Words by Amar Gera // Fisher image via edmli.com
What a year…
Australia had an incredible 2019 in terms of EDM, with acts like Flume, Golden Features, Hayden James and Dom Dollar leading the way, we produced some of the most exciting dance tracks in the galaxy. The success of events such as Festival X and Electric Gardens Festival show that there’s a growing appetite for dance music Down Under, and we can only imagine more global electro stompers will have an Australian Made sticker on them in the future.
Anyways, fire up the portable speaker, get your rave outfit on and take a look at our favourite Aussie EDM releases of 2019:
1. Flume – ‘Rushing Back’
One of Australia’s biggest exports, Northern Beaches’ very own Flume had a cracking year, from releasing his experimental mixtape Hi This Is Flume to eating ass on stage at Burning Man. His 2019 collaboration with Vera Blue ‘Rushing Back’ absolutely blew up from the minute it came out, with Flume proving why he’s one of Australia’s greatest EDM artists and Vera proving that she’s an absolute vocal powerhouse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwg7hJrDiRg
2. Golden Features x The Presets – ‘Paradise’
A match made in heaven, the man in the golden mask and the Presets’ joint project was met with mad excitement from the moment it was announced. With dark and moody synths juxtaposed with uplifting vocals and harmonies, ‘Paradise’ never fails to energise a crowd. You would know if you’ve seen it live that it goes off every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDRTrurPT64
3. Hayden James – ‘Just Friends’
Technically released in 2018, the Sydney producers smash is just too important not to mention. Appearing on his 2019 debut album Between Us, the track features some cruisy vocals from Boy Matthews and the stellar production that the Future Classic heavyweight has become known for. It’s become an anthem across Australia and its one of the best dance releases of the last couple years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDsdUoRRXTE
4. Cosmo’s Midnight – ‘C.U.D.I. (Can U Dig It)’
The Sydney twins had a smashing year, touring all over the world as well playing various festivals like Listen Out, Splendour in the Grass and the upcoming Falls Festival in Byron bay. With catchy guitar riffs, piercing vocals and colourful synths, ‘C.U.D.I.’ makes you just want to hang poolside with a cold mojito in hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rThKL5Jp_Bo
5. Dom Dollar – ‘San Frandisco’
One of the best house acts doing it in the Aussie music scene, Dom Dollar has turned out some of the most energetic and hard hitting sets in recent festival memory. Playing festivals like Lost Paradise, Listen Out and most recently Spilt Milk, Dom never fails to electrify a crowd, and neither does his hit ‘San Frandisco’. With the track’s multilayered production revving up crowds everywhere, there’s no way we couldn’t include this absolute beauty of a track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFQ87_g41ZA
6. Whatsonot & Flux Pavillion – ‘20:25 feat. The Chain Gang of 1974’
The Flux Pavilion and What So Not smash brings good vibes wherever it’s played. It’s a powerhouse collaboration between the English and Australian producers, and features some sweet vocals from The Chain Gang of 1974. Complimented perfectly by the colourful synths and drums, ’20:25′ is a classic track from the EDM heavyweights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PRwjS9YrKg
7. Golden Features x The Presets – ‘Raka’
A real crowd pleaser, we definitely need more Features and Presets collabs in the future. With the hard hitting verses asking us if ‘anyone out there is feeling dangerous’, the answer is most certainly yes. It’s impossible not to feel just a little bit dangerous when you have Golden Features and the Presets taking you on an absolute journey with murky beats and hypnotic vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laSiCtIvXQ4
8. Running Touch – ‘When I’m Around You’
Melbourne singer and producer Running touch lit up the scene with his 2019 dance track ‘When Im Around You’. Described as a ‘the first instalment of a narrative I’m close to and the start of a new creative challenge’, Running Touch is certainly taking control of his own narrative. With soulful vocals and honest song writing, Running Touch strikes a perfect balance between dance track and heartfelt ballad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBLljfO7I3A
9. Cosmo’s Midnight – ‘Have It All’
The Sydney duo really turned up this year, and ‘Have It All’ featuring Age.Sex.Location. did the same. With funky guitar riffs and on point production, the track just goes to prove that Cosmos Midnight are one of the best EDM acts that are doing it in Australia right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtX6jCQFCBE
10. Fisher – ‘You Little Beauty’
The Gold Coast producer and Hot 100 runner up has had a crazy couple of years, from releasing his break out hit ‘Losing it’ to playing festivals across Australia and the world, most notably Coachella. His 2019 follow up ‘You Little Beauty’ has dance floors burning up any time it’s played. With the soulful chorus lines and crisp production, it’s a worthwhile follow up to ‘Losing it’ and is proof of the tech house star’s ability to craft fun and carefree bangers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4xF5ymdQG8
11. Anna Lunoe and Nina Las Vegas – ‘One Thirty’
One of the most wholesome friendships in the Aussie music scene, long-time friends and EDM trailblazers Anna Lunoe and Nina Las Vegas’ collaboration ‘One Thirty’ has literally been years in the making. Hyping crowds up wherever its played, the track is an absolute gem, with the bop showcasing the pairs production mastery. We hope we don’t have to wait too long for the pals release another track together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfqFq-16ZtY
12. Pnau – ‘Solid Gold feat. Kira Divine & Marques Toliver’
The Sydney house trio are veterans of the festival circuit, playing everything from Splendour in the Grass 2018 to Lost Paradise and Vanfest. Featuring vocals from Kira Divine (also appeared on Pnau hits ‘Chameleon’ and ‘Go Bang’) and Marques Oliver, ‘Solid Gold’ is a shimmering track with a gorgeous slow build. The pay off is completely worth it too, electrifying ears whenever its played (like every other Pnau track).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIfTD2i50s8
13. Anna Lunoe- ‘303’
Internationally acclaimed producer and DJ Anna Lunoe absolutely lit up the EDM realm this year. A true veteran of the Aussie music scene, she’s more than established her place in the EDM world, and her hard hitting hit ‘303’ with its sleek vocals and vibrant production just go to prove this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neo4re7oLWY
14. Flume & HWLS – ‘High Beams (feat. Slowthai)’
There was a little something for everyone on Hi This Is Flume. Rap lovers were well and truly taken care of with tracks like ‘High Beams’ featuring HWLS & slowthai and ‘How to Build a Relationship’ featuring JPEGMAFIA. ‘High Beams’ has British rapper slowthai delivering an absolutely annihilating 16, and with Flumes futuristic beats there was no way it wasn’t gonna be an absolute ripper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf4VW5f2wLU
15. Willaris K – ‘5 O’Clock’
The 23 year old Northern NSW producer really came through this year. His hit ‘5 O’Clock’ displays his ability to craft unique uplifting tracks with expansive sonics and production. Its an absolute masterclass in how to craft emotive dance tracks that move the listener, and lights up any festival its played at.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6U_LjyXIPI
16. Jungle Giants – ‘Heavy Hearted’
Don’t let the name fool you, the 2019 release from the Queensland four piece is anything but heavy hearted. It’s a slight departure from their more rockier tracks, but it still goes off. With those classic Jungle Giants vocals that we know and love, the hook is perfectly balanced with the infectious keys, impactful drums and glittery synths. Jungle Giants can do no wrong, and ‘Heavy Hearted’ is a clear example of this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtELVq1bi3I
17. Young Franco – ‘Otherside ft. Reva Devito & Golden Vessel’
One of the most loved acts in the Aussie music scene, Brisbane born Young Franco keeps going from strength to strength. His 2019 release ‘Otherside’ is a prime example of Francos ability to be versatile, with the bouncy synths and sultry vocals making for a perfect RnB jam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e-jmogv2dQ
18. Crooked Colours – ‘Do It Like You’
The Perth alternative dance group brought the feels on ‘Do it Like You’, with tender vocals and refined production (including a super mellow guitar line) reaffirming the delicate intricacies that only Crooked Colours can bring to a track. Balancing the layers with the various instruments and synths, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy in this cracker of a track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr-xWa_Eb0Q
19. Human Movement – ‘It’s the Movement’
Featuring his classic blend of house, garage and techno, the Aussie producer’s 2019 release ‘It’s The Movement’ takes things to a new level, with alien sounding drums and synths that sound like the track belongs in The Matrix. For a total sonic journey into the unknown, Human Movements ‘It’s the Movement’ is the track for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcXfYl1gBtA
20. Ninajirachi – ‘Water Gun’
The 20 year old Central Coast producer has gone from strength to strength this past year, from releasing her debut album Lapland to supporting acts like Charlie XCX at Oxford Art Factory. Her hit ‘Water Gun’ is an absolute killer of a track, with beautiful organic production and samples contrasting with intense drums and build ups. She’s one of the most exciting young acts in the Australian EDM, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nWlLSsrdHQ
Australia really had a fantastic year in terms of EDM, and it’s almost impossible to nail a list that everyone’s going to agree on. But it’s safe to say we’re bursting with talent, and if we go into 2020 producing hits like we did this year, there’s no question we’re going to become an even bigger presence in the EDM world over the next decade. If you think we missed out on anyone, let us know!
