Disclaimer: We know this editorial is going to rub a lot of people the wrong way… We don’t dislike these tracks, we just had something to say about them.
It seems as of late the formula for success relies on a gnarly pitched Hardstyle kick and some form of percussive shenanigans, often married with a big room random progressive melody. You don’t have to look any farther than the number one tune on Beatport, Animals by Martin Garrix to exemplify this recent trend in popular “Electro House”. I haven’t been to a show in the last few weeks where I didn’t hear Animals played at least three times, including remixes. I don’t blame the DJs who are jumping on this bandwagon, the track is 100% killer. But, as of late everyone seems to be jumping on this style to the point where it has become borderline hilarious.
As such, we’ve compiled ten songs that ride this formula (sometimes into the ground). That said creativity isn’t dead in EDM it’s just taking an extended vacation. So without further ado, let’s pay homage to this new trend and hope that it doesn’t become a lasting staple of the EDM scene…
#1. Animals – Martin Garrix
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/98081145″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
What can we really say about this song. We hear it everywhere and it undeniably slays the dance floor, I’m conflicted I love it but it’s quickly heading the way of Le7els, as a weapon of mass dance in literally every DJs arsenal.
#2. LRAD – Knife Party
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/90458315″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
One of the OG ‘subkick’ tunes, Knife Party came out swinging with this one on their Haunted House EP. Just like Animals, I haven’t been to a show for a minute where this hasn’t been dropped at least once. The melody is so infectious it’s hard to dislike but again it proves that a clear recipe for recognition as of late involves no more than 3 synths and a heavy pitch kick.
#3. No Good – Sultan + Ned Sheppard & Fedde Le Grand
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/98569868″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Also a Beatport Top 10 tune, No Good is not a bad tune. But it seriously doesn’t push any boundaries and lacks innovation. Which brings us to our next tune
#4. Clanga – Michael Woods
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96256077″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Ok so at least Clanga has some semblance of a bassline. I like that. Basslines are good. But what kills me about this one is the sample. “Funky fresh beat!” That might be a bit of an overstatement. Oh and did I mention its currently sitting the Top 10?
#5. Springen – MAKJ
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96279645″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
So I can indeed confirm that Springen is music. Yep.
#6. Clarity – Zedd ft. Foxes (Tiesto Remix)
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/98696242″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Really even you Tiesto? You made Adagio For Strings and you had something like Clarity to work with and this is what you do? Last time I checked pianos had more than three keys. For shame.
#7. FTampa – Kick It Hard
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/98763106″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
This track kind of surprised me. Not for its content, no, just the fact that it was made by FTampa, who I typically associate with beautiful Brazilian Complextro. The name says it all Kick It Hard, not sure how much more fitting it could be. This song isn’t even out yet, but I think I know what to expect.
#8 Alive – Krewella (Hardwell Remix)
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96659461″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Hardwell‘s remix for Alive is probably the only song on this entire list that I actually dislike, with such an awesome track to work with Hardwell seriously dropped the ball. Much to my displeasure I had to review the song on its release and I honestly struggled to find anything to talk about with this track.
#9. Thunder – W&W
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/91000832″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
I’m sort of running out of anything to say. So here’s another tune by artists I really respect W&W.
10. Cannonball – Showtek & Justin Prime
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/65656447″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
I’m gonna give Showtek a huge pass on this one. The brothers are awesome guys and they have a Hardstyle legacy so I can’t say anything bad at all. I would argue Cannonball had a big role in popularizing this sound, so that’s why I include it last on this list and with the most praise out of any of these songs.
Again, I’ll repeat that with the exception of the Hardwell tune, I actually like these songs. But this recent trend has homogenized the popular sound in a way that is troubling to me. Everyone and their mother is beating the hell out of sub-ey pitch kicks and it’s beginning to get on my nerves. Everyday we get tons of demoes copying this style and it’s really hard to get excited about something that sounds like one gigantic edit of one song. Maybe Daft Punk wasn’t too far off with thinking that EDM was just one guy, any of these artists could have made any if not all of the songs on this list. A lot of artists’ signature styles seem to be coalescing as of late and although it’s not abymsaterribad yet, it’s beginning to get old… at least to me.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99124575″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Just a little cherry on top.
They must be working. You should check out your own publication’s #5 EDC songs.
They are working, but dammit, I get to say what I want about it!
don’t necessarily see a lot of consistency or truth with your article’s argument…
The way I see it is, Dj’s are just making songs they enjoy playing. So for example, Makj was probably like Dude W&W are on point. I think I’m going to make something like that. BOOm track is made and now MAKJ doesn’t have to play w&w’s work. He can play something that’s his own instead.
Same thing can be said about EDM blogs – all articles read the same:
http://doandroidsdance.com/features/97786/
http://soundisstyle.com/2013/07/in-support-of-the-all-edm-sounds-the-same-argument-daleris-epic-mashleg.html
Kept coming back to this site just cause you update the most frequently but my god your editorial point of view is just the worst.
Glad to see im not the only one that thinks hardwell dropped the ball with Alive.
Spoiler: most EDM has sounded the same since about 2006.
You missed the grandfather of the style, Epic!
interesting take on that, I have never thought about it that way, thank you! lol
interesting take on that, I have never thought about it that way, thank you! lol
As much as I hate to admit it, this article has a lot of truth. I’d like to specifically comment about #6 (Tiesto’s clarity remix). First of all I love Tiesto, I’m a die hard fan. Old and new. I fell in love with his trance and stuck with him through his transition into house music over the past 3 years. I love most of Tiesto’s house tracks and remixes but he really did drop the bomb on clarity. the review above says it all. He could have done so much better with that but I am still a huge fan and will choose to listenmost of his other stuff and continue to support him in his musical career. Not every DJ can make a really good remix every time but obviously I and I’m sure many others, were expecting something much greater from Tiesto especially with such a beautiful track like clarity.
your article is bad and you should feel bad.
thats cool and all. but theres no reason why these tracks deserve to be the TOP 100 over all. we get that this shit is fun to play but lets leave it at that. when it comes to ranking productions, you’d think they’d ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE DAMN TRACK
Sooo, I had a question Mr editor! I’ll try not to sound like a d*ck or even one of those youtube commenters so Here goes:
Who are you, to “put out” these statements? Do you have a musical background? Are you a DJ or Producer? Both, perhaps? What I’m trying to say is if you look at it from a fans view who doesn’t do any of the previous listed.. Fans just hear random sounds put together and call it music, if they like it then YIPPIE! That’s what its all about.. However they cant relate to what a producer will think about the same songs in the same “mindset”. Once you’re a producer, you will critique each and every song you hear till the end of time! You want to listen to every detail, each “track” that makes up the song because we’re naturally competitive and want to produce something that sounds even cooler! Right? I’ll cut to the chase, if you listen to nothing but EDM and produce nothing but EDM, things get stale… These high profile producers need to find influence from somewhere. Take a risk and be original not one of the “cool kids”..
i was shocked that Epic was not at the top of the list as well lol
I could have made this a 20-50 song list. But they don’t pay me enough to do that.
I am both. Here you are. Pardon the inebriation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5tNOzfZn8&feature=c4-overview&list=UUWlRQremGJVSUycAWF_vc_w
edits: I won’t claim to be a good producer, I’m not I have tunes out on beatport and iTunes. But I spin pretty well though. I have been a musician all of my life, production is something I do because I love it.
Thank the sweet lord baby jesus someone has finally posted an article about this. Sad that its the same story with a 4-chord-progression-with-a-big-synth-sidechained-to-an-autofilter-with-a-4-on-the-floor-kick that was all the rage before this season. We American’s love to do what’s popular and what works. Fantastic post @brettedgerly.
Thank the sweet lord baby jesus someone has finally posted an article about this. Sad that its the same story with a 4-chord-progression-with-a-big-synth-sidechained-to-an-autofilter-with-a-4-on-the-floor-kick that was all the rage before this season. We American’s love to do what’s popular and what works. Fantastic post @brettedgerly.
I am pretty sure Samuel Barber made adagio for strings, Tiesto just remixed/edited the track.
Don’t forget, Atom played a big roll in it as well XD
This isn’t music…
I hate these drops atm! Every DJ/producer is doing them, and they are popular, WHY? I just the same always. Even tough there are good songs like that, I still like more “dirty” or something-like-that drops. Let’s say Dyro, R3hab, Clockwork for example. Hopefully EDM will change direction soon…
yes, it fuckin is.
hipsters are like muslims – they are everywhere, nobody agrees with them and they’re annoying everyone.
yes, it fuckin is.
hipsters are like muslims – they are everywhere, nobody agrees with them and they’re annoying everyone.
You can thank Epic for this. After that song hit it has been clone after clone sense. As for the people dissing the writer of this article, I have been producing music for almost 20 years and I noticed this trend as soon as it start and was amazed that fans weren’t catching on to it, we should be thankful that someone took the time to make this article and point it out to those that might not have noticed and hopefully other producers will think twice before trying to cash in on this bland generic style of production. So thank you Brettedgerly.
You can thank Epic for this. After that song hit it has been clone after clone sense. As for the people dissing the writer of this article, I have been producing music for almost 20 years and I noticed this trend as soon as it start and was amazed that fans weren’t catching on to it, we should be thankful that someone took the time to make this article and point it out to those that might not have noticed and hopefully other producers will think twice before trying to cash in on this bland generic style of production. So thank you Brettedgerly.
djs just play what the people want to here and as of now electro house is the most popular and dont ride showtek they knew electro house was booming and capitalized with their knowledge of producing bangers
Great stuff, really enjoyed reading this… Good songs but its just become too much, I create music I feel, not music to follow.
What about Deniz Koyu & Tung? lol no? idk lol
I feel like this article was picked out from my mind… I couldn’t agree with you more, hopefully there’s some innovation in the EDM scene soon to get away from this trend.
I like a lot of these songs, and while I agree they are a bit overused/overplayed, I love hearing these tracks at festivals. They are high energy, and are what people enjoy. Many artists are out to please, and what is wrong with that?
EDM music is having problem with inovation, and bringing something new to the culture. All this big bass drops, and drumm patterns sounds the same. I hope something will change that, and I hope pretty soon.
The court is wide open to make fresh innovative music. What will the next sound be?
And all of this started thanks to Epic by Sandro Silva & Quintino..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV9S6px5M04
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Toxic Rush…
Nice video, gotta love that crazy drum roll! That one video explains everything!
Dono how lrad is og.
But highlights how ridiculous the state of things are considering this list is compilednof songs mostly from the past few months.
I’m a native floridian… I stop frequenting club because of the ling drone that edm has become. I remember sitting in a WMC in Miami and Felix the Cat was showing Logic users how he builds up with white noise. Before that weekend was over ( this was 2006) every track came back with that. Pumped kicked with compression ala SHM and music has never tried to stray since.
That’s a conspiracy by Scientology. Or Daleri are promoter and marketing genious for these tracks.
my question is: what’s the name of the “first” song that used this kick? like where did it all began?
I’m in the same boat as you, I like a lot of these tracks (other than alive and springen, I can’t understand why people like those horrible noises). However, whenever I hear a new one following the same tired formula come out I can’t help but feel like the producer… cheated or took the easy route. There’s nothing wrong with that in itself, Dance music is all about sampling and remixing other people’s sounds. That being said, you can put out a track that sounds like other popular tracks, or you can explore something new. A lot of producers are choosing the first option of late. Us fans are just as much to blame, we want to hear the same damn songs over and over. It seems almost like the “radio-ization” of EDM. Like how 2 years ago EDM played the Avicii sound to death. Then last year a electro-ish prog sound (Greyhound/Antidote-that kind of sound) got equally played to death. This year its hard house. Its unfortunate because we are going to kill the sound very soon by overplaying it and have to move onto something else. Its almost like the scene needs a more “sustainable” approach to music: don’t play a sound to death, and it will stay fresh longer.
That’s why we have Eric Prydz in his red cape to save the day :)))
I am so sick of posts like this. nobody cares that you don’t like a big tonal sub kick. I fucking love it and I’ve loved it for years now. just because a track doesn’t have a “proper bass line” doesn’t mean that it didn’t take lots of effort and imagination to create. a short kick with a proper bass line has a completely different feel than a massive pitched kick with no bass line. I love them both, but I can’t stand that there is now such an irrational stigma against one of them.
meh… I love huge pitched kicks.
most dance music sounds very similar in either all aspects, or small ones, its the same build up, the same “DDDDDROP THE BEAAAT” sound right before the song itself drops.
Mr. Editor,
Couldn;t you say the same about every trend setter tracks of every genre in dance music? From the old school deadmau5 tracks where everyone was ripping off his kicks to the synth chord progression in big house to the almighty rip off of the skrillex squelch sounds. People say there need’s to be innovation, but when there is, its ripped off and cloned 100-fold until the next innovation, then the cycle repeats. I think there needs to be more identity with tracks. THe formula and technique wouldn’t be bad if I could tell which producer composed which. Like yeah they sound the same but I can tell that’s Knife party, and that’s Hardwell, and that’s MAKJ. But now I cant tell who made what.
they all sound the same because the songs are more than likely in the same key.
saw knife party at Lolla yesterday and couldn’t agree more with this trend getting a bit overdone. however, the kids all love jumping to it still, so theyre going to keep playing em. cause lets be honest, the EDM scene isn’t free of record label influence and artists being told what they should be playing to get the sales on beatport and itunes up. so as long as the headline acts are playing this stuff and the crowds are raging to it, its going to persist. there’s too much musical gold out there across the numerous subgenera to worry too much. let the DJs make their money where they can and play the festivals with festival energy, and then go to a bad ass club like SpyBar (#9 on the rolling stone list, and my Chicago personal fav as well) and hear your favorite DJs get creative for 4 hours straight on amazing house and tech tunes.
this article was well needed, thank you Your EDM!
Solution: instead of linking to every one of the songs that has 14,020,327 views … why not link to hot new shit that no one has heard? Like a sub 1,000 listens rule for a post or two and see what happens? Just sayin … http://www.soundcloud.com/predasus/
May I also add that almost all of these so-called “festival bangers” ar 95% either F/Fm key? On this list for example, Animals, LRAD, Springen, Kick It Hard, Thunder, and Cannonball (that I know of) are all in the F keys.