Of the many great things that the holiday season brings, one of our favorites is year-end lists. And here at Nexus Radio, we’re gearing up for our very own look back at a year of music with our annual Top 100 Chart.
But, before we unveil the hottest tracks and most exciting musical moments of the last 12 months, we thought there was no better opportunity than now to flashback to the Top 100 charts of the years gone by.
We already covered 2020, and now we’re moving on to 2021—an incredible year for electronic music.
5. Timmy Trumpet & Afrojack – Stay Mine (Radio Edit)
Released through Spinnin’ Records and at No. 5 on our 2021 Top 100 was Timmy Trumpet & Afrojack’s “Stay Mine.” Featuring intoxicating bass chords and a distinct 80s influence, “Stay Mine” is an inspiring dance track as unique as it is groovy. The collaboration showcases two of the most influential DJs at their best, from the throbbing drops to the trumpet solos.
4. Dom Dolla – Pump the Brakes (Short Radio Edit)
Australia DJ Dom Dolla rarely misses, and this is all the truer for a record like “Pump The Brakes”, which landed at No. 4 on our Top 100 list of 2021. Released via Sweat It Out Records, the track was nominated for Best Dance Release at the 2021 ARIA Music Awards and has become one of the DJ’s best-performing tracks. With its four-on-the-floor kick and tech house sound, “Pump The Brakes” was a definite highlight of 2021.
3. Jonas Blue & Léon – Hear Me Say
Walking the line of gospel and dance music, Jonas Blue’s house hit “Hear Me Say” is a sweet and energetic exploration of lost love, featuring excellent production from the English DJ and lyrical singing from Swedish vocalist Léon. The track, like many on this list, came at a time when the world was still locked down and served as the ultimate beat to blast in your living room while waiting out the pandemic.
2. Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar (Tommie Sunshine & Breikthru Remix)
It was hard to believe that Harry Styles’ global hit “Watermelon Sugar” could be improved upon, yet that’s precisely what power duo Tommie Sunshine & Breikthru did on this track. Recontextualizing the British heartthrob’s hit single for the tech house scene, Tommie and Breikthru infused “Watermelon Sugar’ with just the right amount of bass and synth to take it to the next level.
1. Joel Corry x Raye x David Guetta – Bed
Topping our 2021 list was “Bed,” created by the ultimate musical throuple—Joel Corry, Raye, and the iconic David Guetta. It’s unsurprising that this track did as well as it did, what with its unforgettable hook and clean production. Released through Perfect Havoc and Asylum Records UK, “Bed” featured a cosmic piano-infused sound and was the flirty chart-topper that we didn’t know we needed.
To keep up to date with electronic music, including exclusive coverage of some of the genre’s biggest festivals and more flashbacks of our Top 100 lists as we get closer to 2024, check back here at Nexus Radio.
