On the Dance Floor (The Electro Scene List)

By Nadia Collado
July 28th, 2008

I love rock. I love rap. I love French music. I love salsa & merengue, the blues, jazz, & hip-hop. But as much as I love all kinds of music, nothing gets me more riled up than electronica. You see, I have an extra-special place in my heart for drums, bass, beats, and synth and what they form when they come together – which is almost always one sweaty dance floor. The following are a sure-fire to make me (and most of my friends) very, very happy at a dance party.

Newer

“NightRipper” by Girl Talk (yes, the entire CD)

Ah, the mash-up. Thank heaven for Gregory Gill’s ability to sample pop(ular) songs ranging from the likes of Matt & Kim to Dr. Dre into one addictive, hip-adjusting, dance off.

“Don’t Dance” by Hot Chip

It is kind of ironic (and very clever) that this song explicitly asks its listener not to dance. It is also impossible to follow its orders. How can you? It’s not by accident that this song breaks into a synth haven immediately after it asks you not to do the very thing it was made for. Those British kids, they sure know how to get ya.

“Helicopter (remix)” by Steve Aoki

Aoki really knows how to get a party started. I recently saw him DJing at a club in Florida and he looked like he was having the time of his life making a room of 200 dance. Like Gills (the man behind Girl Talk), Aoki uses other artists material to create a sweet concoction of his own. I particularly enjoy this remix because I really dig Bloc Party’s early stuff and the inclusion of Peaches sultry voice just makes the entire thing too sexy to ignore.

“Crimewave” by Crystal Castles

This Toronto based duo have quickly become the new house-meets-noise darlings around town. When their gameboy infused synth beats meet Alice Glass’ distorted yelps and screams chaos ensues. Check it out.

“It’s the Beat” by Simian Mobile Disco

“On the dance floor, I am a world class freak.” Need I say more?

“Athena” by Hercules & the Love Affair

It wouldn’t be hard to confuse DJ Andy Butler’s new project with a disco-fied band from the 70s. The use of trumpets and synth will make you think that you’re at Studio 54, dancing under a disco ball whilst strutting your stuff in bell bottom pants, instead of the hipster-ridden Studio B.

Older

“Hot Ride” by Prodigy

Who can forget Prodigy? No one. You shouldn’t be able to forget Prodigy. They, along with the Chemical Bros. and the Crystal Method, were at the forefront of the rave scene in the 90s. Prodigy is probably the reason why many our present DJ’s do what they do. Anyway, I’m including this song because it’s one of the more recent tracks laid out by Prodigy proving that they still kick major ass.

“This Shit Will Fuck You Up” by Combichrist

This is not your typical electronica. It is actually industrial – a section of the genre that I had never really embraced until I heard Combichrist. This song is for the very open-minded. And if you want to keep it PG, don’t listen to the lyrics.

“Take Me To The Club” by Mannequin

This is a newer obsession obtained from the Party Monster soundtrack (don’t watch the movie; it isn’t that great – the soundtrack surpasses it by far). The heavy use of bass really brings you back to the rave era. And just like the narrator, a fat beat, bass, smoke machines, and a ride to the club is all I need to make me happy.

Comments (11)

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COMMENTS (11)

eriq said:

i love party monster

Yang said:

would be great if there were samples.

jules said:

i agree with everything on the “new” list. although i would’ve added some daft punk, since they are the ones who pioneered the sound. i need to have a listen at the ones you listed in the “older” section.

Nadia said:

Yeah! I was listening to Daft Punk today and I realized that I hadn’t included them whatsoever…and they are the first that should have been on the list. I might go back and add them if I can.

Nadia said:

oh and you can listen to most (if not all) of these songs on IMEEM.COM Just type in the name of the song and artist and imeem and it should show up.

Nick said:

I love Crimewave, if you like Crystal Castles, check out Health.

Danny said:

Hey Nadia, have you heard ‘Feed The Animals’ (the new Girl Talk)? It’s well-worth checking out. I would also REALLY recommend Justice’s ‘Cross’ and Cut Copy’s ‘In Ghost Colors’. Both completely infectious and wonderful. Hit up some MGMT (’Oracular Spectacular’) if you’re game, too. I definitely agree about the Daft Punk. Perhaps some old-school MSTRKRFT to follow it.

colin said:

daft punk for sure nadia, and danny, MSTRKRFT is one of the best shows ive ever been to along with bassnectar, lotus, the new deal, orchard lounge, and DJ shadow and Cut Chemist. definately a good list btw and thx for the new music

Better said:

you sir have an aqful taste in music. you picked the 2 worst choices from the prodigy and simian mobile disco. and words cant describe how bad the steve aoki remix of helicopter is. you shouldnt really be allowed have a blog, since you are mildly retarded..

learn to pick proper music. cheers

papabuzz said:

yes. great taste. thank you. recommend green velvet and old school acid house from the 80s to add to the list.

jq said:

LOVE all your suggestions. I used to be an industrial/electronica radio DJ and have played all of these on my show. With the exception of the Combichrist song. I have that album but unfortunately could not share it with the world due to its oh so very very explicit nature.

On the Dance Floor (The Electro Scene List)

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