Mid-2010s witnessed EDM DJs become internationally-acclaimed. One such track, Titanium, featuring pop star Sia and continues to generate momentum today.
Fedde Le Grand’s “Fast Car” showcases techno’s catchy qualities with an upbeat, infectious beat. Fatboy Slim’s “Right Here Right Now” stands out as an irrefutably catchy tune that cannot be forgotten.
ATB’s “Ecstasy”
Andre Tanneberger, more commonly known by his stage name ATB, has made quite an impressionful mark in electronic dance music over his 25-year career. Along his path has come some memorable hits; 2004 saw “Ecstasy,” released as the second single from No Silence as one such memorable hit. Showcasing crisp layering and catchy vocals provided by Tiff Lacey it quickly became one of ATB’s anthems – it remains popular even today with Morten Granau remixing it and will add value to any playlist!
Porter Robinson & Madeon’s “Shelter”
Porter Robinson and Madeon are two producers who are among the new wave of EDM talent making waves in the industry. Their collaboration “Shelter” showcases just how well these producers work together: lush synthesizers are coupled with chopped up vocal bits to add a unique soundscape, while its strong beat makes for easy danceability that should appeal to both hardcore EDM followers as well as anime enthusiasts alike.
The chorus begins with four bars featuring a strong pad sound layered atop an e-piano, creating tension before leading into verse two’s second part – featuring a gritty bass sound playing rolling 16ths and featuring pluck sounds with plenty of reverb that contribute to its melody.
Shelter’s music video tells the tale of a young girl living in a virtual simulation controlled by her tablet computer, while exploring significant themes including parental sacrifice and love. Running for six minutes and six seconds, it was produced in collaboration between A-1 Pictures (the studio behind popular anime like Anohana and Engage Kiss) and Crunchyroll – an American distributor and online community dedicated to East Asian media content – and takes up six minutes and six seconds total.
Justin Bieber’s “Where Are U Now”
Bieber rose to fame as a teenage idol through his appealing pop songs and stunning good looks, sparking worldwide adoration for him and his music. He first entered public view when his mother recorded and uploaded to YouTube video footage of Bieber singing and drumming during a talent competition held by Stratford Community Centre in Ontario Canada – making this talent show performance visible for friends and family members who couldn’t attend live.
Bieber’s video went viral, catalyzing his musical career and sparking significant momentum for him as an artist. He released several albums and featured prominent guest stars like Miley Cyrus, Kanye West and Usher in Never Say Never (2011 concert film). Additionally, his tabloid-involved romantic relationships and occasional run-ins with law made headlines all around.
Bieber achieved international superstardom during his late teens and by 2015 his album Purpose had debuted atop Billboard charts. Also that year, Bieber collaborated with electronic dance music duo Jack U on Where Are U Now, winning him a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. It features sharp dancehall stabs and Eastern melodies while telling its own compelling narrative of longing for someone who will remain by your side; further proving just how prevalent dance music has become today.
Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky”
Few songs in music history have inspired as many DIY remixes as Daft Punk’s 2013 smash hit, “Get Lucky.” With its real-life hand claps, honest chord progression, and repeated chorus, “Get Lucky” stood in sharp contrast to modern pop’s overproduced, synth-fueled synth gimmicks (such as Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” or Kanye West’s “Yeezus”).
At its core, this song’s success can be attributed to its lack of trends: its directness and simplicity made it a smash hit that quickly rose up the charts – it reached #1 on dance/electronic charts, alternative radio formats, mainstream radio stations and even made an appearance during Stevie Wonder’s live performance with Nile Rodgers, Pharrell Williams and Daft Punk at the Grammys broadcast!
Random Access Memories was considered an experiment at first, with its return to more “analog” sound seen as risky and perhaps doomed for failure. Yet “Get Lucky” proved otherwise; from Nile Rodgers’ defiant guitar playing and classic Daft Punk vocoders to its defiant dip into another era of pop, this track earned its place amongst electronic music’s all-time hit list.
Fedde Le Grand’s “Fast Car”
Fedde Le Grand has become one of the world’s most famous DJs since releasing his hit track Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit in 2006. His music draws upon various equipment and software such as keyboards, synthesizers, controllers, drum machines, samplers and mixers in its creation of tracks.
Le Grand is widely known for his music production as well as giving back to the community and aiding those in need. Additionally, he hosts a weekly radio show called Dark Light Sessions which showcases interviews with up-and-coming artists from a wide array of genres.
Le Grand is best known for his big-room house songs, but he also has a more soothing side. Children is one such track designed to help clubgoers relax before leaving the club, with dream trance instrumentals making this track an immensely popular dance hit in 2010.
Le Grand is often asked whether he utilizes ghost producers when creating his music. He has stated in interviews that he does not judge other DJs who utilize ghost producers; each DJ must decide what works for them personally.
Fatboy Slim’s “Right Here Right Now”
Norman Cook, better known by his stage name Fatboy Slim, led the big beat revolution during the ’90s. His debut album offered club-friendly tunes that stood apart from mainstream dance craze hits by KoRn and polished boy bands; songs such as Give the Po’ Man a Break and First Down featured straight pounding sections that led into house crescendos; while 10th & Crenshaw seemed to simulate dialogue between petulant electronic voices while Michael Jackson is an intricate tribal composition comprised of drums riffs noises, noises and loops.
Cook also explored more experimental territory, blending elements of old-school UK indie rock with surf music to produce thrilling dance floor hits. His 1997 single, “Going Out of My Head,” transformed The Who’s “Can’t Explain” into an infectious dance-floor smash; his 1999 hit, “Rockafeller Skank”, elevated 60s surf music into dance club favorites – though many of Cook’s songs seem outdated now they remain essential additions to any dance music collection.
Deadmau5’s “Ghosts N Stuff”
Deadmau5 is one of the best-known DJs in electronic music. He hails from Canada and is well known for his distinctive sound and live performances that have gained him legions of fans around the globe. Additionally, Deadmau5 has collaborated on numerous projects with other artists around the globe.
He first gained fame in 2008 when his song, “Faxing Berlin”, was included on legendary DJ Pete Tong’s radio show playlist. This helped establish him as a serious contender in progressive house music. That same year, he released his debut album Random Album Title which became an instantaneous success and earned several awards; additionally he has released various singles and remixes as well.
Deadmau5 stars in a music video for Ghosts N Stuff that sees him driving a hearse through a desert landscape, representing his song about letting go of fear and engaging with new experiences – the phrase, “the more you change things, the more they stay the same”, refers back to an observation made by American author John Steinback that remains popular today. Colin O’Toole directed this music video.