2016 has been a huge year for By The Wavs, with an article topping the Reddit frontpage, a huge rebrand and a massive growth in reach. We all do it because we’re huge fans of electronic dance music and want to share with you the best new music that comes out. We believe that music is subjective and open to taste, and so rather than put together an arbitrary best of the year list, we’ve decided to share our personal favorite releases of the year. Without further ado…
Grant Austin (Founder)
I didn’t want to make this post. I hate trying to come up with a list of artists to watch, songs to listen to, etc. My opinion isn’t your opinion. I am also going to assume all my colleagues chose music that is Buttcheeks and by Buttcheeks, I mean better choices than me. I am going to list some a ton of tracks. I don’t have an order. If I forgot a track or remix, sorry.
Dishonorable Mentions because this is supposed to be a top 5 and I hate choosing this sorta thing so I picked and chose from 2016 tracks on my playlists:
- The Chainsmokers – Closer (and every freaking remix possible) :: Incredible that they have made one of the most popular tracks of the year and everyone felt the requirement to remix the hell out of it.
- UZ – Magellan (Blvk Sheep Remix) :: Love UZ and Love Blvk Sheep. Great combo.
- Pellican Child – Turn Me Down :: It makes me happy.
- Big Gigantic – C’Mon (feat. Griz) :: You try to not cheese during this track.
- Syn Cole – Californication ft. Caroline Pennell :: Dare you not to sing this with me.
- Gazzo – Long Way Home Feat. Allie Crystal or Gazzo – What You Waiting For (feat. Sugarwhiskey) :: I couldn’t choose which Gazzo track was my favorite.
- Synchronice – Illusion :: These two really exploded in the last 60 days in terms of amazing me.
- Almand – Don’t Manipulate (Feat. PG-13) :: Love hearing this track. Pure and simple.
- Steve James – In My Head (ft. RKCB) :: The young gun is creating music that blows his peers away.
- A-Trak – Parallel Lines feat. Phantogram :: This is one of the most played tracks in my iPhone.
- Jonas Aden vs Kings – Breathe :: The vocals suck me in and combine that with the production, you got a great track.
- DJ Snake – Talk Feat. George Maple :: How can you not like this?
- Kaskade x Deadmau5 feat. Skylar Grey “Beneath With Me” (Kaskade’s V.4 too) :: Please…
- CID & Kaskade – Sweet Memories :: Love dancing to this. Top track along with A-Trak.
- XYLØ – L.A. Love Song (Win and Woo Remix) :: This is one of my favorite remixes by them.
- FIGHT CLVB – Donald Trump (FIGHT CLVB Remix) :: These dudes are wild in the best way possible.
- Ookay – Thief :: My mom loves this track.
- Zaxx – Signal :: One of the only good parts of the film.
- Cheat Codes – Sex or Quintino x Cheat Codes – Can’t Fight It :: I was obsessed when I heard it live and a BPM 51 x Grant special.
- REZZ – Purple Gusher :: I get goosebumps from Rezz’s music.
- 3LAU: Is It Love (Feat. Yeah Boy) :: The dude raised over $200,000 on great music for charity.
- Prince Fox – Oxygen :: Read why this track was made and listen.
5. Louis the Child – Fire
Have you freaking heard this track? I get chills listening to it. These two have essentially grown up in front of us. I am proud to say I met them. Nicest kids. Bias aside, YES PLEASE!
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4. Kap Slap – Felt This Good
No shame. I dance around the gym when this comes on. Literally, it puts me in the right vibes. I have zero shame in my gym game, but I will dance when this comes on BPM 51.
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3. Modern Machines – Breathe (feat 8 Graves) – Louis La Roche Remix
I absolutely loved the original. I think the original is amazing. The reason I chose this remix is because it had the disco funk and since I didn’t want to put the original and the remix as two spots, this will suffice.
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2. Flume – Say It Ft. Tove Lo (Illenium Remix)
This is the same boat as Modern Machines. Loved the original a lot. Illenium and his remixes are some of the best things out there. DUH!
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1. Pryda – Lillo
When you take your best track of the year and donate the proceeds to charity, you win. Sure, he would have won without the proceeds part, but he wins.
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Theo Maulen (Editor)
Honorable Mentions: Mat Zo – Smacked Up On Jack, Kygo – Stay (Feat. Maty Noyes), Jack U – Where Are U Now (Feat. Justin Bieber) [Live], The Chainsmokers – Closer (Feat. Halsey) [Slushii Remix], Griz x Big Gigantic – Good Times Roll, Trippy Turtle – Controlla
5. Marshmello – Alone
Marshmello had to be the big time artist that came out of left field for me. Before listening to the tracks he released, I didn’t care much at all for his style of music. However, I joined by onto the #MelloGang, and have loved the music being dropped by Marshmello, with my favorite being Alone. The lyrics and the instrumentals go completely against one another in the mood they set, fluctuating from sadness (the lyrics) to excitement (the drop).
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4. Porter Robinson & Madeon – Shelter (Mat Zo Remix)
Independently, I am in love with both of these artists. Together, they become so much more. They are unstoppable. The track, the tour, the social media presence; these guys are THE GUYS to follow and listen to. Shelter gets it man. Then to make it even more amazing, a third artist chimes in; Mat Zo. I swear, if Lido did a remix of this remix, I think I would die. Hands down, one of my favorite tracks to come out this year.
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3. AlunaGeorge – Mean What I Mean (Feat. Leikeli47 and Dreezy)
So, I put this song in after hearing rips of it, bootlegs, and snippets during sets. Then, finally, I heard this version performed at Panorama Music Festival and saw it come out on AlunaGeorge’s latest album. It was never covered on here prior, unfortunately, but I am telling you it is still a gem of a track. The premise behind this track lyrically is an amazing message that, unfortunately, needs to be said: Listen To What They Say When They Talk. “They” being anyone who isn’t you. “Trust me, I mean what I mean” is the chorus of the track and is reinforced with the verses by Leikeli47 and Dreezy.
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2. Major Lazer – Cold Water (Feat. Justin Bieber and MØ)
I know that this is a pretty basic track to put into my list. There are probably people reading this section and going, “why is he listing such mainstream tracks”. WELL, I put the songs that have been on rotation and never get old. I hear Cold Water and I want to dance, I want to be brought back to the summer when I was watching Major Lazer and the Lazer Gyals performing on stage and dancing along the same way. That is what is important for music to me.
1. Lido – Angel
Wrap it up with one of the sappier songs I sing along to. I was immediately hooked on how Lido goes from instrumental, to piano, to instrumental in this track to emphasize the emotion he is attempting to put into his track. Angel was one many tracks in the Everything EP which portrayed the emotions that follow a breakup and I could not help but be somewhat mesmerized by this track.
Nick Grindrod (Editor)
Honorable mentions: Noisia – Tentacles, Excision & Space Laces – Throwin Elbows, NU4M & Kije – Delirium, SpectraSoul Ft. dBridge – Glimpse (Ivy Lab Remix), Mr. Carmack – Pay For What (Alexander Lewis Trombone Flip), Ferry Corsten – Beautiful (Seven Lions Remix)
5. Joyryde – The Box
Joyryde was one of the biggest names to come out of 2016. Well, he was already big in the latter part of 2015 but he nailed this year with every single release being absolute quality. Just closely edging out Fuel Tank and his 4 Real remix as my favourite song of his for the year, The Box wins because of those horns and the bass in its Trap sections. It’s just so damn good.
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4. Netsky – Go 2
I’m a huge sucker for a gradual song-length build up, and Netsky pulled that off with aplomb on the most underrated song off this third album. Starting off with just a snare and rhythm, it develops into a full on DnB tune with a beat that you’ll break your neck head banging to. I can’t help it every time it comes on.
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3. BeauDamian Ft. PHI NIX – New Highs
I’d been seeing BeauDamian around a bit without paying much attention since he was signed to San Holo’s label Bitbird, but when he put this out I almost cried with joy. I don’t know how many times I’ve yelled PHI NIX’s OO-OO-OO-OOH-HOOOOO this year, but it would be a lot. Credit to BeauDamian for the beautiful production and progression across the song too, that’s what puts it above everything else.
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2. SteLouse & Devault – All I Need
Yeah, I know this is straight up Future Bass, but the beauty of Future Bass is that it has the potential for music to come out with a sound that just blows you away. All I Need contains one of the most beautiful vocal samples that I’ve heard, and some of the best synth modulation that I’ve heard. The way that the chords change tops it all off, in a song that completely stands out of a supersaturated genre.
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1. Melano – On Fire
Melano’s Drum and Bass tune On Fire started off the year with a bang, and also ensured that my favorite song of the year was done and dusted only a fortnight in. His first release ever, the Norwegian producer nailed the vocal chops and lead synth to create a song that I usually like to play first when I hit shuffle.
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Zach Kelly (Writer)
Honorable Mentions: Cashmere Cat – Trust Nobody, graves & Coolights – Say Things, Virtual Riot Ft. PRXSM – In My Head, Phiso – Jotaro (Slushii Flip), Ghastly Ft. Jameston Thieves – Fuk Watchu Think, Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Jauz Remix)
5. Ookay – Thief
I’d be shocked if you don’t know this song. Played at almost every show I have been to lately. I knew this one was special when I first heard it.
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4. Kali Uchis Ft. Tory Lanez – Ridin Round (Oshi Redo)
Oshi has been one of my favorite producers, and he still continues to impress. This song took over the airwaves, and he knows it. At HARD Fest he thanked the crowd for all the support, “I wouldn’t be here without this song.”
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3. Boombox Cartel & Quix Ft. Anjulie – Supernatural
This song was teased in sets for months before it was released and for good reason. “Supernatural” featuring Anjulie goes off. Boombox and Quix really collaborated for something special on this.
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2. Ariana Grande – Into You (Blu J Remix)
Blu J put a spin on Ariana Grande’s “Into You” that I couldn’t stop listening to since its release. This is what the song should have been, and that little syncopation in the vocals is a nice touch. Ariana, hit up Blu J for your next production.
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1. The Chainsmokers Ft. Phoebe Ryan – All We Know (Luca Lush Lift)
Luca Lush is always on a tear with releases, and remixes. This one really stood out to me. There are tons of Chainsmokers remixes since they released their EP, and this is by far the most creative. Keep it up Luca.
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