EDM.com proudly publishes 4 installments of annual year-end protection: Business Leaders, Performances, Music Producers, and Songs.
DJing and music manufacturing are completely different. However the distinction between the 2 is sort of a wallflower—it hides in plain sight, and it’s vastly misunderstood.
To publish a “High DJ” checklist could be to undermine the originality, ingenuity, and dauntless creativeness of the artists who dedicate their lives to music creation. To honor their fearless creativity and profound dedication to their craft, we have acknowledged 10 of one of the best digital music producers of 2021.
Laxcity
From the feel-good future bass of his Disconnect EP to the textured synths on “melodies from heaven,” Laxcity took over 2021 along with his wistfully dreamy takes on the electronica style.
Setting him aside this yr have been the sheer variety of concepts he shared with the digital dance music neighborhood. This included a elegant 14-track mixtape referred to as 2018-2021, which seamlessly juxtaposed whirring bass (“Outcry,” “Pondering”) in opposition to extra elegant, ambient preparations (“Delete,” “Comfortable Pillow”). Laxcity was additionally tapped to seem on two albums commissioned by League of Legends developer Riot Video games, whereby he contributed three extraordinary unique songs. Together with his first-ever headlining present slated for early 2022 in London, it’s clear his development has not solely been unprecedented, however justly rewarded.
Amelie Lens
Calling 2021 dominant could be an understatement for Belgian techno aesthete Amelie Lens, whose spellbinding sound took leaps and bounds in 2021. Living proof is her breathtaking Raver’s Heart EP (with AIROD), which embodied the persevering spirit of the digital music neighborhood throughout a pandemic that merely won’t relent. “We missed the dance flooring a lot and needed to create one thing energetic for large levels and festivals,” Lens informed Forbes of the heart-pounding EP.
Lens just lately tied a bow on 2021 with Louder Than Chaos, Vol. 4, the penultimate installment of a collaborative sequence launched by veteran Scottish duo Slam on their commemorated Soma Information imprint. The three-track EP is yet one more barometer of her versatility, relating breakbeat, jungle, acid home and extra in a riveting show of her wholly singular strategy to techno music.
Amelie Lens.
Porter Robinson
As Porter Robinson himself has recommended, the prolonged seven-year hole between his groundbreaking debut album, Worlds, and his sophomore effort, Nurture, was characterised by a insecurity and emotions of being caught in place. Paradoxically, it wasn’t till Robinson began seeing buddies once more, prioritizing his well being over his profession, and usually spending time exterior the studio that he started to really feel his artistic inspiration return.
In some ways, Nurture is Robinson’s capstone challenge from that seven-year interval, a well-documented emotional journey encapsulating his private highs and lows of the period. The album was not solely a billet-doux from Robinson to his followers, but additionally to himself. From the anxious introspection of “Mirror” to the blissfully triumphant “Musician,” Robinson was capable of meet the sky-high expectations pushed by followers of Worlds, and overcome his greatest trials and tribulations as a musician whereas sharing a few of the most deeply private releases of his profession to date.
Porter Robinson.
CharlestheFirst
When CharlestheFirst launched SOLUS in March, little did his followers know the album could be one of many final vestiges of a vivid profession minimize far too quick. The progressive album was a tour de drive for the prodigious artist, who explored new sonic frontiers with the dauntless curiosity of somebody with large plans. SOLUS is a relic of an digital music virtuoso gone too quickly—and with a lot, way more to perform.
And after the introspective album’s launch, it was clear that CharlestheFirst’s artistry derived not from the blue mild of his DAW, however from a deeply non secular way of thinking. “[SOLUS] is a narrative of the lone journey, a pilgrimage to locations beforehand unknown,” CharlestheFirst mentioned on the time. “A time of challenges that signify development, and at last trying one’s true self within the mirror. A narrative of solitude. A narrative of sunrises seen and felt. A narrative of holding onto love and letting love go.”
CharlestheFirst.
c/o Press
GRiZ
It is powerful to think about many artists having a yr as prolific as GRiZ had in 2021. Regardless of the uncertainty of the live performance trade and the on-again, off-again nature of reveals within the face of the pandemic, he remained resolute in his efforts to elevate the spirits of the EDM devoted along with his music.
Again in July GRiZ celebrated the discharge of Rainbow Brain, his good seventh album which was impressed by the dubstep producers earlier than him. He then went on to unveil “Griztronics II (One other Stage),” the jaw-dropping follow-up to his wildly widespread dubstep anthem, “Griztronics” (with Subtronics). He additionally just lately wrapped his annual “12 Days of GRiZMAS” charity extravaganza by raising over $100,000 for youngsters in Detroit.
With a staggering seven albums underneath his belt and an insatiable starvation for philanthropy, GRiZ is proof that that the EDM neighborhood is in good fingers as we head into 2022.
GRiZ.
Nora En Pure
2021 was yet one more banner yr for Nora En Pure, who remained as prolific as ever.
She kicked off the yr with an EP referred to as Monsoon, a elegant three-track opus brimming with the hypnotic deep home cadence of a basic Nora En Pure document. One other EP adopted just some months later with the brooding Thermal / Oblivion, which set the tone for a slew of must-listen singles to shut out the yr, such because the mesmeric “Aquatic.” An understated spotlight got here in September, when she dusted the cobwebs off Tove Lo’s unapologetic 2016 pop anthem “Cool Lady” with a surprising official remix.
Nora En Pure.
Suzana Paylan
Ben Böhmer
After his gorgeous late-2020 efficiency for Cercle from a hot-air balloon above the honeycombed hills of Cappadocia, all eyes have been on Ben Böhmer forward of 2021. And the German beatsmith delivered in a giant manner, entrancing the plenty along with his signature melodic home sound en path to one of many yr’s finest albums. The September launch of Böhmer’s sophomore album, Begin Again, showcased his most developed work in digital music manufacturing but, brimming with elegant textures and deeply contemplative lyricism.
Quickly to embark on a sold-out world tour in 2022, Böhmer’s dominance subsequent yr is all however a foregone conclusion.
Ben Böhmer.
TSHA
New music from TSHA was a rarity in 2021, however when the London-based home music prodigy did share new tunes, they have been particular.
Her OnlyL EP, launched again in August, was a masterstroke. Spanning three tracks, it oozes with soul however stays sharply club-focused with its brisk percussion and jungle influences. “Energy” is a very outstanding minimize because of its ingenious sampling and unconventional layering—two parts of TSHA’s wholly singular strategy to bounce music manufacturing which have catapulted her to world acclaim. And after reportedly signing a three-album take care of the fabled Ninja Tune label, she’s poised for an incredible 2022.
TSHA.
Wasserman Music
Folamour
2021 noticed Folamour display one factor that many music producers spend their whole careers looking for: vary. Minting this sonic versatility was the Frenchman’s most up-to-date album, The Journey, which blended old-school synths with extra trendy manifestations of disco, home and R&B. Pensive instrumentals like “St Moskov” and “Latécoère” appeared alongside the radiant layers of vocal-driven hip-shakers like “The Journey” (with Zeke Manyika) and “Misplaced In House” (with SG Lewis).
In the meantime, “Rue de Paradis” enlisted Tertia Might for a sultry examine of R&B, and album nearer “Simply Need Happiness” noticed bluegrass, indie rock and samples of fowl calls come collectively for an digital opus match for a coming-of-age film. Clearly, Folamour has discovered easy methods to soak in inspiration like a sponge, with out shedding himself within the noise. As a substitute, his concepts are curated and centered—a rarity for producers who’re as enchanted by music as he’s.
Folamour.
Spencer Brown
The ascension Spencer Brown took over the course of 2021 was an attractive one to behold.
Already a rising act on the roster of Above & Past’s iconic Anjunabeats, the California native stepped as much as the plate final yr along with his sensational sophomore album, Stream of Consciousness. In 2021, Brown shifted gears and dipped his toes into the techno lane along with his time-travel of an EP, I Was Too Younger For 90s Raves. He could have been too younger to rave within the 90s, however his ingenuity within the studio and unbridled love of dance music might idiot anybody. From acid techno breaks to progressive trance melodies, Brown is shaping the sounds of the longer term.
Spencer Brown.
Honorable Mentions:
Tisoki
Apashe
UNIIQU3
Kaskade
Moore Kismet
AmyElle
Rome In Silver
ISOxo
TOKiMONSTA
Chris Lake
