick with the opening track, "Apes". Drained of any shabby melodies, this track gets squeezed only by the finest elemental substances that will have you dancing along with the claps and riding hats that guide us sweetly.
stream: CRACKBOY – Apes (feat Claude Violante)
Waze & Odyssey
#47. Please Don't Dance (Detroit Swindle's Basement Dub): Dirt Crew Recs.
Holding a flavorful b-side, Waze & Odyssey remain consistent as a top grade force that make tunes to keep clubs alive. It's with the rework Detroit Swindle did, however, that our house junkies make our list. "Please Don't Dance" (Detroit Swindle's Basement Dub) caters to deep house lovers ready to dance.
stream: Waze & Odyssey – Please Don't Dance (Detroit Swindle's Basement Dub)
Martyn
#46. Newspeak (Original Mix): Dolly Dubs
You can't help but to appreciate what Martyn's created here with "Newspeak". Released on Steffi's respective Dolly Dubs label, this track carries alluring chords and percussions that get your shoulders moving without even thinking twice about it. Full of spontaneity and a dangerously racy groove, the sub-kicks here only add to the track's nearly seductive appeal.
Stream: Martyn – Newspeak
Kobosil
#45. Aggregate (Original Mix): Unterton
In the midst of a breakout year that drew many into his scope of unsullied musical visions, Kobosil portrayed what great bare-boned futuristic techno sounds like. Both lofty and astral at times, his track "Aggregate" codes a bunkering pulse topped with ghostly soundscapes that drive us to curious highs and dim lows.
stream: Kobosil – Aggregate
Citizen
#44. Worship + Tribute (Your Love): Needwant
Part of a compilation released this year that praised the lesser mentioned sounds of New York and New Jersey house, Citizen's "Worship + Tribute" (Your Love) was the track to bookmark. Full of jivin' diva-vocals singing "Your Love" through out the track, Citizen creates a melting house mixture caught between the grooves of the late 80's and early 90's.
stream: Citizen – Worship + Tribute (Your Love)
Alden Tyrell
#43. Some House (Original Mix): Clone Jack For Daze
We weren't lying when we said that this year's list included many tracks from the Clone catalogs. Dutch producer Alden Tyrell's "Some House" was one of the year's most compelling jackin' trax that handed over syrupy house extracts that capture the golden age of a pioneering era for music.
stream: Alden Tyrell – Some House
Barker & Baumecker
#42. Crows (Blawan Remix): Ostgut Ton
Perhaps his strongest efforts yet, Blawan's far-out rendition of "Crows" by Barker & Baumecker shows off some serious muscle that couldn't go unnoticed. With persuasive analog frequencies that denote his forte of raw and industrial ambience, the celestial chords that linger around lift the track as it unwinds into a whirldwind of delirium.
stream: Barker & Baumecker – Crows (Blawan Remix)
Headless Ghost
#41. Basik Fire: Clone Royal Oak
Whether making music as Ripperton, Headless Ghost, or any other known alias, Raphael Ripperton makes good music; His Frontend EP for Royal Oak serves as the perfect testament to that. From the entire EP it was his track "Basik Fire" that had us going the most. Warm house vibes showered with an array of funk driven beats show us how good music can actually feel.
stream: Headless Ghost – Basik Fire
That wraps up part 6 in our ongoing 100 track series. Keep an eye out as we unravel the rest of our crate into the new year and grab what you missed off Beatport, Boomkat, and Juno.
Send your love and complaints to: @_szum, @kevinjamiegone, and @Ooh_Raquel.
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