10 years of Pryda: Looking back at dance music’s favorite alias

10 years of Pryda: Looking back at dance music's favorite alias

Eric Prydz has gone by many names since paving a path for house music nearly 15 years ago. Since 2002 he’s produced and performed under monikers such as Moo, Sheridan, and the notorious Cirez D. In the mix came collaborative projects such as AxEr with Axwell and A&P with Steve Angello. Other than his birth name foundation, his (and dance music’s) most revered alias is known simply as Pryda — and it has been for over a decade now. Commemorating 2014 with ’10 Years of Pryda,’ the most immortal man in dance is taking the anniversary whole-heartedly, even treating it with a full-length album.

As Eric looks back on the decade that was Pryda, we’re doing same at Dancing Astronaut — year by year, track by track. Relive the ’10 Years of Pryda’ with the biggest tracks from house music’s holy grail of aliases, ranging from 2004 to today.

2004. Human Behaviour

Within the same few months that Eric Prydz hit it big on the chart with “Call On Me,” he countered his commercial step with a stride to maintain his traditional house presence… and Pryda was born. The first release came as “Human Behaviour,” joined by the appropriately titled B-side, “Lesson One.” A follow-up vinyl followed and the year closed with two releases.

2005. Nile

Like the previous year, Pryda released two double-sided vinyls. The spooky house came as unrelenting as its known today, with “Nile” as the year’s standout and “Sucker DJ” on the flip-side.

2006. Frankfurt

Sparingly releasing just one vinyl in 2006, two more tracks emerged from the Pryda moniker. Although highlighted by “Remember,” its B-side captures the contagious rhythm that Prydz found worthy of a sole release that year. Named after the German city, “Frankfurt” is the lighter of the two tracks, and undoubtedly the more mesmerizing.

2007. Europa

Eric followed his slow year behind with 5 releases culminating in 9 new tracks in 2007. In revisiting such heavy output, listeners have their pick at Pryda, but will find one in particular to be an instant blast from the past. “Europa” is that record, as supported by “Odyssey,” is 2007’s timeless choice.

2008. Pjanoo

As the story goes, “Pjanoo” now belongs to the namesake of Eric Prydz as it lives on past its own decade. But before labels scooped the record for mass-publishing, it had already been stamped as property of Pryda and paired with the lesser-known “F12.” According to the man himself, the record had been written as early as 1996, only to surface for good in 2008.

2009. Miami To Atlanta

Few Pryda records could be defined by melody — or define the melody of Pryda, for that matter — better than “Miami To Atlanta.” One of his most recognizable tunes upon pressing play, “MtA” also comes as an example of his growth toward bigger sounds and the introduction of dance music’s quintessential builds and drops. Warily avoiding cheesy climaxes, Pryda’s 2009 effort saw his material gravitate to larger venues while remaining steadfast in his use of traditional house without what’s considered today as ‘big room’ with a ‘drop.’

2010. Glimma

10 new tracks were added to Pryda’s ongoing catalogue in 2010, with one making way as the meanest dance record of its kind to that date. Unlike 2009’s standout, “Glimma” is all shades of dark, featuring counltes ways to grasp onto the producer’s evolving notion of pure progressive house. And, 5 years later and counting, it remains an undisputed dance floor weapon.

2011. Mirage

The spiritual facet to Eric Prydz’s work surfaced in 2011, and the Pryda-branded “Mirage” was the track that brought it to the relevancy it has upheld for years. Uplifting in nature, made seductive and capturing by coy progressions, Pryda used this release as the opportunity to draw from the past and look towards the future as “Mirage” brings all previous Pryda elements together and introduces one that would become his staple in later work.

2012. Allein

The Pryda anthem of all Pryda anthems. If there were ever a record produced at the hand of Eric Prydz that one may consider an anthem, it’s “Allein.” Melodies and progressions evolved and Pryda’s use of tasteful climaxes entered a new tier. “Allein” is as anthemic as pure progressive house gets, and it made way with perfect timing as the veteran took the gem from that year’s Eric Prydz presents Pryda album across the pond for a long-awaited return to the United States.

2013. Power Drive

The broadcast of BBC Radio 1 makes the Essential Mix available in every part of the world by default. So, in the case of Eric Prydz’s impactful 2013 outing, it should be considered “the Essential Mix heard around the universe.” The two-hour journey is often marked by “Power Drive,” which powered the mix to its status today. Soon after “Power Drive” received its official release and would become an indomitable presence in his live performances, much the same way it had been on Pete Tong’s mega-show.

2014. Lycka

Eric Prydz bid adieu to 2013 with a final Pryda release to hold fans over before his ten-year anniversary. 2014 marks one full decade of the Pryda alias, and the artist at hand has every intention to commemorate. He has already teased (and nearly confirmed) that the ’10 Years of Pryda’ occasion will bring forth a brand new full length album. The follow up to Eric Prydz presents Pryda is, more likely than not, en route. And what better way to gear up than by browsing a decade-long discography.