2011 has come and gone, bringing some amazing music to all of us and leaving us even more excited for what some of the best producers in the EDM world have in store in 2012.
With that in mind, we decided to delve right in and highlight 10 tracks/albums to keep your eye on in the beginning of 2012. These are tracks that sound phenomenal and have already gotten plays from the biggest DJ’s in the world, for a reason. Unfortunately, many of these tracks don’t have defined release dates, but they do have good-quality, playable rips to get us excited. For the full list, keep reading!
Nari & Milani – Atom
Nari & Milani – Atom (live) by Nari&Milani
This huge track was played by Swedish House Mafia at their Madison Square Garden show and has been getting considerable attention ever since. Many of you recognize the name Nari & Milani from their massive track “Kendo.” This new one, entitled “Atom”, has many similar characteristics, including a break-down with some epic synths that lead into a hard-hitting drop.
Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl – In My Mind (feat. Georgi Kay)
In My Mind – Ivan Gough Feenixpawl feat Georgi Kay (Axwell cut) by jordiet_AA
Another track that benefits from live plays by SHM. The vocals of this track are goosebump-inspiring, the synths are jaw-dropping, and the drop is huge. This could easily become one of the biggest hits of 2012.
Afrojack & Shermanology – Can’t Stop Me Now
Just the other day, we wrote a review about Afrojack’s new album, in which he stuck to his Dirty-Dutch roots and deviated from some of his synthier, poppier productions. “Can’t Stop Me Now” goes in that more commercial direction, but in an amazing way, while still maintaining some of that terrific Dutch flavor. The rip below features the track played with the acapella of “Be” over it.
Dirty South & Thomas Gold feat. Kate Elsworth – Eyes Wide Open
Last time Dirty South & Thomas Gold came together on a track with Kate Elsworth as a vocalist, the result was the huge hit “Alive.” One critique of “Alive” that I’ve heard from a lot of people is that the drop simply doesn’t live up to the high quality of the rest of the track. Judging from the live preview we have of “Eyes Wide Open”, that won’t be a problem. This is another early candidate to be a huge hit of 2012.
Otto Knows – Visa
Otto Knows – Visa w/ Calvin Harris – Flashback (Avicii Bootleg) by DasFragezeichen
We’ve been waiting for release information for this track ever since Avicii played it on his Le7els podcast. A couple of months ago, Otto Knows posted on his Facebook status that the release date was going to be decided shortly, but we still haven’t heard anything. All we have in the meantime is the rip from Avicii’s podcast, combining the track “Visa” with the vocals from the classic track “Flashback.”
Swedish House Mafia – ID
The ID we’re referring to, of course, is the track that Swedish House Mafia opened with in their MSG track. Quite frankly, even referring to it as an SHM track is a shot in the dark, because we have no idea if the track was made by all three, or just by one of them. Remember, they opened their iTunes Festival set with “Calling” by Alesso & Ingrosso, when many people suspected
that it was an SHM production.
Max Vangeli & AN21 – Entire Album (incl. “People Of The Night” and “Whisper”)
The heirs to the Swedish House Mafia throne announced their debut album a long time ago, but haven’t released any concrete information about when that record will be unleashed. However, we know two of the certain tracks that will be on the album, and they are both huge. “Whisper” is a collaboration with British rapper/singer Example, while “People Of The Night” is their collab with none other than Tiesto.
Avicii & Nicky Romero – Fuck School
Avicii & Nicky Romero – ID [exQlusiv.com] by exQlusiv.com
This collab between two of the biggest break-out producers in recent years has also gotten a lot of hype. The influences in this track seem to stem mainly from Avicii’s synthy style, but Nicky Romero definitely contributed to a harder and more powerful drop than we’re used to seeing from the Swede.
Avicii – “Silhouettes” & “ID 2″
These two tracks both appear to be Avicii projects that are going to be unleashed in 2012 either as individual singles or as part of a bigger Avicii album (we obviously hope that the latter ends up occuring.) “Silhouettes” has been played in two versions: a vocal mix featuring Salem Al Fakir and a second mix featuring Fakir in a duet with a female singer. “ID 2″ appears to be the follow-up to “Levels”, which gives it the almost impossible task of surpassing what many consider to be the biggest track of 2011. Does it have a chance to live up to that hype? You tell us. The rips of both tracks are highly encouraging, featuring that distinct Avicii style marked by uplifting synths.
Third Party – Feel
Third Party vs. Cicada – Feel (Original Mix) Preview by GUMOL
If “Rebound” by Arty & Mat Zo was the track I latched onto and championed throughout the year of 2011, then “Feel” will certainly take that role this year. Ever since I heard the track on Tiesto’s Club Life, I’ve been obsessed, and cannot wait for Third Party & Size Records to give us some information about a possible release. I’m boldly predicting that this track will be one of the top 5 tracks of 2012. In fact, “Feel” marked the first post ever made on this website, back on June 27th. This is what I wrote back then:
Third Party, the Steve Angello proteges responsible for “Duel” and “Release” are planning on releasing a track called “Feel” through Size Records. The track has gotten considerable recognition, including from Tiesto’s prestigious Club Life Podcast, Episode 215. The reasons why are pretty evident; it features beautiful vocals, uplifting chords matched with a solid house progression, and a drop that is just waiting to destroy festivals and clubs.
Stay tuned for release information for all of the tracks listed above! Make sure to like our Facebook page for updates.