We’ve gone through pretty much every top 10 list for 2018. Now, we top it all off with the 10 10 best music we’ve heard all year.
Before we get into the top 10 list, we wanted to take the time and give a special congratulations to some of the winners for best track released in a year. Our first shout out goes to the winner of 2009. 2009 was a massively competitive year for top quality music. A couple of examples of this are Above & Beyond Presents OceanLab – Satellite (Original Above & Beyond Mix) (which scored a massive 9.5/10), In-Panic – Bass Solidy (scoring an incredible 9/10), John O’Callaghan Feat. Lo-Fi Sugar – Never Fade Away (an incredible score of 9.5/10), Outblast & Angerfist – The Dominators 2009 Refix (scoring a jaw dropping 9/10), and Tritonal feat. Soto – Let Solitude (Air Up There Mix) (scored a near perfect 9.5/10). We’re not joking when we say that year was very competitive.
Still, there can only be one. For 2009, the winner for best track of the year belongs to Andy Blueman – Neverland (Original Mix). That track is one of the very few to ever post a perfect 10/10. That track, for us, was absolutely stunning and definitely deserving of the title.
We now move things over to 2010 where are also able to announce the track of the year. For us, 2010 was a bit more quiet, but it did see some solid hits. These includes Andy Tau – Late Nights (Akira Kayosa And Eldritch Project Remix), BT – The Emergency, Mike Shiver & Aruna – Everywhere You Are (Mike Shiver’s Catching Sun Mix), Muffler – Pinball Fantasies (Remix), and Nitrous Oxide Feat. Aneym – Far Away (Club Mix). All of these tracks scored a great 8/10.
For the year, however, we see a two way tie for the track of the year. Both of these scored a very nice 8.5/10. Those tracks are Gareth Emery feat. Lucy Saunders – Sanctuary (Club Mix) and Interface – Never Say Farewell. So, big congrats there to both producers on that one.
Now, we turn to the other part, the top 10 tracks we’ve heard in 2018:
10. Andy Moor vs. Michael Wilson – Control Me (Toby Emerson Unreleased Mix)
(Commercial)
We start the list off strong with this great house track. This one features excellent production value, great vocals, and nicely done electric guitars. The electro house style meets progressive elements along with a pinch of rock music. Definitely a great track all around.
8.5/10
9. G-Town Madness & The Viper – Live A Lie
(Commercial)
Probably one of the more recognizable tracks in the hardcore scene. This track features great chopped voice samples, excellent rhythm, and well realized energy. The great vocals certainly didn’t hurt anything here.
8.5/10
8. DJ Eco – Light At the End (Original Mix)
(Commercial)
Let’s face it, the Lost World remix was a monster of a tune. Still, that doesn’t mean the other mixes weren’t listening. In this case, the original mix really holds its own in terms of quality. The progressively powerful synths easily wins the day here.
8.5/10
7. Grindstone – Yesterday
(Free)
A free online demo once upon a time. This track really shows off what kind of quality this band is capable of. Not only are there great guitar sounds and excellent vocals, but the added synth piano elements really knocks the quality out of the park here. A highly recommended track as far as I’m concerned.
8.5/10
6. Toby Emerson feat. Dwizz – Trippin’ On Lust (Original Mix)
(Commercial)
Trying to get the order right was hard this year. So many great tracks that really deserve recognition. In this case, we get the excellent Emerson progressive electro house sound combined with some nicely done rap voice work. The combination proved just how great such a combination sounds.
8.5/10
5. Dan Stone – Drive (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)
(Commercial)
This trance hit really pushes things. It features powerful uplifting melodies that can get a lot of people to raise a hand or two. The added melody towards the end of the climax really put this track over the top for us to the point that it got pushed into the top 5.
8.5/10
4. Vision84 – Highway Central (Original Mix)
(Commercial)
In our view, 5 and 4 were practically a dead heat. We really had to split hairs to figure out which one belongs further up the list. After a long hard think, we chose this one to be on top, but only just. The inspiring melodies and progressive elements are a sound to behold. A very memorable sound for all the right reasons to say the least.
8.5/10
3. Predator & Angerfist – Legend
(Commercial)
The word “Legend” is thrown about a lot. In this case, the name is well deserving to the point of being placed in the top 3. This track combines excellent hardcore sound and epic orchestral elements to create one monster of a tune. The voice sample helped push this track to the next level.
9/10
2. SSH – Holy Orders (Be Just or Be Dead)
(Free)
Some tracks have such high quality, they are capable of taking your breath away. The raw power and fast paced rock sounds makes this track an epic one. Is it based on a video game track? Sure. Do you have to have played the game to enjoy this track? Hardly. This track is simply amazing.
9/10
1. Protoculture feat. Shannon Hurley – Sun Gone Down (Original Mix)
(Commercial)
This years winner is one stunning and highly memorable track. With incredible production quality, this track packs a serious punch. The vocals are incredible and the synths that back them are in a league of their own. That raw emotion, that way the track develops, that, well, I can’t stop saying great things about it. A stunningly great tune and deserving of the top spot.
9.5/10
Well, that concludes this years top 10 lists. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed making them. Here’s to another year of finding great music!
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Google+.
