It’s safe to say that 2016 has brought a whole new meaning to “a year to be remembered by”. It’s got to be said also that for the most part that’s been for all the wrong reason – but there’s no doubting that the year will go down in history as a turning point in so many ways.
But in music, 2016 has been quiet. Pop hits haven’t been as ever-lasting as they used to be, there were few big album releases that really set the airwaves alight. Dare I say it, 2016’s been pretty dull on the music front.
Still though, there’s been some great tunes rising out of the thin pickings – with many of them deserving far more credit than some of this year’s most famous – and as usual I’ve put together a list of the 40 songs that have made my year so that when I look back on 2016 I can put a soundtrack to it.
As usual there’s a couple of tracks that don’t quite make the list but that I wanted to give a little credit to, and this year they are: CHVRCHES songs “Now is Not the Time” and “Up in Arms” and A-Trak remixes of Alesso’s “Cool” and Disclosure’s “Magnets”.
Let’s get started, shall we?
40. Galantis & Hook ‘n Sling – “Love on Me”
Galantis’ natural talent for fun and uplifting dance music comes up trumps here again, with a song that’s packed full of happy moments that are made to entertain. It’s maybe not the most original, or dance-orientated, song they’ve ever had – but it’s one that’s well worth listening to all the same.
39. Disclosure – “BOSS”
Disclosure’s Moog for Love EP this year was a statement of intent, that the disappointment of Caracal was behind them and they’d be taking things forward – and this song was the track that led the charge.
It’s got the Disclosure deep house charm that made them famous, and the stock vocal performance that ties it all together – and it works to show that Disclosure’s roots of fun and simple dance music is still there.
If you doubted Disclosure a bit after last year, check this out and get excited for a potential album 3 next year.
38. The Chainsmokers – “Roses” (Zaxx Remix)
The Chainsmokers made it big this year; proving that the infamous “#Selfie” (number 14 on my 2014 list btw) wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Their new brand of EDM mixed with a more relaxing vibe has obviously clicked with the public big time.
For me their songs are a little self-important at the moment, and they lack the all-out dance fest that “#Selfie” was back in the day. That’s why this remix of their tune “Roses” hit the spot better, amping up a tune that had potential and giving it the feel that a DJ duo should be bringing to their top tracks.
A proper dance tune that beats the original, it’s an ideal Saturday night party tune and will be for a while.
37. LCD Soundsystem – “Christmas Will Break Your Heart” [2015]
I’ve said before that arguably my best Christmas present last year was when I sat scrolling through Twitter on Christmas Eve and saw this song, the first from my favourite band in over four years, appear. It was a Christmas miracle if ever there was one!
The song captures a certain glumness that can befall you at Christmas, when the festivities of the season don’t quite work with you for whatever reason. It’s a powerful musical journey building to a great ending, and a perfect encapsulation of James Murphy’s talent and song-writing.
Seeing LCD live at T in the Park this year was an amazing experience, and I’m super confident that their promised new album next year will deliver. Another reason to get this year over with for sure.
36. The Naked and Famous – “The Runners”
I loved The Naked and Famous’ latest album, Simple Forms, and this was a stand-out track that embraced a different style. It wasn’t overtly strong sounding, with a simple driving nature to it broken up by slow and ethereal moments. It shows the sort of emotional presence that’s layered throughout the album and hits its’ peak in the album’s best track, but more on that later…
35. Illenium – “Sleepwalker” (feat. Joni Fatora) [2015]
“Sleepwalker” is a more obscure song than most on this list, but it doesn’t mean that the dance pedigree that it has is any diminished. This is a fantastic song, very much in the mould of the likes of Porter Robinson, that blends a softer tone with a drop that hits hard as well.
Illenium might not be storming the charts at the moment, but with the successes of Alan Walker with similar tunes this year, maybe it’ll be a name to remember for future.
34. DATA – “Don’t Sing” (feat. Benny Sings) [2015]
This is a piano-driven track that seems almost perfect for adverts, with a calm but sure beat going through it that manages to hook itself in your ear perfectly.
It doesn’t go out of it’s way to do anything amazing, but it’s a solid song that you’ll very rarely find yourself skipping when it comes on shuffle.
The video’s also something pretty different too, but an interesting watch if you’re interested:
33. Offaiah – “Trouble”
Charlie Puth wouldn’t have a hope in hell of making this list, but a sample of his is treated brilliantly by this dark dance track which makes the impossible happen.
This is one of those songs that grabbed me on a night out and I had to find out what it was. The drop is simple and builds a lot of drama, and it’s got a popular appeal that was well deserved this year.
32. Sigma – Glitterball (feat. Ella Henderson) [2015]
Sigma’s brand of drum and bass can be a bit plain at time, with a standard beat layered with a flavour-of-the-month singer on top. But Glitterball is quite different.
Something about the lyrics, the beautifully delivered vocals and the euphoric highs of the chorus and breakdowns make this such an emotionally charged song that breathes new life into Sigma’s style.
It’s well worth listening to with proper headphones on, as the radio doesn’t quite do it justice, and I’m sure then you’ll agree it’s something a bit more special than you thought.
31. AlunaGeorge – “I’m in Control” (feat. Popcaan)
AlunaGeorge’s new album brought a new style to them, with leading lady Aluna Francis taking no prisoners whilst stamping her authority over whatever she sees fit.
“I’m in Control” is about her taking charge of a relationship and is backed by a distorted chorus and breakdowns provided by one of reggae’s biggest stars, Popcaan. This adds a power and a force to the lyrics and makes it an irresistable listen.
30. Major Lazer – “Cold Water” (feat. Justin Bieber & MØ)
A powerhouse collaboration to kick-off the wait for Major Lazer’s new album, this song managed to blend together some emotional moments along with two very different styles of music. The choruses are more of the softer side and relaxing, while the drops let themselves go a lot more.
As much as it pains me, Justin Bieber’s come in to his own as a dance vocalist and this is probably his best. The turn from MØ near the end seals it as a good tune, very much in the form of “Lean On”, but maybe just a little more refined.
29. M.O. – “Who Do You Think Of”
British girl bands probably have a tough time right now getting past the chart juggernaut that is Little Mix, but this tune from M.O. proved there’s other girls making fun tunes that are just as good.
It’s pretty standard stuff really, but the chorus and the beat that goes along with it really stands out among the white noise of the radio. It deserved to be a little more respected IMO.
28. Jonas Blue – “By Your Side” (feat. RAYE)
This is perhaps the latest entry to this top 40, with the song only being released just over a month ago. I hadn’t been a fan of Jonas Blue’s other songs, such as the remix of “Fast Car” by Tracey Chapman that subsituted emotion for soulless beats, but this is where he embraces a typical dance song structure – and it works perfectly.
RAYE’s vocals are suited ideally for this sort of track, and the drop is memorable and fun, while the echoing lines of the verses add a hook that adds to everything very well. It’s a good tune and shows what more we can expect from this relative newcomer.
27. Tiësto & KSHMR – “Secrets” (feat. Vassy)
The fact that Tiësto is still putting out dance music at the age of 47 that’s continues to beat the competition is testament to his talent, and “Secrets” makes a big room effort that’s more poppy than you’d expect.
Having a song like this is a masterstroke, appealing to those that prefer different types of dance music and blending them together to pack a dancefloor. A great song and always fun on a night out!
26. Galantis – “Firebird” (feat. Dragonette)
Dragonette and lead vocalist Martina Sorbara have to be one of my favourite featured artists, and they always seem to pop up on songs that are good anyway.
Here they appeared on my re-listen of Galantis’ Pharmacy, and on this very atmospheric song – one that’s rather darker than what I’d expected – there’s a good mix between trying something different and keeping the energetic style that makes Galantis so good.
25. Tobu – “Hope” (2014)
This instrumental dance track has the musical characteristics of being happy and sad at the same time, which is a massive draw for me when it comes to tunes. But what makes this special is the way it builds through the song to drops that manage to do a tremendous job of keeping things light and airy whilst having the darker sounds behind it too.
24. Parade of Lights – “Feeling Electric” [2015]
This year’s token FIFA soundtrack song is one that is traditionally “big” and aims to capture the imagination in as little time as possible. It builds up fantastically before the synthesised drop kicks the song into life and sets it on a great course already.
It very much touches on the Imagine Dragons style of subdued verses building into loud, anthemic, sing-along choruses and it does it surprisingly well too. It might not be the world’s best song, but it’s one that serves its place well – and isn’t too bad to listen to while pottering about a menus waiting for an electronic kickabout.
23. Tove Lo – “Cool Girl”
Some songs just have an attractive atmosphere to them, and this is one that draws you in from the first listen. It’s slow, it’s sultry and it’s memorable – and then there’s the chorus where the bass drops in and adds another layer to it.
Tove Lo’s solo stuff might not be quite the genius she’s displayed when writing or featuring for others, but “Cool Girl” shows that she does keep some good tunes to play with herself (to borrow a term fitting of her album Lady Wood).
22. Tujamo – “Drop That Low (When I Dip)”
Tujamo hasn’t really broken through in the way that he could have, but this song shows that there’s a lot of ability there to produce some great music. This song has an ominous darkness to its chorus which clashes nicely with the horns in the build-ups to make a very interesting listen that deserves its place on this list.
21. Zara Larsson – “Ain’t My Fault”
Zara Larsson’s second solo single was pretty much as good as her first, with a solid bassline driving through a lustful song that was a treat to listen to. It’s got a wide array of sounds, from school bells to text tones, running through it – but it never seems too cluttered, and it’s probably why it’s so interesting to listen to: as you’ll hear something different in it every time you hear it.
This is perhaps where Larsson proved she’ll be around for a while – showing she can sing, do a little bit of a rap, and make some fun music too.
20. Mura Masa – “Firefly” (feat. Nao)
Jersey-born Mura Masa has been tipped for big things, and this stripped down track along with London singer Nao shows the potential he has. It’s a very quiet song, with the soft and shaky vocals being almost alone apart from the odd synth and chime here and there, but when the song builds up and hits the chorus it all makes sense. There’s a minimalist impact that makes the words seem all the more powerful, and the music only serves to underline what is said rather than surround it. It’s a clever song and one that I’d like to hear a lot more of in future.
19. Porter Robinson & Madeon – “Shelter”
A dream team of electronic music, this was an excellent collaboration that managed to bring together the best of what both artists do. Porter Robinson’s Japanese-infused tune comes in along with the fantastic build ups he makes, whilst Madeon’s centre stage drop hits with the shimmer his songs are known for. It’s happy and poppy and deserved more attention than it got, but it’s top 20 spot here hopefully shows it got my recognition at least!
18. Zara Larsson – “Lush Life”
If this list was instrumental only this one could come near the top, with a fantastic crossover between dark and light sounds making for an incredible listening experience when its on its own.
But with Zara Larsson, Sweden’s latest pop sensation, over the top it has a catchiness that has made it a radio staple all year. It’s fun, easy to listen to and not too repetitive either – so that’s why I’ve been fond of it as the radio producers have!
17. Galantis – “No Money”
For a band with a monopoly on fun and family-friendly dance music, it was strange this year to hear Galantis say they had “No Money”.
The tune itself though was exactly what we’d expect: a fun and sing-along tune with a bouncy and whimsical drop to it that makes dance music seem all too serious.
Galantis are a cut above the rest at the moment for a reason, and hopefully there’s plenty more withdrawals available from them next year.
16. Diplo & Sleepy Tom – “Be Right There” [2015]
This great track manages to take a 90s R&B staple and turn it into an all-out assault on the dancefloor, packing so much energy and fun into a couple minutes of previously humdrum music.
The drops hit hard with an industrial feel, and it’s this that shows Diplo with his solo hat on – breaking free of the dancehall shackles Major Lazer have on them and doing something a little more traditional.
This is an incredibly fun song, and well recommended for any sort of night out.
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15. Kacey Musgraves – “Follow Your Arrow” [2014]
Kacey Musgraves’ album last year as one of my highlights of the musical landscape, and it makes it all the more criminal that I didn’t get round to hearing her most popular single til now.
This song embraces all of the life-affirming, honest and poignant brilliance that Musgraves’ sweet voice brings to the table – having charm aplenty and still getting across the message of living life as you want to rather than anything else.
It’s clear to see why it’s still her most popular song, and I can bet you’ll want to hear it over and over again too after giving it a listen.
14. KDA – “Just Say” (feat. Tinashe)
This song is a great tip of the cap to old-fashioned dance music, and also the style that makes DFA remixes so, so good to me. Featuring the up-and-coming Tinashe, pitch-shifted to be almost unrecognisable, it’s dance music like it used to be done but with plenty of modern frills to it as well. A really good under-the-radar song from two artists that will go on to bigger things in future for sure.
13. Kungs vs. Cookin’ on 3 Burners – “This Girl”
It’s amazing how some chart songs do so well considering how “basic” they might be, but this is one that has dominated the airwaves in 2016 built on a little trumpets, bass and vocals.
I think everyone thinks this song is a fun and refreshing one, and that’s why it did so well this year. The lyrics might not mean a thing, but it exudes joy at every step and that’s why it makes the perfect antidote to what’s been a rather collectively dark year.
12. Calvin Harris – “Pray to God” (feat. Haim) [2014]
One of the oldest songs on this list, “Pray to God” is from Calvin Harris’ wildly successful 18 Months album, where he really started to make it big.
This song wasn’t quite as overplayed as many of the others on that bumper record, but it shows the style that he kept long into his next album Motion of high-drama, strings-infused dance tracks that don’t go too energetic but still keep ticking along.
Haim are fantastic vocalists and prove they can do well on this type of track too, so all-in-all it’s an under-rated gem that’s among Harris’ best.
11. Kacey Musgraves – “Ribbons and Bows”
Kacey Musgraves’ Christmas album kicked the holiday season into high gear for me at the start of December and this tune was the stand-out among some fantastic classics.
This has everything you’d want in a Christmas song: an interesting and heart-warming story, jingling bells, and a fun, catchy and upbeat melody to go along with it too. It’s happiness packed into a three-minute span and so much fun to listen to that it’s one of my favourites of the year.
10. 99 Souls – “The Girl is Mine” (feat. Destiny’s Child) [2015]
From a relatively unknown Destiny’s Child track, this song spins together an unforgettable dance tune that has been a resounding success. The song chops up the original and places it perfectly together in a way that maximises its connection to a simple and memorable beat. It’s hard not to listen to this over and over again, and that’s why it appears so high up this list.
9. SOPHIE – “Nothing More to Say / Eeehhh” [2015]
SOPHIE tunes are somewhat exuberant and involved, but that’s something I really like – and a reason why this is so, so good. This blend of two songs running together evokes a skill that LCD Soundsystem’s brilliant “45:33” did so well, mixing the beats and feelings of two rather different pieces of music together so that they’re linked together.
It’s a very memorable beat, and ideal for something like a run, and that’s why it’s always a joy when it appears on shuffle.
8. Tinie Tempah – “Girls Like” (feat. Zara Larsson)
Zara Larsson might be one of the next big things in pop music, but here she takes a back seat to a real staple of the UK charts over the years: Tinie Tempah. Back to his best with another big tune, but with a more electronic beat behind it, this is a real crowd-pleaser that certainly got people going at T in the Park this year. A great song that’s super catchy, everything adds up to a pop classic that will stand out when looking back on 2016.
7. Major Lazer – “Light It Up” (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG) [2015]
Major Lazer’s finest from his last album was this tune, which goes for the jugular in terms of danceability and proves that they can still do the basics well. It’s packed full of fun, with the vocals fighting over drumlines, synths and bells before the trumpet-driven chorus gives way to the dancefloor.
This didn’t have the same impact on the charts as “Lean On” or “Cold Water”, but when you strip back the star power of those two other songs you’re left with “Light It Up” being the most interesting one of the lot.
6. Drake – “Too Good” (feat. Rihanna)
“One Dance” is probably going to be one of 2016’s songs that go down in history with its record-breaking run at Number 1, but “Too Good” is the song that should be noted as Drake’s best.
Normally I’m not a fan of his style or his singing ability, but here he takes it up a notch – with a crooning style that doesn’t sound too forced over the Popcaan-provided beat. Rihanna comes in and does a start turn as the other half of this duet about a love gone astray, and for a modern pop song it hits a bit harder than normal.
It may not be the biggest song of the year, but for me it was one of the freshest songs that managed to hit at the ol’ heartstrings like they should.
5. Tobu & Itro – “Magic” [2014]
This song, much like “Hope” earlier on this list, comes packed full of sheer synthy happiness – but still has the hint of emotional regret or sadness packed into it. The difference here is that the drop is so much stronger and always bowls you over when it kicks off. The energy of the song is immense and it’s impossible not to feel a little more pumped up or happy when it gets going.
An ideal song if you need a pick-me-up, it truly is something “Magic”.
4. Alan Walker – “Faded” [2015]
Alan Walker burst onto the scene this year and set himself up as one of the new big names in dance music, and this tour-de-force is one very strong argument for that. “Faded” does an amazing job of being a rather dark song, but being juxtaposed with the soaring, and slowly-delivered synths and the beautiful vocals of Iselin Solheim.
This did very well in the charts this year, and even though I’d hear it all the time it was still worth listening to when I could get the chance, so it’s testament to it’s enduring brilliance that it’s this high on this year’s list.
3. MØ – “Final Song”
“Final Song” is a fantastic solo effort from MØ, whose name is now synonymous with great dance tracks (normally with Major Lazer).
This tune is packed with emotion, and has such a relatable story to it. It’s echoey and bare verses contrast amazingly with the loud and brash chorus which make it a fantastic combination to listen to.
What really made this song special though was a remix that drew out the poppiest elements and fused them with some dance to make it a dancefloor hit that you can’t listen to enough.
Between both versions of the song, this was my most played track of the year and it’s a credit to its writing and style that it worked so well both as a darker and more emotional original and a happy, fast-paced dance remix.
2. The Naked and Famous – “Higher”
One of the year’s finest for 2016 has to be The Naked and Famous’ “Higher”, the lead track of their fantastic album Simple Forms and a tune that’ll last with me for a long time.
“Higher” is packed full of drama, as we’d expect of the band that brought us the atmospheric highs and lows of songs like “Young Blood” and “Punching in a Dream”. But what makes it so special is that it keeps a positive spin on it all, making it more accessible to listeners to feel the same joy and heartbreak out of it all.
It’s a fun listen and always puts me through a bit of a rollercoaster of emotion, which is exactly what a great song will do.
This is a fantastic song and that’s why it sat proudly atop the list for this year, just until a week or two ago…
1. Snakehips – “All My Friends” (feat. Tinashe & Chance the Rapper) [2015]
My favourite song of all-time is also called “All My Friends”, and it’s taken a damn fine effort here to make this song even nearly as likeable.
This song bottles up all the emotions you have of a night out that doesn’t go to plan, for whatever reason. No matter if nights out aren’t the best, you spend time with those around you and that’s what matters in the end.
It’s not uplifting, and the beautiful melodies and fantastic vocals of both Tinashe and Chance the Rapper hide the bleak message behind their star power, but it’s an intoxicating song that leaves you wanting to listen again and again.
A highlight from my trip to Amsterdam was hearing this played in a rather fitting setting which made it all the more powerful to me, and I’ve barely been able to stop listening to it since then.
It’s a brilliant song that I know will resonate through the years, and that’s why it’s my top song of 2016.
Here is the full playlist of songs on this list available through Spotify: