One of the newest types of music is EDM (Electronic Dance Music), which has become extremely popular in only a short period of time. Here are the top ten EDM songs of June that you should definitely listen to this summer:
Number Ten: Break Free by Ariana Grande feat. Zedd.
This song is quite a different style for pop-princess Ariana Grande, who is much more used to having traditional pop and some R&B influences in her tracks. Her collaboration with Russian and German producer Zedd is arguably one of the best songs off of her sophomore album My Everything (2014) because it has stood the test of time and is still frequently played on the radio today. The chorus is incredibly invigorating as Grande sings “This is the part when I say I don’t want ya / I’m stronger than I’ve been before / This is the part when I break free / ‘Cause I can’t resist it no more.” These bold lyrics make this track the perfect song to let loose and have fun to this summer.
Number Nine: You Know You Like It by DJ Snake & AlunaGeorge.
Having never heard of either of these artists, I had absolutely no idea what to expect the first time I decided to listen to this song. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that this song is one of the more avant-garde EDM songs in existence. The electronic beat has an interesting and quirky sound to it, which the lyrics accompany perfectly. Instead of traditional EDM lyrics about partying and living life to the fullest, this track has lyrics that focus around being independent, such as “I’m no fool, no, I’m not a follower.” Without a doubt, this is one of the most unique EDM songs that explores a completely different side of this style of music.
Number Eight: Lean On by Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØ.
In complete contrast with the previous record, this track is an awesome song to listen to at a party this summer. It emanates a fun, carefree vibe with lyrics such as “But the night was warm / We were bold and young / All around the wind blows / We would only hold on to let go.” However, in a similar fashion to the previous DJ Snake track, these lyrics are followed by an unusual yet fun beat and some vocal sounds that appear to mimic those made by a synthesizer. It quickly becomes clear that DJ Snake is a much different DJ that many of those who make music today and is interested in trying new things when it comes to his compostitions.
Number Seven: Rather Be by Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne.
After seeing Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne perform this song at Coachella this year, I absolutely fell in love with it. This light-hearted track is the perfect song to dance along to this summer. Jess Glynne’s quirky alto voice helps this song land directly in between the typical party track and a more avant-garde EDM song. With lyrics such as “I would wait forever, exalted in the sea / As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat” and “As long as we’re together / There’s no place I’d rather be,” this track also has somewhat of a romantic element to it that makes it a great song to listen to with your significant other or loved ones as well.
Number Six: I Want You to Know by Zedd feat. Selena Gomez.
Like Ariana Grande, this is Selena Gomez’s first time experimenting with an electronic dance music track. However, in my opinion, Gomez does a far better job than Grande with this transition. While Ariana Grande’s voice may technically be far superior, Gomez’s voice is definitely more suited for this particular style. This song falls under the more stereotypical, party-themed EDM song, but is still a great track nonetheless. The fun and playful lyrics of this song include “I want you to know that it’s our time / You and me bleed the same light / I want you to know that I’m all yours / You and me are the same force.”
Number Five: Cool by Alesso feat. Roy English.
Out of all of the songs that I discovered at Coachella, this is definitely my favorite. One of the reasons that this song is so incredible is because it contains so many different electronic melodies that greatly surprise the listener upon first hearing the track. In addition, this record is an excellent EDM song because the tempo varies greatly throughout, yet the listener is always engaged. Roy English sings lyrics such as “Before you, love, I was lost / Drifting at sea / You were the beacon I followed home / You were the one who rescued me” that add a romantic aspect to the song as well.
Number Four: Where Are Ü Now by Skrillex & Diplo feat. Justin Bieber.
Some may call this Justin Bieber’s “comeback” track, but I just call it another phenomenal EDM song of this summer. Ever since its release four months ago, this track has been in the Billboard Hot 100 and has had massive airplay on radio stations all around the world. At the beginning of this record, Justin sings meaningful lyrics such as “See I gave you faith, turned your doubt into hoping / Can’t deny it” and “When you broke down I didn’t leave ya” before crooning “Where are you now that I need you?” and the song launching into its epic and undeniably exciting electronic dance beat.
Number Three: Don’t Look Down by Martin Garrix feat. Usher.
At only 19 years old, Martin Garrix never fails to impress me with his raw talent for composing EDM tracks. This track is one of my favorites of his because it’s quite edgy and experiments with a lot of different parts of electronic dance music. Usher’s graceful voice and smooth falsetto fit perfectly into this track as he sings “Don’t look down / See that sky, we’re gonna reach it now/ Do you feel the lightning inside of you? / Will you follow through if I fall for you / Don’t look down / Up this high we’ll never hit the ground.” These dynamic lyrics catapult the song into its vibrant electronic beat that the listener cannot refrain from dancing to.
Number Two: King by Years & Years.
In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated yet best EDM songs of June. While it did reach number 46 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, I believe that this song should have garnered much more attention from media outlets and radio stations. The lead singer of Years & Years has an extremely unique voice that is truly unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. Along with a quirky tune played on a synthesizer, his vocal ability takes this track to a completely different level and makes it sound quite different from any other EDM song in the charts. Some of the lyrics in this anomalous EDM track include, “Cut cover, take that test / Hold courage to your chest / Don’t wanna wait for you / Don’t wanna have to lose” and “I had to break myself to carry on,” which strongly add to the track’s overall mystique.
Number One: Runaway (U & I) by Galantis.
Without a doubt, this is the song to listen to this summer, whether you are headed to a music festival, at a party, or at the beach with your friends. This track simply has it all, from uplifting lyrics to an infectiously contagious chorus that you can’t help but sing along to. It also features an incredible electronic build-up to the chorus that continuously excites the listener every time they hear it. Some of the free-spirited lyrics to this song include, “Think I can fly / Think I can fly when I’m with you / My arms are wide / Catching fire as the wind blows.” I highly recommend this song to absolutely anyone and definitely believe that it is the best EDM song of June 2015.