Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike x W&W – Arcade [released: March 1st]
After picking up 6 IDMA Award nominations in 2016, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike returned for a huge collaboration with Dutch mainstage staples W&W entitleHardwell & KURA – Calaverad ‘Arcade’. Released on February 29th, through Smash The House, ‘Arcade’ saw the duos channeling the retro through their inimitable progressive, big room house sounds, incorporating a spectrum of aesthetic and tonal ideas into one killer tune. Brimming with atmospheric synth blasts, a fist-pumping, foot-stomping beat, and one of the biggest breakdowns of the year, ‘Arcade’ undoubtedly had arenas, festival grounds and dancefloors shaking and bouncing throughout the coming years. Seamlessly blending together their distinctive styles, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and W&W demonstrated why they are considered amongst the biggest and best acts in the dance music sphere.
Hardwell ft. Jake Reese – Run Wild [released: March 1st]
After Hardwell and Jake Reese’s 2015 smash hit ‘Mad World’, the pair reunited one year later on ‘Run Wild’, continuing their startling run of form into the new year. Once again built around Jake Reese’s pitch perfect vocals and Hardwell’s signature big room chords, ‘Run Wild’ is big room house at its finest – full of emotionally charged blasts of sound and exquisitely produced electronic textures. On ‘Run Wild’ the duo were truly operating at the top of their respective games – Hardwell seamlessly alternates between dancefloor slaying beats and a poignant, introspective atmosphere, whilst Jake Reese is again on top form with a polished, breath-taking vocal track.
Axwell – Barricade [released: March 4th]
Picking up after a stacked year of releases and touring activity for Axwell Λ Ingrosso, the Axtone flag bearer had gone alone for his first single since 2013’s ‘I Am’, alongside Sick Individuals. Already a popular set favorite from the summer festival season of 2015, ‘Barricade’ showed a more aggressive and adrenaline-fuelled side to Axwell’s studio output. Opting for main stage energy and experimental transitions whilst maintaining his signature melodic hold on the genre, the track signaled further evolution for the long-serving artist and his renowned knack for quality productions.
The Chainsmokers ft. Daya – Don’t Let Me Down (W&W Remix) [released: March 7th]
Fresh from the previously mentioned ‘Arcade’, Dutch main room masters W&W turned their attention to ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ by The Chainsmokers and Daya. Not only did the duo turn this pop single into a main room anthem, but they also showcased their diversity in the studio by expertly creating a fusion of both future bass and big room house, leaving festivals in the dust whenever it would be dropped.
Martin Garrix ft. John & Michel – Now That I’ve Found You [released: March 11th]
With the release of ‘Poison’, Martin Garrix opened up a new chapter in his career with the launch of his own record label STMPD RCRDS. After this first release, the Dutchman then followed up with ‘Bouncybob’ alongside Mesto and Justin Mylo. Keeping his hot streak of releases continuing, on the 11th of March 2016, Martin Garrix released the third single on his then-newly formed record label, ‘Now That I’ve Found You’, featuring John & Michel. With an infectious and euphoric melody, uplifting and powerful synths, and amazing vocal-work from the talented duo of John & Michel, this progressive gem was received amazingly with the superstar DJ playing it live at his spectacular Ultra Music Festival Miami 2016 set.
Hardwell & KURA – Calavera [released: March 28th]
Rewind back to 2016 and with ‘Blackout’, ‘Hollywood’, and ‘Run Wild’ all firmly under his belt and gathering acclaim, Hardwell’s year had been massive to say the least, and it was still only March. Following on from those three productions, he teamed up with the brilliant KURA for ‘Calavera’, a big room anthem with a Southern European and Latin style twist. With chopped up vocal lines, a rolling bass groove and a jittering, shuffling rhythm, ‘Calavera’ combined Hardwell’s signature big room sound with KURA’s exotic vibes to continue their respective stellar runs of form. With KURA’s recent remix of Hardwell & Chris Jones’ ‘Young Again’ it was no surprise that the artists behind ‘Calavera’ here worked in perfect synergy and complemented each other’s sounds perfectly.
Tiësto & Bobby Puma – Making Me Dizzy [released: March 28th]
A full blast of energy by Tiesto and Bobby Puma as they dropped this blistering tune ‘Making Me Dizzy’. First premiered during Tiesto‘s massive set at Maya Music Festival, Thailand, ‘Making Me Dizzy’ was a mainstay in the Dutch legends sets, sending crowds into a frenzy all across the world. As the track rolls on, up-winding vocal samples create a hot groove, followed by catchy horn stabs and a raving drop, this had a crowd-pleaser written all over it and it did just that.
Honorable mentions:
Michael Feiner – Mantra (Axwell Cut) [released: March 18th]
Tujamo – Drop That Low (When I Dip) [released: March 21st]
D.O.D – Taking You Back (Afrojack Edit) [released: March 21st]
Stream all of these tracks and more in our 2016 EDM Essentials playlist below – follow here.
