Dancing Astronaut’s Top 10 tracks of June 2014Top Tracks June 2014

Dancing Astronaut’s Top 10 tracks of June 2014

Dancing Astronaut's Top 10 Tracks of June 2014

Want an easy way to make sure you’re up to date on all the latest, best music? Dancing Astronaut takes a look at the top 10 tracks officially released in June and ranks them based on a combination of reader feedback, track quality, editorial preference & critical reception.

Dancing Astronaut wraps up June for you with another edition of our top 10 tracks of the month. April’s list features massive tracks from reader favorites Deadmau5, Kaskade, and Oliver Heldens. Not to be missed are also fantastic efforts from Todd Terry, Mark Knight, and Eddie Thoneick with Abel Ramos.

10. Calvin Harris - Summer (Diplo & Grandtheft Remix)

Calvin Harris’s “Summer” creeped into the time of year in which it was named after months after its release — reaching commercial success and pop acclaim. Due in part to its vocal hook, laden simply but effectively with its easily relatable lyrics: “When I met you in the summer…” Now building on the vocal snippet-seasonal love tale, Diplo and Grandtheft bring the contagion to a niche audience with an in-your-face rendition, filling the void for die-hards of the live circuit.

9. Todd Terry - Real House (Original Mix)

The topic of ‘real house music’ has historically come with a lot of chest beating from the older generations, but few are more proficient to argue the case than that of Todd Terry. Still revered as a household name and outright pioneer of American house music, the New York legend joins the unlikely ranks of Steve Angello’s X imprint to offer a persuasive argument for the label’s underground door policy.

8. Junior Sanchez & Sultan + Ned Shepard - Deeper Love (Original Mix)

Since jumpstarting 2014 for Size Records with “Without You,” Junior Sanchez has remained atop his game and continues to do so in returning for “Deeper Love.” The collaboration with Sultan and Ned Shepard leads with striking percussion and the sampling of Aretha Franklin’s “A Deeper Love,” channeling dance soul circa 1993 for a modern, exponentially more explosive take. 

7. Basement Jaxx - Never Say Never (Mark Knight Remix)

As far as true house music goes, Mark Knight is a name that will always reign supreme. For the past ten years, Knight has helped champion the best in house and tech house through his revered label, Toolroom Records. Still buzzing off the monstrous success of 2013′s “Your Love” and his recent show-stopper “The Return of Wolfy,”Knight keeps the momentum alive with a joyous take on Basement Jaxx’s “Never Say Never.” With plenty of uplifting chords to supplement his sharply constructed percussive shuffle, Knight’s remix excels through its classic house vibes and celebratory overtone. From his irresistible originals to masterfully crafted remixes, Mark Knight can clearly do no wrong.

6. Eddie Thoneick & Abel Ramos - Love Will Never Let You Down (Original Mix)

Those who were lucky enough to experience the European big room peak between 2007 and 2011 are sure to relish the coherent club values of “Love Will Never Let You Down,” June’s marquee release from Size Records provided by Eddie Thoneick and Abel Ramos. Taking the sound back to basics amid a complacent period for many of its popular avenues, James Walsh provides the infectious top line that seals a melodic club-facing landmark in the label’s output, one that proves some sounds never age when executed in such capable hands.

5. Porter Robinson - Lionhearted (Original Mix)

Porter Robinson’s Worlds project approaches with its release slated for the tail-end of the summer, but its campaign is waist-deep, already onto its third promotional single in succession of “Sea of Voices” and “Sad Machine.” Debuted by Danny Howard to instant acclaim, “Lionhearted” offers more uplifting tones than its predecessors, although remaining in theme with Porter’s debut album persona.

4. How To Destroy Angels - Ice Age (deadmau5 Remix)

Deadmau5’s new album boasts over two hours of material, most of which spans double-disc as original productions. Appropriately slotted into While (1>2), however, is his work on How To Destroy Angels’ “Ice Age.” The remix seamelessly fits the mold of the albums thematic course and impresses enough to be a standout amongst a slew of original material that’s been an undisputed A-game release.

3. The Chainsmokers - Selfie (Botnek Remix)

Yet again, Botnek finds a way to troll a popular song while taking it to unseen heights. First, their warp on “Animals” revived the hit to become an in-demand staple. Next on the duo’s radar: “Selfie.” Speaking with Billboard, The Chainsmokers said to have “predicted that eventually it would become one of the most annoying songs ever,” and began listing potential remixers from that moment, with Botnek topping the list. The lyrics that have been heard around the world this year have been swapped for jingles such as “but first, shut the f*ck up” and “let me take another, f*ck no,”  before Botnek turns pop culture’s favorite tune into a frenetic blaze of their signature antics.

2. Kaskade & AMTRAC - Yep (Original Mix)

In bringing his exclusively vinyl Redux EP to the digital market, Kaskade opened the floodgates on a handful of productions unique to his brand. In theme with his more intimate house persona, the easy-listen, deep grooves and traditional up-holdings are lead by his collaboration with AMTRAC. Both producer meet in the middle on “Yep,” where Kaskade stays true to the sounds of Redux and AMTRAC impresses on both his contribution and the way about it being weaved into the extended play.

1. Oliver Heldens x Becky Hill - Gecko (Overdrive)

Oliver Heldens struck something special with “Gecko,” finding that intersection between the growing deep house preference while maintaining melody enough to keep a more general audience listening. Now, “Gecko” is breaking another barrier — giving exposure to its genre while soaring in popularity and charting internationally through June. Although previously unlikely (and untested), the timing couldn’t have been better. Another midas touch came from Becky Hill, who laces the entire track with a timeless vocal, one appropriate for traditional house but transcendent through pop culture.

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